IT General

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you have a caffeine addiction.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 6, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Cup of Joe

• Green: Patterned

• Blue: Bugs

• Purple: Ways to say hello

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Items at a coffee station

• Green: Things with stripes

• Blue: Words before "Fly" in insect names

• Purple: Homophones of greetings

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #971 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Items at a coffee station: CUP, LID, STIRRER, STRAW

• Things with stripes: CANDY CANE, CROSSWALK, REFEREE, TIGER

• Words before "Fly" in insect names: BUTTER, DRAGON, FIRE, HORSE

• Homophones of greetings: CHOW, HAY, HIGH, YEOH

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 6, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're good at reading facial expressions.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 February 6, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 6, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Let's face it

The words are related to the dace.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe unique characteristics.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Features

NYT Strands word list for February 6

• Brows

• Cheeks

• Eyes

• Mouth

• Features

• Hairline

• Forehead

• Nose

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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're familiar with the courtroom.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 6, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 6, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A judge uses one.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

GAVEL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 6, 2026

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 today's Wordle.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Feb. 6, 2026:

AcrossBT(W)

• The answer is Way.

TL(C)

• The answer is Care.

NP(R)

• The answer is Radio.

L(A)N

• The answer is Area.

T(G)IF

• The answer is God.

DownWalked through water

• The answer is Waded.

Opera solo

• The answer is Aria.

Lead-in to "man," for a naval title

• The answer is Yeo.

Pulitzer-winning writer Robert, famous for his four-book series on Lyndon Johnson

• The answer is Caro.

Cleaning cloth

• The answer is Rag.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

SAVE OVER $150: As of Feb. 6, Bose QuietComfort headphones have dropped to $199 at Amazon. This 45% discount is $160 off their list price of $359.

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Bose headphones are always worth a look when you're shopping for new headphones, especially when they're on sale. If you've been hoping to grab a discounted pair, Amazon is here to help. The retailer is currently offering Bose QuietComfort headphones for $199.

This saves you $160 off the usual Bose QuietComfort price of $359, making for 45% in savings. Several colors in this line are on sale at Amazon (not counting the chilled lilac or moonstone blue).

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While the more premium-priced QuietComfort Ultras are our favorites in our roundup of the best Bose headphones and earbuds, the QuietComfort headphones are our runner-up pick, as they "provide an affordable entry point that doesn't sacrifice quality." Alongside boasting great sound quality and up to 24 hours of battery life, these headphones also offer noise-canceling features — Quiet and Aware Modes — that let you choose between fully blocking outside noises or allowing some in for extra awareness.

Mashable's Samantha Mangino is a big fan of these headphones, writing in her review that "I've had the Bose QuietComfort headphones for over a year, and I've used them daily since I got them. They're comfortable, have actually intuitive controls, and boast impressive noise cancellation and sound."

If the Bose QuietComfort headphones have caught your eye, now is your chance to grab them for just under $200.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you follow winter sports closely.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Event locations

• Green: Icy leaps

• Blue: USA athletes

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Italian Olympic hosts

• Green: Figure skating jumps

• Blue: Americans at the 2026 Winter Olympics

• Purple: Ski _____

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #501 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Italian Olympics hosts - CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, MILAN, ROME, TURIN

• Figure skating jumps - AXEL, LOOP, LUTZ, SALCHOW

• Americans at the 2026 Winter Olympics - CHOCK, MALININ, STOLZ, VONN

• Ski ____ - CROSS, JUMPING, MOUNTAINEERING, RESORT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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 today's Connections.

Linux is leaving the basement. It's putting on a suit, cutting its hair, and getting ready to join the mainstream world. Whether through missteps by companies like Microsoft, or the endless hours of hard work by people accross the world in the Linux community, the tide has clearly turned.

Like Jimmy Kimmel, The Daily Show also spent time discussing Donald Trump's recent NBC interview. But while Kimmel focussed on the president's comments about ICE, host Michael Kosta put the spotlight on his baffling remarks about a secret U.S. weapon called "the discombobulator". Yes, really.

"The discombobulator? That sounds like the worst ride at Six Flags," says Kosta, playing footage of Trump waffling about the weapon that the U.S. apparently used during its attack on Venezuela — and something he's apparently not meant to talk about.

"So you said you're not allowed to talk about it, but it kind of feels like you talked about it?" says Kosta. "This dude cannot keep a secret. This is how you know there's no aliens, because day one Trump would have been like, 'I'm not supposed to say anything, but they have three boobs.'"

Kosta goes on to play a clip of Trump saying he was the one that came up with the name.

"And it is a great name, Mr President," says Kosta. "It does not sound like a weapon in Paw Patrol at all."

SAVE OVER $10: As of Feb. 6, the Kindle Essentials Bundle is down to $142.97 at Amazon. This is $19 off its full bundle list price of $161.97.

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With Valentine's Day coming up next week, now is the time to sort out a gift. If your special someone is a big fan of reading, why not gift them an e-reader? The standard Kindle, which we consider to be the best budget Kindle, is worth checking out. Amazon even has its Essentials Bundle on sale right now, which can set you up with the e-reader, a cover, and a power adapter all in one package.

The Kindle Essentials Bundle is currently marked down to $142.97. This saves you $19 compared to buying everything separately at full price.

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This Kindle has plenty of space to store all of their favorite novels. It's an excellent travel companion thanks to its smaller size, and its glare-free display makes reading in any lighting a breeze. Even if they like to read before bed, it has an adjustable front light that helps dim the screen to make reading feel more comfortable.

Its battery can last up to six weeks on a single charge, so there's no need to worry about frequently plugging it in. Plus, the additional cover in the bundle helps keep the display protected.

Amazon has this listed as a limited-time deal right now, so if the Kindle Essentials Bundle seems like a great Valentine's Day gift, now is the time to buy.

SAVE $400: As of Feb. 6, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is on sale for $799 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on the list price.

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If you’re looking for a reliable portable power station, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is back on sale at Amazon. This is a strong unit, capable of powering several devices at once. And right now it’s down to just $799 at Amazon, saving you $400 on list price.

With this Jackery power station you’ll get a 2,200W output and a large 2,040Wh capacity, with three AC ports and a USB-C PD 100W port. But despite its high capacity, it’s still compact and lightweight, so it’s handy for camping or RV vacations. Charging is quick too, reaching 80% in just 66 minutes via AC power. If you upgrade to include solar panels, it can fully charge in around six hours.

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It also features 20ms switching for uninterrupted power if you experience outages. So, devices like routers or medical equipment don’t cut out before rebooting. And it’s built to last, with the LiFePO4 battery designed to last up to 10 years. It even comes with an advanced temperature control system that minimizes fan noise, keeping it running both smoothly and quietly.

This portable power station deal is only available for a limited time at Amazon, so don’t miss out.

SAVE $40: As of Feb. 6, the Shokz OpenRun are on sale for $89.94 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on list price.

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If you run or exercise outdoors, it's important to stay connected to your surroundings, even if you need a great playlist to keep you going. To balance your music and spatial awareness, traditional earbuds aren’t always ideal. That's where the Shokz OpenRun headphones come in. They use something called bone conduction technology which sends sound through your cheekbones, keeping you tuned in to both your music and whatever is happening around you.

And as of Feb. 6, you can get the Shokz OpenRun on sale for just $89.94 at Amazon. That's $40 off the list price. This discounted rate is available for the black and blue models.

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They're robust and can cope with all kinds of runs. And with an IP67 waterproof and sweat resistance rating, these are ideal for running in the rain and intense gym sessions. They even have a moisture detection alert to keep charging safe for when they take on a little too much water.

The battery life will last up to eight hours on a single charge, and a quick 10-minute top-up gives you around 1.5 hours of listening. That's ideal when you don't have time for a full charge.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so act fast to avoid missing out.

SAVE $20: As of Feb. 6, the Fire Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

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The Amazon Fire TV Stick range has had a shake up. There's a new product in the lineup, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, and the Fire Stick 4K is now the Fire Stick 4K Plus. And as of Feb. 6, it's on sale for its best price so far this year. Right now you can save $20 with the sale price of $29.99.

This streaming device is optimized for 4K TVs. It gives a far better performance with sharp 4K Ultra HD picture quality, plus support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio. It also has built-in Alexa, making finding something to watch quick and easy.

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The setup couldn't be any easier. Plug the Fire Stick into your TV's HDMI port and connect it to a wall outlet. Turn on your TV with the new remote (which now becomes your single control for the TV), set up the WiFi and login details, and you're good to go. You now have easy access to Fire TV channels as well as streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video.

It also gives you access to Xbox cloud gaming with Game Pass, letting you play hundreds of games without needing a console.

Get this streaming deal from Amazon now.

With ever-rising disapproval ratings and despite the fact that he cannot run for office again, Donald Trump sent a weird fundraising email to MAGA supporters on Tuesday with the subject line "Will I hear from you before Valentine’s Day?"

Stephen Colbert absolutely noticed, especially the fact that the email ends with a button demanding, "Take poll."

"Just what everyone wants on Valentine's Day, a 79-year-old man begging you to 'take poll,'" the Late Show host quipped during his monologue on Thursday. "The spam email, which in this case was addressed to some supporter named Chris, continues: 'I hope you still love me, Chris. I didn't think you'd leave me hanging this close to Valentine's Day.' It's kind of creepy."

Colbert brought up another fundraising email Trump had reportedly sent to supporters reading "Tick, tick, tick. That's the sound of your Trump membership on its last leg."

"Why would your leg be ticking?" asked Colbert, moving into his Trump impression. "Chris, I've strapped a bomb to your thigh, if you ever want to see your shins again, take poll."

SAVE $350: As of Feb. 6, the Roborock Qrevo S5V is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon. That's a 39% discount on the list price.

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If you like the idea of clean floors without lifting a finger, this Amazon deal on the roborock Qrevo S5V is for you. Reducing the need to vacuum and mop manually, this robot vacuum could be your new best friend. And as of Feb. 6, you can save $350 with the new sale price, now down to $549.99. You can even get it in black or white, so you can choose what blends in to your home better.

This robot vacuum is a seriously powerful unit. It has a 12,000Pa HyperForce suction powered by a brushless motor, so it can easily pick up stubborn dirt, pet hair, and debris from carpets, rugs, and hard floors. It also has a FlexiArm design with dual spinning mops which helps you reach edges and corners, scrubbing at 200 RPM.

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And you don't even need to take care of any maintenance, the smart dock does that for you. Here it will automatically empty dust into a 10-week storage bin, wash and dry the mops, and refill the water tank. It is self navigated too, thanks to the PreciSense LiDAR feature that creates detailed maps, allowing the robot to avoid obstacles like cables, toys, and furniture.

Get this robot vacuum deal from Amazon without delay.

Since its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last spring, Pillion has won praise as a "crowd-pleaser" that's boldly sexy, queer, and sweet.

Harry Melling stars as a timid young man who falls hard for a leatherdaddy biker (Alexander Skarsgård), who invites him into a master-slave BDSM bond.

This film is rich with longing and centers on an often earnest and uncool protagonist, who dares to swing big for what he desires. That means there are some notable similarities between Pillion and the world's current TV obsession: Heated Rivalry.

SEE ALSO: 'Heated Rivalry' fans, we've got your next must-see MLM romance

For Say More, when Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko sat down with Skarsgård and Melling in A24's NY offices to discuss Pillion, she asked not only about shooting those buzzed-about sex scenes, but also the challenge of allowing yourself to be not just vulnerable onscreen but uncool.

She began their conversation by asking what was more of a challenge, the wrestling sequence that involved an intimacy coordinator and some painful-looking choreography, or the scenes that asked Melling and Skarsgård to shed leather and harnesses and be vulnerable in song.

From there, Puchko pointed to Heated Rivalry as a tentpole on the ongoing discourse over who can tell queer stories and who the audience is for them. Melling and Skarsgård tied that back to their goals as actors in Pillion.

Skarsgård also noted that writer/director Harry Lighton researched the kink subculture depicted in the film with the help of London's Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club. Beyond getting to know some of the men in that scene, Lighton took several on as consultants and supporting cast in Pillion, giving greater representation to the queer subculture.

And on top of all this, the interview ends with the Pillion stars each revealing the first romantic movie to make them swoon.

For more Say More interviews, check out our YouTube channel.

Pillion is now playing in theaters.

There are two kinds of Super Bowl watchers: the ones that watch for the game and the ones that watch for the halftime show.

But, every now and then, a halftime show comes along that is so electrifying, it definitively overshadows the actual sporting event. A good halftime show has the power to transcend barriers, unite viewers all over the world, and make, break, or revitalize a career. These shows also light up the internet with memes and takes (see: left shark).

SEE ALSO: The 8 songs Rihanna should perform at the Super Bowl halftime show

This is by no means a comprehensive list. But below, in no particular order, are some of the most memorable performances to grace the football field. Actual football performances not included.

Kendrick Lamar's hater's delight halftime show (2025)

Super Bowl LIX between the Chiefs and Eagles was not much of a football game. Philly was up by as many as 34 points before you could blink, and most casual viewers moved onto the chips and dip before halftime. However, halftime brought everyone's attention back to the TV because Kendrick Lamar unleashed incredible hater energy for one of the best halftime shows in recent memory.

Sure, that's not all there was to the show. You had guest appearances by people like Serena Williams and not every Kendrick song is a world-famous diss track. But the one thing everyone wanted from his halftime show was a performance of "Not Like Us," and he gave us that in a big way.

Prince (2007)

For Super Bowl XLI, the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears braved the pouring rain and driving winds (Colts won 29-17). But Prince fought those same elements while playing a live electric guitar, a pretty metal move considering water and electricity are a dangerous combination. 

SEE ALSO: How to stream Super Bowl LVII for free, without cable

Unfazed, Prince set a high bar for halftime shows. He started with Queen's "We Will Rock You," and transitioned into his own "Let's Go Crazy," eventually bringing the stadium down with "Purple Rain." Watching him shred on his signature Prince symbol guitar in the pouring rain instantly became an iconic sight and solidified Prince's status as one of the best performers of all time. 

Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé but really just Beyoncé (2016)

Wait, the 2016 halftime show was headlined by Coldplay? We forgot because Beyoncé's special guest appearance completely stole the show. First Bruno Mars crashed the stage with "Uptown Funk," to which Beyoncé responded by storming the field with her perfectly synchronized backup dancers, performing "Formation." 

Wearing a military-style getup, a nod to Michael Jackson's halftime show outfit, Bey strutted to the stage and slayed (sorry) in a dance-off with Bruno Mars. By the time Coldplay's Chris Martin came back to the front, even he seemed to realize this was Beyoncé's moment.

Katy Perry (2015)

(Stefon voice) This show had everything: a giant lion puppet, a historic viral moment, inspired guest appearances, ample costume changes, and a shooting star. The 2015 halftime show may be best remembered for the left shark, but Katy Perry also put on a hell of a show. Perry came riding in the lion, then passed it off to Lenny Kravitz singing "I Kissed a Girl."

Then the left shark captivated the internet with its blasé dance moves. Through it all, Perry brought strong energy and impressively sang live. By the time Perry brought on Missy Elliot who performed "Work It" and "Lose Control," we knew this halftime show was one for the record books. Perry capped it all off by singing "Firework" as she was lifted up onto a shooting star. Bravo.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent (2022)

In the comments of the official recording, one YouTuber said, "This is not just a concert, this is also a history class," which sums it up pretty well. Rapper and producer Dr. Dre's influence on hip hop can't be overstated. He's credited with launching the careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Anderson .Paak, Kendrick Lamar, and many others. And during the 2022 halftime show he brought his famous friends to the stage for a legendary performance. 

The "history lesson" started with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg performing "The Next Episode" and "California Love." The show played off the West Coast vs. East Coast rivalry with New York native 50 Cent rapping "In Da Club," while hanging upside down. Then Mary J. Blige belted out "Family Affair" and "No More Pain," followed by Kendrick Lamar delivering powerful renditions of "m.A.A.d City" and "Alright," and Eminem giving everyone goosebumps with "Lose Yourself." Dre even fit in a tribute to 2Pac. The show closed out with everyone on stage performing "Still D.R.E." A perfect close to a celebration of Dre and historic hip hop moments.

Diana Ross (1996) 

Pyrotechnics, mass-coordinated dance routines, and costume changes are de rigeur for halftime shows these days. But not only was Diana Ross the first to do it, her performance still holds up today. Ross performed a medley of some of her biggest hits including "Baby Love" and "Stop in the Name of Love" with her signature smile. Then, in the middle of singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," her gold cape spread across the entire stage as she rose on a scarily high platform. Then, the platform descended and she covered a banger version of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." 

Up until this point, Ross's performance was solid, but what happened next proves she is the ultimate diva queen. Ross casually said "Oh, here comes my ride," as a helicopter literally came to pick up. She sat on the edge of the chopper and waved to the crowd as it ferried her away, legs still dangling from the open helicopter door. That's how you make an exit.

Apple is about to turn 50, and the company is throwing a party to mark the occasion.

The company was founded on Apr. 1, 1976 (yes, right April Fools' day), and will celebrate its 50th birthday on Apr. 1, 2026. While the company isn't exactly known for lavish parties, this anniversary is too big to pass up.

SEE ALSO: Everything coming to Apple TV in 2026

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that something will be happening on the date at an internal Apple meeting, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported on Thursday.

“When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart sing. It really does. I promise some celebration," he said.

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OK, we admit it: The details are scarce. It could very well be an internal party for Apple employees with free pizza and canapés in the hallway. But Cook reportedly did sound quite enthusiastic about marking the date.

"I’ve been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook said.

Apple sometimes launches accessories that mark special occasions, including thematic Apple Watch Bands (check out the new Black Unity band, for example) and iPhone cases that mark the Lunar New Year. Perhaps something like that is in store for the company's 50th, though we wouldn't mind if it were something bigger, like a new (gasp!) iPhone color.

Donald Trump's appearances with the press seem to be going from bad to worse, with the president sitting down recently for an NBC interview in which he spoke about the deadly ICE shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti — saying "he was not an angel and she was not an angel."

"First of all, you don't know anything about those people," says Jimmy Kimmel in the clip above. "How dare you weigh in on what they were or what they weren't? Keep your stupid thoughts in your diaper, where they belong on this subject."

Kimmel goes on to break down all the lowlights of Trump's interview, starting with the president saying ICE feels "worse about it than anybody."

"Right, right. A lot of people would think it'd be the parents, or the spouses, or the children of the victims, but then there are a lot of people who don't have a brain that's shrunken down smaller than one of an oompa-loompa's balls," says Kimmel. "It's like what John Wayne Gacy told the cops when they found all the bodies in his basement: 'Nobody's more tore up about this than me.'

Finally, Kimmel plays a clip of Trump moaning about "bad publicity" the shootings have caused.

"That's the real tragedy, the impact on the publicity," says Kimmel. "Nobody ever talks about the tens of thousands of people we don't murder at these protests. Trump said so many dumb and embarrassing things during this interview he may have to sue himself for another $10 billion."

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In Harry Lighton's feature-length directorial debut Pillion, a gay introvert's delayed coming-of-age — catalyzed by the advances of a suave, reclusive biker — kicks off a raucous tale of physical and emotional exploration. Although initially sketched in broad strokes, the movie gradually digs into its sexual complications, centering on a dominant-submissive dynamic that lives in the gray area of consent.

Like its 1970s-set source material — Adam Mars-Jones' 2020 leather subculture novel Box Hill — Lighton's electric, modern-day British drama explores a master-slave relationship that's as upsetting as it is invigorating. Led by a pair of fine-tuned performances from Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, the movie walks a fragile tonal tightrope with remarkable flair, resulting in one of the finest (and most crowd-pleasing) experiences at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

What is Pillion about?

Named for the backseat of a motorcycle, Pillion is as much about function as it is companionship, and what happens when those wires are crossed. Worrywart parking attendant Colin (Harry Melling) and secretive motorcycle club leader Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) ought to be ships in the night, as evidenced by the movie's dreamlike, tongue-in-cheek opening.

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Colin sits quietly in the backseat of his parents' car as they drive him to a pub performance by his barbershop quartet — of which his father (Douglas Hodge) is also a member — which also happens to be a blind date organized by his mum (Lesley Sharp). Colin is gay, and his parents are politely supportive to the point of overcompensating. In a fleeting tryst with destiny, Colin's vacant gaze out the car window falls upon a mysterious biker as he zips by, his face obscured by his helmet visor, and his slender, toned body clad in leather gear. For a moment, it seems like they lock eyes, but Colin can't be sure.

After his uptight, old-school a cappella performance — complete with pinstripe suit and bowtie — his eyes fall once again on the very same biker, sitting across the room: Ray, a dashing American keeping to himself. The timid crooner extends his boater hat for a tip. Ray ignores him. However, as the night wears on, Ray eventually makes his approach and buys Colin a few bags of crisps — like an adult humoring a child — before slipping him a note, asking him to meet him the following evening.

The inexperienced, scraggly-haired Colin is immediately taken. His parents are enthusiastic too, since their son is finally leaving the house for a social engagement. It's funny and sweet, but the movie soon swerves headfirst into the awkward comedy-drama of wildly differing expectations. What Colin figured would be a romantic evening dovetails quickly into a skeevy, back-alley blowjob. As the cruising, cocksure Ray bosses him around, Colin realizes he likes being told what to do.

Before long, Ray conscripts Colin into a dynamic that the young virgin doesn't understand at first (though Ray assumes he does). What Colin thinks is a booty call turns out to be a demand to clean Ray's house and make him dinner. A request to spend the night at Ray's apartment gives way to orders to sleep on Ray's bedroom carpet, alongside his black Labrador. Their sexual encounters involve humiliation rituals and wrestling, which Colin isn't fully prepared for, though he takes a liking to it.

The rest of Ray's biker club — subs and doms of all stripes, played by real members of the leather scene — are a delightful bunch, and they welcome Colin with open arms, but Ray is a closed book who won't so much as reveal his occupation. The more Colin tries to push Ray to open up, the more he shuts him out, insisting their dynamic is not, and cannot be, one of emotions.

Pillion is an impressive tonal balancing act.

As the film goes on, it centers the questions of how far Ray will push Colin on the presumption of enthusiastic consent, and to what degree Colin will let himself be dominated if it means being desired for the very first time. These combine to create a prolonged and riveting tension, which isn't so much cut by humor as it is enhanced by it.

Colin, for instance, is so hung up on the idea of a traditional romance that he meets even Ray's distinctly untraditional treatment with naïve requests, like asking Ray to dinner with his parents. These scenes are downright side-splitting thanks to Melling's straight-faced delivery and Ray's silent bewilderment in response. However, Lighton isn't satisfied with letting these instances slip away. They are, after all, some of the movie's most dramatically interesting moments too, and some of its most thematically lucid.

While neither man comes right out and lists their desires, they fight to express their wants and expectations in the only ways they know how, jogging right up to the line of explicitness before walking back. The film probes ever deeper into what this relationship — or any relationship — becomes when there's a breakdown of communication, and both parties start acting out. It just so happens that Colin and Ray exist at an extreme end of the spectrum when it comes to socially acceptable taste, though the movie never calls their desires into question.

SEE ALSO: 'Babygirl' finally shows us what subspace feels like

If anything, the fact that Colin does not (and perhaps, cannot) explain their relationship to his parents is about the only thing that leads to incredulity, when their sweet boy suddenly shows up with a shaven head and a bike lock around his neck. The film derives its humor not from condescension, but from the unease of transformation. However, it also uses this as a source for some of its most affirming moments too — often shot in slow-motion, with a gentle hand — both when Colin finds unexpected self-confidence, and when Ray realizes he might just enjoy something more intimate in return.

Harry Melling and Aleksander Skarsgård deliver career-best work in Pillion.

 In a film so dependent on neither lead character speaking their mind, you need actors who can do the heavy lifting in silence. You also need actors who can meet Lighton on his complicated tonal wavelength, and who neither get bogged down by the story's slowly rupturing emotions, nor swept up in its energetic humor.

Melling and Skarsgård are more than up to the task. Lighton uses their respective "types" from their mainstream genre success — as Harry Potter's oafish cousin Dudley and True Blood's sexy vampire antihero Eric Northman — as jumping-off points to launch an investigation into how being seen a certain way can mold your outlook on the world, and your sense of self. This is especially true when sex and relationships are involved, and neither actor is afraid to access the vulnerability required for its many sexual moments, verging on pornographically explicit.

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If anything, that's the easy part. What's more challenging is the way Melling navigates the gestures, the body language, and the all-permeating uncertainty of the kind of character whose embarrassment in social situations is generally the root of comedic scorn. Pillion is the kind of movie that knows full well what people find funny, and it doesn't begrudge them that. But it also forces them to confront the reasons why in the long run, using Melling's moving, captivating performance as a prism, and eventually, a mirror to lifelong anxiety and self-loathing. As a young man in search of himself through the demands of another person, he compliments each broad comedic stroke with a tremendously nuanced look at its effects, whether they gradually break him down, build him up, or some combination of the two.

It also helps to be paired opposite an exceptionally attractive Skarsgård, who's always had a magnetic presence but whose build and poise are practically otherworldly in this film. As Ray, he runs so hot and cold as to sear your flesh and give you frostbite in alternating strokes. After a while, his behavior becomes its own form of mystery, assisted by Lighton's lingering medium shots that capture both his body language and expressions at once — his naked torso and his obfuscated sense of self. However, Pillion doesn't seek to present answers that Ray doesn't want to give, or that Colin cannot find. Because in a film about the complexities of being pushed away — how it devastates and allures in equal measure — being presented with something concrete would mean losing out on the abstract mysteries Ray represents for Colin's mutating sense of self.

To call a queer performance involving nudity "brave" is an age-old cliché, but Skarsgård and Melling's bravery is revealed not through performing queerness. Rather, it's a result of accessing male vulnerability, to such a riveting degree that you perfectly understand the emotional deadlock of what one character desperately wants and the other deeply needs. The slow collision of these two forces is the heart and soul of Pillion, and it makes for some of the most entertaining drama and comedy you're likely to see this year.

Pillion is now in theaters.

UPDATE: Feb. 2, 2026, 5:19 p.m. EST "Pillion" was reviewed out of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This article, originally published on May 24, 2025, has been updated to include information about the film's theatrical release.