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20 TV episodes that left viewers completely heartbroken
NBC

20 TV episodes that left viewers completely heartbroken

We appreciate all forms of TV, from the comedies that make us laugh out loud to the dramas that leave us balling. So, to honor the latter, here are 20 television episodes we think are the most heartbreaking.

 
1 of 20

'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' Season 1, Episode 13

'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' Season 1, Episode 13
Todd Williamson/Bravo

Any fan of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills knows the Season 1 finale was heartbreaking TV. It showcased Kyle Richards feuding with her sister Kim over past family drama and her worsening alcohol addiction.

Kim stayed on the series for another four seasons before departing at the end of Season 5. During her run on the show, she spoke openly about her erratic behavior, alcohol consumption, and road to recovery. Since Kim's exit in 2015, she's reconnected with her sisters Kyle and Kathy Hilton on recent seasons of RHOBH and Paris In Love

 
2 of 20

The 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' Season 4, Episode 24

The 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' Season 4, Episode 24
The Stuffed Dog Company, Quincy Jones Entertainment, NBC Productions, Warner Horizon

Watching Will's strained relationship with his father play out on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was tough, especially seeing him break his heart during the final minutes. But Will Smith's performance made this moment feel so real, making it one of the show's best episodes ever.

 
3 of 20

'Real Housewives of Orange County,' Season 10, Episode 5

'Real Housewives of Orange County,' Season 10, Episode 5
Todd Williamson/Bravo

Vicki Gunvalson shared her life with the Bravo viewers on The Real Housewives of Orange County for nearly 14 years. So, of course, she's had her fair share of ups and downs. One of the most challenging moments for the reality star must've been receiving the phone call her mother passed away while filming a group scene with her costars during Season 10. 

 
4 of 20

'Glee,' Season 5, Episode 3

'Glee,' Season 5, Episode 3
Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision, Ryan Murphy Productions, 20th Century Fox Television

Cory Monteith's death hit the cast and fans of Fox's hit series Glee incredibly hard. However, Ryan Murphy and the show's writers honored his legacy in such a thoughtful and moving way during the episode titled "The Quarterback." 

 
5 of 20

'Real Housewives of New Jersey,' Season 7, Episode 14

'Real Housewives of New Jersey,' Season 7, Episode 14
NorthJersey.com file, North Jersey Record via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Although watching Teresa Giudice and her ex-husband Joe Giudice report to prison was captivating television on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, seeing their kids' reaction was devastating. 

 
6 of 20

'One Tree Hill,' Season 6, Episode 3

'One Tree Hill,' Season 6, Episode 3
Tollin/Robbins Productions

Seeing Haley and Nathan in One Tree Hill cope with the death of their close friend Quentin is an episode of this beloved series the fans could never forget. And we wholeheartedly agree.

 
7 of 20

'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' Season 2, Episode 1

'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' Season 2, Episode 1
KENNELL KRISTA/SIPA

Taylor Armstrong (pictured on the right) was a full-time cast member on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for the first three seasons, and they were filled with crushing scenes showcasing her abusive marriage with her ex-husband Russell Armstrong. He later took his own life in August 2011, and the aftermath was captured on camera. 

 
8 of 20

'This Is Us,' Season 2, Episode 14

'This Is Us,' Season 2, Episode 14
Rhode Island Ave. Productions, Zaftig Films, 20th Television

The "Super Bowl Sunday" episode of This Is Us always stirs up strong feelings whenever we watch. The house fire, heart attack, and Rebecca's grief pulled us in and made us never want to let them go. 

 
9 of 20

'Real Housewives of Atlanta,' Season 8, Episode 16

'Real Housewives of Atlanta,' Season 8, Episode 16
Charles Sykes/Bravo

Many Real Housewives cast members have spent time in prison for federal crimes, and we must admit, the storylines are fascinating. But when Phaedra Parks had to take her small children to visit their father behind bars during a Season 8 episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, it brought tears to our eyes.

 
10 of 20

'Pose,' Season 2, Episode 4

'Pose,' Season 2, Episode 4
Color Force, Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision, Ryan Murphy Television, 20th Television, FXP

POSE was an FX drama series about the ballroom and LGBTQ+ scene in New York City. It starred actors like Evan Peters, Billy Porter, and Angelica Ross and touched on very real topics, including the hate many in the community face daily. During a Season 2 episode, it showed them wrestling with the news that one of their loved ones died during a vicious attack. 

 
11 of 20

'Big Brother,' Season 2, Episode 28

'Big Brother,' Season 2, Episode 28
anetworklive via YouTube

9/11 was a terrible day for many people around the world, and when Julie Chen had to break the news of the attack to a Big Brother player whose loved one worked inside the World Trade Center, it sent chills through our bodies. It was such a raw and emotional moment. Nothing could prepare someone for such a tragedy, and our hearts are still with those impacted.

 
12 of 20

'Succession,' Season 4, Episode 3

'Succession,' Season 4, Episode 3
HBO Entertainment/Gary Sanchez Productions

Even if Logan Roy wasn't a nice man, his death was still one that rocked us during our Succession binge. 

 
13 of 20

'Real Housewives of Atlanta,' Season 13, Episode 1

'Real Housewives of Atlanta,' Season 13, Episode 1
Bravo via YouTube

The Season 13 premiere of The Real Housewives of Atlanta showed cast member Porsha Williams' arrest during a protest in Kentucky during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Although the arrest was disappointing, seeing her fight for what matters most was moving. After all, she is the granddaughter of American civil rights leader and activist Hosea Williams — it's in her blood. 

 
14 of 20

'Boy Meets World,' Season 7, Episode 23

'Boy Meets World,' Season 7, Episode 23
Michael Jacobs Productions/Touchstone Television

Leaving home, branching out, and adulting is a scary thought. So, we can all relate to the cast of Boy Meets World saying goodbye for the last time during their finale episode. But it was Mr. Feeney's line that crushed us. "I love you all. Class dismissed," he said.

 
15 of 20

'Dance Moms,' Season 3, Episode 9

'Dance Moms,' Season 3, Episode 9
Collin/Image Press Agency/Sipa USA

It's weird to see Abby Lee Miller in any vulnerable situation. However, when she lost her dog, Broadway Baby, on Lifetime's hit series Dance Moms, it showed viewers a different side to her — one we'd only see again when she reported to prison for concealing assets during her bankruptcy case.

 
16 of 20

'The Real World,' Season 20, Episode 4

'The Real World,' Season 20, Episode 4
YouTube

Joey's struggle with addiction during The Real World: Hollywood was painful to watch. But seeing his cast members rally around him by staging an intervention left us with a bit of hope for the season. Joey later appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2010 and died in August 2012.

 
17 of 20

'Desperate Housewives,' Season 8, Episode 16

'Desperate Housewives,' Season 8, Episode 16
ABC Studios/Cherry Productions

You couldn't have prepared us for Mike's death in Desperate Housewives. The flashbacks had us fooled initially, but once they snapped back into reality, the weight of it all finally sunk in. 

 
18 of 20

'Teen Mom OG,' Season 4 special: "Amber Behind the Bars"

'Teen Mom OG,' Season 4 special: "Amber Behind the Bars"
Teen Mom via YouTube

All of Amber Portwood's scenes in Teen Mom are heartbreaking — mainly since they centered around her domestic battery charges against her ex, Gary. Even then, watching her navigate life behind bars following her slew of crimes took it to another level.

 
19 of 20

'The Crown,' Season 6, Episode 3 and 4

'The Crown,' Season 6, Episode 3 and 4
Left Bank Pictures/Sony Pictures Television

We knew Diana's death in The Crown Season 6 was coming, but man, it hit us hard. Although it wasn't graphic, fans got the picture when the limo zipped off in the tunnel only to hear it crashing moments later. Episode 4 shows the family carrying on after receiving the news and retrieving the body.

 
20 of 20

'Married To Medicine,' Season 6, Episode 4

'Married To Medicine,' Season 6, Episode 4
Charles Sykes/Bravo

Quad Webb's breakdown during a Season 6 episode of Married To Medicine was challenging for viewers because you could see the hurt in her eyes and feel the pain in her voice. Although there wasn't much revealed at the moment, over time, and eventually following her divorce, Quad spoke about the truth regarding her former marriage, including devastating stories of abuse and hardship. 

Jacquez Printup

Jacquez Printup has been writing about all things entertainment, including reality TV, pop culture, and celebrity news, since his time as a student at Ohio University. Since graduating, he's continued binging seasons of "Vanderpump Rules" and “Big Brother” and talking about them online. His writing has been featured in publications like ScreenRant, Yahoo, RealityTea, Yardbarker, and in the popular television series "The Real Housewives of Atlanta

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Maria Guardiola’s Summer Bikini Photos Have Fans Losing Their Minds (And We Get It)
Soccer

Maria Guardiola’s Summer Bikini Photos Have Fans Losing Their Minds (And We Get It)

Well, well, well. It seems like being Pep Guardiola’s daughter comes with its own set of perks – including the ability to break the internet with a simple Instagram post. Maria Guardiola, the 24-year-old content creator and daughter of Manchester City’s tactical mastermind, recently blessed her 907,000 followers with a summer recap that had fans practically worshipping at their phone screens. Guardiola’s Daughter Serves Summer Looks That Put Influencers to Shame Let’s be honest here – while Pep Guardiola is busy orchestrating beautiful football on the pitch, his daughter Maria is orchestrating something entirely different on social media. Her recent Instagram post, captioned with the surprisingly modest “Summer wrapping up,” was anything but modest in terms of impact. The photo dump (because that’s what we’re calling these strategic social media moves now) featured Maria living her best life in ways that would make any 24-year-old jealous. Bikini shots by the pool? Check. Dreamy restaurant visits that probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary? Double check. The kind of effortless glamour that makes you question your own life choices? Triple check. What’s particularly amusing is how Maria has managed to carve out her own empire while her father is out there making grown men cry over football tactics. She’s not just riding on daddy’s coattails – she’s built a legitimate following that hangs onto her every post like it’s the latest transfer news from the Etihad. The Internet Goes Full Meltdown Mode Over Bikini Shots The comment section on Maria’s post read like a love letter convention gone wild. Fans were throwing around words like “angel,” “gorgeous,” and “stunning” with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for last-minute Champions League goals. One particularly creative fan simply commented “Angel,” which, let’s face it, probably took them a solid five minutes to come up with. But here’s what’s genuinely fascinating – Maria has somehow managed to accumulate nearly a million followers without relying on the typical influencer playbook of manufactured drama and controversial takes. Instead, she’s built her brand on lifestyle content, fashion moments, and the occasional glimpse into the Guardiola family dynamics that most football fans would kill to witness. Guardiola’s Family Life Gets the Social Media Treatment What makes Maria’s content particularly interesting is how she occasionally offers glimpses into life with one of football’s most intense managers. Earlier this summer, she and Pep were caught on camera absolutely belting out Oasis classics at a concert in Manchester’s Heaton Park. Watching Guardiola, the man who probably analyzes his breakfast cereal arrangement, letting loose to “Wonderwall” was the kind of humanizing moment that reminds us these football icons are actual people. The fact that Maria conveniently left out any reference to the Oasis concert in her summer recap is almost too perfect. Because nothing says “curated content” like strategically omitting the moment your tactical genius father transforms into a middle-aged man singing along to Britpop anthems. The Content Creator Empire Built on Authentic Glamour Born on December 28, 2000, in Spain, Maria now calls London home – which explains the effortlessly chic European aesthetic that permeates her content. She’s the eldest of Guardiola’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra, and watching her navigate the intersection of football royalty and social media stardom has been genuinely entertaining. Unlike many celebrity offspring who seem to stumble through their public personas, Maria appears to have found her groove in the content creation world. Her posts strike that perfect balance between aspirational lifestyle content and relatable moments that keep her audience engaged without feeling completely disconnected from reality. Why Maria’s Success Makes Perfect Sense Here’s the thing about Maria Guardiola’s social media success – it’s not accidental. While her father revolutionized football tactics, she’s quietly revolutionizing how celebrity children can build their own brands without constantly referencing their famous parents. Sure, being Pep’s daughter opened doors, but keeping 907,000 people interested enough to call you an “angel” over bikini photos requires its own set of skills. The irony isn’t lost on anyone that while Pep Guardiola spends his days obsessing over every tactical detail, his daughter has mastered the art of making everything look effortlessly perfect. Those summer photos didn’t just happen – they were curated with the same attention to detail that Guardiola brings to his team formations. In a world where social media success often feels manufactured and desperate, Maria’s approach feels refreshingly authentic. She’s not trying to be controversial or edgy; she’s simply sharing moments from a life that happens to be significantly more glamorous than most people’s reality. So while football fans continue to debate Guardiola’s latest tactical innovations, his daughter continues building her own empire, one perfectly curated Instagram post at a time. And honestly? Good for her.

Steelers’ Cam Heyward blasted by former GM amid contract drama
NFL

Steelers’ Cam Heyward blasted by former GM amid contract drama

Veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward is in the middle of a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s unclear when it will end. With the regular season quickly approaching, a former NFL general manager went out of his way to blast Heyward over the situation. During an appearance on “93.7 The Fan Wednesday Morning,” former Buffalo Bills general manager and Steelers executive Doug Whaley blasted Heyward for getting into a contract dispute after just signing an extension last offseason. Overall, Whaley believes that Heyward is overstepping his bounds by asking for another revised contract. “Think about this. The 15 years of goodwill Cam Heyward has gained in the public and on the team, it’s smashed over this lack of foresight,” proclaimed Whaley. So to me, it’s an abject failure for Cam. So, I can understand why he has such vitriol from the fans because you should have [done] this before.. In the end, it’s not on the Steelers. This is on Cam Heyward and his camp.” Heyward, who is 36 years old, most recently signed a two-year, $29 million contract with the Steelers. The deal has Cam Heyward with the organization through the 2026-27 campaign. He received $16 million in guaranteed money on the deal with a $14.7 million signing bonus. Last season, the seven-time Pro Bowler put up ridiculous numbers, as he is still regarded as one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. He ended the 2024-25 season with 71 combined tackles (35 solo), 20 quarterback hits, 8.0 sacks, and 12 tackles for a loss. Cam Heyward recently opened up and shared that he feels his performance from last season deserves more pay. The Steelers star also admitted that after originally signing his current contract that he told the front office that he would be back asking for more pay after having an All-Pro season. Heyward did, in fact, have an All-Pro season last year, making it the fourth time in his career that he achieved that feat. Only time will tell if the Steelers give in or not. At the very least, Cam Heyward is a hold-in, as he’s at least arriving at the facility during training camp. However, that is more so to avoid being fined.

Tua Tagovailoa Doesn't Hold Back After Dolphins 'Embarrassed' By Lions
NFL

Tua Tagovailoa Doesn't Hold Back After Dolphins 'Embarrassed' By Lions

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Steelers Rookie Develops A-List Nickname In Training Camp
NFL

Steelers Rookie Develops A-List Nickname In Training Camp

Pittsburgh Steelers training camp has seen all of the focus be on Aaron Rodgers, and rightly so, but there are others who are catching the eye with their performances. However, there is one undrafted free agent rookie who is making a name for himself, quite literally and it is running back Max Hurleman. The former Notre Dame star has been putting together good days of practice for Mike Tomlin's offense, but he has also developed quite the nickname among his teammates, and it is a nod to an A-list actor. Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly detailed the nickname in a long-winded X post. “Maybe it’s because of his chiseled jaw, or possibly because he can do his own stunts like a backflip in full pads after scoring a touchdown,” Kaboly posted. “Whatever the reason is, Steelers rookie Max Hurleman has been saddled with quite a unique and interesting nickname. His teammates call him … Tom Cruise.” That is quite the name, and it isn't just that which is making people begin to notice Hurleman...it's his feats on the field. In the 31-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first preseason game, Hurleman hauled in a 26-yard reception and followed that up with a nice touchdown grab, which he celebrated by performing a backflip in the endzone. Whether or not Hurleman makes the final 53-man roster is unknown, but it is clear he is leaving no stone unturned in his attempts to, and who knows, with a nickname like Tom Cruise, he might just do something thought "impossible" and survive roster cuts.