Category Archives: entertainment

‘Stranger Things’: The truth behind Hawkins’s iconic locations

By Vinita Jain | Oct 02, 2025 | 10:27 am

**What’s the Story Behind Stranger Things’ Iconic Locations?**

*Stranger Things* has become a household name, thanks to its gripping storyline and nostalgia-inducing setting. The fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, is a character in itself, and its locations have inspired many. From eerie forests to retro diners, the places in Hawkins have become iconic.

This article takes a look at the real-life inspirations behind these locations, giving fans a glimpse into the world that shaped *Stranger Things*.

### 1. The Eerie Woods of Hawkins

The mysterious woods of Hawkins are a major part of the series, providing the perfect backdrop for strange and unsettling happenings. These woods are inspired by real-life forests in Indiana, where dense trees and morning fog create an eerie atmosphere.

One notable example is the Hoosier National Forest. With its sprawling trails and thick foliage, it can easily make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world — much like the haunting woods featured in the show.

### 2. Retro Diners and Hangouts

The retro diners in Hawkins are a nostalgic nod to classic American hangouts from the 1980s. These spots serve as social hubs for the characters, where they bond over milkshakes, fries, and classic jukebox tunes.

The design of these diners draws inspiration from real-life establishments of that era, with their glowing neon signs, vintage decor, and cozy atmospheres that transport you back in time.

### 3. Hawkins Middle School Inspiration

Hawkins Middle School sits at the heart of many pivotal moments throughout *Stranger Things*. Its architectural style takes cues from real-life schools built in the mid-20th century.

Characterized by red brick exteriors and spacious hallways, this design reflects many American public schools of the period, lending authenticity to the show’s small-town setting.

### 4. The Iconic Hawkins Lab

The infamous Hawkins Lab is central to much of the series’ mystery and suspense. It is inspired by real-life research facilities that have long been subjects of conspiracy theories.

While the exact inspiration remains a mystery, many speculate that the lab’s design is influenced by various government research centers — known for their sterile environments, high-security measures, and secretive operations.

### 5. Charming Small-Town Vibes

What makes Hawkins particularly relatable is its quintessential small-town vibe. It’s portrayed as a close-knit community where everyone knows each other (or at least pretends to).

The town buzzes with festivals, parades, and communal events that bring the locals together, echoing the spirit of many real-life Midwestern towns famous for their strong sense of community.

*Stranger Things* masterfully blends fiction with elements inspired by real locations and cultural memories, creating a vivid world that resonates with fans around the globe. Whether it’s the eerie woods or the buzzing social scenes, Hawkins holds a special place in the hearts of viewers — grounded in reality yet filled with supernatural wonder.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/stranger-things-locations-real-life-places-that-inspired-hawkins/story

3 Things WWE can do to combat Andrade signing with AEW

Former WWE star Andrade made a shocking return to AEW on the sixth anniversary of the Dynamite episode.

His unexpected appearance caught fans by surprise, adding an exciting twist to the milestone event. Andrade’s return has sparked discussions across the wrestling community, signaling a potential new chapter in his career within AEW.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/3-things-wwe-can-combat-andrade-signing-aew

EXCLUSIVE: How Prince Harry Was Blocked From Getting His ‘Dream’ Tattoo — After He Was Spotted at Inker’s Parlor in New York

**Prince Harry Nearly Got His ‘Dream’ Tattoo on a Wild Las Vegas Trip, New Details Reveal**

*Published Oct. 1, 2025, 7:40 p.m. ET*

Prince Harry once came close to getting his “dream” tattoo during a wild trip to Las Vegas — a story RadarOnline.com can now reveal has resurfaced after he was recently seen taking part in a tattoo stunt at a New York parlor.

Harry, 41, recounted in his memoir *Spare* how, during a notorious 2012 trip to Nevada, he was determined to commemorate the holiday with a permanent mark of ink. Egged on by alcohol and the rush of freedom, he settled on the idea of a map of Botswana on the sole of his foot.

### A Tattoo Plan Born in Sin City

However, his friends quickly intervened, insisting that no prince should wake up with a permanent reminder of a night out in Sin City. A source close to the duke shared, “Harry genuinely wanted the tattoo — to him, it symbolized both his connection to Botswana and living in the moment. His friends, though, saw it as a bad idea and stepped in, convinced he’d regret it later.”

In *Spare*, Harry described how he debated the placement of the tattoo. The shoulder was “too visible,” the lower back “too provocative,” but the sole of his foot seemed perfect. “Layers upon layers of symbolism,” he wrote, recalling how he wandered down the Las Vegas Strip looking for a parlor with an atlas of Africa.

### Friends Put Their Foot Down

Despite his enthusiasm, his friends had other ideas. “Absolutely not,” they said, even threatening to “hold me down, knock me out, whatever it took” to stop him. In the end, Harry abandoned the plan and instead joined his entourage in a nightclub, admitting to sulking over the missed opportunity.

### Ink Fascination Resurfaces in New York

More than a decade later, Harry’s fascination with body art has not diminished. Last year, he was spotted entering East Side Ink in Manhattan alongside American country star Jelly Roll, sparking speculation he had finally gone through with the tattoo.

It later emerged, however, that the scene was staged as part of a promotional sketch for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. In the short film, Jelly Roll jokingly inks Harry, who pretends to be getting his first tattoo.

The prank highlighted the royal exile’s playful side but also revived memories of that infamous Vegas trip. Another insider commented, “The stunt brought back memories of Harry’s long-standing curiosity about tattoos. Even though it wasn’t real, it reminded people of that night in Las Vegas when he nearly went through with it.”

### A Dream Deferred, Not Forgotten

Harry’s 2012 weekend in Nevada is remembered more for scandalous photographs leaked from a game of strip billiards than for his unfulfilled tattoo dream. Yet his memoir underlines how seriously he had considered it at the time, describing the tattoo as a symbol of his independence.

Though he never went through with the Botswana design, Harry admitted the idea lingered. *“The tattoo could wait till the next day,”* he recalled in *Spare* — though that day has not come… yet.
https://radaronline.com/p/prince-harry-blocked-dream-tattoo-new-york-parlor/

Renée Elise Goldsberry is ‘Satisfied’

Renée Elise Goldsberry is most well-known to the public as Angelica Schuyler from the hit musical *Hamilton*, but her career started long before that.

**“Satisfied,”** a new documentary from Melissa Haizlip and Chris Bolan, takes a close look at Goldsberry’s run on *Hamilton*—but more importantly, it explores what she sacrificed to dedicate herself to that award-winning performance. The film offers an honest portrayal of how a performer at the top of her career attempts to balance being a wife and mother while navigating a career-changing moment many dream of.

Haizlip and Bolan recently sat down with the *Tribune* to discuss their film and the evolving role of documentarians during these challenging times. The filmmakers shared what inspired them to make the documentary, with Bolan highlighting the canceled theatrical release of *Hamilton* as the catalyst.

“Renée moved away from the city and became close friends with a dear friend of mine, Kelli O’Hara—who is also a wonderful Broadway performer, Tony Award-winning actress, and executive producer (EP) on our project,” Bolan explained. “Renée told Kelli that she had a lot of behind-the-scenes footage from *Hamilton* and wished she had done something with it instead of just posting it all on Instagram. She wished she had made a documentary or met someone who knew how to create one.”

Kelli responded, “‘Well, it just so happens that I have a good friend who lives right over here who is a documentary filmmaker. Do you want to meet him?’ And [Renée] said, ‘Sure!’”

As a theater fan herself, Haizlip said she was excited to join the team for this Renée Goldsberry documentary. “I’m a huge musical theater fan; I’m a musical theater kid,” she shared. “I also grew up doing plays and musicals, and then I had a really long career on Broadway, performing myself in many shows. Now I’m producing shows on Broadway, and I love making documentaries as well. So the idea of bringing all these things together as a Black woman in theater, I was so excited to see her story being told this way.”

One of the major themes examined in *Satisfied* is how Goldsberry balances her career and family—a dilemma that many women in America face. As Goldsberry states in the film, “I’m the only cast member that’s also a mom.”

“The themes of our film—motherhood, balancing career and family—are just so universal,” Haizlip emphasized, “but the specificity of Renée and seeing the film through her eyes, that’s what really made a lot of difference for me.”

Both filmmakers, with impressive résumés, were also asked about the role of documentarians in today’s historical context. In many ways, they represent the last true truth-tellers.

“I try to use it to amplify underrepresented stories, particularly those focusing on Black culture and history,” Haizlip said. “I intentionally approach filmmaking to show the full breadth of Black expression and humanity; especially with this film, we tried to tell a more intimate story about her journey with motherhood and infertility.”

Bolan highlighted his previous film, *A Secret Love*, to explain his perspective on why documentarians are so important. “Creating a documentary requires dedication and teaches us the importance of perseverance. I try to build trust with my subjects by ensuring they are co-creators in the storytelling process,” he shared. “I work with them to ensure their story is told in an authentic and compelling way, and that’s what Melissa and I did with *Satisfied.*”

It is this type of attention to detail and care that makes *Satisfied* such a compelling film. It not only highlights Goldsberry’s incredible talents but also the sacrifices an artist of her caliber makes to bring us a lifetime full of memories.

*Satisfied* hits U.S. theaters for a special three-day theatrical event via Fathom Events through October 2.

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https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/movies/ren-e-elise-goldsberry-is-satisfied/article_37a840e2-7fdc-423b-848d-20ae9fdd8e38.html

EXCLUSIVE: ‘RHONJ’ Star Teresa Giudice Considering ‘Patching Things Up’ With Melissa and Joe Gorga After Explosive Feud… As Her Future on Bravo Show Remains Up In The Air

**Teresa Giudice Opens the Door to Potential Reconciliation with Joe and Melissa Gorga**

*Published: October 1, 2025, 3:00 p.m. ET*

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice is genuinely open to making amends with her brother Joe Gorga and sister-in-law Melissa Gorga, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

During a recent appearance on Jeff Lewis’ SiriusXM show, Teresa was asked about the possibility of coexisting with Melissa, Joe, and fellow cast member Margaret Josephs. When questioned, Teresa responded, “Never say never,” surprising many fans.

Some reports claimed Teresa’s comments were a “desperate” attempt to secure her spot on *RHONJ* when the show returns. However, Teresa took to her *Turning the Tables* podcast to clarify her stance and insist that wasn’t the case.

> “The thing is, before I was very adamant – and I was just like absolutely not,” Teresa explained. “And I know everyone’s saying now, ‘Oh my god, she’s saying it now ’cause she’s desperate. She needs a job.’ That’s not the case. There’s things that… there’s reasons why I’m saying that. It’s like an olive branch. Now I’m just saying, ‘Never say never.’ That’s it.”

She added,
> “I’m just saying my door is cracked open. I just said, ‘Never say never.’”

### Teresa Giudice Isn’t Desperate to Reconcile

An insider speaking exclusively to RadarOnline.com affirmed that Teresa’s intentions are sincere.

> “The thing that stinks is this does come off as her looking desperate for wanting to make up with Joe and Melissa,” the source shared, referencing reports that test filming for the new season had occurred without Teresa, suggesting she may be using this as a way to get back on the show.

> “But that’s truly not the case at all,” they stressed.

### Gia Giudice’s Influence on Teresa

The source also revealed that Teresa’s current participation on *Special Forces* played a role in inspiring her to seek reconciliation with her family.

> “On the show, her daughter Gia Giudice made her agree that stopping fighting would be best for everyone,” they said.
> “So when she was doing an interview promoting the show and was asked about Joe and Melissa, she gave the answer she did.”
> “She just didn’t articulate it clearly,” the insider added, emphasizing Teresa’s genuine intent.

### What’s Next for Teresa on *RHONJ*?

Regarding Teresa’s future on *The Real Housewives of New Jersey*, which remains uncertain according to various reports, the insider shared she “hasn’t heard anything yet.”

> “But Teresa is strong,” they commented. “She will be fine whichever way this works out. Like she always says, if it turns out to be a no, God’s rejection is God’s protection.”

Meanwhile, rumors suggest that Melissa Gorga, Margaret Josephs, and Dolores Catania are expected to return for the upcoming season.

As always, Bravo has not released any official comment on casting decisions for future seasons of their shows.
https://radaronline.com/p/teresa-giudice-patching-things-up-with-melissa-joe-gorga-uncertain-rhonj-future/

Zubeen Garg Death Probe: Manager Siddharth Sharma & Event Organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta Arrested – VIDEO

**Guwahati: New Developments in the Probe into Zubeen Garg’s Mysterious Death**

The ongoing investigation into the death of Assam’s beloved music composer, singer, lyricist, and actor Zubeen Garg has gained new momentum with the dramatic arrests of his manager Siddharth Sharma and North East India Festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta early this morning.

Mahanta was apprehended around midnight at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi shortly after returning from Singapore. Meanwhile, Sharma was reportedly arrested near a toll plaza in Gurugram around 1 a.m. while traveling from Rajasthan to Delhi. Some reports also suggest that Sharma was taken into custody from an apartment in Gurugram.

A convoy of three vehicles, including two buses carrying security personnel, escorted both men to the Magistrate’s House before they were transferred to the CID headquarters for interrogation. Following this, Mahanta and Sharma were flown under police protection to Guwahati where they were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

“The investigation will proceed strictly as per the law,” SIT chief M.P. Gupta told the press. He further explained that Mahanta was arrested upon arrival from Singapore at Delhi airport after a lookout circular was issued against him. “The Bureau of Immigration detained him and handed him over to us,” Gupta added.

Regarding Sharma, Gupta revealed that he was tracked down to a location between Rajasthan and Haryana and arrested the previous night. “We have also recovered Zubeen Garg’s mobile phone from Sharma,” he said.

Both Mahanta and Sharma have been remanded in police custody for 14 days as the probe intensifies.

Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on September 19, reportedly due to drowning, which plunged the entire state into grief and sorrow. Millions of fans took to the streets to pay homage to the cultural icon. He was cremated with full state honours near Sonapur on September 23.

However, as reports about the mysterious circumstances of his death surfaced, public anger grew, leading to multiple FIRs being filed at various police stations across Assam against the duo, who are suspected of foul play. In response, the Assam government constituted a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly probe the matter.

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma assured the public that strict action would be taken if anyone was found guilty.

Reacting to the recent arrests, Garg’s wife Garima expressed faith in the Assam Police. “I want the police to get all the details out of them. Now that the investigation is on, we are hoping the facts will come to light and the law will take its course,” she stated. She added, “All we, and millions of his admirers, want is fast justice.”
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/zubeen-garg-death-probe-manager-siddharth-sharma-event-organiser-shyamkanu-mahanta-arrested-video

Evening Reading – September 30, 2025

Welcome, Shackers, to the end of another Tuesday! We’re back from Tokyo Game Show 2025 and prepping a mountain of content for your viewing and reading pleasure. Stay tuned as we roll out our coverage throughout the coming days. For now, it’s time to pull the curtain on another day worth of posting. Here’s your Evening Reading — in case you missed it at Shacknews.

**What is the exact release time of Ghost of Yotei?**

**OpenAI’s Sora AI video generator to reportedly require opt-out from copyright holders**

**Avalanche Studios to close Liverpool studio and lay off employees at other locations**

**PowerWash Simulator 2 demo releases today on PC**

**Hades 2 review: The ‘House’ always wins**

**Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 review: Delightfully disorienting**

And now… more stuff from The Internet!

**EA going AI?**
Nothing about any of this sale seems good for fans — just the people doing the business. It’s going to be weird to watch the effects this has on EA’s game releases in the long run.

**A little too evergreen**
There are a few too many ongoing stories these days to which this could apply, don’t you think?

**Hinako the Hammer**
I hear the story is really, really good, but I can’t stop laughing at how silly strong Hinako seems to be.

**Battle of two honkin’ chonkers**
Fat Bear Week is almost over. Only two beefy beasties remain. Who will win?! (Go, Chunk!)

**The film magic of Buster Keaton**
The athleticism and filming sleight of hand with which Buster Keaton, other actors, and the directors pulled off these stunts will never cease to impress me.

**Happy duck**
Ducks can be quite mean, so it’s very funny to me when they’re so ridiculously playful.

**It’s Showtime! Again!!**
Nintendo Music might be the best mobile app Nintendo’s got going these days.

And there you have it. That’s your Evening Reading for this September 30.

If you’d like to support the site and our continuing videos and coverage, then consider joining Shacknews Mercury, where you can support the site for as little as a dollar a month.

You can also check out our host of helpful apps, such as **Shackmaps**, in which we are mapping out the content of popular games including *Hollow Knight: Silksong* and *Mario Kart World*.

Don’t miss **Bubbletron**, a game where you assemble your next trillion-dollar idea from a daily-changing set of prompts. Will you get the highest valuation for the money hat?

Thanks for stopping by, and have a good night. We’ll be back with even more coverage tomorrow!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146173/evening-reading-september-30-2025

Evening Reading – September 30, 2025

Welcome, Shackers, to the end of another Tuesday. We’re back from Tokyo Game Show 2025 and prepping a mountain of content for your viewing and reading pleasure. Stay tuned as we roll out our coverage throughout the coming days. For now, it’s time to pull the curtain on another day worth of posting. Here’s your Evening Reading, in case you missed it at Shacknews.

**Latest Headlines:**

– What is the exact release time of *Ghost of Yotei*?
– OpenAI’s Sora AI video generator to reportedly require opt-out from copyright holders
– Avalanche Studios to close Liverpool studio and lay off employees at other locations
– *PowerWash Simulator 2* demo releases today on PC
– *Hades 2* review: The ‘House’ always wins
– *Super Mario Galaxy* + *Super Mario Galaxy 2* review: Delightfully disorienting

**And now, more stuff from The Internet!**

**EA going AI?**
Nothing about any of this sale seems good for fans — just the people doing the business. It is going to be weird to watch the effects this has on EA’s game releases in the long run.

**A little too evergreen**
There are a few too many ongoing stories these days to which this could apply, don’t you think?

**Hinako the Hammer**
I hear the story is really, really good, but I can’t stop laughing at how silly strong Hinako seems to be.

**Battle of two honkin’ chonkers**
Fat Bear Week is almost over. Only two beefy beasties remain. Who will win?! (Go, Chunk!)

**The film magic of Buster Keaton**
The athleticism and filming sleight of hand with which Buster Keaton, other actors, and the directors pulled off these stunts will never cease to impress me.

**Happy duck**
Ducks can be quite mean, so it’s very funny to me when they’re so ridiculously playful.

**It’s Showtime! Again!!**
Nintendo Music might be the best mobile app Nintendo’s got going these days.

And there you have it. That’s your Evening Reading for this September 30.

If you’d like to support the site and our continuing videos and coverage, consider joining Shacknews Mercury, where you can support the site for as little as a dollar a month.

You can also check out our host of helpful apps, such as Shackmaps, where we’re mapping out the content of popular games including *Hollow Knight: Silksong* and *Mario Kart World*.

Don’t miss Bubbletron, a game in which you assemble your next trillion-dollar idea from a daily-changing set of prompts. Will you get the highest valuation for the money hat?

Thanks for stopping by, and have a good night. We’ll be back with even more coverage tomorrow!
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146173/evening-reading-september-30-2025

’13th’ review: SonyLIV series suffers from bland execution

**By Isha Sharma | Oct 01, 2025, 12:02 am**

**What’s the Story?**

*13th*, out on SonyLIV, is produced by Abhishek Dhandharia, who also serves as the showrunner. Created and written by Sameer Mishra and directed by Nishil Sheth, the show instantly reminds you of The Viral Fever (TVF) projects due to its rawness and theme. Alas, the similarities end there. Despite an interesting premise, this series—drawing inspiration from the life of Competishun founder Mohit Tyagi—never quite soars.

**Plot: A Student Helps His Teacher Realize His Dream**

The story follows Ritesh (Paresh Pahuja), a rising venture capitalist who gives up his high-paying job to help his mentor, MT Sir (Gagan Dev Riar). MT Sir taught Ritesh during his “13th year”—the drop year after the 12th grade—when he was preparing for the IIT entrance exam.

Now, years later, Ritesh decides to assist him in building a visionary ed-tech startup. Will this guru-shishya duo succeed?

### 1. The Protagonist Is Always at a Distance

*13th* fails to hit the right spot due to its extremely heavy-handed storytelling. From the very first frame, the show positions Ritesh as an aggressive, hot-headed man who marches to his own beat. Early on, he delivers a fiery speech about his dissatisfaction with his job, setting in motion the chain of events that lead him back to MT Sir.

### 2. Too Filmy, Too Theatrical

While the show is conversation-heavy and features some sharp dialogues, most characters deliver full-fledged sermons! The exchanges between MT Sir and Ritesh quickly become tiresome, as they come across like filmy, cardboard characters rather than genuine, relatable people.

Interestingly enough, during flashbacks of Ritesh’s JEE preparation, we see MT Sir going to great lengths to mentor him—but what about the other students?

### 3. Supporting Characters Remain Underdeveloped

The show is so obsessed with the two leads that it largely forgets to develop the supporting characters. The most successful shows, like *Panchayat* and *The Family Man*, give well-rounded arcs to all characters to make the narrative more believable. Sadly, *13th* doesn’t bother to do the same.

Girija Oak, who plays MT Sir’s wife, gets some nice scenes, but that’s hardly enough to enrich the story.

### 4. Pahuja and Dev Riar Try to Keep the Series Afloat

The watchable moments in *13th* largely come from Paresh Pahuja and Gagan Dev Riar’s camaraderie and craft. The show pays tribute to the teacher-student relationship, especially as Ritesh’s life comes full circle when he helps MT Sir with his business.

“I owe my life to him,” Ritesh says, and in return, he becomes his mentor’s teacher.

**Verdict: Can Skip This SonyLIV Original**

*13th*’s biggest undoing is that it takes itself too seriously, making it hard to have fun with what ends up being a tedious show. We meet Ritesh’s friends in the initial scenes, but their arcs are never properly developed.

The series aspires to capture the ache and angst of IIT aspirants and almost succeeds, but ultimately fails to capitalize fully on its theme.

**Rating: 2/5 stars**
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/gagan-dev-riar-sonyliv-s-13th-review/story

“I’M THE BEST AT WARZONE”: Yung Filly returns to social media a year after sexual assault charges

Influencer Yung Filly has resumed posting on social media after a significant hiatus.

His break from online activity followed his arrest in Australia in October 2024. This incident resulted in his extradition to Perth.

Now back online, Yung Filly is reconnecting with his audience and sharing updates after the legal developments.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/streamers/news-i-m-the-best-at-warzone-yung-filly-returns-social-media-year-sexual-assault-charges