‘Life Sentence’ Premiere Recap: Introducing the Abbotts, Your New Fave TV Family

Andrea Reiher
Mar 08, 2018

The premise of Life Sentence is so intriguing. There are a ton of examples out there of dramedies (or flat-out cryfests) that have told the story of someone dying from cancer and what happens to them and the people around them as that person struggles and finally succumbs to the illness. What Life Sentence does is change the game by curing the cancer patient within the first few minutes of the show, which has some pretty major repercussions for her family and friends.

See, Stella (Lucy Hale, who is amazing and adorable) was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 16, and it completely stunted both her and her family’s growth. Stella never pursued any kind of education or career because she thought she’d die at any time, so now she has no idea what to do with her life. Additionally, everyone around her was so afraid of upsetting her or making things harder than they already were that they lied about their problems and kept them hidden from her. Now that Stella is better, the stuff is really hitting the fan.

Her parents, Peter (Dylan Walsh) and Ida (Gillian Vigman), have been pretending to have a happy marriage, but Ida has actually realized that she’s bisexual and in love with Poppy, Stella’s godmother and a friend of the family. And not only is the marriage falling apart, but they’re going to lose their house because it was mortgaged to the hilt to pay for Stella’s treatment and various indulgences they wanted to give her (like a trip to Paris) since it seemed she wouldn’t live to see 25. It’s the story line I’m most intrigued by outside of Stella herself, because bisexuality is not often depicted on TV and it’ll be cool to watch a woman over 40 explore it. Stella’s dad is angry — not because he doesn’t want Ida to find her truth, but because he’s hurt that she lied to him all these years and is now moving out of their house seemingly (to him) out of nowhere.

The Abbott patriarch and matriarch are definitely worse off in terms of having some serious adult issues to work through, but Stella’s siblings aren’t in a good place either.

Brother Aidan (Jayson Blair) has dealt with his grief over the thought of losing his baby sister by getting into a series of dysfunctional relationships (usually with married women) and selling his ADHD medication to soccer moms — and now one of his married paramours is pregnant. Oops.

Sister Elizabeth (Brooke Lyons) gave up her college scholarship to Columbia University to stay home and help take care of Stella, which means she didn’t pursue her dreams to become a writer and she had kids at a younger age than she wanted to because she thought that would give her parents something positive to focus on besides Stella’s cancer.

And then there’s Stella’s marriage. She met Wes (Elliot Knight) in Paris, and they got into a whirlwind romance and marriage because they thought they didn’t have very long to be together. They’re totally in love, but their relationship is a little bit of a sham because Wes has been lying to Stella about some things in order to make her happy. They’re mostly small things — he doesn’t love Sara Bareilles, Love, Actually isn’t his favorite movie — but one major thing is that he actually wants to have kids, something he lied about because he thought they’d never have to face that decision. It turns out Stella wants kids too, but she didn’t let herself want them because she didn’t think she’d live long enough to have any.

The conversation between Wes and Stella about how their “forever” just got a lot longer was one of the most beautiful moments of the episode. I’m excited to watch their relationship blossom.

What’s interesting is that the “cancer thing” is kind of dealt with in the first episode, and now this feels like a family dramedy in the vein of Everwood or Brothers & Sisters, something TV doesn’t have enough of right now, so I’m excited to see where this goes. The cast is super likable and has good chemistry together, which always helps a show like this immensely.

What did you think about Life Sentence? Tell us @BritandCo!

(Photos via The CW)

10 Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from Binge-Watching "The O.C." As an Adult

I don’t want to say that I didn’t appreciate The O.C. when it aired in real time in 2003, because I really did. I knew from the moment those haunting Phantom Planet lyrics started playing from my TV screen that I had something special. I knew from the moment that Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper locked eyes for the first time that I was about to witness a teen drama love story unlike any other one I’d seen. If I sound extra, it’s because I mean to be! As an awkward middle schooler, The O.C.‘s quippy dialogue and emotional scenes gave me an outlet for my adolescent emotions, and its top-notch soundtracks set the stage for teary nights in my room.

I recently embarked on my first binge-watch of the first season as an adult, and I was fascinated by the extent to which a little grown-up perspective changed my colorful Orange County world. Once totally enamored with Marissa and Summer’s wardrobes, I was now more concerned with the subtle relationship dynamics playing out on screen (okay, the fashion is still pretty incredible). Once too in love with Seth to see his flaws, I was now tuned into the way his social faux pas and self-absorption made him kind of a bad catch. The O.C. has plenty to teach tweens and adults, but here are just 10 of the life lessons I learned from my recent rewatch of the show's first season.

Life Lessons From "The O.C."

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

1. A homemade breakfast can cure anything that ails you — and is pretty much guaranteed to make you more popular in any situation

A major tension in the first few episodes is the conflict between Sandy and Kirsten Cohen about whether or not Ryan should be allowed to stay in that beautiful pool house on a more permanent basis. True to form, Sandy the “Crusader for Justice” wants to give the kid from Chino a shot, while Kirsten thinks he’d be better off in foster care. While Ryan’s homemade breakfast doesn’t mark the final conclusion to this conflict, it definitely eases tensions between him and Kirsten. It just goes to show — there are few things that perfectly scrambled eggs can’t fix!

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

2. Hiding from a problem is typically not the best solution

As any group of high schoolers — or, at least, any group of high schoolers with easy access to empty mansions — would do, Seth and Marissa decide that the best way to avoid having Ryan sent to foster care is to hide him in one of Kirsten and Caleb’s model homes. Great idea, right? Wrong! I’ll spare you the dramatic details of the fight, the fire, and the awkward revelations about the history between Marissa’s dad and Kirsten, but suffice to say that hiding from potential consequences is rarely the answer...even if you are planning to do it in a mansion.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

3. Share your dreams with the people you love

While Seth is open with Ryan early in the season about his dream to sail alone to Tahiti, it’s unclear whether or not he’s been as clear with his parents about it. This comes back to bite him in the you-know-where later in the season (and into The O.C. season 2), when he decides to flee Newport in pursuit of his lone journey. Don’t you think it would’ve been handy for people to know his dreams so they could support him in a more meaningful way?

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

4. Be open about your exes

Oh, where do I begin with this one? There are countless instances in this series where untold secrets about a previous relationship rear their ugly head at very inopportune times for the people involved, but let’s call Ryan, Marissa, and Theresa Exhibit A. If Ryan had been honest with new flame Marissa about his romantic past in Chino from the get-go, he would have avoided an extremely uncomfortable Thanksgiving encounter...and who knows what else? If you’ve had a tendency to be cagey about your exes with a current bae, watching Ryan’s example should make you want to be more honest.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

5. People are rarely as intimidating as you think they are

For years, Seth was so enamored with Summer that all he could do was pine for her and secretly bestow her name on his boat, but when they finally met and start flirting, he learns that he’s not the only student at The Harbor School who sleeps with a toy horse next to their bed. (Princess Sparkle and Captain Oats are still so meant to be.) Think of how much less time our boy Cohen would have spent feeling sorry for himself if he’d thought for even one second that Summer was potentially his own kind of dork.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

6. It’s important to know when to bring in an expert

Marissa got in way over her head in The O.C. when she tried to tackle Oliver’s health issues on her own, and while she probably needed a real grown up, even adults can learn from the cautionary tale that played out in the penthouse of that fancy hotel. It’s important to learn what you can handle and what’s above your pay grade. There’s no shame in admitting that you can’t get through something on your own. Rather, there’s only shame in knowing that a problem exists and that you didn’t seek the help that’s really needed.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

7. Making a choice is almost always necessary, even if it seems like you can have it all

Teenagers everywhere swooned at the thought of being in Seth’s shoes (Chuck Taylors, obviously) and having twoseemingly perfect suitors vying for their attention. Remember those awesome Chrismukkah gifts Seth got from both Summer and Anna? Well, it seemed too good to be true at the time…and it was, because in the end, Seth had to make a choice, and his inability to do so in the first place really damaged his credibility.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

8. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time

Sandy and Kirsten spend a lot of time in The O.C. season 1 trying to put their faith in Caleb, even though he continually proved he couldn't be trusted. While it’s nice to give people the benefit of the doubt, this dysfunctional family dynamic should serve as a reminder to all of us that people’s actions speak a whole lot louder than their words.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

9. It takes a lot longer to rebuild trust than it does to destroy it

Ryan is basically the poster child for trust issues, and every time he’s let down by one of his friends (ahem, Marissa), we get a front row seat to the inevitably long process of the aforementioned disappointing friend trying to win him back. Life would be much easier — and TV much less interesting, I guess — if we didn’t tamper with people’s trust in the first place.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

10. Appreciate family members and all of their quirks

No relationship better demonstrates this truth in The O.C. than that between the Cohen family and The Nana. By the time Sandy’s mother has arrived in Newport, we’ve already been treated to tons of family folklore about how intimidating and, well, mean she is. So when we find out later in the episode (spoiler alert!) that she actually has cancer, it’s like a punch to the gut for us too. This particular emotional roller coaster should serve as a lesson to us all that it’s important to appreciate the good, the bad, and the ugly in our family members because our time with them isn’t guaranteed.

What life lessons did you take from The O.C. and the other shows you loved most as a teenager? Follow us on Facebook and TikTok for more thoughtful takes on your favorite pop culture.

Lead photo via Warner Bros./IMDb

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20 Party Games Better Than Cards Against Humanity

Party on! Game nights are the best nights, at least in our opinions. Seriously, what's more fun than sitting around the table playing a game, drinking a cocktail or two and laughing with friends?! We'd totally take that over a night sweating (and very awkwardly dancing) at the club.

We know you've made it through that Cards Against Humanity deck too many times to count, so refresh your adult game night stash with some of the best new party games around.

Game of Phones

Uncommon Goods

This techy card game prompts you and your friends to compete in smartphone-based tasks. With assignments ranging from “Find your best #selfie” to “Create an emoji masterpiece,” you’re guaranteed belly laughs and conversation starters galore. Just like with Cards Against Humanity, each round has a judge that picks the winner, so get your phone stacked with game changers now.

hella awk-ward Card Game

Shopify

If you want to spark real conversations with your guests, this is the game for you. By the end of this game, you’ll be surrounded by plenty of new pals. Play by drawing a card and answering the prompt to get to know friends and strangers alike on a deeper level.

What Do You Meme?

Amazon

This is the perfect game for anyone who has spent way too much time on the internet. Match funny captions with well-known internet memes (a rotating judge picks the best one) to create an afternoon or evening of hilarity.

Exploding Kittens Party Card Game

Amazon

This card game is like Russian Roulette “for people who are into kittens and explosions and laser beams and sometimes goats.” Count us in.

My Ex [A Deck of Conversation Starters]

Amazon

Gather your closest BFFs and spend the night with some good ol’ trash talking (therapeutically, of course). You’ll definitely find out who had the craziest ex. Gather friends that are down for the drama and start by pulling a card. Some of the topics you’ll fill-in-the-blank include: 1. The biggest red flag. 2. What is your ex up to now? 3. The worst rebound.

WHAT DO YOU MEME? for The Girls

Shopify

Grab your girlfriends and stir the pot with this hilarious card game. To play, whoever has the most Instagram followers goes first and rolls the die. “Whichever side of the die lands face-up, take the top card from the corresponding color deck. Read it aloud to the group & perform whatever action is on the card,” the instructions read. “Some cards involve just that player, some require the whole group. The player to their left then rolls the die & the game continues like this. Every winning card gets you a point. 1 Card = 1 Point. The player with the most cards at the end wins!”

Say Anything

Walmart

If you’re looking to reeeally get to know your friends, this is the game for you and your group (um, and maybe an invite to the new person you’ve been dating is in order). By reading questions and providing answers, you’ll quickly and creatively get inside the mind of all your party guests fast.

BAD CHOICES - The Have You Ever? Game + After Dark Edition Set

Amazon

You’ll really get to know the other party guests with this game. This might not be one to play with your new coworkers or mother-in-law!

To play, each player will draw six cards. “When it's your turn, choose one of your six question cards, then ask it to the player you think is most likely to answer YES. If they say YES, you get to discard your card. If they say NO you have to keep the card and try to use it again later,” the instructions read. With Skip Cards, Draw +1, Draw +2, and ALL PLAY cards, there's a surprising amount of strategy. The player who discards all of their cards first becomes the winner.

The Game of Things

Amazon

This provocative game will leave your jaw on the floor from the hilarious, creative and outrageous things your friends say. Simply by drawing topic cards like “Things a chimp thinks about when he sees you at the zoo,” responses are sure to be out of this world. After everyone writes down a response, and the best part starts — you all guess who said what. Let the finger pointing begin.

What’s Yours Like?

Walmart

Tell it like it is and you’ll excel at this one. Players have to guess words based off of creative word clues after asking the question, “What’s yours like?” Seriously, we wanna know.

If You Know You Know IYKYK - The Question Card Game

Amazon

Who knows each other best? This card game will (literally) put everyone’s cards on the table.

Getting started and playing this card game is super simple. A rotating judge asks the group a question about themselves from each of the three levels (indicated on the chosen card). Then, everyone chooses their answer. If you guess the judge's answer correctly, you get a point. The player with the most points wins.

That’s What She Said

Amazon

Are you basically Michael Scott from The Office? Any sucker for jokes and innuendos will love this saucy game.

Bananagrams

Shopify

This one is fun to do with the kids or you can spice it up with an adults-only game. Like speed scrabble, the game comes in a convenient banana-shaped pouch making it great to play on the go.

Never Have I Ever

Amazon

 You and your friends can put your trust to the test by sharing your deepest, most embarrassing secrets in this revealing game.

Secret Confessions Game- Adult Version

Amazon

Get ready to laugh the night away with this far too funny game. Each group member will take turns reading the cards’ prompts. With each prompt, every player will answer “yes” or “no.”

The Voting Game

Amazon

 In this game, instead of voting for the funniest answer, you vote for the player each card seems to describe. Talk about finding out who your real friends are.

Drawing Without Dignity

Amazon

It’s part Cards Against Humanity, part Pictionary. If you have friends who are particularly good artists (or even if they’re not), this game will bring you hours of fun.

Catan Strategy Board Game

Target

Like a medieval monopoly, full of knights, peasants, robbers and everything prehistoric. This game is focused around building settlements and protecting your land.

Relative Insanity

Walmart

Created by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, this game is based around familial interactions gone wrong with a Cards Against Humanity style of playing.

Influencers in the Wild

Amazon

If you follow the popular Instagram account, then you can probably guess the basics of this board game. Go places, gain followers and get famous to win this pop culture game.

We hope you've enjoyed this round-up of our favorite adult card games, and even if Cards Against Humanity is now somehow worth $500 Million your memories from these nights will always be priceless!

Keep you party going with Brit + Co.

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.
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‘Bachelor’ Season 23 Finale Recap, Part 2: What Happened Between Colton and Cassie? (Spoilers)

It seems like a lifetime ago that we were watching season 23 Bachelor star Colton Underwood roam the Portugal countryside after being rejected by the one woman he apparently loves. But according to the laws of time and Chris Harrison, it was yesterday. Still, we’ve all seen and been through a lot since then, so let’s start from the beginning — or, as it were, the beginning of the end.

(Warning: This post contains spoilers from the Tuesday, March 12, episode of The Bachelor. If you have not seen the season 23 finale and don’t want to know what happens, stop reading here.)

Unlike with past seasons, the question tonight wasn’t who Colton would pick or even whether he was engaged, since that seemed like a long-shot. Instead, it was whether the woman he had already chosen would choose him back.

Going into Tuesday’s finale, Colton was completely single, having broken up with both Tayshia Adams and Hannah Godwin in order to pursue Cassie Randolph, who left the show after telling him she wasn’t in love with him. In the final moments of Monday’s episode, we saw him approach her door — right before the cameras cut away to host Chris Harrison.

Fortunately, the show jumped immediately back into the action on Tuesday. Cassie answered the door, visibly shocked to see Colton, and agreed to talk outside, where he revealed that he had broken up with Tayshia and Hannah on the off-chance that she would give their relationship another chance. “I’m not telling you that I love you. I want to show you,” he declared.

And just like that, they were seemingly back on track. Cassie said she still had some reservations and didn’t know what she was ready for, which is why she had broken up with him in the first place, but she was clearly moved by his gesture and agreed to travel to Spain to meet his family.

Understandably, though, there was some apprehension on both sides — Cassie’s and his family’s — about the unexpected change in plans. Cassie worried what his family would think of the situation, since she had (very recently) dumped Colton, and his family worried that he was setting himself up to be hurt by her again. (Honestly, same.) They had a lot of questions for her, particularly about what his mom called her “decision to bail,” but to her credit, she answered them honestly, admitting she didn’t know what the future held for them and wasn’t totally on the same page with Colton yet.

Colton, for his part, tried to reassure his parents that she was worth it and he had every hope that she would eventually fall in love with him. But it seemed like he was trying to convince himself and Cassie, too.

Fortunately, he had one more date to get her fully on board. After driving around Mallorca, Spain, for a bit, they arrived at the shore, where they rappelled down an oceanside cliff to get to a picnic, as Colton mused, in voiceover, about taking risks for love, even when there’s no safety net. (A little on the nose, ABC.)

Once they were back on solid ground again, Cassie confessed some of her fears about relationships. (Apparently, she had a college boyfriend who became controlling.) She said she worried she wouldn’t have the freedom to be herself anymore, but Colton said he loved her because she was herself. “More than ever, I feel how much Colton loves me,” she said in a confessional after the fact. “And I think I’m starting to kind of accept it.” Not the most romantic response, but okay.

Later that night, at dinner, Colton pulled out the invitation to the Fantasy Suite. To no one’s surprise, she said yes, and after a few minutes of on-camera kissing, Colton broke the fourth wall, told the crew members he loved them, and then promptly kicked them out — only to emerge a few minutes later to ask them to de-mic him. As the sound engineers walked away, one of them wished Colton good luck, and then he and Cassie disappeared behind closed doors.

At this point in the episode, the show took a break and invited Ben Higgins, Jason Tartick, Chris Randone, and season 23 contestants Onyeka, Demi, and Sydney to discuss what Colton and Cassie may or may not have done in the Fantasy Suite. (Note to Bachelor producers: Please don’t do this in the future.) Thankfully, most of them seemed to agree that the question of Colton’s virginity was not nearly as important as the question of Cassie’s commitment.

Which brings us to the next morning. Colton kept the details of their night together private, saying only that they did what was best for their relationship. And in case you were worried — we were! — that relationship is still going strong.

Colton and Cassie made their first appearance as a couple during the live portion of the finale, and a giggly, giddy Cassie told everyone they’re “super in love.” They’ve even talked about getting engaged. Cassie said nothing’s holding her back now, but Colton said they’re just enjoying dating, so there’s no ring yet, but it sounds like there might be one in the not-too-distant future.

For now, he’s living near her in LA and they’re making plans to travel over the next year. “I feel like the luckiest girl in the world,” she gushed to Chris.

That would have been a good place to end the show, but Chris couldn’t let them go without asking point-blank whether Colton had lost his virginity. He declined to share — honestly, good for him — so Chris ended the interview by introducing a performance from Air Supply, which… made about as much sense as anything else this season. See you next time, friends!

RELATED: Which ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ Couples Are Still Together?

(Photos via ABC/Josh Vertucci + ABC/John Fleenor)

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Every Holiday Movie You Can Stream On Netflix Starting Today

The holidays are here! Well, kind of. Thanksgiving isn’t until November 28 but as far as I’m concerned, November 1 is the day the festivities can begin. I’m pulling out my holiday candles, Christmas PJ’s, and even my How the Grinch Stole Christmas vinyl to make the dreary seasonal blues a little more cheerful. And a huge part of getting into the spirit is stacking up the perfect holiday movie marathon. Thankfully Netflix already has a bunch of holiday titles coming out over the next few weeks. Here are the best (new!!) holiday movies and specials coming to Netflix starting November 1.

Dinner Time Live With David Chang: Holiday Edition — On Netflix Now Until December 10

Adam Rose/Netflix

Nothing says the holidays like tons of delicious meals, and Chef David Chang is cooking some amazing food for his celebrity friends — and he's doing it all live. (Because, a lot of TV cooking uses swaps and stylists to make it look better than it actually is). I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Dinner Time Live With David Chang: Holiday Edition is hosted by David Chang.

Meet Me Next Christmas — On Netflix November 6

Sophie Giraud/Netflix

Christmas in New York City is truly a magical experience, and Layla's looking for her own fairytale romance this holiday season. And believe it or not, the ticket to finding her one true love is getting into the Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert.

Meet Me Next Christmas streams November 6 and stars Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, Tymika Tafari, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, Matt Sallee, Kalen Allen, Nikki Duval, and Wesley French.

Hot Frosty — On Netflix November 13

Petr Maur/Netflix

Nobody puts me in the holiday spirit like seeing Lacey Chabert onscreen, and this year, she's playing Kathy, a widow who happens to bring a handsome snowman to life. (I don't remember this in the "Frosty the Snowman" lyrics!). He helps Kathy reconnect with her emotions as they begin to fall for each other — and as he begins to melt.

Hot Frosty will stream on Netflix beginning November 13 and stars Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Craig Robinson, Joe Lo Truglio, Katy Mixon, Lauren Holly, and Chrishell Stause.

Netflix Stories: A Virgin River Christmas — On Netflix November 19

Petr Maur/Netflix

It's almost time for Virgin River season 6, which means we're getting closer to the ultimate cozy TV show. I mean, just look at those twinkly lights and pine trees in this preview image! It gives me the same exact feeling as drinking a mug of hot cocoa. This year, we're getting closer to Mel and Jack’s wedding, and confronting some serious secrets and drama along the way. This might not count as a Netflix holiday movie but I couldn't NOT include it!!!

Virgin River season 6 hits Netflix November 19 and stars Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, John Allen Nelson, Tim Matheson, Annette O’Toole, Colin Lawrence, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Zibby Allen, Sarah Dugdale, Marco Grazzini, Mark Ghanimé, Kai Bradbury, Kandyse McClure, Jessica Rothe, and Callum Kerr.

The Merry Gentlemen — On Netflix November 20

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

Remember that One Tree Hill episode where the Ravens take part in the "Boy Toy" charity auction? Complete with a shirtless fashion show? Consider this the Netflix holiday movie response. When former dancer Ashley learns her parents' performing venue is in danger, she puts together the ultimate Christmas-themed show to raise money. Shirts not included.

The Merry Gentlemen hits Netflix November 20 and stars Britt Robertson, Chad Michael Murray, Marla Sokoloff, Beth Broderick, Michael Gross, Maxwell Caulfield, Hector David Jr., Colt Prattes, and Marc Anthony Samuel

Spellbound — On Netflix November 22

Skydance Animation/Netflix

Okay, this fantasy movie might not technically be a Christmas movie, but it has everything I need in my Netflix holiday movies: family, hope, and love. After her parents are turned into monsters, princess Ellian must go on the ultimate quest to put everything right.

Spellbound hits Netflix November 22 and stars Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman.

Our Little Secret — On Netflix November 27

Bob Mahoney/Netflix

If EXmas taught us anything, it's that spending the holidays with your ex is anything but calm. And in Lindsay Lohan's new movie, she finds herself at the same Christmas celebration as her ex when they realize their new SO's are siblings. No, that's not awkward at all.

Our Little Secret hits Netflix November 27 stars Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Henry Czerny, Judy Reyes, Chris Parnell, Kristin Chenoweth, Dan Bucatinsky, Katie Baker, Jake Brennan, Ash Santos, and Brian Unger.

Is It Cake? Holidays — On Netflix November 28

Netflix

The only thing more enjoyable than eating delicious food is watching master bakers create beautiful food. This holiday special features edible ice skates, nutcrackers, and reindeer that will change the way you look at baking forever. Watch it in one sitting and it definitely counts as a holiday movie ;).

Is It Cake? Holidays hits Netflix November 28 and stars Jonny Manganello, Andrew Fuller, April Julian, Elizabeth Rowe, Miko Kaw Hok Uy, Danya Smith, Henderson Gonzalez, Grace Pak, and Jujhar Mann, with judges Rachel Bloom, Hannah Berner, Tiffany Haddish, Devon Walker, James Austin Johnson, Chris Witaske, Sasheer Zamata, Terry Crews, Punkie Johnson, and Randall Park.

The Snow Sister — On Netflix November 29

Netflix

Julian's turning 11 on Christmas Eve, and even though it's usually the best day ever, this year is overshadowed by the death of his older sister. A newfound friendship with Hedwig helps him heal, but he can't help but feel like Hedwig's house — and the old man that's always around — are hiding secrets.

The Snow Sister hits Netflix November 29 and stars Mudit Gupta, Celina Meyer Hovland, Ole Steinkjer Øyen, Jan Sælid, Samsaya, Gunnar Eiriksson, and Advika.

Which Netflix holiday movie are you excited to watch? Let us know in the comments!

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Upgrade Your Thanksgiving With A Crescent-Roll Cornucopia

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

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