Blogroll

SAVE $400: The 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G81SF gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $899.99, down from the list price of $1,299.99. That's a 31% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Odyssey G81SF gaming monitor (27 inch) $899.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $400 Get Deal

Winter is coming. It might not feel like it, but it won't be long now before we turn the clocks back, sink into darkness, and begin the battle to stay warm until spring hits. If your ideal winter hobbies include gaming, you deserve a great gaming monitor that doesn't lag, flicker, or cause you other disruptions. Samsung makes some of the most impressive and reliable gaming monitors in the business and there's a sweet deal in store today at Amazon.

As of Sept. 8, the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G81SF gaming monitor is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $1,299.99. That's a 31% discount that works out a major savings of $400. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

With a 240Hz refresh rate, the Samsung Odyssey G8 is ready for your quick moves. It sure helps that it uses an OLED 4K display with 166 PPI. The PPI on the 32-inch model drops to 139, so the 27-inch model is where you want to live in you prioritize PPI.

AMD FreeSync and VRR are around to assist with minimizing any lag or tearing. And did we mention this is a glare-free model? That means when the sun does come out this winter, you won't have to close the blinds to continue on gaming.

SEE ALSO: This 57” Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor is $700 off right now

The 27-inch model of the Samsung Odyssey G81SF means it's not gonna take over your entire desk or require a massive space. Samsung also added some fun features to the gaming monitor like a great ergonomic stand that can tilt and shift to your liking, even going vertical. There's also the Samsung CoreSync and CoreLighting+ features that bring the gaming colors on the screen into real life via the back of the monitor.

Before we hit the depths of winter, equip your gaming set-up with the best of the best, thanks to this Samsung deal at Amazon. The 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G8 will be your ticket to a winning winter of gaming.

No movie is safe from a musical reinterpretation. Broadway has been dazzled with reinventions like The Producers, Sunset Boulevard, and Death Becomes Her, while off-Broadways got weirder with offerings like Heathers, Teeth, and Little Shop of Horrors.

But how do you turn The Exorcist, a truly iconic horror movie about demons and sacrilege, packed with practical effects that seem impossible to recreate on stage, into a musical comedy? 

For writer Michael Shaw Fisher, you come at it from a lot of angles. Inspired by the madcap humor and fourth-wall-breaking of John Cameron Mitchell's Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Fisher created Exorcistic: The Musical. Rather than playing like a straight-up parody (like Teeth), Fisher not only recreates scenes from William Friedkin's famous film, but also presents them as a play-within-a-play. Confused? Oh, just you wait. 

For every truly rousing musical number or solidly silly gag, Exorcistic: The Musical is cluttered by bits and big ideas that just don't play out. 

Exorcistic: The Musical is more than a parody of The Exorcist.  Jaime Lyn Beatty and cast of "Exorcistic: The Rock Musical." Credit: David Haverty

Rather than rolling right in with the first number "A Christian in Iraq (Pazuzu Theme)," Exorcistic: The Musical sets up the cast and crew behind the rock musical. The cast piles onto the stage, introducing themselves as actors or actor/producer, actor/writer, and so on. Among them are familiar archetypes: the elegant leading lady, the ambitious ingenue, the playboy leading man, the pompous author, the egotistical character actor, the cheerful elder, and the infuriated stage manager. 

Rather than just following the plot of The Exorcist, Fisher is introducing a thread about warring egos, pretentious showmanship, and toxic showmances. But that's not all. At the start, the cast welcomes the audience to a stage reading, then begins acting out the movie — initially with minimal props, like a sheet music stand. But then they pause to do an "anatomy of scene." In these segments, which pop up throughout the show, the actors break out of their Exorcist-inspired roles as possessed child, concerned mom, and plagued priest to lecture the audience about what the source material meant. But even here they're acting, playing actors explaining The Exorcist.

Frankly, these sections are tedious. Even when the insights revealed are interesting, they feel like a lecture, or worse, yet a justification that The Exorcist is important enough to merit a parody rock musical to begin with. It's a hat on a hat on a hat. A parody about The Exorcist — even an unofficial one — could have brought the irreverent fun of Puffs, an unofficial Harry Potter comedy that wowed audiences by focusing on the much-ignored Hufflepuffs. Piling on the play-within-a-play to make Exorcistic: The Musical not only a parody of The Exorcist but also a parody of parody musicals is ambitious enough. Then, Fisher adds on the "anatomy of scene" interludes. Some of the elements of the play parody and the Exorcist parody work. But altogether, it's a tangle of ideas and emotions that make the actual production hard to follow and less fun.

Emma Hunton is worth the ticket price of Exorcistic: The Musical.  Emma Hunton as Megan in "Exorcistic: The Rock Musical." Credit: David Haverty

This musical parody works best when it delivers on what the title promises. Emma Hunton stars as Megan O'Neil — the legally distinctive parody of The Exorcist's Regan MacNeil. And while the repetition of characters saying things like "Regan — I mean Megan!" gets old fast, Hunton is on fire on that stage. Her first big number is "Howdy Captain Rowdy," which involves a Ouija board, a demon with horns and cowboy attire, and a none-too-subtle metaphor for discovering masturbation. It's outrageous, and Hunton revels in it with a mesmerizing gusto.

As Megan becomes increasingly possessed by Captain Rowdy, Hunton's behavior becomes more aggressive and sexual. This sets the stage for the reenactment of some epically disturbing scenes from The Exorcist, involving peeing on a rug, projectile vomiting on a priest, playing with a crucifix, and levitating off her bed. Surprisingly, the spectacle bits that work best are simple, relying chiefly on Hunton's performance over what an off-off-Broadway budget could manage in terms of effects.

Emma Hunton as Megan in "Exorcistic: The Rock Musical." Credit: David Haverty

Hunton explodes on stage, singing bright and brash like a Broadway diva. Through her physical comedy, she relishes in the pre-established transgressive behaviors of Regan — including taunting this critic during the urination scene by flicking the flow of liquid closer while making eye contact. But she's absolutely phenomenal in the second act break number, "Your Cunting Daughter." 

Carrying the harrowing realization of just bad things have gotten in this D.C. home, Megan unleashes a scorching song number that not only rocks, it goes full-on Fosse. A quick change reveals a puke-green fringe dress, which Hunton shakes with deliberate abandon, while pulling dance moves that seem stolen from Chicago. It's deranged and absolutely exhilarating. 

Exorcistic: The Musical does too much.  The cast of "Exorcistic: The Rock Musical." Credit: David Haverty

This turducken of a play gets more confusing as it goes. Essentially, within the play it's not that Emma (the fictional character) is getting great at playing a possessed Megan, it's that she has also been possessed.

Then, in between acts, the fictional cast makes the leap from off-Broadway to Broadway, as we're informed by an untraditional post-intermission curtain speech. Over the course of the show, the actors (played by actors) have seen the production develop over months, while we see small changes, like better props and flashier costumes. However, the show itself does not grow in the same way.

While there are suitably silly songs like "A Movie Star With a Fucked Up Kid" and "The Jesuit Blues," the show suffers when Hunton isn't on stage. Her co-stars, while earnest, don't have her ability to project. The night I attended, the sound mix was off, so the lyrics of several numbers was absolutely drowned out by the rock band meant to be backing them. In dialogue scenes, Jaime Lyn Beatty was a standout, playing the stage manager determined to get her moment in the spotlight. But when it came to songs, Hunton never got drowned out. 

To director Chadd McMillan's credit, the cast tries to make the most of the space. Performed at the Asylum in New York (where this critic previously saw and praised the musical comedy Cellino V. Barnes), Exorcistic: The Musical has a small stage to work on. So, from the first scene, the cast makes clear the whole of the theater is their play space.

They stomp off the stage for group numbers, and storm up the stairs, deep into the audiences' seating. They even interact, urging audience members in the front row or the aisle to get in on the action. This could mean holding a prop for a character break, grabbing a boob from a consenting actress, getting flirted with by a demon, or getting drenched in glittery confetti. (I can speak from experience, you'll be finding confetti in your hair for hours, if not a whole day after.) A less welcome side effect of the actors' getting this close to the audience included inadvertently being spit on. Of course, this can be a part of passionate singing. But, be warned: There is a splash zone, and it is the front row.

While I appreciate the production's moxie in using the space so fully, it actually makes seats toward the front a bad view! For several numbers I had to crane completely around to see what was going on behind me. And as some of the gags — like a lackluster projectile vomit moment — failed to impress, I wished the focus had been less on the stairs and more on how to make these big moments really shine.

Sure, an off-Broadway production can't compete with the zany perfection of Death Becomes Her's stair-fall sequence. But as Cellino V. Barnes proved last year, a small stage can work great if the concept is focused. Here, Fisher feels like he's throwing so many ideas at the audience, surely something will hit. But in the barrage, I was often more flustered than enthralled. 

Exorcistic: The Musical has a lot of energy. But the bits of it that are not a rock musical take away from the parts of it that are. The ingenue getting possessed concept is fun, playing into the idea that the movie was cursed — and thereby wouldn't a parody of it be too? But Fisher bogs down the play with too much flare and loses focus.

Simply put, this parody works best when it leans on what we loved about The Exorcist — the creepy visuals, Linda Blair's legendary performance — and gives them a loving but silly sendup. In this moments, Exorcistic: The Musical is devilishly beguiling. Unfortunately, those highs are too few and far between. 

Exorcistic: The Musical is now playing at the Asylum in New York. 

Daniel Craig is back as the debonair Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson's latest Knives Out murder mystery, with one hell of a cast and a new murder case to solve.

With a trailer out today, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery sees the dapper detective faced with another dastardly happening following The Glass Onion. This time, he's off to a small town where Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin) ends up dead after a sermon attended by a star-studded cast: Andrew Scott, Josh O’Connor, Kerry Washington, Daryl McCormack, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Jeremy Renner, and Thomas Haden Church.

After its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will hit cinemas Nov. 26 and stream on Netflix Dec. 12.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. Like dominoes, the tiles are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 6, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 6, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 8 Pips

Greater than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 8 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 8 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this must add up to 3. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (16): Everything in this space must add up to 16. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must equal 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must equal 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically.

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

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.

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

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: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 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: Gibberish

• Green: To surge

• Blue: Famous double agents

• Purple: Felines

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Nonsense

• Green: Increase with "Up"

• Blue: Fictional spies

• Purple: Cat___

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 #820 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Nonsense: BALONEY, BULL, BUNK, RUBBISH

• Increase with "Up": CRANK, HIKE, JACK, RAISE

• Fictional spies: ARCHER, HUNT, PEEL, POWERS

• Cat___: FISH, NAP, TAIL, WALK

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 September 2, 2025

Are you also playing NYT 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.

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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 2, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 2, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: One for the Trekkies

The words are part of associated with a popualr film series.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words Sci-Fi terms.

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 Starships.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for September 8

• Titan

• Enterprise

• Starships

• Voyager

• Discovery

• Intrepid

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 September 2, 2025 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 September 2, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

The sound a bird makes.

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 C.

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...

CHIRP

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 September 2, 2025

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.

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is just a day away, but that doesn't mean the rumors will stop coming.

The latest report by leaker ShrimpApplePro (via MacRumors) claims to reveal the exact battery capacities for all of the new iPhones, reportedly lifted from Chinese regulatory documents.

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

Besides the actual capacities, another interesting tidbit from the leak is the quite different capacities for variants of iPhone with and without a SIM card slot (which takes up some of the space inside the phone, thereby theoretically reducing available space for the battery).

SEE ALSO: The iPhone 17 is days away: Will it come with a price increase?

The figures are as follows:

• iPhone 17 Pro: 3,988mAh with a SIM card slot, 4,252mAh without a SIM tray slot

• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4,823mAh with a SIM card slot, 5,088mAh without a SIM tray slot

• iPhone 17 Air: 3,036mAh with a SIM card slot, 3,149mAh without a SIM tray slot

• iPhone 17: 3,692mAh (just one figure is listed for this model, and it's unclear whether that's for the version with or without the SIM card slot)

If accurate, the figures are interesting, as they confirm earlier rumors that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the first iPhone ever with a battery over 5,000mAh capacity. Also, the iPhone 17 Air's battery appears to be quite puny, even when compared to the iPhone 17's battery. We'll see if Apple can offset that by using its own C1 modem in the iPhone 17 Air, which is another rumor we've heard about the upcoming device.

For more Apple event coverage, follow Mashable's live blog and get real-time updates on the iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3 launch.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Sept. 8, Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are on sale for $44.58 at Amazon. This is 44% off their list price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Earbuds $44.58 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.41 Get Deal

A good pair of earbuds goes a long way, no matter if they keep you busy during workouts or on long trips. And it's even better when you can find solid picks at a discount, which is the case right now at Amazon where the Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are back to their lowest-ever price.

This lowest-ever price only applies to the black pair of Soundcore Space A40 earbuds, which have dropped to $44.58. This marks a 44% discount from their original price of $79.99. However, other colors of these earbuds are also on sale right now with prices close to this, so you can explore different options if the black pair don't catch your eye.

SEE ALSO: Save $50 on the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 right now on Amazon

If you're hoping to have earbuds with noise-canceling features, the Soundcore Space A40 can reduce up to 98% of outside noises so you can stay zoned in on what you're listening to. And speaking of listening, it'll sound great thanks to Soundcore's double-layer diaphragm drivers and you'll get plenty of time with them as they boast up to 50 hours of battery life with the case.

This limited-time deal might not last long. Save 44% on Soundcore Space A40 earbuds at Amazon today. If you're looking for even more earbud deals right now (and don't mind spending a bit more), Amazon's also offering an excellent discount on the AirPods Pro 2.

John Oliver has taken aim at everything from Donald Trump's meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin to Trump's friendship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein recently, but in Sunday's episode of Last Week Tonight he explored a different kind of relationship: the financial stranglehold Trump's administration is currently putting on higher education establishments like Harvard University in an attempt to get them to agree to a list of demands.

In the video above Oliver gives a summary of what's happened so far, from Trump accusing Ivy League colleges of antisemitism and "radical left indoctrination" to a number of colleges caving in to the president's demands in order to have their research grants restored.

"They want to turn back a clock that quite honestly had taken way too long to move forward, and restore the role of academia to being a training ground for those looking to uphold old systems of power instead of questioning them. And look, you can have problems with academia. You can think it's too cloistered or too liberal, you can think it's becoming too expensive or that its resources are misallocated, but the notion of the state suddenly executing a sweeping takeover of higher education to this degree is chilling," says Oliver.

"And if this administration's actions have taught us one thing so far, it's that no capitulation will be enough, and they will never stop demanding more. So given that, I'd argue that to the extent they can, these institutions need to stop yielding, stand firm, and fight back."

SAVE OVER $200: As of Sept. 8, the Eufy L60 robot vacuum is on sale for $279.94 at Amazon. This is 50% off its list price of $559.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy L60 Robot Vacuum $279.94 at Amazon
$559.99 Save $280.05 Get Deal

Cooler weather is breezing in, and that means spending a little more time inside. If you're hoping to invest in extra cleaning help to keep your house feeling fresh this fall, a robot vacuum is worth a look. Thankfully, a few great deals are available right now, including this discount on the Eufy L60 robot vacuum at Amazon.

The Eufy L60 is currently marked down to $279.94. This saves you 50% off its usual price of $559.99, making for $280.05 in savings. That's an excellent offer to jump on, and one that might not last long given it's a limited-time deal.

SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2025: Don't buy one before considering these features

From dust to dirt to clumps of hair, the Eufy L60 boasts 5,000 Pa of suction to scoop it all up. Its Self-Empty Station even features Hair Detangling technology that can help keep the brush free of any tangles. And speaking of the Self-Empty Station, it can go up to 60 days before its 2.5 litre dust bag needs replacing, so you don't even have to worry about it for a couple of months.

The Eufy L60 also features iPath Laser Navigation which utilizes Lidar technology to create a map of your home that helps it get the most efficient clean as it moves around.

Now's your chance to score the Eufy L60 robot vacuum at Amazon for 50% off its list price before the discount is gone for good. And if you're curious to see even more robot vacuum options, check out our breakdown of the best robot vacuums to see our top picks, whether you want something quiet or budget-friendly.

Ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Sydney Sweeney's turn in Christy earned press for the reportedly incredible physical transformation she took on for the role: 30 pounds and a brunette wig. This suggested the Euphoria star was wilfully pushing away from her bombshell persona to stretch in her latest, the David Michôd-directed biopic, where she plays brash boxer Christy Martin. But Sweeney's range doesn't reach where Christy needs her to go.

Yes, some critics are cheering Sweeney's performance as the best of her career, and it certainly plays to the sweet spot of Oscar. Like Nicole Kidman in The Hours or Christian Bale in basically every movie he does, Sweeney has a physical transformation that rejects the Hollywood ideal. Plus, she plays a literal fighter, like Oscar-winner Hillary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) or Robert De Niro in Raging Bull. But Sweeney does not have the screen presence or intensity of either, and Christy suffers for it. However, the film on its own is beleaguered with problems. 

Christy is a mixed-up melodrama about American boxer Christy Martin (née Salters) aka The Cold Miner's Daughter. 

In the 1980s, Martin began a boxing career that would lead to groundbreaking moments like becoming the first woman that boxing promoter Don King ever signed, and the first female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. However, Christy is less interested in Martin's accomplishments and more in the agony she suffered behind the scenes. Her pain came less from the punches she took in the ring, and more from her homophobic mother's ruthless intolerance and the domestic violence delivered at the hands of her abusive husband.

SEE ALSO: TIFF 2025 preview: 20 films you'll want to see for yourself (and how)

In the first act, Christy is established as a butch lesbian, whose relationship with her "friend" Rosie (Jess Gabor) has offended her mother Joyce (Merritt Wever). While Wever is a terrific actor who brings emotional weight to every line here, the archetypal role of unaccepting mom is so doggedly one-note that it's flat-out comical. The screenplay by Mirrah Foulkes, Katherine Fugate, and Michôd makes this mother so consistently horrific that she feels like a parody, plucked from actual comedies like Walk Hard or the more restrained TIFF offering Maddie's Secret. In Christy, Joyce exists purely to say hateful things to her daughter. While Michôd aims for seriousness, all of Wever's dialogue basically boils down to campy proclamations like: Christy, why do you have to be so lesbian and break my heart?

When it comes to the marriage of Christy to Jim Martin, her trainer and abuser for decades, Michôd's approach is also confounding. Ben Foster plays Jim, wearing a hairy fat suit and a comb-over wig that just gets more aggressively ugly as the years pass by. Their marriage has many of the red flags of an abusive relationship (and a slew of Lifetime movies), including Jim's recurring promise that if she were to leave him, he'd kill her. The contrast between Christy being a fighter in the ring but assaulted in her own home is the film's central focus, with her queer repression taking a backseat until the third act. Within this abuse storyline, Foster's chewing scenery (and his lower lip) and Sweeney is out of her depth.

Sydney Sweeney is not an Oscar contender in Christy. 

Don't buy into the hype. This movie is a mess, and Sweeney is a contributor to that, not its highlights. For one thing, she uses Martin's West Virginia background as an excuse to slap on a thick Southern accent that comes and goes. For another, while her look is different in Christy, it doesn't read "athlete," as she lacks tone and physicality. 

With all the personal melodrama, the actual boxing gets lost in Christy. Sweeney can't throw a convincing punch, so Christy's knockouts don't hit like those in the Rocky movies, the Creed movies, or even Girlfight, which used white frames to suggest contact of the boxing gloves to powerful effect. Michôd's boxing scenes lack punch in choreography and execution. However, the director shows a much more deft hand at recreating the violence happening at home.

Featured Video For You Sydney Sweeney on finding a church that would let them film 'Immaculate'

A pivotal sequence late in the film finally clicks into a tone that feels consistent with Michôd's work in the acclaimed Animal Kingdom. Perhaps because true crime is his comfort zone? Abruptly, the details of movement and dialogue become sharply specific, with Christy having a short phone conversation unlike the rest of her dialogue, and slipping into a pair of sneakers before acknowledging her scowling husband. What follows is gripping and horrifying, as the actors deliver the kind of re-enactment that briefly elevates this floundering melodrama to something scarier and more real.

Yet, it's unnerving to me that the strongest sequence in this movie, the one that feels most like this is why Michôd, Sweeney, and Foster made it, is one where the heroine is savagely attacked. Why is that the part they seem most determined to get right? And yet — while this is Christy's most powerful scene, it's not its best bit. That's all Katy O'Brian. 

Katy O'Brian is Christy's blessing and curse. 

The Love Lies Bleeding actor has been stealing scenes in big Hollywood movies like Twisters and Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning. And in Christy, she effortlessly shows up Sweeney, playing the eponymous boxer's professional adversary Lisa Holewyne. Let's be clear: Katy O'Brian should be a big damn star. 

In Christy's bid to be rich and famous, she didn't just fight in the ring, but talked smack about her opponents outside of it. So it goes in this industry. But in the film, the focus of this promotional persona is Christy leaning into a femme look — floral dresses, pink boxing shorts — and wielding slurs at her peers. Lisa bears the brunt of these comments, yet becomes an unlikely ally to Christy in the film's final act. This is good news for audiences, because O'Brian has the kind of star power this movie needs.

Her stature, muscles, and carriage are all more in line with what audiences expect of an athlete onscreen: confident, sturdy, and strong. Sure, Martin's real look was softer than some of her opponents. But in any sequence that pits Sweeney and O'Brian in competition, be it boxing or jogging while training, the later's ease in these spaces makes the headliner's lack thereof stand out all the more. Beyond the physical, in appearance and performance, O'Brian delivers an alertness in every scene that dazzles, while Sweeney just does not. O'Brian is alive in every moment, even when she's second banana. It came to the point where I became infuriated that she wasn't the lead of this movie, resemblance to the real Martin be damned! 

Despite the premiere buzz, Christy is not the Oscar contender that Sweeney, who also produced the film, seems to have swung for. Its script is a mess, creating clumsy archetypes and hitting on Lifetime movie cliches with no self-awareness. Its ensemble cast, while committed, cannot agree on a common tone. For instance, Chad L. Coleman, who pops up as a flashy and fun Don King, brings laughs and much-needed energy to the movie, but also ends up further muddying what this even is. Michôd has no grace in the tonal shifts, and so Christy is more confusing than moving.

Michôd seems most riveted by the criminal violence than any other aspect of Martin's story. So even what this film has to say about being a woman in sports, or a lesbian in America, or a person at all, is perplexing. In the end, Christy doesn't hit hard. It just blows.

Christy was reviewed out of the World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie will release in theaters on Nov. 7.

SAVE $110: As of Sept. 8, the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series is on sale for $289.99 at Amazon. That's a 28% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 50-Inch 4-Series $289.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $110 Get Deal

Cozy season is upon us, so it's time to bring out the snacks, dust off the Twilight DVDs, and hunker down for a season of movie marathons and seasonal rewatches. And while you're at it, why not upgrade your TV so you can enjoy all these things in high quality?

And there couldn't be a better time, because as of Sept. 8, the Amazon Fire TV 4 Series (50-inch) is on sale at Amazon for $289.99, a 28% saving on the list price.

SEE ALSO: Get $700 off a 65-inch Samsung The Frame TV from Best Buy

If you want to watch your favorite shows in great quality, this is the TV for you. It has 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, and you’ll get stunning clarity, vibrant colors, and rich detail that brings your favorite shows and movies to life.

And because it’s an Amazon device, it comes with Alexa voice control and Fire OS. That means you can search for movies, open apps, and control playback without ever touching the remote. And with the Fire operating system, your go-to streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, etc.) are ready to go the second you log in.

The Fire TV can also connect with your smart home Alexa devices, including doorbells, lightbulbs, and speakers. For example, pair up your TV with your Echo speakers to create an immersive home theater atmosphere for your next movie night. Plus, there are four HDMI inputs to connect gaming devices, sound accessories, cables, and other equipment seamlessly.

Get this limited-time deal before it runs out.

SAVE $700: As of Sept. 8, Best Buy's Deal of the Day is offering a 65-inch Samsung QLED 4K The Frame TV for $1,299.99. This is $700 off its list price of $1,999.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-Inch The Frame Series QLED 4K TV $1,299.99 at Best Buy
$1,999.99 Save $700 Get Deal

Fall is a great time to pick up a new TV. Not only to watch the latest drops on streamers or to enjoy the start of a new football season, but because you can usually find some great discounts on various models, whether in sale events or as standalone offers. Best Buy's Deal of the Day is spotlighting a TV deal right now on the 65-inch Samsung QLED 4K The Frame TV that's certainly worth a look.

The 65-inch Samsung QLED 4K The Frame TV is normally listed for $1,999.99, but it's marked down to $1,299.99 right now. That makes for $700 in savings. However, being part of Best Buy's Deal of the Day program means this offer only lasts through the rest of today, so you're on the clock to grab it at this price before it goes back up.

SEE ALSO: TCL's version of The Frame is 50% off for Labor Day — get the 65-inch NXTVISION TV for under $1,000

What makes The Frame stand out from other TVs is the fact that it doubles as a display for art pieces alongside being a high-quality TV. When not in use, you can show off some of your favorite pieces or even your own photos. And when you use it as a TV, you're in for a treat with its QLED display and 4K resolution that make what you're watching look crystal clear and colorful.

The Frame even features a matte display that limits glare so no matter if you're watching a show or enjoying art you've put on display, light won't get in the way.

Again, this deal only lasts through the rest of today, so if you've been hoping to get your hands on a Frame TV, now's your chance to save $700 on the 65-inch Samsung QLED 4K The Frame TV in Best Buy's Deal of the Day. Alternatively, if you're looking for a slightly smaller option, you can also score a great deal right now on the Samsung 55-inch QLED Q8F 4K Smart TV at Amazon.

TL;DR: Get a powerful laptop for under $100 with this Acer 11.6-inch Chromebook 311, now just $99.99 (reg. $199.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer 11.6-Inch Chromebook 311 2019 (Refurbished) $99.99
$199.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

In need of a laptop but working with more of a tablet budget? That’s no problem for this Acer Chromebook. This device lets you enjoy super smooth performance and a sharp 11.6-inch HD display, all for just $99.99 (reg. $199.99) while supplies last.

This Acer Chromebook can handle your daily tasks for just $100

This Acer Chromebook is an ideal laptop for those who just want to get things done. It was made with speed, portability, and simplicity in mind — so it can tag along anywhere and help you tackle your to-do list efficiently.

An 11.6-inch screen offers sharp visuals and a clear 1366 x 768 resolution, so you can answer work emails or take a break and stream a show. Need to multitask? That’s no problem, thanks to the MediaTek MT8183 processor with 4GB of RAM, which lets you browse and stream away.

SEE ALSO: Score the ASUS TUF Gaming F16 laptop at its best-ever price on Amazon

The 32GB eMMC storage provides convenient space for essential files.. And it’s equipped with the user-friendly Chrome operating system, so you can take advantage of your favorite Google apps easily and enjoy cloud access.

This Acer Chromebook offers 10 hours of battery life to get you through the day on just one charge, and a fast boot time of 8 seconds so you don’t waste any of it powering on and off. If you need to connect accessories, there are two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and a microSD slot.

You’re scoring a bargain on this device due to its grade A refurbished rating, which means it will arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to zero scuffing.

Tackle your daily to-do list with this Acer 11.6-inch Chromebook 311, now just $99.99 (reg. $199.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Watch what you want without borders with this lifetime subscription to Getflix Smart DNS and VPN, now for only $49.99 (reg. $149).

Opens in a new window Credit: Getflix Getflix Smart DNS & VPN: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$149 Save $99.01 Get Deal

We’ve all been there — cozy and ready to binge-watch a show, only to be shut out by geographical restrictions. Whether it’s a buzzy new reality show overseas or an exotic version of your favorite show stateside, trying to access shows online can be frustrating. That’s where Getflix comes in, offering a convenient way to unlock entertainment for a lifetime.

Right now, a lifetime subscription to Getflix Smart DNS and VPN can be yours for just $49.99 (reg. $149).

Take control of your digital entertainment with Getflix

Imagine watching Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or another beloved streaming service from anywhere in the world. You can feel this true digital freedom with some help from Getflix Smart DNS and VPN. This handy tool gives you access to all the entertainment online with just a few clicks.

Getflix is way more than your typical VPN; it also has a Domain Name System (DNS) that can reroute only connections of interest to overseas service, so you can otherwise browse the internet totally normally. And you’ll still get the added perks of a VPN, so you’ll be browsing the web securely and privately thanks to a network SSL secured with 256-bit encryption.

This handy service is universally compatible, allowing you to use it on a smartphone, PC, Mac, or even a smart TV. There’s nothing to install, and you can be up and running in seconds. And this lifetime subscription means you can take advantage of unlimited digital entertainment forever, while only paying once.

Stay entertained without restrictions forever with this lifetime subscription to Getflix Smart DNS and VPN, now only $49.99 (reg. $149).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $60: As of Sept. 8, this Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle is on sale for $489.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 11% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $489.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $60 Get Deal

The Kindle Scribe has enjoyed almost cult status since its release in 2022. Reading and writing combined in a handy e-reader? What could be better? And as of Sept. 8, you can get a great deal on the Essentials Bundle at Amazon.

This Scribe bundle is currently priced at just $489.99 (for the 64GB model), down from $549.99. The deal comes with the Premium Pen so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. Unlike the basic pen, this model comes with an eraser at the top so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen. It is also battery-free and works through a special power source embedded in the Kindle Scribe, so there is no need to charge it.

SEE ALSO: Is color really worth $250? Reviewing the Kindle Colorsoft.

This bundle also comes with a 9W power adapter and a plant-based leather folio to store it away. You can choose between tungsten and metallic jade colors for the folio and pen.

Other than its famed note-taking abilities, the Kindle Scribe has a 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare-free and ink-free. So, like the original Kindle, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or harsh lighting. And if you're someone who reads on the go, the Scribe has the best battery life of any model, promising to last months on a single charge.

Get this deal now and start tackling your TBR list.

SAVE $50: As of Sept. 8, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04 Get Deal

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are back on sale at Amazon, and you can save $50 right now. As of Sept. 8, they are $50 off at Amazon, now priced at $199.95.

These are a perfect option for sports and workouts of all intensities. The secure fit ear hook is perfect for running, Pilates, strength sessions, and more. They've even had 1,500 hours of athlete testing to make sure they're fully up to scratch.

SEE ALSO: This bright yellow 11-inch Apple iPad with A16 chip is $50 off on Amazon right now

But something that really stands out here is the heart rate monitoring. Yes, you read that right, and no, you're not reading about a smartwatch. The Powerbeats Pro 2 feature real-time heart rate monitoring, using sensors that pulse over 100 times per second to track your heart rate during workouts.

They also benefit from Active Noise Cancelling to block out distractions, but there’s also a Transparency mode when you need to stay aware of your surroundings. And they give you up to 45 hours of battery life with the charging case, and the charging case is now 33% smaller than the previous version and supports wireless Qi charging.

Powered by Apple's H2 chip, you'll find they are incredibly efficient. They also sync up with Apple products incredibly easily.

Convinced yet? Head to Amazon now.

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 Monday, Sept. 8, 2025:

AcrossMusic purchases of the ’90s and early 2000s

• The answer is CDs.

Eco-conscious diaper option

• The answer is Cloth.

Styles of singing?

• The answer is Harry.

Invite to one's loft, say

• The answer is Ask up.

What "yellow" and "mellow" do

• The answer is Rhyme.

DownWhat yellow and purple do, some say

• The answer is Clash.

Like many an endearing goofball

• The answer is Dorky.

Play, as a guitar

• The answer is Strum.

Burn slightly

• The answer is Char.

Overblown promotion

• The answer is Hype.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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 today's Mini Crossword.

Company culture isn’t built through values posters or wellbeing perks. It’s shaped by what senior leaders do—especially when it’s hard. If you want culture to stick, shift your focus from messaging to behavior.  Start with how your leadership team actually operates. Don’t roll out new values until your leadership habits reflect them. Ask: Where are […]

257257