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Uh-oh, who’s allergic to bees? That’s our first thought upon seeing the first teaser for 9-1-1 Season 8.
In announcing the ABC first responder drama’s return this fall—Season 8 premieres on Thursday, September 26 at 8/7c—the network posted a very brief video on the show’s Instagram. “What’s all that buzz about?” reads the caption of the video, which you can watch below and just features bees. And because this is 9-1-1 and this show loves to put its firefighters, paramedics, and dispatchers in danger, we, of course, can’t help but be worried.
At the same time, we can’t help but think that bees might not be all that’s keeping the members of the 118 busy in the premiere (and no, we’re not talking about drama and leadership changes at the firehouse). Could the bees just be part of something bigger? And how many episodes will cover the disaster to open the season? 9-1-1 does love its multi-episode emergencies to kick off a season…
As for the aforementioned 118 drama, Season 7 ended with everyone worried they might lose Bobby (Peter Krause) due to injuries he sustained when his and Athena’s (Angela Bassett) house was set on fire. He survived, but to his surprise, he couldn’t just return to work. He had quit, and the 118’s former captain, Gerrard (Brian Thompson), surprised everyone, including Bobby, when he announced he was in charge; there were some concerns downtown of a leadership deficit in the house, so he agreed to come back and put things in order. What it’s going to take for Bobby to regain the captaincy of the 118 has yet to be determined, but we do hope we see everyone together sooner rather than later.
After all, we want to see what Krause told TV Insider he’s hoping for in Season 8. “I certainly enjoy all the action and all the comedy with the 118. And I think that that’s a mainstay for the audience as well—in the midst of all the wild and wacky emergencies we go on, that their camaraderie and humor is something I enjoy as a viewer when I watch the show,” he shared. “I particularly like the banter inside the fire engine, when they’re heading an emergency or when they’re heading back to the station afterwards. It’s a fun bunch. It’s such a great cast. I really believe you could take this cast and do another show with this cast. One of the best casts I’ve worked with, fantastic bunch of people.”
9-1-1, Season 8 Premiere, Thursday, September 26, 8/7c, ABC
More must-reads:
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- 20 A-list actors who seemingly fell off the face of the Earth
- The 25 worst personal creative decisions in Hollywood history
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TODAY'S BEST
Six NBA players most likely to be traded
NBA teams won't assemble for training camp until September, but some players may not be on those teams for long. Here are six NBA players likely to get traded in the upcoming season. 1. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Some NBA teams go all-in. The Utah Jazz have gone all-out, ditching veterans Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and John Collins this summer. Their lone remaining high-priced player is Lauri Markkanen, a 2023 All-Star who has four years and $196M left on his contract. He had a down year in 2024-25, playing just 47 games and dropping to 19 points per game, but the Jazz were also holding Markkanen out so much that they got fined. Markkanen's shooting would fit on nearly any NBA team, and he's still only 28 years old. The Jazz have amassed a lot of future draft picks, but many of them aren't great — pick swaps with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, and a 2027 Los Angeles Lakers first-rounder. Trading their Finnish superstar could get them a huge return, especially if NBA teams are seeing him dominate in EuroBasket exhibition games. 2. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors It seems like a foregone conclusion that Jonathan Kuminga will resign with the Golden State Warriors and equally inevitable that the Warriors will then try to trade their 22-year-old forward. The only holdup is that the restricted free agent and his team can't agree on a new contract. The Warriors need to get something back for their former lottery pick, but they also need to preserve his salary slot. Kuminga and his agent couldn't work out a sign-and-trade this summer, but once free agents who signed this summer can be traded Dec. 15, far more trade options will open up. Kuminga doesn't want to be on the Warriors. The Warriors don't want to guarantee him playing time. The breakup looks like it's coming. 3. Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics In a year where the Boston Celtics have dramatically slashed their payroll in Jayson Tatum's absence, they have a huge incentive to deal Anfernee Simons, the guard acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday trade. Getting rid of Simons gets them under the luxury tax, which is worth tens of millions of dollars, while also keeping the Celtics out of penalties for repeatedly being a tax team. It all depends on whether the Celtics will settle for the financial savings or hold out to get assets back for the impending free agent. But Simons is almost certainly headed somewhere. 4. P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks P.J. Washington was a huge part of the Dallas Mavericks' run to the NBA Finals in 2024. Unfortunately, he plays the same position as the guy the Mavericks just took with the No. 1 pick in the draft, Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks also have Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and the newly-extended Daniel Gafford. Washington and his expiring contract are now expendable. 5. CJ McCollum/Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards took on McCollum and Middleton in trades in the past year, moves that were primarily made to shed the long-term salaries of Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. But even though those players were both born in 1991, they should still be able to contribute to winning teams in 2025-26. The Wizards may value their veteran leadership, but they also have a roster full of recent draft picks who need playing time — and you can never have too many future draft picks.
Five best NFL offseason value signings on offense: Bills get great deal with RB extension
Few know how to spend money like an NFL front office. This offseason, teams handed out over $4 billion in extensions alone, not to mention the several other billions spent in free agency. But which were the shrewdest investments? Below, we examine the best value signings at five positions on offense: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line. Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith Contract: Two years, $75 million ($65.5M guaranteed) Shortly after acquiring Smith in a trade from the Seattle Seahawks, the Raiders extended the 2022 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year to a contract that raises the Raiders' floor while maintaining flexibility. Smith has a manageable $26.5M cap hit in 2026, when Over The Cap projects Las Vegas to have the third-most cap space ($78.7M) based on an estimated 5.8 percent cap increase. Since 2022, Smith has the third-highest completion percentage (68.5 percent) among 32 quarterbacks with at least 20 starts during that span. He's also tied with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the second-most fourth-quarter comebacks (10) and trails only Mahomes in game-winning drives. Buffalo Bills running back James Cook Contract: Four years, $48M ($30M guaranteed) Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams pierced Cook's bubble when he signed a three-year, $33M extension on Aug. 5. The Bills running back sought $15M per year, making his $12M in annual average value (AAV) a huge win for Buffalo. Over Cook's first three seasons, he's averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In 2024, he led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. With just 533 career tackles, Cook doesn't have the wear-and-tear of other backs who've made splashes early in their careers, raising hopes that he can withstand the workload that comes with being Buffalo's featured back. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins Contract: Four years, $115M ($40.9M guaranteed) The Bengals retained Higgins at a remarkable price, keeping him in Cincinnati at less than $30M per year, the going rate for the league's top wideouts. Per Spotrac, while Higgins is No. 10 in AAV among wide receivers, he ranks just outside the top 20 in guaranteed money. Last season, Higgins averaged 75.9 receiving yards per game, his most since 2021, and scored a career-high 10 touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury. Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride Contract: Four years, $76M ($43M guaranteed) The 2024 first-team All-Pro ranks No. 1 among tight ends in guaranteed salary. However, if he continues producing numbers more akin to WR1s — last season, he had 111 receptions, 1,146 receiving yards and two touchdowns — his contract will be one of the league's better bargains. Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley Contract: Three years, $60M ($44M guaranteed) Stanley's journey back from a devastating 2020 lower leg injury culminated in the 2019 first-team All-Pro being named a Pro Bowler for the second time in his first nine seasons last year. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft was rewarded with a contract that will keep him in Baltimore through his age-33 season. In terms of average annual value, his extension ranks below other left tackles who signed contracts this offseason, and not just younger players such as Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers), who was recently lost for the season, and Bernhard Raimann (Indianapolis Colts). Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews, 33, is averaging $22.5M on his current deal, while Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller, 29, is set to earn $22M per year through 2028.
The Telegraph detail significant issue as Chelsea look to complete deal for Alejandro Garnacho
Phillies superstar may be building Hall of Fame case
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber is in the midst of another impressive season. Schwarber entered Wednesday having posted a .249/.373/.578 batting line in his 528 plate appearances this season, hitting 42 homers while driving in a National League-leading 97 runs. The Phillies slugger was named to his third All-Star Game this season and, according to NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, he should be the NL MVP. Schwarber has been one of baseball's premier power hitters since establishing himself in the majors in 2017. He's in his eighth season of hitting 30 or more homers and has reached the 40-homer plateau three times in his four seasons in Philadelphia. The 32-year-old Schwarber may find himself in elite company when his career comes to an end. He has already hit 326 homers in his career, potentially giving him a chance to reach the 500-home run plateau. If Schwarber does hit 500-plus homers, the narrative around his career may change. There have only been 28 players in MLB history to reach that plateau, 19 of whom are in the Hall of Fame. Two players — Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera — are not yet eligible and are expected to be enshrined on the first ballot. The seven players who have not been inducted into the Hall of Fame have been linked to PED use, torpedoing their candidacy. At the same time, his entire candidacy may be based on his home run total. Schwarber has a lifetime .232/.346/.499 batting line over 5,188 plate appearances; although batting average no longer carries much weight for the voters, he would have the lowest batting average of any non-pitcher in the Hall. His 20.7 fWAR has been dragged down by his defense and is unlikely to make him a favorite among the younger voters who put more emphasis on such metrics. Schwarber is marching toward the 500-home run plateau. If he does reach that mark, he could be a polarizing Hall of Fame candidate.
Raiders rookie receiver opens up on stunning position change
The Las Vegas Raiders’ training camp has featured several intriguing roster developments, but one of the most unique stories belongs to rookie wide receiver Tommy Mellott. The former Montana State football standout, drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is making the rare transition from college quarterback to NFL pass catcher. Heavy Sports’ Ethan Inman reported that Mellott discussed the move in a recent sit-down with Raiders team reporter Levi Edwards. The 23-year-old said he always suspected that his skill set might be used differently at the professional level. “I’ve had that perception that if I was going to go to the next level, I was going to be used in a unique way,” Mellott said. “I wasn’t going to be a clear-cut quarterback, but I didn’t know if I was going to be a receiver, I had no idea what it was going to be.” Mellott’s resume with the Montana State Bobcats was nothing short of prolific. A dual-threat leader nicknamed “Touchdown Tommy,” he piled up over 5,800 passing yards, 53 passing touchdowns, more than 3,500 rushing yards, and 43 rushing scores during his college career. He also led the Bobcats to the FCS championship game and collected numerous awards, including the Walter Payton Award and Big Sky Offensive MVP honors. His athletic testing at the NFL Combine — a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical jump — showcased the explosiveness the Raiders hope to tap into. Head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly value versatility, and the former FCS quarterback could find his role as a rookie that contributes on offense and special teams. Currently listed as the third-string slot receiver and fourth-string return option, he has also been spotted taking gadget snaps in camp, a nod to his quarterback background. The position change has not shaken Mellott’s confidence. Instead, he views it as an opportunity to help the team in any way possible. “I just had an open mind and an open heart. It’s just whatever the will is of God and whatever I can do to help this team out.” The transition from Montana State football star to NFL receiver remains a work in progress, but Mellott’s adaptability and athleticism make him one of the more intriguing players in camp. If he can carve out a role, the Raiders may have uncovered a late-round gem who can inject energy into the roster and provide Carroll with another versatile building block for the team’s rebuild.
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