IT General

SAVE $1,400: As of Nov. 22, you can snag a 100-inch Hisense TV at Best Buy for $1,599.99. That's $1,400 off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 100-inch Class QD7 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (2024) $1,599.99 at Best Buy
$2,999.99 Save $1,400.00 Get Deal

If you’ve been dying to set up a home theatre but couldn’t stomach the price tag, Best Buy has a crazy deal on a 100-inch Hisense that could make your dream a reality.

As of Nov. 22, you can get your hands on a Hisense 100-inch Class QD7 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (2024) for $1,599.99. That’s $1,400 off the list price and the cheapest you’ll find this model at any retailer, including Walmart (where it’s currently out of stock).

SEE ALSO: The latest deals from Best Buy's Black Friday sale: Huge QLED TVs, Oura Rings, a GoPro bundle, and laptops galore

Sure, $1,599.99 sounds like a lot, but this is a steal compared to other 100-inch TVs. Most 100-inch TVs cost between $3,500 and $5,000, so this Hisense model is a relative bargain.

The Hisense 100-inch Class QD7 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (2024) has a 144Hz refresh rate, offers HDR10, HDR10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), and Dolby Vision, and runs Google TV, so you can watch all your favorite streaming apps. You can also connect it to voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for hands-free control.

With four HDMI inputs and special gaming features like Game Mode Pro, Game Buster 240, Motion Rate 240, and MEMC frame insertion, this TV is a great pick for gamers, sports fans, and movie buffs.

Plex is rewriting its mobile and TV apps from the ground up. The new apps, launching in early 2025, feature a full-redesigned interface and a unified codebase.

Have you ever noticed how whenever you try to install an app on your Android phone from outside of the Google Play Store, you have to jump through a few hoops before it actually allows you to install it? There's a reason for this.

It might be tempting to jump straight to the fancy fonts when creating your PowerPoint presentation, but hold off for just a few moments! The font you choose greatly impacts whether your slides are the best they can be, so there are a few things to consider first.

Amid the heady haze, unrelenting traffic, and humidity of the city of Mumbai, three complex women sit at the core of Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light. Written and directed by the Mumbai-based A Night of Knowing Nothing filmmaker in her first fiction feature, the film is as much an ode to modern womanhood as it is to the bustling city itself.

With exquisite, vulnerable, and dynamic performances from Kani Kusruti (Girls Will Be Girls), Divya Prabha (Ariyippu), and Chhaya Kadam (Sister Midnight), the Cannes Grand Prix-winning film explores varying experiences of living within India's most populated city — where women are challenging the status quo. Emboldened by a pulsating synth-fuelled score by Dhritiman Das and superb cinematography by his brother Ranabir, the film renders this energetic city as a living, breathing character itself, an organic being in a state of constant flux.

SEE ALSO: 'Girls Will Be Girls' review: A sublime coming-of-age tale that deeply understands girlhood What is All We Imagine As Light about? Kani Kusruti as Prabha. Credit: BFI

Tracing the interweaving lives of three women working together in a multi-speciality hospital in Mumbai, the film presents a nuanced, multifaceted portrait of both its protagonists and the metropolis itself.

Prabha (Kusruti), one of the hospital's senior nurses, is managing her guilt over feelings for a coworker while concealing the pain caused by her long-distance marriage. Anu (Prabha), her younger roommate, has a secret romance with Shiaz (Crash Course's Hridhu Haroon), which they hide for religious and social reasons. And Parvaty (Kadam), the eldest of the three, is facing eviction by Mumbai's wealthy developers due to her lack of written claim to her home; her proof of identity quite literally does not exist on paper.

As their lives take different turns, the three find their way to Parvaty's home town in a coastal village in the district of Ratnagiri for a breath of fresh air, new perspectives, and the unlocking of their suppressed passions, desires, and memories.

The three leads of All We Imagine As Light are sublime Divya Prabha as Anu. Credit: BFI

Embodying very different experiences of womanhood within the bustling city of Mumbai, the three leads of All We Imagine As Light are the true heart of the film. Despite their bond, there's a deep sense of isolation in each of the characters, some benefitting from the anonymity such a large city provides (Anu's secret love affair), others being crushed by it (Parvaty's eviction), and the three leads crystallise Kapadia's beautiful script of powerfully cinematic everyday moments.

As the stoic, acquiescent Prabha, Girls Will Be Girls star Kusruti expertly conveys internalised heartbreak and suppressed frustration as she endures a communication-less marriage with her husband living abroad. Prabha constantly supports others financially or emotionally, dismissing her own desires, and Kusruti infuses her performance with intense longing and concealed loneliness.

Kani Kusruti as Prabha. Credit: BFI

The youngest of the three, Ariyippu actor Prabha, brings a dynamic, naive, passionate energy to Anu. Forced to keep her relationship a secret, she's frustrated by her lack of agency, and motivated by intense emotion, which triggers her roommate's internalised patriarchal judgment. This sense of projected insecurity and decorum becomes a major hurdle for Anu and Prabha, with the tension between social scandal and suppressed passion, obedience and empowerment forming the core arc for them.

As the eldest, Parvaty is facing serious challenges with her home about to be swallowed up by the city's wealthy development, and forms the embodiment of Kapadia's exploration of Mumbai's sense of impermanence. Kadam is measured, frank, and meticulous in the character. While Parvaty's sense of financial autonomy disappears in Mumbai, it thrives in her home town, a contrast that brings up significant inner conflict for all three women. This sense of place, in the film, is more than mere setting.

The city of Mumbai is a character itself in All We Imagine As Light Divya Prabha as Anu and Hridhu Haroon as Shiaz. Credit: BFI

A humming, energetic metropolis holding over 21 million people, Mumbai is as much a character in All We Imagine As Light as its leads. Filmed across the neighbourhoods of Lower Parel and Dadar, the "city of lights" is also deemed a "city of illusions" in the movie; it's a place of expectation and disappointment, of isolation and spontaneity, of nightlife and hard work, of wealthy developers swallowing up affordable housing — as Parvaty observes, "You could just vanish into thin air and no one would know."

With Dhritiman Das' hypnotic, minimal electronic score framing intimate cinematography by Ranabir Das, the city hums throughout the film's first two acts. The omnipresent sounds of trains, construction noise, and traffic rumble through every scene, as director Kapadia collides the city's exterior din with hushed interior scenes. Within these populated streets, Kapadia finds poignant, human moments, both with the three protagonists and supporting characters. Here, the film almost feels like a documentary at times. Each resident, the director urges, has their own Mumbai story, and we're allowed to hear a great number of these in voiceover — tales of how each person arrived in the city, learned to forget things, escape things, and find new beginnings there. 

Credit: BFI

Each tale is paired with sweeping city shots, glimpses of shop owners, apartment dwellers, and night footballers, and predominantly, intimate, personal connections on public transport. DOP Das' long shots along Mumbai's streets make you feel like you're simply on the ride through the hubbub, and the characters have major life conversations on their commutes. With assured editing from Clément Pinteaux (So Long Sadness), the film presents Mumbai as a landscape of impermanence, a city in constant motion. Notably, Kapadia sets the the film during the monsoon season, visually imbuing a sense of humidity, dampness, and discomfort, but also using the weather to its romantic advantage; several scenes in the torrential rain are stunning moments of relief.

It's this detailed attention paid to Mumbai that makes the film's third act shift to the beach village in Ratnagiri so impactful, as Prabha, Anu, and Parvaty find individual moments of peace, empowerment, and contentment here that they can't access in Mumbai. The film's final act allows the three to reclaim themselves beyond the anonymity of the city, and see beyond the towering skyscrapers to alternative possibilities.

By the end of All We Imagine as Light, these women are able to see from one another's perspective in a way that broadens their appreciation for each other as women, and in turn, our understanding of their turmoil. It's a boldly intimate film that feels so real it could be non-fiction, with some of the best performances you'll see all year.

All We Imagine As Light is out now in select U.S. cinemas, and in UK and Irish cinemas on Nov. 29.

Bowen Yang is clearly a man of many talents.

Alongside his work on Saturday Night Live and his upcoming role in Wicked, it turns out another of Yang's talents is handling very spicy wings with minimal concern. In the Hot Ones episode above the star chats to host Sean Evans about standout filming moments from Wicked, his first ever conversation with Lorne Michaels, and favourite sketches he's pitched to celebrity guests on SNL, all while chomping through sweltering wings and keeping an impressive poker face.

As digital natives, Gen Z has grown up with the Internet and social media. Yet, a recent study shows that many Gen Z people aren't happy with social media, and many think it should not have been invented.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Nov. 22, Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are on sale for $298 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. This is 25% off their list price of $399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones $298.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal

There's no shortage of great deals in Amazon's Black Friday sale. If you've had your eye on some new headphones, you're in luck as several options have been discounted as part of the big sale event. This includes one of our favorites for noise-canceling, the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Normally these headphones run with a steep price tag of $399.99, but for Black Friday they've dropped down to $298. This $101.99 price drop also marks the lowest-ever price for these high-quality headphones, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online

These headphones rank among our picks for the best noise-canceling headphones as a great choice for audiophiles. Mashable's Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard ranked them here because they "produce a balanced sound that let your music shine, while giving you enough ANC to block ambient noise." Mashable's Deputy Editor of Shopping and Reviews, Miller Kern, also raved about these in her review, saying "Sony's WH-1000XM5s are an excellent pair of headphones for first-time buyers and those upgrading from old models."

This Black Friday deal is a must if you're looking to buy new headphones. Don't miss out on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones at their lowest-ever price.

A few more top retailers are offering some early Black Friday discounts right now, too. Best Buy, Target, and Walmart each have their own sale plans, so it's worth reading up on each to learn more about what's coming soon in the lead-up to the big day.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 22 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: This is the place!

These words are listed on a map.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are somewhere you might visit.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is CityName.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 22

• Buffalo

• Bend

• Boulder

• Riverside

• Mobile

• Phoenix

• CityName

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Strands.

SAVE $70: As of Nov. 22, Beats Powerbeats Pro are discounted to $129.99 as part of Best Buy's Black Friday Doorbuster deals. This is $70 off their list price of $199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro $129.99 at Best Buy
$199.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

In celebration of the season of savings this month, Best Buy has been offering up Doorbuster deals every Friday on a wide range of tech. This is a great way to build up to the big Black Friday sale event and features some incredible discounts. This week's Doorbuster drop was a real winner if you've been looking to invest in some new earbuds, with an excellent offer on Beats Powerbeats Pro.

Normally these earbuds retail for $199.99, but you can scoop them up for $129.99. This saves you $70 overall, which is a fantastic deal on earbuds we think rank among the best headphones of 2024. Not to mention, you also get up to three months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness+ for free with your purchase.

SEE ALSO: 20+ of the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deals ahead of Black Friday

If you lead an athletic lifestyle, these earbuds are well worth the investment as we consider them the best pick for runners in both our roundups of the best earbuds and best headphones in 2024. And even if the running life isn't for you, we still consider them worth every cent. Our review had high praise for these earbuds, with Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent Raymond Wong saying they're "terrific if AirPods don't cut it for you."

This Doorbuster deal won't stick around for long, so take advantage of this Beats Powerbeats Pro deal at Best Buy before it's gone forever.

Best Buy isn't the only retailer with some excellent early Black Friday deals, either. Amazon's Black Friday sale has kicked off in style with a wide variety of discounts for shoppers. Walmart and Target are also offering their own Black Friday sale events that are worth a look.

SAVE $20: PS5 DualSense wireless controllers are on sale for $54.99 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PS5 DualSense Wireless Controllers $54.99 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Black Friday wouldn't be Black Friday without record-low prices on the most sought-after items. We're not just looking for big discounts during these major shopping events. We're looking for the best deals ever.

There are a lot of deals on PS5 accessories out there, with PS5 DualSense wireless controllers dropping to record-low prices on Amazon. PS5 DualSense wireless controllers are on sale for $54.99 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon, so this really is a special opportunity to secure the best price.

SEE ALSO: PS5 vs. PS5 Slim: What are the differences?

These controllers let gamers feel in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback. You can experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers, chat online through the built-in microphone, and hear higher-fidelity sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games. They're the most popular PS5 controllers for a reason.

Save $20 on DualSense wireless controllers in the Amazon Black Friday sale.

I have a good laptop, but I hate doing work on it. Not having two screens makes juggling tasks difficult, and if I forget my mouse, my productivity goes out the window. However, the Plugable USBC-PDMON portable monitor is the solution I needed to work on my laptop properly. It can't help me remember my mouse, though.

TL;DR: Skip the stress and get 18 bottles of wine delivered for $79.97 (reg. $270) until December 8 — that's less than $4 a bottle!

Holiday shopping can wait — but a wine deal like this one won’t last. Instead of stressing about everyone’s gift list, why not start by grabbing something you can enjoy right now? This early Black Friday offer through December 8 gives you 18 bottles of wine delivered to your door for $79.97 with your choice of red, white, or a mix of both, at less than $4 per bottle.

What better way to check “wine supply” off your holiday list and give yourself one less thing to worry about?

Each collection is handpicked by Wine Insiders, offering a curated variety of reds, whites, or a mix so that there’s a bottle suited to every occasion. The red collection is perfect if you’re a fan of bold, rich flavors, great for cozy winter dinners. If you lean towards crisp, light flavors, the white collection will be right up your alley, ideal for toasting with friends. Can’t decide? The mixed collection gives you the best of both worlds, covering all your holiday hosting needs.

This 18-bottle bundle means you’re prepared for everything the season throws at you: family dinners, surprise guests, and even last-minute gifts. Instead of rushing to the store, you’ll have a fully stocked wine rack, ready for every celebration.

After purchasing, you'll receive a digital voucher, so be sure to redeem it within 30 days. And of course, you must be 21 or older to order and to accept the delivery — shipping not included.

Make holiday hosting easier and treat yourself to a wine haul that lasts all season.

Skip the Black Friday lines and give yourself a little extra holiday cheer with 18 bottles of red, white, or mixed wine from Swirl Wine Shop for $79.97 — sale ending December 8.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Swirl Swirl Wine Shop - 18 Bottles of Red, White or Mixed Wines for just $79 (Shipping Not Included) $79.00
$270.00 Save $191.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Gift the CARSULE pop-up cabin to your favorite camping enthusiast — a unique setup at $319.99 (reg. $379) through December 8.

If someone on your holiday list lives in a spot where “winter” still means sunshine, the CARSULE Pop-Up Cabin could be their new favorite way to enjoy the outdoors. This unique gift is perfect for campers, beach-goers, and road trippers who live where it’s warm year-round — or for anyone on your list already counting down the days until they can head outside again.

Easy to attach to any car with a hatchback, the CARSULE provides a cozy, private space for all kinds of outdoor adventures — on sale for $319.99 (reg. $379) as an early Black Friday offer.

The CARSULE offers a roomy, weatherproof environment wherever they park. The high ceiling lets them stand comfortably, while UV-blocking fabric and waterproof construction make it practical for sunny days or a light shower. It’s spacious enough for lounging, resting, or setting up a table, making it as versatile as the adventures it can support.

For anyone who loves road trips, beach camping, or just spontaneous outdoor getaways, the CARSULE brings the comforts of home into the wild. It’s simple to set up and packs down for easy storage, so it’s always ready for the next trip. Come spring, they’ll be fully equipped for beachside retreats, lakeside relaxation, or camping in the sun — no tent required.

Make holiday gifting easy with a present that’s equally practical and adventurous. The CARSULE is the ideal companion for those who don’t let winter stop them from getting outdoors — and can’t wait to make the most of the warmer days ahead.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mogics CARSULE - A Pop-Up Cabin for Your Car $319.98
$379.00 Save $59.02 Get Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A pigeon-inspired flying robot is solving avian mysteries that may help create more stable aircrafts.

While birds seem to seamlessly maintain stability during turbulence, airplanes need rudders and vertical tails to avoid being rocked from side to side. Scientists have suspected that birds maintain balance by reflexively adjusting their wings and tails but this hypothesis has been hard to prove with real birds in field studies.

To overcome this challenge, scientists at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), developed PigeonBot II, a robot equipped with morphing wings, pigeon-like wingtips, and even 52 real pigeon feathers. Just like a real bird, it can elevate, spread its wings, and control its tail.

The study, led by Eric Chang, tested PigeonBot II in both indoor and outdoor conditions, and, according to the researchers, confirms the theory and could help inspire more efficient, rudderless aircrafts.

There's no better way to tell an unwelcome party to move along than with one word: SCRAM!

It's a word with a long, meandering history, and one singlehandedly resurrected by TikTok creator, comedian, actor, and writer Kel Cripe (@reallygoodimpressions). Their viral post from September, in which they send "a message to all the guys tryin' to talk to my girl," has over 9.4 million views. In the video, the Los Angeles-based comedian is standing in front of a hedge, wearing a mystical wolf tee, and holding raised a fist, ready to hypothetically deliver a fresh knuckle sandwich.

"Scram! Leave her alone! She...she doesn't want to talk to you! Get outta here!" Cripe says in the video, as a piano version of Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?" plays and the camera recedes. Cripe describes the vibe to Mashable as "not-so-threatening, soft threat" which is spot on.

SEE ALSO: Why Delaney Rowe's cringe TikTok videos are so good

Since posting, Cripe's meme has had the viral CapCut edit treatment, been shared by SZA, and most recently ended up onstage at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, fittingly screamed by fan-favourite dancer Kameron Saunders during Swift's GFY anthem "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

But while TikTok and "Scram!" has opened up new audiences for Cripe, their comedy isn't contained to the platform. In 2024, Cripe was featured in Netflix Is a Joke Fest's comedy showcase, having been on the streaming service's related radio spot on SiriusXM, and appeared on the podcast Lovett or Leave It. An illustrator, theatre writer, and short filmmaker, they're also one third of comedy trio Babe Motel, and they've appeared at New York Comedy Festival and SF Sketchfest, the San Francisco Comedy Festival.

With sold-out headlinling standup shows coming up, Cripe chatted with Mashable about how they started on TikTok, how the platform has intersected with their comedy, and the very sweet origin of their viral post that changed everything. Girlfriends rule.

Shannon Connellan: Where did the idea for your viral "Scram!" video come from? 

Kel Cripe: Like a lot of couples, my girlfriend and I love to use silly voices and words to make each other laugh. When I'd show her mean comments on my videos, she'd wave her fist at my phone and say "Scram!" It always cheered me up and made me feel cared for.

One morning after waking up from a bad dream, my girlfriend made me giggle with her classic catchphrase and I said, "Hey, that'd be a funny video." We went about our day, doing chores and tasks together (it was laundry day, hence the kismet wolf shirt) and when we finally returned home, I said, "Would you mind filming that video we talked about?" In one take, we got the shot. I was too tired to overthink it.

"I never imagined an inside joke with my girlfriend could be what changed my life. I owe my Scram legacy to her, she's the best. - Kel Cripe

The next day, I added some music that I thought ironically matched the tone of "not-so-threatening, soft threat" (A piano cover of "Where is My Mind" by The Pixies) and hit post. I never imagined an inside joke with my girlfriend could be what changed my life. I owe my Scram legacy to her, she's the best. 

SC: What’s been the general response you’ve seen to your viral clip? People seem to really find power incorporating “Scram” in their own lives (and videos), and I’ve seen you’ve spoken about it in your standup too! 

KC: Initially, Scram wasn't reaching the kind audiences it eventually found. The clearly satirical video was an easy target for internet bullies and bozos. I was tempted to delete it, but in an unexpected turn, SZA reposted the video on her Instagram story the night of the VMAs and it sent thousands of new views to the video (Thank you SZA

Tens of thousands of people started making their own Scram videos and it was so cool to see. The videos people made were all rooted in a goofy positivity, with the intention of spreading laughter, exactly like how I intended the original. So many parents told me how much their kids love saying "scram", which really warmed my heart. I got dozens of DMs from people that dressed up as me for Halloween (someone even linked an Amazon kit for a Scram costume). Companies started using Scram for their products, I think because it became such an easily adaptable and relatable concept. I've gotten to work with some amazing brands and create tons of new content.

Outside of the internet, I've been doing standup comedy for five years and I decided to make a joke about Scram at the top of my set. Hearing and watching audiences react to realizing I'm an actual person and not just a meme is really quite funny and starts the set with such a fun energy.

Scram has allowed me to connect with more people than I ever could have imagined. I've gained over 100k followers on Instagram and over 150k on TikTok in about two months. Spreading joy and cheering people up on hard days is one of my biggest goals as a comedian, and I will always be so grateful to Scram for allowing me to do that on such a larger scale.

SC: How did you find out about the Eras Tour video? And what was your first reaction?

KC: I was updating my calendar in my room (I love calendars) when my girlfriend said, "Uh, hey Kel, I think something happened at the Eras tour...people are commenting on your video that Kam said Scram." I put the dry erase marker down and very calm, cool and collected said, "WHAT?!??! ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!?"

We sat on my bed scrolling through videos of the legendary "We Are Never Getting Back Together" performance with our jaws completely dropped. My heart was pounding and I felt like I was gonna pass out, in a good way. I started texting my friends and they all Facetimed me within seconds. So many of Taylor's fans sent me messages, I think we were all in a joyous shock. I still can't believe it happened, it was so freaking cool. Hearing the amount of people in the audience that also screamed and laughed was so epic. If Taylor ever wants a "Scram" in person for one of her shows, I'd be there in a heartbeat salute emoji.

SC: Your Scram tees have been sold out on your website, are there plans to restock? 

KC: The first batch of Scram shirts were so successful, we sold out in just a few days! Don't tell anyone, but a little birdie told me that we may in fact be having a special Early Black Friday Sale starting on November 20, 2024...And for real don't spread this, but a second little birdie also told me there may even be more merch next year :)

SC: How did you get started on TikTok? 

KC: I got started on TikTok in 2020 after I graduated college and had to move home because of the pandemic. Making videos online was the only way to stay active in comedy, and it also provided a fun mental escape. It took awhile for the ball to start rolling, but I just kept trying new styles of videos to see what fit. I made a lot of friends online who also made videos and we continue to stay in touch and support each other. Slowly but surely I started finding my voice, and I enjoyed learning internet/editing skills in the process.

SC: Your videos on TikTok are another avenue for your comedy and standup, how has your comedy evolved or changed since being on the platform?  

KC: Posting videos online has been such a crucial step in growing my audience. Having a larger audience has allowed me the chance to perform on more shows, in cities all across the country. I feel so grateful for the chance to share my comedic voice with others, it's a privilege I do my best not to take for granted. Comedy/entertainment can be such a vulnerable and exhausting industry, but having supporters who come to shows and send me words of encouragement has really helped me push through the ebbs and flows.

In my experience, the internet values shorter content with higher shareability, so it's fun to have different mediums of comedy to play and explore my voice within. Since I started making videos online, I've also written a play, acted in movies and performed stand-up, sketch and improv. I love performing, and as I grow I'm honored to follow the projects and fellow collaborators that align with where I'm at in life. The internet has definitely helped me build a thicker skin, gain confidence and find my voice faster than I think I would have without it. 

SC: What’s up next for you?

KC: I'm currently working on my half hour stand-up special! My first headlining show sold out in two days, thanks to the exposure of Scram. Next year, I'll also be opening on tour for the amazing musical artist Corook! We'll be traveling all around the U.S. (Canada too!) and I'm so unbelievably excited.

I also am in an awesome comedy group, Babe Motel, with two of my best friends, Avery Girion and Haley Stiel. We write and perform live/digital sketch comedy and we have some really exciting projects in the works. I also have dreams of writing books and acting in films. In the meantime, I plan to continue posting silly videos from an earnest place of uplifting authenticity. I hope being myself proudly can encourage others to do the same. I'm so excited and grateful for what's ahead.

Check out more interviews in Mashable's Small Talk, a series where we catch up with the internet's favorite Extremely Online individuals offline.

Astronomers have been able to look at the sun and a handful of other stars in the Milky Way up close, thanks to modern advances in telescopes.

But getting a detailed view of a star outside the galaxy has eluded top scientists in the field, until now. 

Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer, astronomers have captured the first close-up picture of an extragalactic star. The image showcases WOH G64, a star some 160,000 light-years away from Earth in space. It beams in the constellation Dorado from the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small galaxy on the periphery of the Milky Way. 

And it seems researchers have caught it just in time. The image documents the star as it was 160,000 years ago, not as it is today. That means the star has likely already died, Jacco van Loon, reader in astrophysics at Keele University in the United Kingdom, told Mashable.

It's as if the astronomers had a time machine and were able to travel back to the moment just before certain doom.

"The signal of the explosion is on its way," said van Loon, one of the co-authors of the study. "WOH G64 is losing mass at such a high rate, it wouldn't last 160,000 years, and the extreme red supergiant phase it is in, for such a massive star, also doesn't last as long. The changes we are seeing now suggest we may see it explode within the next few thousand years, or even within our lifetime."

SEE ALSO: NASA thinks it found a moon light-years away spewing gas The first detailed image of an extragalactic star, left, is presented next to an artist's interpretation of what's going on in the dusty cocoon around it. Credit: ESO / K. Ohnaka et al., L. Calçada

WOH G64 is what's known as a red giant, a star nearing the end of its life, running out of hydrogen fuel. Through this process, aging stars expand about 100 to 1,000 times their original size. But this particular star is what's sometimes called a red supergiant because it's so exceptionally huge. 

Nicknamed the "behemoth star," WOH G64 is actually about 2,000 times larger than the sun. Like other red giants, it has shed outer layers of gas and dust. Curiously, the star appears to have grown dimmer over the past decade, encouraging scientists to keep a closer eye on it. 

"The signal of the explosion is on its way."

That relative faintness probably means the end is nigh. More and more heavy material will build up on the core. The pile eventually reaches a tipping point, causing the core to collapse under its own gravity. The outer layers of the star then blast into the cosmos as a supernova. Such a violent explosion can sometimes appear brighter than a whole galaxy. 

To the research team's surprise, the star is wrapped in an egg-like cocoon of dust. The odd stretched shape of the dusty nebula could be due to the shedding process. Another possible explanation is that an unseen companion star is influencing it. The scientists' findings are described in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. 

"We are excited because this may be related to the drastic ejection of material from the dying star before a supernova explosion," said Keiichi Ohnaka, lead author from the Universidad Andrés Bello in Chile, in a statement. 

To take the picture, the team used one of the telescope's sophisticated instruments, dubbed GRAVITY, which can capture the light of four telescopes. But as the starlight grows fainter, getting new images will become even more challenging. A planned upgrade to the instrument should enhance its sensitivity soon, according to ESO, allowing researchers to continue monitoring the behemoth at its bitter end.

SAVE $20: Until Jan. 2, the Pulse Elite wireless headset is on sale for $20 off in the PlayStation Black Friday sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Pulse Elite Wireless Headset Save $20 in the PlayStation Black Friday Sale Get Deal

Weirdly, you don't expect to find the best PS5 deals during major shopping events like Black Friday from PlayStation. Instead, the best discounts can most often be found from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target.

But that could all change this year, because PlayStation has jumped ahead of the competition by offering a bunch of tempting deals on consoles, accessories, and more. And most of these deals are available until the end of the year, so you don't need to feel like you're being pressured into a purchase.

SEE ALSO: PS5 vs. PS5 Slim: What are the differences?

Until Jan. 2, the Pulse Elite wireless headset is on sale for $20 off in the PlayStation Black Friday sale. This premium headset offers lifelike sound in your favourite games with planar magnetic drivers, and lets you hear every detail with a lossless, lightning-fast PlayStation Link wireless connection. The fully retractable microphone is even equipped with AI-enhanced noise rejection.

Save $20 on DualSense wireless controllers in the PlayStation Black Friday sale.

SAVE $20: Until Dec. 12, DualSense wireless controllers are on sale for $20 off in the PlayStation Black Friday sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PS5 DualSense Wireless Controllers Save $20 in the PlayStation Black Friday Sale Get Deal

PS5 deals might seem like something that caused a stir years ago, but interest in consoles, headsets, controllers, and everything else remains high. And now that PlayStation has dropped its Black Friday sale, you can stock up on everything you need for less.

We would usually expect the best PS5 deals to be offered by retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, but going direct might be your best option this year. PlayStation is offering a wide range of impressive deals on all its most popular products.

SEE ALSO: PS5 vs. PS5 Slim: What are the differences?

In the PlayStation Black Friday Sale, you can save $20 on DualSense wireless controllers. These deals are live until Dec. 12, so you have plenty of time to consider your options and check whether somewhere else does it better. But at this low price, we would be surprised to see much movement on that front.

Save $20 on DualSense wireless controllers in the PlayStation Black Friday event.

SAVE $75: Until Dec. 23, the PS5 and PS5 Digital are on sale for $75 off in the PlayStation Black Friday sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PS5 and PS5 Digital Save $75 in the PlayStation Black Friday Sale Get Deal

There are so many deals to consider over the Black Friday period that picking a favorite is an impossible task. Every shopper is unique, so the deals that appeal to one person might not leave any sort of impression with another. But what we can say with confidence is that gaming deals always cause a stir during these shopping events.

PS5 deals are going to be some of the most sought-after items over Black Friday. Savvy shoppers will be checking out the best deals from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, but what about going direct? PlayStation doesn't usually offer the very best deals on its own range of products, but that might have all changed this year.

SEE ALSO: PS5 vs. PS5 Slim: What are the differences?

In the PlayStation Black Friday Sale, you can save $75 on all PS5 consoles (excluding the PS5 Pro). These deals are all live until Dec. 23, so you have plenty of time to consider your options. We can't say for sure what will happen as we move closer to Black Friday, but these discounts will be tough to beat.

For more PS5 deals, you should continue to check out Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. All these retailers will be going hard over this busy Black Friday shopping period.