Entertainment
Behind the Scenes of Neighborhood Watch

Talented writer, actor, and creator Christin Jezak is the vibrant force behind the heartfelt new comedy series, Neighborhood Watch. Her passion for storytelling, community, and uplifting women’s voices energizes every frame of her work. Jezak’s background in theater, her dedication to empowering women, and her experience balancing creative dreams with practical realities shine through her latest project—an indie series that’s as witty as it is warm.

The Spark Behind the Series
Christin Jezak believes deeply in creating spaces where women are seen, heard, and celebrated. “I think it’s really important that ladies feel uplifted, they feel supported, and you know, it can be hard. It can be hard to be a woman,” Jezak explains. With comedy as her tool, she set out to reflect the complexities and joys of friendship, self-discovery, and belonging in Neighborhood Watch. The show is crafted to resonate with everyone, using the specific challenges of womanhood as a powerful, universal entry point.
The Plot: Loving Your Neighbor—with a Twist
Neighborhood Watch tracks the triumphs and comedic pitfalls of three uniquely compelling women:
- Kimberly (played by Jezak): A mother of eight whose daily life is equal parts chaos and love.
- Josie: (played by Sarah Hernandez) The classic nosy neighbor, who somehow has keys to every house and keeps the whole block’s secrets.
- Lori: (played by Hillary Hawkins) A grad student crashing with her aunt and uncle, bringing youthful perspectives and relatable uncertainty.
The series playfully asks what happens when “love your neighbor” is taken to its farthest limits, and it finds both humor and heart in the messiness of real relationships.

Real Connection, On and Off Screen
The heart of Neighborhood Watch beats in the true friendship between its leading women. Jezak deliberately cast people she knew and trusted, leading to performances that feel authentic, natural, and consistently funny. “Casting friends meant the banter and heart you see on screen is genuine,” she shares.
Representation was also a conscious choice: Jezak wanted women of different backgrounds, stages of life, and cultures to see themselves reflected. “Women need to see themselves on screen, in all forms—married, single, mothers, multicultural backgrounds. I want everyone to feel seen and heard, and I believe that comes from casting with intention and heart.”
Resourcefulness and the Indie Hustle
With a history in local theater and a foundation built on persistence, Jezak took on multiple roles behind the scenes—writing, producing, juggling tight budgets, and reworking scenes around everyone’s day jobs. Challenges weren’t obstacles so much as creative puzzles. One episode required clever editing to seamlessly include a main character who wasn’t even present the day of filming. “No obstacle is an obstacle—it’s just a problem to solve. That’s how you grow as a creator,” Jezak says.

Advice for New Filmmakers
For those looking to follow in her footsteps, Jezak offers these guiding lights:
- Embrace Humble Beginnings: Every small step builds creative momentum.
- Work with Good Humans: Surround yourself with people who bring both heart and talent.
- Learn the Whole Process: Understanding everything from acting to accounting pays off.
- Stay Fearless: Challenges are simply opportunities for inventive solutions.
Why Neighborhood Watch Resonates
At a moment when connection is needed more than ever, Neighborhood Watch is a funny, heartfelt reminder that real community—messy, loving, and sometimes exasperating—is worth celebrating. Jezak sums up her hope for viewers: “I want people to know they’re loved and meant to love others. Even in the craziest or hardest moments, what are we if we don’t have one another?”
Watch the Series and Join the Community
Christin Jezak’s Neighborhood Watch is streaming now on her YouTube channel and P2P Theater. With its honest humor, genuine performances, and cliffhanger ending, it’s the kind of indie series designed to make you laugh—and maybe call your neighbor.
For more stories, festival highlights, and the best of comedy filmmaking, keep following the Houston Comedy Film Festival.
Entertainment
Miley Cyrus Is Engaged to Maxx Morando

Miley Cyrus is officially off the market: the pop superstar is engaged to musician Maxx Morando after four years together, and the speculation about “that ring” has finally been put to rest. The engagement caps a quietly steady relationship that has unfolded mostly out of the spotlight, marking a new chapter for Miley after years of highly public romances.
Engagement finally confirmed
Reports from major entertainment outlets confirm that Cyrus and Morando are engaged following her recent red-carpet appearance in Los Angeles.
Observers noticed a new diamond ring on her left-hand ring finger, and sources close to the singer have since confirmed that the jewelry is indeed an engagement ring. The news comes after days of online buzz and fan speculation, which began almost as soon as photos from the event hit social media.
The love story with Maxx Morando
Maxx Morando is a drummer and musician who has performed with bands like The Regrettes and has also worked as a producer and collaborator behind the scenes. He and Miley were first linked in late 2021, reportedly after meeting through mutual friends and hitting it off on a low-key first date that eventually grew into a long-term relationship. The pair have kept things relatively private, appearing together at select fashion shows, award events, and premieres rather than turning their romance into constant social-media content.
That very on-trend engagement ring
The ring that set the internet on fire features a cushion-cut diamond set on a chunky yellow gold band, a bold, fashion-forward design that fits Cyrus’s eclectic style. The piece is reported to be by designer Jacquie Aiche, whose jewelry is frequently worn by celebrities and known for mixing bohemian influences with luxury materials. Commentators note that the thick band and substantial stone are in line with the current trend toward statement engagement rings that feel modern and personal rather than traditional and dainty.
Fans react to Miley’s new chapter
Longtime fans who have watched Miley grow from Disney Channel star to Grammy-winning artist see this engagement as another milestone in her evolution. On social platforms, many have highlighted how different this relationship feels compared with her past, pointing to the couple’s low-key approach and shared creative interests as signs of a more grounded partnership. Others are already speculating about wedding plans, guest lists, and whether the singer might channel her “Flowers” era energy into a bridal look that breaks all the rules.
What this means for Miley’s image
Cyrus has spent the last few years redefining herself musically and personally, from the success of “Flowers” to acclaimed live performances and a more polished public image. This engagement to Morando reinforces that arc, presenting her as an artist who has found balance between rebellion and stability, independence and partnership. While no wedding details have been announced yet, the announcement alone ensures Miley and Maxx will remain at the center of pop culture conversations for months to come.
Entertainment
Mariah Carey’s One Holiday Hit Pays her $3.3 Million a Year

Mariah Carey did not just land a Christmas hit; she locked in a seasonal paycheck for life. Every year, All I Want for Christmas Is You is estimated to pull in somewhere between 2.5 and 3.3 million dollars in royalties, from streaming, radio, licensing, and all those store playlists that flip her on the second the Halloween decorations come down. Over three decades, that adds up to tens of millions tied to a single song, turning one holiday anthem into a textbook example of how a perfectly timed pop track can become a retirement plan in glitter.

What keeps it so sticky is how audiences respond to it emotionally. Fans describe the song as an instant mood-lifter: the kind of track that makes people abandon their carts in Target, sing in the dairy aisle, or scream the chorus in the car like a full-blown music video moment.
People love the mix of old-school Motown-style production, sleigh bells, and Mariah’s big, joyful vocals—it feels nostalgic without sounding dated, and romantic without being corny to most listeners.
For a lot of millennials and Gen Z, hearing that opening piano riff is the unofficial signal that the holidays have “officially started.”
Of course, the obsession is loud enough that the backlash is, too—but even the complaints prove its impact. Some listeners say they are tired of hearing it everywhere, from October onward, but that is partly because it dominates every Christmas playlist, radio rotation, and TikTok trend. Whether people are passionately belting it out or dramatically rolling their eyes, the engagement keeps the streams flowing—and the royalties stacking. Love it or hate it, All I Want for Christmas Is You has become the soundtrack to December, and Mariah collects a festive multimillion-dollar “thank you” every single year.
Entertainment
How The Grinch Became The Richest Christmas Movie Ever

The Grinch didn’t just steal Christmas—he stole the box office. The 2018 animated film The Grinch turned holiday chaos into serious cash, grossing around $540 million worldwide on a modest $75 million budget, making it the highest‑grossing Christmas movie of all time. That is more than seven times its production cost, which is the kind of holiday return every studio dreams about.

Meanwhile, the 2000 live‑action How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey laid the groundwork for this green empire. That version pulled in roughly $345–347 million worldwide on a $123 million budget, turning a prickly Dr. Seuss villain into a perennial box‑office player and a meme‑ready holiday icon. The nostalgia around Carrey’s performance is a big part of why audiences were ready to show up again almost two decades later.
The Money Behind The Mayhem
The 2018 film did not just earn big—it earned smart.
It opened to more than $$67 million domestically in its first weekend and kept playing steadily through November and December, ultimately pulling in about $272 million in the U.S. and roughly $267 million internationally.
Then there is the profit. Trade estimates peg the film’s net profit in the neighborhood of nearly $185 million once theatrical revenue, home entertainment, and TV/streaming deals are baked in. That is before counting years of reruns, licensing, and holiday programming packages—every December, the Grinch gets another quiet deposit while everyone else is wrapping gifts.
Grinch vs. Everyone: Who’s Really On Top?
Here is how the Grinch stacks up against other Christmas heavyweights by worldwide box office:
| Film | Year | Worldwide Gross (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Grinch (animated) | 2018 | $510–540 million | Highest‑grossing Christmas movie ever |
| Home Alone | 1990 | ~$476 million | Longtime champ, now second place |
| How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live‑action) | 2000 | ~$345–347 million | Built the modern Grinch brand |
| The Polar Express | 2004 | ~$315 million | Holiday staple, trails both Grinch movies |
Different sources list slightly different totals, but they all agree: the 2018 Grinch sits at the top of the Christmas money mountain.
Why The Grinch Keeps Printing Money
The secret sauce is that the Grinch is more than a movie—he is a business model. Every version of this character hits a different emotional lane: Jim Carrey’s 2000 Grinch is pure chaotic energy and quotable nostalgia, while the 2018 Grinch is softer, cuter, and perfectly engineered for modern families and global audiences. Together, they keep the character relevant across generations, which is exactly what studios want from an evergreen holiday IP.
On top of box office and home sales, the character feeds theme‑park attractions, holiday events, branded specials, apparel, toys, and seasonal marketing campaigns. The Grinch went from “I hate Christmas” to “I own Christmas,” quietly turning grouchiness into one of the most profitable holiday brands on the planet.
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