Andy Cohen's Daughter Lucy Has a Hilarious Observation About Her “Frozen ”Dolls as She Celebrates Her 4th Birthday

Andy Cohen celebrated his daughter Lucy’s 4th birthday with her new Frozen dolls, which she hilariously commented on in a video

People Andy Cohen and daughter LucyCredit: Andy Cohen/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

  • Cohen shared the sweet moment on Instagram, where Lucy called the dolls her favorite gift and thanked her dad

  • Last year, Lucy made headlines for asking for underwear as her only birthday gift, delighting fans with her humor

Andy Cohen's daughter is celebrating a special day!

The Bravo star's daughter rang in her 4th birthday this week, celebrating with her new Elsa and Anna dolls, which Cohen gifted Lucy for her big day.

Cohen, who is also dad to son Ben, 7, shared a video of Lucy playing with her dolls on Instagram, in which she makes a hilarious observation about theFrozencharacters.

"Elsa and Anna has big boobs," Lucy can be heard saying as she holds her dolls.

"They do? Oh my god. Do they?" Cohen asks, to which Lucy says, "Yeah."

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"Good, well, all sizes welcome, right?" adds Cohen, who then asks Lucy if this was her best present.

"Yes!" she exclaims.

"And who got it for you?" Cohen asks, as she excitedly replies, "Daddy!"

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"I love you," Cohen sweetly says.

Andy Cohen and his kids.Credit: Andy Cohen/Instagram

For Lucy's third birthday last year, the toddler told Cohen thatshe only wanted one thing.

Last April, the proud dad asked his daughter Lucy ina video on Instagramif there was anything she wanted for her birthday. As the two sat at the table, Lucy said there is one thing she wants – and it's not necessarily what you would expect.

“Lucy, it’s your third birthday tomorrow. What do you want for your birthday?” Cohen asked.

“Underwear,” Lucy said. “A what?” Cohen asked.

“Underwear,” repeated the toddler.

Holding back a laugh, Cohen asked if there's anything else she wanted besides underwear.

“Underwear,” Lucy said again. “More underwear?” Cohen asked.

“Yeah,” said Lucy. “Okay, well, that’s easy. Just the underwear is all you want? Okay great. Sounds great. Aw. I love you.” Cohen said.

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Andy Cohen's Daughter Lucy Has a Hilarious Observation About Her “Frozen ”Dolls as She Celebrates Her 4th Birthday

Andy Cohen celebrated his daughter Lucy’s 4th birthday with her new Frozen dolls, which she hilariously commented on in a video ...
“Ted Lasso” Season 4 Cast: Which Stars Are Returning for the Apple TV Comedy?

In July 2025, Apple TV announced that Ted Lasso was back in production for season 4

People 'Ted Lasso' season 4Credit: Courtesy of Apple

NEED TO KNOW

  • Cast members Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham and more are returning to reprise their roles

  • The third season of Ted Lasso ended nearly three years ago on May 31, 2023

Some familiar faces are returning to the pitch forseason 4ofTed Lasso.

The Emmy-winning Apple TV phenomenon ended its three-season story in May 2023, but in July 2025, it was announced thatTed Lassoseason 4 wasofficially in production. Filming kicked off in Kansas City, Mo., the hometown of series starJason Sudeikis.

More recently, on April 28, Apple TV released thefirst teaser trailerfor the new season, featuring a reunion with the comedy's returning cast.

Leads Sudeikis (Ted Lasso), Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins),Hannah Waddingham(Rebecca Welton) andJuno Temple(Keeley Jones) were seen in a first-look video and photo released by Apple TV in July 2025, confirming they would be back in the beloved series. However, quite a few otherTed Lassostars — including Phil Dunster (Jamie Tartt) — are not expected to appear in the upcoming season.

Season 4, which premieres Aug. 5, will follow Ted as he takes on his "biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team," according to the series' synopsis.

So, who will and won't be returning to AFC Richmond? Here's everything to know about the cast ofTed Lassoseason 4, so far.

Which stars are returning forTed Lassoseason 4?

The following actors have been confirmed forTed Lasso season 4.

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso

Jason Sudeikis in

The Emmy-winning actor will keep coaching as the titular Ted Lasso.

In a March 2025 press release announcingTed Lassoseason 4, Sudeikis said, "As we all continue to live in a world where so many factors have conditioned us to 'look before we leap.' In season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to 'leap before they look,' discovering that wherever they land, it's exactly where they're meant to be."

Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent

Brett Goldstein in

Brett Goldstein will be back as the gruff but lovable Roy Kent.

SinceTed Lassoseason 3, Goldstein has been part of another Apple TV series,Shrinking.

Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton

Hannah Waddingham in

Hannah Waddingham will reprise her role as Rebecca Welton, owner of AFC Richmond.

In a May 2023Deadlineinterview, when asked aboutTed Lassoseason 3 concluding with her character getting a deserved happy ending, Waddingham said Rebecca is "a very good egg, and I treated her with great love."

Juno Temple as Keeley Jones

Juno Temple in 'Ted Lasso'Credit: Apple TV+

Juno Temple will return as Keeley Jones.

During a March 2023 interview withTown & Country, theFargoactress said returning forTed Lassoseason 3, "felt like coming home."

"It's like a safe place, seeing all these incredible faces that have guided you through this extraordinary experience," Temple continued. "All getting back together feels cozy, feels safe. There's a safety net around it, which is really awesome."

Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard

Brendan Hunt in 'Ted Lasso'Credit: Apple TV+

Brendan Hunt will be back as Ted's right-hand man, Coach Beard.

In June 2025, Hunt toldEntertainment Tonightthat he "can't wait" to return for season 4.

"We're getting going on that. We start shooting pretty soon," he teased.

Jeremy Swift as Leslie Higgins

Jeremy Swift in 'Ted Lasso'Credit: Apple TV+

Jeremy Swift will return as Leslie Higgins, head of football operations.

During a For Your Consideration Emmys event in June 2023, on the future ofTed Lasso, Swift said, “I don’t know about any more seasons blah, blah, blah, but you can see that there is potential for other things."

"It’s great that even if it doesn’t go anywhere, you can see that those characters aren’t just going to stay where they were, they’re going to move on," he continued, perThe Hollywood Reporter. "That’s an incremental part of how the show has always moved ahead, it’s always moved the characters ahead and it did that even in the last episode."

Which stars are not expected to return forTed Lassoseason 4?

The following actors have not been confirmed as returning for the upcoming season, but they could still appear as guest stars.

Phil Dunster as Jamie Tartt

Phil Dunster in

Phil Dunster, who played football star Jamie Tartt, will not be returning, in part due to a scheduling conflict, "but could potentially reprise his role in some limited capacity,"Deadlinereported in March 2025.

Dunster is part of the ensemble of the HBO comedy,Rooster, starring Steve Carell. The series — which was co-created by Bill Lawrence, who also co-createdTed Lasso— premiered in March 2026.

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Nick Mohammed as Nathan Shelley

Jason Sudeikis and Nick Mohammed in

Nick Mohammed has not been announced as reprising his role of Nathan "Nate" Shelley, but he did tease a potential return.

In January 2025, Mohammad announced he would have to reschedule some dates of his comedy tour,Show Pony, due to filming conflicts.

“I cannot say what that filming is. But it will be announced shortly,” he said in aX video, perDeadline. "In the meantime, I would really appreciate if people just didn’t speculate as to what they think it might be," Mohammad continued, not-so-subtly holding up aTed Lasso"Believe" sign.

Sarah Niles as Dr. Sharon Fieldstone

Sarah Niles in

Sarah Niles played sports psychologist Dr. Sharon Fieldstone. There has been no confirmation as to whether or not she will appear in the upcoming season.

The actress recently appeared in the summer racing blockbusterF1andThe Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Anthony Head as Rupert Mannion

Anthony Head in

Anthony Head played Rupert Mannion, the former owner of AFC Richmond and the main villain onTed Lasso, though it is unclear whether he will reprise his role for season 4.

Rupert suffered public humiliation on the football field in theTed Lassoseason 3 finale, but Head had a different ending in mind for his character.

"I thought he might go down for fraud. Something that would undermine the core of his business," he toldVulturein June 2023. "Because there has been a bit of that. People who have lots of money can be pulled to that sort of thing."

Toheeb Jimoh as Sam Obisanya

Toheeb Jimoh in

Toheeb Jimoh starred as AFC Richmond player Sam Obisanya.

In March 2023, at theTed Lassoseason 3 premiere, Jimoh told PEOPLE about the strong connection between the series' cast.

"We really have bonded. I think you can tell from the way we interact with each other, wherever we go, that there's a real genuine connection between all of us," he explained. "I think a lot of that was, on season 2, we were filming during a pandemic. There was a time where people couldn't be around each other. Thankfully, I think we all saved each other."

Jimoh has not spoken about a potential return to the series.

Cristo Fernández as Dani Rojas

Cristo Fernandez and Billy Harris in

Cristo Fernández played the happy and optimistic soccer star Dani Rojas.

It has not been revealed if Fernández will return, but in a January 2025ScreenRantinterview, the actor said he "would love to see [more] Dani."

"Ted Lassohas meant so much to me, not only to me as an actor, and having more opportunities and work, but just a message that has spread to so many fans around the globe," he continued. "And I hope there's more. I hope there's moreTed Lasso. I hope there's more Dani Rojas."

Kola Bokinni as Isaac McAdoo

Kola Bokinni and Brett Goldstein in

Kola Bokinni played Isaac McAdoo, Richmond Team Captain.

In June 2023, Bokinni told theAssociated Pressthat the last day of filmingTed Lasso"was weird" for him.

"It was surreal. It didn't quite hit me. You know, we had a couple of drinks afterwards and we we were celebrating, but I was kind of like a little bit solemn because I didn't really know that it was the end," he said.

"I'm just really thankful that I got to be a part of it. To be honest," the actor added.

It is unconfirmed if Bokinni will return for season 4.

Billy Harris as Colin Hughes

Billy Harris in

Billy Harris played footballer Colin Hughes, who came out as gay in season 3.

In April 2023, when asked about a potential fourth season ofTed Lasso, Harris toldThe Hollywood Reporter, "The moment that there is a season four, I’ll be ready with my football boots, ready to go again. I am as excited as and as curious as the whole world is, because I have no idea."

James Lance as Trent Crimm

James Lance in

James Lance played journalist Trent Crimm.

Trent started out on the series as a sports reporter, but went on to write a book,The Richmond Way, about the underdog football team.

Lance has not spoken about returning to the series.

Read the original article onPeople

“Ted Lasso” Season 4 Cast: Which Stars Are Returning for the Apple TV Comedy?

In July 2025, Apple TV announced that Ted Lasso was back in production for season 4 NEED TO KNOW Cast members Jas...
Soccer-Palestinian FA chief hits out at Israeli federation VP at FIFA Congress

By Julien Pretot

Reuters Soccer Football - 76th FIFA Congress - Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, Canada - April 30, 2026 Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestine Football association reacts on stage as Moshe Zuares, President of the Israeli football federation and FIFA President Gianni Infantino look on REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier Soccer Football - 76th FIFA Congress - Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, Canada - April 30, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestine Football association as Moshe Zuares, President of the Israeli football federation looks on during the congress REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier Soccer Football - 76th FIFA Congress - Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, Canada - April 30, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestine Football association during the congress REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

76th FIFA Congress

VANCOUVER, April 30 (Reuters) - Palestinian soccer federation President Jibril Rajoub refused to stand alongside Israel FA Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman in a heated moment at the FIFA Congress on Thursday.

Both men were called to the stand by ‌FIFA President Gianni Infantino but Rajoub declined to be brought closer to Arab-Israeli Suliman.

Infantino put his hand on Rajoub's arm ‌and invited him with a gesture to come closer to Suliman, but in vain.

Asked what Rajoub said when he refused, Palestinian FA Vice-President Susan Shalabi, who was in ​the room, told Reuters: "I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide. We are suffering."

Israel has denied committing genocide in Gaza.

Infantino then took the stand and said: "We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice-President Suliman. Let's work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters."

Speaking to Reuters after the Congress ended, Shalabi said Infantino's attempt to have Suliman and Rajoub shake hands showed ‌little consideration for the Palestinian FA chief's speech, ⁠in which he made yet another plea for Israeli clubs not to base teams in the West Bank settlements.

"To be put in a position where to have a handshake after everything that was said, this negates ⁠the whole purpose of the speech that the general (Rajoub) was giving," she said.

"He spent like 15 minutes trying to explain to everyone how the rules matter, how this could easily become a precedent where the rights of member associations are violated with impudence, and then we'll just wrap this under ​the ​carpet. It was absurd."

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Rajoub said: "From my side, I still respect and follow the ​legal procedure but I think it’s time to understand ‌that Israel should be sanctioned. The double standard policy should stop.

"I refused to shake hands. Sport is sport… for me that should be respected, but if the other side is representing a criminal like Bibi (Benjamin Netanyahu) and speaking on behalf of Bibi as if Bibi is Mother Teresa, how can I shake hands or have a photo with such a man?

"I think Gianni has the right to try to bridge gaps and bring people together but I think maybe he does not understand or does not know the deep suffering of the Palestinian ‌people."

Last week, the PFA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against ​FIFA's decision not to sanction Israel over clubs based in West Bank settlements.

The ​PFA has long argued that clubs based in settlements in ​the West Bank – territory Palestinians seek as part of a future state – should not compete in leagues run ‌by the Israel Football Association.

FIFA said last month it would ​take no action against the IFA ​or Israeli clubs, citing the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under public international law.

As they were leaving the Vancouver Convention Centre, Rajoub and Shalabi were targeted by protesters who were demanding that FIFA should ban Iran from the World Cup ​on the grounds that the team, they say, ‌represent the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

"Does that convince you that you have to support IRGC... because you're having a ​problem with Israel," one protester asked Rajoub.

"We're not supporting anyone, we just want the support of the international community," ​Rajoub said.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris and Clare Fallon)

Soccer-Palestinian FA chief hits out at Israeli federation VP at FIFA Congress

By Julien Pretot 76th FIFA Congress VANCOUVER, April 30 (Reuters) - Palestinian soccer federation President Jibril Rajoub refu...
Murakami homers again as the White Sox top the Angels for a rain-delayed 8-7 win

CHICAGO (AP) — Munetaka Murakami hit a three-run homer in a big seventh-inning rally, and the Chicago White Sox held off the slumping Los Angeles Angels for an 8-7 win Monday night.

Associated Press Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami, of Japan, hits a single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Chicago, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Chicago White Sox's Andrew Benintendi (23) walks to the dugout after being called out on strikes during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Chicago, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout celebrates with teammates after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jorge Soler during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Los Angeles Angels' Jorge Soler hits a sacrifice fly to Chicago White Sox right fielder Everson Pereira during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) A tarp covers the infield as fans wait during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Angels White Sox Baseball

Andrew Benintendi had three RBIs as Chicago improved to 6-4 in its last 10 games. Miguel Vargas hit a solo drive, and Tristan Peters had two hits and scored two runs.

Jorge Soler hit a solo homer for Los Angeles in the rain-delayed opener of a three-game series. Mike Trout had two hits and scored twice.

The Angels blew a 5-1 lead in their fourth consecutive loss and eighth in nine games overall. They had a 6-0 lead Sunday at Kansas City and lost11-9when Lane Thomas hit a three-run homer for the Royals in the 10th inning.

The White Sox sent 10 batters to the plate while scoring seven times in the seventh. It was their biggest inning of the season.

Benintendi's two-run double off Nick Sandlin (0-1) trimmed the Angels' lead to one. Murakami then greeted Drew Pomeranz with a drive to right-center for his major league-best 12th homer. Vargas followed Murakami with another homer for an 8-5 lead.

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The 26-year-old Murakami, a rookie slugger from Japan, is batting .349 (15 for 43) with seven homers and 14 RBIs in his last 10 games.

Osvaldo Bido (2-0) pitched three innings of one-run ball for the win.

Soler and Nolan Schanuel each drove in a run in the ninth against Grant Taylor before Bryan Hudson retired Adam Frazier on a bouncer to second, stranding runners at second and third. It was Hudson's first career save.

The start was delayed three hours as rain and thunderstorms rolled over Rate Field.

Up next

José Soriano (5-0, 0.24 ERA) starts for the Angels on Tuesday night, and fellow right-hander Davis Martin (3-1, 2.01 ERA) pitches for the White Sox.

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/MLB

Murakami homers again as the White Sox top the Angels for a rain-delayed 8-7 win

CHICAGO (AP) — Munetaka Murakami hit a three-run homer in a big seventh-inning rally, and the Chicago White Sox held off the slumping L...
King Charles jets to US for trip overshadowed by Iran quarrel and shooting

By Michael Holden and Suzanne Plunkett

Reuters FILE PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the British Museum to view the final design for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial, on the 100th anniversary of the late queen's birth, in London, Britain April 21, 2026. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo A U.S. flag and a Union Jack Flag fly in the wind near the White House ahead of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to the United States, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 26, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

FILE PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the British Museum on the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's birth

LONDON/WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in the United States later on Monday for a four-day trip, a tour which has taken on even greater prominence after the White House Correspondents' dinner shooting ‌and amid acrimony between the close allies.

The state visit, by far the most high-profile and consequential of Charles's reign, marks the 250th anniversary ‌of the U.S. declaration of independence from British rule, and is the first to the country by a British monarch for two decades.

It begins with a private meeting with self-proclaimed royal ​fan President Donald Trump, and includes an address to Congress and a lavish dinner at the White House.

PRESS DINNER SHOOTING JUST DAYS BEFORE VISIT

But the long-planned trip has become enmeshed in the political spat between the two countries over the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which led Trump to voice deep displeasure with the British government for failing to support the offensive.

The shooting on Saturday at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, with the president and officials in his ‌administration the likely targets according to the U.S. acting ⁠attorney general, has cast a further pall over the visit.

Buckingham Palace said the trip would still go ahead as planned following discussions between British and U.S. authorities to determine if the incident would impact on the royals' plans.

"The king and ⁠queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow," a palace spokesperson said on Sunday.

TRUMP HAS CRITICISED UK OVER IRAN STANCE

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On arriving in Washington, the king and queen have a private tea with the president, an unabashed ​lover ​of the British royal family who regularly describes Charles as a "great man", and his ​wife, first lady Melania Trump.

The 77-year-old king, who is still ‌undergoing treatment for cancer, will address Congress the next day - just the second time a British monarch has done so.

The royals will then head on to New York where they will commemorate those killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary, while the queen will also mark the centenary of children's stories featuring Winnie the Pooh.

The U.S. trip concludes in Virginia with the king meeting those involved in conservation work, a nod to his half century of environmental campaigning.

The government of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hoping the visit will shore up the future of the two allies' "special ‌relationship" which is at its lowest point since the Suez Crisis in 1956.

Britain's ambassador ​to the U.S., Christian Turner, said the visit would underscore the shared history, sacrifice and ​common values between the two countries, adding that the approach would ​be a very British one of: "Keep calm, carry on."

While Trump has eased his criticism of Britain in recent days over ‌its response to the Iran war, an internal Pentagon email ​has set out how the U.S. could ​review its position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands as punishment for its lack of support, once again straining ties.

One issue off the table during the visit is the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Royal sources have said it was not possible for the royal couple to meet ​any victims of Epstein during the tour, as ‌some have requested, to avoid impacting on any potential criminal cases.

Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose reputation and royal standing has been destroyed ​over his links to the late U.S. sex offender, is currently facing police inquiries over his connections. The former Prince Andrew ​has denied any wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Michael Holden in London; Editing by Toby Chopra)

King Charles jets to US for trip overshadowed by Iran quarrel and shooting

By Michael Holden and Suzanne Plunkett FILE PHOTO: Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the British Museum on the ...
Andy Serkis explains why he changed Orwell's iconic 'Animal Farm' ending for new movie

NEW YORK –Andy Serkishas been trying to animateGeorge Orwell’s “Animal Farm” for 15 years. In 2026, he says it “couldn’t, actually, be more relevant.”

USA TODAY

Serkis and his producing partner, Jonathan Cavendish, started tinkering around with an adaptation after he filmed 2011's “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” The rebellion in that movie reminded him of “Animal Farm,” which he read for the first time on the bus to school when he was 10 or 11. Fifty-some years later, it sticks with him. He wore a red hat to the premiere that read, "Make Animal Farm Fiction Again."

British actor and director Andy Serkis attends the premiere of Angel Studios' "Animal Farm" at Regal Theatre Battery Park in New York on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Leonardo MUNOZ / AFP via Getty Images)

“It was just the most amazing experience of reading something that hits you viscerally,” Serkis tells USA TODAY. “It feels like it's something else, but you're not quite understanding the ground swell of darkness that's underneath it.”

Orwell is often lauded as prophetic because his 1940s dystopian novelsring true with readers today. The theme of last year's Banned Books Week was"Censorship Is So 1984."When he wrote “Animal Farm,” he intended it as an allegory for the Russian Revolution and rise of Stalinism. Barnyard animals overthrow their farmer to build a utopia but by the end of the novel have devolved into a corrupt power structure where "all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

Serkis approached the adaptation by asking himself what Orwell would write about if he wrote “Animal Farm” today. He didn’t want it to be a story about Stalinist Russia. Instead, he gravitated toward themes of capitalism, wealth and overconsumption. The billionaire antagonist, Pilkington (Glenn Close), drives what closely resembles a Cybertruck.

The lead-up to this adaptation, in theaters May 1, has been largely controversial. Whenthe trailer droppedin December, oversaturated with middle-school knee-slappers and set to the upbeat “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man, the criticism was swift. After all, “Animal Farm” is a serious and violent story with a bleak ending. This advertised butt jokes, campy fight montages and sinister Seth Rogen laughs. Even a star-studded ensemble of Rogen, Close,Gaten Matarazzo, Jim Parsons,Woody Harrelson, Steve Buscemi andLaverne Coxcouldn’t sell the new “Animal Farm” to some.

Andy Serkis welcomes criticism of new animated ‘Animal Farm’

Backlash to the trailer included one particular sting: “Orwell is rolling in his grave.” But Serkis maintains his estate signed off on the adaptation when he secured the rights. He insists “Orwell would have wanted” controversy.

“He's sort of adored and abhorred by both left and right, and that's the other thing about our film. We're not having a go at any one administration or regime. It's about authoritarianism and our response to that and power corrupting,” Serkis says. “I welcomed it. I loved that debate because that's what it's all about, creating a debate. That's what I do in my job as an actor, storyteller, filmmaker. Any act of creating art for me is about saying to the audience or the viewer, ‘Think about this differently.’ And if you don't agree with me, that's not a problem, but think about it differently."

When he bought the rights, Serkis said the Orwell estate didn’t exert much creative control, only requesting that he not stray too far from what the book is about.

Representatives for the Orwell Estate did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

Andy Serkis' "Animal Farm" adaptation may be shrouded in controversy, but the actor and director says he welcomes it.

Anti-dictatorship, but for kids

Serkis scrubs the story of its violence, at least in any graphic manner. Snowball (Cox), for example, is escorted off the farm rather than chased by hounds and torn to pieces like in the book. Boxer’s (Harrelson) horrific glue factory death is largely implied. It didn’t stop Serkis’ team from giving me apromotional bottle of craft gluewith the horse’s face on it, though. I'm not sure how this bit of dark humor will go over with the kiddos.

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Deciding who the audience was, Serkis says, was part of why it took a decade and a half to get the project off the ground. He points out “Animal Farm” was once subtitled“A Fairy Story”: “It was meant for a younger audience. He was writing with children in mind … I think we’ve remained loyal to that,” Serkis says. He added a new protagonist, Lucky (Matarazzo), a “young innocent piglet” with a moral arc and a slightly off-beat side-plot romance.

Did he worry that replacing the violence with potty humor would dilute the message? Serkis doesn’t miss a beat in his reply.

“We didn’t. We wanted to translate it in such a way that the threat is there, the impending threat is always there,” Serkis says.

Many of the secondary school English classes that teach “Animal Farm” study violence as a central theme and abuse of power. The atrocities make the seemingly silly feel sobering. But Serkis prefers his Trojan horse without the slaughter.

“We’re almost desensitized by the amount of violence that we are subjected to through news. But in a way, we’re so desensitized, we can’t cope with it,” Serkis says. “For a young person, if you can allow them to emotionally feel something like I did when I read the book, emotionally feel something, but not fully understand it, that's a good place to be, I think.”

Why Andy Serkis made major changes to ‘Animal Farm’ ending

“Animal Farm,” classically, is a story without a happy ending. But Serkis’ interpretation gives viewers closure. The film adds an entirely new third act: Lucky has a change of heart and apologizes, the animals take down Napoleon and the evil capitalistic Pilkington. Lucky tells the cautionary tale for a new generation.

While the book haunts, the film aims for hopeful: dictators are bad, we should help each other and freedom is working hard “not because we have to, but because we choose to,” as Lucky says.

Serkis chose this new ending because he was hesitant to dog-pile on an already “bleak world,” he says.

“We live in a world where there seemingly is no hope at the moment. We keep making the same mistakes. There are oppressive regimes globally. There are bosses in companies that maltreat their workers globally. We're living in such a difficult time. All times are difficult for humanity, but we're living in, it seems, certainly a world without truth or the inability to really know what is true and what isn't true,” Serkis says. “So we wanted the next generation, the kids who we hopefully are going to be watching this film, to at least have the ability to question what they should do next time around. History will inevitably repeat itself.”

Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find heron Instagram, subscribe to our weeklyBooks newsletteror tell her what you’re reading atcmulroy@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Andy Serkis welcomes criticism of new 'Animal Farm' movie

Andy Serkis explains why he changed Orwell's iconic 'Animal Farm' ending for new movie

NEW YORK –Andy Serkishas been trying to animateGeorge Orwell’s “Animal Farm” for 15 years. In 2026, he says it “couldn’t, actually, be ...
George and Amal Clooney Step Out for Gala in His Honor as He Shares Sweet Update on Their Twins (Exclusive)

George and Amal Clooney attended the 51st Chaplin Award Gala honoring George’s contributions to cinema on Monday, April 27

People George and Amal ClooneyCredit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • The annual fundraising gala was held at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City

  • George told PEOPLE how the couple's children have "slowly been figuring" he's an actor and the one movie they've recently been watching

GeorgeandAmal Clooneyhad a date night in the actor’s honor!

On Monday, April 27, the couple attended the 51st Chaplin Award Gala Celebrating George Clooney at Alice Tully Hall in New York City.

Amal, 48, turned heads in a purple Balenciaga peplum-style mini dress, which she teamed with a gold clutch bag and matching heels, while her husband, 64, looked dapper in a black tuxedo.

The duo posed for a series of photos on the red carpet before heading inside for the event, which recognizes an individual’s “significant contributions to the art of cinema,” per the Lincoln Centerwebsite.

George and Amal Clooney attend the 51st Chaplin Award Gala honoring George Clooney at Alice Tully HallCredit: Dia Dipasupil/WireImage

The award is named after its first honoree, Charlie Chaplin, with all proceeds from the annual gala fundraiser “going to support our nonprofit organization’s mission to celebrate cinema as an essential art form and foster a vibrant home for film culture to thrive.”

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE on the red carpet, George shared that receiving the award and the attention that has come with it was “wild” and “a little embarrassing,” but “fun” at the same time.

“You don’t, you drink,” he jokes about how he prepared for the evening. “I'm gonna have to start drinking soon.”

TheJay Kellystar also shared an insight into how his children — twins Ella and Alexander, 8 — have been watching his movies as he reflected on his career.

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Revealing that he doesn’t tend to watch his films now he’s older because it’s “hard” to see how he looked in his younger years, George said that he’s made an exception for 2009’sFantastic Mr. Fox.

"It's a weird thing. As you get older, it's hard to watch movies when you were younger because you're like, holy s---, that doesn't even look like me anymore," he tells PEOPLE. "You know, I'm watching because I've got 8 year olds, I'm watchingFantastic Mr. Fox, which is a little easier because it's not really me, it's just my boys. And that's kind of fun because the kids are slowly figuring out what I do for a living."

George and Amal ClooneyCredit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Earlier this year, George revealed that he finally showed his son Alexander hisBatmanmovie.

In an interview withW. Magazine,George explained that he showed his son the film after he went as the character for Halloween last year.

Amal and George ClooneyCredit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

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"Halloween's a big holiday. My son went as Batman. He hadn't seenBatmanyet," Clooney told the outlet of his 1997 filmBatman & Robin. "I always say to him, 'You know I was Batman.' He's always like, 'No.'"

"I don't know that he knew how profound it was when he said I wasn't Batman. A couple of weeks ago, I finally showed it to him," he continued. "It wasn't great for grown-ups, but it's great for 8-year-olds, so he loved it."

Read the original article onPeople

George and Amal Clooney Step Out for Gala in His Honor as He Shares Sweet Update on Their Twins (Exclusive)

George and Amal Clooney attended the 51st Chaplin Award Gala honoring George’s contributions to cinema on Monday, April 27 NEED T...
49ers solicit Brandon Aiyuk trade offers after 2026 NFL Draft: 'Give us a call'

The 2026 NFL Draftis over, and wide receiverBrandon Aiyukis still a member of theSan Francisco 49ers.

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The 49ers have made it clear they plan to eventually move on from Aiyuk. General manager John Lynch told reporters in an end-of-season news conference it was"safe to say he's played his last snap with the 49ers"after the two parties had a falling out while the veteran wide-out was out of action due to a knee injury.

Despite this, the 49ers have been holding onto Aiyuk, hoping they can eventually find a trade partner for him. Thus far, their efforts have been unsuccessful.

<p style=OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

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2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)

Nonetheless,Lynch told reporters after the 2026 NFL Draftthere was "no new update right now" about Aiyuk's future while reiterating the team's desire to trade him.

"We're available. Give us a call," Lynch said. "And like I said earlier, I think it's the prudent thing to do. He’s an extremely talented player. He's been an extremely effective player in our league; situation didn't work itself out here. That's not to say that it can't be rekindled somewhere else. And we'd be happy to do something with anyone if the opportunity presented itself."

Lynch was also asked whether the 49ers would consider releasing Aiyuk as they remain unable to find a trade partner.

"Not anytime soon," he said.

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49ERS DEPTH CHART:How team projects with 2026 NFL Draft in the books

If the 49ers do eventually release Aiyuk, it will likely be with a post-June 1 designation. Doing so would allow the team to spread his dead-cap hit – which is salary cap space allocated to a player no longer on the roster – of nearly $33.6 million over two seasons.

However, San Francisco doesn't have to wait until after June 1 to make such a maneuver. NFL teams are allowed to designate up to two players as post-June 1 releases at any point after the start of the new league year, and the 49ers haven't yet utilized that designation in 2026.

So, all that's stopping the 49ers from releasing Aiyuk is their desire to acquire something from him via trade.

Will that happen? That remains unclear. TheWashington Commandershave "significant interest" in the 28-year-old receiver, according toNFL Media's Ian Rapoport, but they have thus far been content to wait for the 49ers to release him.

As such, the stare-down between the 49ers, Aiyuk and teams interested in acquiring him could linger well into the quieter months of the 2026 NFL offseason.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Brandon Aiyuk trade still sought by 49ers, GM says

49ers solicit Brandon Aiyuk trade offers after 2026 NFL Draft: 'Give us a call'

The 2026 NFL Draftis over, and wide receiverBrandon Aiyukis still a member of theSan Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have made it clear...

 

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