Mashable

Stephen Colbert undertook a far-ranging interview with Christopher Nolan on Wednesday's Late Show, speaking extensively to the film-maker about the likes of Oppenheimer and Tenet.

But they also took time to clear up a few rumours. Namely, does Nolan have an email address (he does not), and does he own a smartphone (also no, although he does "carry a pay-as-you-go, dumb phone thing" when he needs to).

Finally, Colbert brought out the big guns: Is it true that Nolan doesn't allow Uggs on set? The answer, it would appear, is yes — but it's only a rule that applies to him and the actors.

"Even though we're all engaged in this absurd process where this wall is real but there's lights and a guy with a microphone, you're asking the actor to focus in on the reality," explains Nolan. "So everything you can do – like wearing the correct shoes, or not changing your trousers [...] anything we can do to keep that reality, that bubble intact."

"So the crew can have warm feet?" chimes in Colbert.

"The crew can have warm feet, yes," laughs Nolan.

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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for February 8 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for February 8

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024:

AcrossPrefix meaning "both"

• The answer is ambi.

What "man" first seems like in the sentence "The old man the boat"

• The answer is noun.

Bird associated with birth

• The answer is stork.

What "man" actually is in the sentence "The old man the boat"

• The answer is verb.

Takes advantage of

• The answer is uses.

DownInitial poker payments

• The answer is antes.

Actress Mary Tyler ___

• The answer is Moore.

Area bordering the city, informally

• The answer is burbs.

Squid's defense

• The answer is ink.

"Law & Order" spinoff, for short

• The answer is nib.

Sometimes epic television means kingdoms at war, monarchs overthrown, ancient prophecies revealed. But sometimes it means something more akin to our own lives, to everyday, awkward, practical, long-game romances, elevated through cinematic splendour and tracked over decades. 

Netflix's One Day makes a magnificent case for the latter. It's an ambitious, wholehearted adaptation of the beloved novel by David Nicholls about two college students who meet on the night of their graduation. After spending the night together, they decide to be "just friends," yet they remain clasped across the decades. 

SEE ALSO: The 30 best romantic movies on Netflix right now

With complex, lived-in performances from Ambika Mod (This Is Going to Hurt) and Leo Woodall (The White Lotus), a highly effective episodic rendering of Nicholls's time-jump chapter format, and romantic, intimate direction, One Day makes a cinematic epic of long-game love. 

In short, yes, you will cry.

What is One Day about? Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod in "One Day." Credit: Ludovic Robert / Netflix

Initially set in Edinburgh in 1988, One Day begins with two students: the studious, creative, self-doubting Emma Morley (Mod) and the popular, aimless, charming Dexter Mayhew (Woodall). She's from Leeds, he's from London. She wants to make a difference in the world, he wants to travel and mess about. She thinks he's vain, he thinks she's rude. And they instantly connect.

Em and Dex decide on friendship after semi-platonically spending their last night of university together. However, it is, as Emma reads from Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, their "one day" together that changes it all, as the quote goes about life: "Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been."

From here, One Day tracks almost two decades from the late '80s to the mid '00s, picking up with Emma and Dexter each year precisely on their meeting date, July 15. The series format offers the story more room to breathe than it had in Lone Scherfig's 2011 film adaptation. Instead, the seven-hour, 14-episode epic uses the novel's annual time jumps as natural launchpads for the show's structure.

One Day makes a miraculous marathon of the "friends-to-lovers" trope. Eeeeee... Credit: Ludovic Robert / Netflix

For romance fans, the friends-to-lovers trope is often a deeply satisfying journey, especially for those who love a long game. It's the stuff of Jane Austen — years and years of longing and confusion, disappointment and fear with maximum pay-off. The antithesis to rom-coms all about a brief chase, romantic dramas like One Day embrace earth-shattering, everyday longevity. Prime examples include Richard Linklater's Before series, Past Lives, The Notebook, When Harry Met Sally..., and Normal People. K-dramas have always done long love to perfection, from Twenty-Five Twenty-One to Marry My Husband. The slow-burn romance has also become a signature move for the TV sitcom, from The Office's Jim and Pam to Abbott Elementary's Janine and Gregory.

Netflix's One Day joins the marathon and increases the timespan, spanning nearly two decades over the course of its 14 episodes. Notably, the series examines the construct of "bad timing" in relationships in general, the self-woven delusion of infinite possibility and time with the people we love, and the brutal inevitability of impermanence.  

Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall are magnetic. These two 💘 Credit: Teddy Cavendish / Netflix

As Nicholls's beloved protagonists Dexter and Emma, Woodall and Mod will make you fall head over heels with their unrelenting chemistry and electric performances that feel both comfortable and bristling with suppressed desire. Despite leading separate lives with different needs — Dex seeks fame and instant gratification, while Emma seeks personal satisfaction — these two can't extract each other from their system. It's Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind-levels of inevitability, their connection to each other.

Running through the '80s, '90s, and '00s, that timespan alone is a major challenge for the cast, having to develop their characters slowly but surely through their early twenties to late thirties — a time period in which your whole being can be put through the proverbial wringer. Mod and Woodall move their characters through youthful exuberance and nervousness to jaded maturity seamlessly, all while gleefully giving each other as much crap as possible. It's a tough job, but Woodall and Mod maintain this authenticity through various haircuts and style changes.

SEE ALSO: 'Normal People' is true to the book and heart-wrenchingly romantic

Like Normal People's Marianne and Connell, Em and Dex know each other better than anyone and pull each other back from the brink. Self-preservation through roasting each other actually becomes the honesty they both crave. Dex's chill infuriates Emma, while Emma's self-flagellation bewilders Dex. They're the constant voice on the other end of the telephone through flings, affairs, career highs and lows, overseas adventures, and moments of deep loss and darkness. (An interesting way to track the passage of time is through the sorts of phones they use to stay connected, from pay phones and landlines to newfangled mobiles.)

But one of the best elements of Nicholls's novel, and in turn, the Netflix series, is that Emma and Dexter are allowed to live full lives independently, with their connection drawing out the best in each other (or reminding them of it).

Credit: Matthew Towers / Netflix

Quite simply, Mod is truly outstanding as the deeply relatable Emma. Perpetually cynical and suspicious of frivolity for its own sake, Emma consistently describes herself as "boring" despite being anything but. Mod's deadpan delivery of Emma's relatable awkwardness and endless ability to eviscerate anyone with words is downright hilarious. She's also an expert at internalised longing, as Emma solidifies her emotional shield with Dex and refuses to be "the consolation prize" in his life.

The series makes space for Mod and Woodall to navigate important scenes as Emma struggles with her feelings of disconnectedness with Dex, particularly as they herald from different social classes — Dex from the realms of inherited wealth, Em from a working-middle class family. Dex shows a flippant attitude to money around Emma, who works for every penny.

Credit: Matt Towers / Netflix

In Woodall's hands, Dex proves a complex young man, the life of all parties but never feeling quite anchored in any part of his life. He's struggling to figure himself out, including how he feels about Emma, and vacillating between a place of privilege, charm, and serenity to despair and depression. Woodall delivers a wildly ranged performance, with a standout moment involving a terrible day and an answering machine message for Emma. It completely devastated me, and it's not the only moment for Dex like this. 

One Day celebrates life's different chapters instead of happily-ever-afters. Amber Grappy is a perpetual highlight as Tilly. Credit: Netflix

Through an array of characters and narrative twists, One Day champions different chapters in people's lives, not just a whirlwind romance with a requisite happy ending. Em and Dex consistently fail and succeed, with and without each other, as do the people in their lives. It's a beautiful human reminder that every day is an opportunity to process the past and keep it close while starting something new. As well as some of the bigger life moments, the show really focuses on the minute but monumental acts of kindness, sadness, beauty, pain, and connection that define our lives, all amplified by Anne Nikitin, Jessica Jones, and Tim Morrish's gorgeous score.

Equally tasked with authentically developing their characters over two decades, One Day's supporting cast is just as brilliant. From Amber Grappy as Emma's ever-supportive best friend Tilly to Essie Davis as Dexter's glamorous mother Alison, the ensemble's own arcs allow the leads to flourish. Importantly, One Day doesn't treat Emma and Dexter's romantic relationships with other people as distractions from the narrative, instead imbuing characters like Ian (Emma's flailing stand-up comedian colleague, played by Jonny Weldon) as fully formed chapters of the protagonists' lives. 

Essie Davis drinks white wine in the sun as Alison, Dex's mum. Credit: Netflix / Matt Towers

Unlike the future promise of the show's two titular words, there's no one moment when things become sublime, perfect, or what we expect of our lives. Each episode, knowing you'll meet up with the characters exactly a year later, is compelling stuff, as we can never quite tell where Emma and Dexter have ended up this time — together or apart. What a difference a year makes, and all that.

Ultimately, One Day is about the people we really, truly take a chance on, for whom we give our whole, flawed hearts, that see us through our worst days, our better days, through grief, success, joy, embarrassment, arguments, and dreams. Most of all, it's for the people we grow up with. 

One Day is now streaming on Netflix.

As a former athlete, I’ve spent a lot of time trying different types of fitness. From running to powerlifting, CrossFit classes, martial arts, hot yoga, and more — there aren’t many things I don’t like when it comes to staying active. However, when it comes to home workouts, I find that I get bored easily, and — no matter how many apps and fitness programs I try — nothing hits quite like getting out of the house. 

Obviously, the pandemic changed things. Running was my only solace until a nasty ankle injury left me searching for another option, and while my trusty exercise bike was great during my injury recovery, I also hated every second of it. So, when the opportunity to test the virtual reality experience, Litesport, I was eager to jump into the world of VR fitness and see if a game-like exercise experience was exactly what I needed to stay active at home. 

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro reviews are in: Here are 8 key takeaways What is Litesport? 

Formerly known as Liteboxer, Litesport is branded as a “VR fitness experience” that offers boxing, full-body, and strength workouts — all within the convenience of your own home. Available on Meta’s Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro, Litesport boasts a library of more than 1,000 on-demand classes with options including mitt drills, boxing “punch tracks,” battle rope workouts, and strength training with real dumbbells.

Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Quest 3 $499 at Amazon Shop Now

While that might sound scary, especially for anyone familiar with other VR games and experiences, Litesport relies on augmented reality (AR) technology to create a mixed-reality experience that utilizes things like hand tracking to make these workouts, well, work. So instead of “doing” your workout in a virtual reality space, the headset allows you to keep seeing the same environment — like your living room —  except now there’s a certified personal trainer leading the workout right in front of you.

Trying Litesport for the first time

I’m not going to lie, I was pretty thrilled to try Litesport. I’ve had a VIVE VR headset for years, and I still grin like an idiot every time I play Beat Saber. After trying the XREAL Air AR glasses, however, I was excited to don the Meta Quest 2 to try a more robust AR experience. And if it got me a good workout? Even better.

Straight away, I was pretty pleased with the Litesport experience. It was easy to get everything started, and — considering Litesport’s original offering was VR boxing — I quickly selected a trainer-led mitt drills workout to test everything out.

SEE ALSO: Dribbleup's Smart Boxing Gloves can't compare to real training, but still provide a fantastic cardio workout

The easiest way to describe Litesport’s boxing is virtual reality meets Dance Dance Revolution. Armed with my headset and two controllers, there was a punching target in front of me that would light up as the trainer barked out a series of punch combinations to hit in sync with the music. While the lights were helpful, it took me a minute to get used to the punches — with each circle on the target corresponding with a different punch number — but before I knew it, my first workout was over leaving me eagerly jumping straight into the next.

What I loved about Litesport

As a former kickboxing instructor, there was something nostalgic about having a trainer shout out punch combinations for me in virtual reality. While it’s similar to shadowboxing, I was worried the experience wouldn’t quite be as satisfying without something physical to strike, but I was surprised by how easily I got into the groove. 

The trainer-led boxing workouts and mitt drills were fun, exciting, and easy to search through — with different lengths, instructors, and difficulty levels available — meaning you could do back-to-back mitt drills or mix and match with other types of workouts available in Litesport for a more unique experience. Plus, thanks to Litesport’s partnership with Universal Music Group, there were plenty of great tunes to keep the energy up during your sweat sesh.

What I didn’t like about Litesport

I’ve seen a few other reviews of Litesport’s VR experience, so I know this might not be a popular opinion, but I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the other workout types. It was cool to try a mixed-reality strength training workout, letting me use real dumbbells with a virtual trainer, but I didn’t love the experience. Even though I’ve always been athletic, I’m pretty accident-prone, and the AR strength workout didn’t really feel like it “added” anything compared to following a workout video on YouTube or the Forme fitness mirror. 

I wasn't the biggest fan of the dumbbell experience. Credit: Litesport

The total body workouts felt reminiscent of Beat Saber, but I felt like I was sacrificing proper form to keep up with the speed of the workout. Instead of a fun game that kept me active, I couldn’t wait for the total body workout to be over. And even though I loved the boxing workouts and mitt drills, the punch tracks weren’t great for me either. They got boring and repetitive faster than I thought, so I found myself gravitating to the mitt drills each time I picked up the VR headset.

Unfortunately, the more I played around with Litesport, the more frustrated I got. The experience was buggy here and there, with certain screens freezing, and I had to restart the app more than once. There were parts of Litesport that were ridiculously fun and a great workout, but at $18.99 per month for a premium membership, I wasn’t as impressed as I’d hoped. 

Is Litesport VR worth it?

If you already have the headset, it’s definitely worth the free trial — but I’m on the fence about the premium membership. There is a standard plan for $8.99 per month, but is has a lot fewer workouts available.

For some people, Litesport might be exactly what you need to get active at home. It’s fun and unique, there’s a good amount of workout variety, and other people might enjoy the total body and strength training workouts far more than I did. 

For me, however, the whole experience fell flat. I found myself wishing I’d discovered it back when it was still Liteboxer, so I could just stick to the parts I enjoyed. And while the monthly subscription is less than a gym membership, it paled in comparison to other workout subscriptions like the Peloton app when it comes to workout quality and the size of the workout library.

Litesport clearly tried to do something incredibly ambitious by bringing a robust workout experience into VR, and while it’s definitely got potential, the current experience doesn’t quite meet the mark.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith is packed with star power, thanks to its titular assassins — played by Donald Glover and Maya Erskine — and its misson-of-the-week structure, which allows for a bevy of exciting guest stars. While that’s a thrill for viewers, it runs the risk of the main characters being outshone. And when it comes to John Turturro as a kinky art-collecting real estate mogul, that’s exactly what happens. 

In episode 2, “Second Date,” John (Glover) and Jane Smith (Erskine) attend a luxurious silent auction to inject a high-bidder with a truth serum. Their target is Eric Shane (Turturro), an art collector with a $15 billion net worth and — as the spies will soon discover — a fetish for puppy play. When the billionaire pushes John and Jane into playing out his fantasies. Mr. and Mrs. Smith takes a turn that makes this new show dazzle. 

SEE ALSO: 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' review: Donald Glover and Maya Erskine's series is sleek, sexy, and super fun Turturro proves looks can be deceiving. John Turturro poses at the "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" premiere. Credit: Marion Curtis / StarPix for Prime Video

This black-tie event is peopled by posh outfits and formal wear, but Eric stands out slyly by favoring a more muted look. He wears a simple, dark blue blazer, a white shirt and pocket square, and a gray scarf, with no tie. This outfit, plus Turturro's subtle confidence in it, suggests Eric is a man so wealthy he knows he doesn’t need to follow a dress code to be part of the inner circle.  

Most famous for playing a bowling-ball-licking eccentric named Jesus in The Big Lebowski, Turturro is an actor who relishes in the unexpected. In Mr. and Mrs. Smith, he’s clearly enjoying playing a character who seems just like everyone else – at first. Yet the actor's presence informs us that Eric isn’t going to be just another rich guy, as few performers have committed to bringing weirdos to life quite like him. (See also: Barton Fink; Miller’s Crossing; O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Severance.)

Eric's quiet demeanor also means most people walk straight past him, which is especially impressive since Turturro has such screen presence that you can't help but be drawn towards him. Eric speaks in soft, grumbled tones. And while Jane talks to him, he flirts with a male waiter, adjusting his bowtie and looking straight into his eyes. Turturro establishes Eric as a man who prefers to be unapproachable, quietly enjoying his wealth. But when Jane suggests taking Eric to a private spot and paying one of the cater waiters (specifically John, in disguise) "to do whatever we want," he looks at John with lust in his eyes. It's an offer he can't refuse.  

Turturro gets kinky in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  Donald Glover and Maya Erskine are on the floor in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." Credit: David Lee / Prime Video

When Eric is alone with John and Jane, he comes alive, his posture more rigid and his tone sharper. It’s a shift that Turturro nails, though he's careful not to take anything to an extreme, grounding his character in a way that stops him from feeling cartoonish. His intensity and excitement in this scenario feels electrifyingly authentic as Eric commands John to get on his knees. Then he orders Jane to do the same. And here's where Eric reveals his true desire: He wants John and Jane to act like dogs.   

SEE ALSO: How to talk about kink with your vanilla partner

Turturro leans into this role perfectly. Eric feels like both a nonsensical portrait of extreme wealth and a dedicated character study. Turturro plays his character with incredible sanctity. While John and Jane (and everyone watching) find the experience funny and outrageous, this imaginative exploration is something very important to Eric, as if watching the Smiths gamely lick each other is nothing less than holy.

It turns out this isn’t just some exercise for Eric to enjoy his power over people with less money than him. His kneeling turns to a crawl on all fours, and soon Eric is also acting like a dog. This incredible vulnerability allows him to tap into his deepest desires. Unfortunately, while Eric's belly is metaphorically exposed, John takes the opportunity to inject him with the truth serum. Actually, both Smiths inject him at the same time, defying strict instructions to only give Eric one dose.

The double dose has an adverse effect on Eric, allowing Turturro to tap into the silliness of the scene, undulating between terror and horniness. In this way, Turturro can unfurl the layers Eric has been trying to keep tied up. He becomes erratic, tones shifting, eyes darting, and arms flying about as he reveals the non-kink secrets John and Jane need to complete their mission. 

Turturro’s turn is a necessary 180 in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine flirt in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." Credit: David Lee / Prime Video

Up until Turturro’s appearance, my patience with Mr. and Mrs. Smith was dwindling rapidly. The show's exciting concept is paired with a low-key approach that feels jarringly mumblecore. The first episode commits a cardinal sin – it’s boring! I was ready to give up on the series, but Turturro’s gonzo yet controlled performance brings the show’s potential to life.

His character injects a much-needed comedic element to the show, which largely exists in an overly serious register until Turturro appears. He blows the roof off the thing, completely reimagining the show's tone as something stranger, more heightened, and far more intriguing. His polymorphously perverse billionaire opens up the possibilities of the show, giving a look at the curious areas it might go as its stumbling spies dash about New York. It exposes John and Jane in a vulnerable circumstance, where they are pushed out of their comfort zones and toward each other. That makes them more relatable and a great deal more interesting.

Perhaps most importantly, Eric Shane made me excited for what was coming next — could anyone else possibly live up to Turturro’s brilliant turn? Mr. and Mrs. Smith was floundering, but John Turturro makes it a doggone good time.

 Mr. & Mrs. Smith is now streaming on Prime Video.

Campbell and Jett Puckett are a textbook viral social media couple. They are wealthy, white, and post typical couples content — dinners out, lavish trips, and evidence of their love for each other all over TikTok. But one term of endearment sets this couple from Georgia apart from the rest: Pookie. 

SEE ALSO: Want to buy that viral TikTok Shop product? Think twice.

In a video that's now been viewed over 9.1 million times and spoofed by Zach Bryan, Meghan Trainor, and ESPN Sports, the pair show off their "Friday night date night" outfits. In his monotone Southern accent, Jett narrates, "Taking Pookie to a new spot tonight with three other couples and Pookie looks absolutely amazing." His use of the term and clear affection for his wife took off online like wildfire. 

It's not just Jett referring to Campbell as Pookie, now the couple's fans flood the comments calling her Pookie, too. Pookie's lore is vast; it spans pages of Garfield comics, grandmothers across the South, and now the comments section of your average hot guy on TikTok. 

"When we're seeing these atomized pieces of content on TikTok, we're not inhabiting the social world that those characters or those people are inhabiting. We don't know about Campbell and her husband, we don't know anything about their relationship," Nicole Holliday, an associate professor in the Department of Linguistics and Cognitive Science at Pomona College, told Mashable.

Terms of endearment like Pookie act as a shortcut to explain the nature of someone's relationship, and viewers love feeling close to the creators they watch.

Tweet may have been deleted

"When we use terms of endearment [like Pookie], they indicate social closeness. He could say, 'Campbell's outfit looks great.' Or 'my wife's outfit looks great.' But when he says 'Pookie's outfit,' the viewer gets a sense that they have a close relationship and he really loves her because he's calling her this pet name in public," added Holliday.

As is the case with anyone cursed with virality, viewers quickly dug into their past. One TikTokker uploaded a screen recording of Jett's LinkedIn profile to TikTok, honing in on his Ivy League education and "amazing brain." The New York Times reported that on Reddit someone resurfaced a photograph of Campbell, who attended Ole Miss, posing with a Confederate flag and another of her in an old-fashioned ball gown at what users speculate is a costume for a plantation-themed event. 

Campbell apologized on her Instagram story writing, "Some old photos of mine recently resurfaced. At the time…I was 20. I didn't fully understand the impact of my actions the way I do now." She apologized "for the harm this may have caused for some and take full responsibility." 

Despite their swift fall from grace, Campbell and Jett's impact on the internet's lexicon is undeniable — they ushered Pookie into the mainstream. 

According to Know Your Meme, Pookie started cropping up on TikTok at the beginning of the 2020s. The meme dictionary noted that fans of @JayRScotty — the creator behind the viral "I ain't never seen two pretty best friends" video — often call him Pookie in his comments section. 

Another TikTokker, @444Pray, championed the term last year. You may know him as the creator of the sounds "It's the way you act" and "guilty, guilty, guilty." His bio reads, "Big Pookie of Pookie Nation." In a video with over 30.2 million views and 4 million likes he asks, "Am I your Roman Empire, Pookie?" while doing his signature hand gestures. 

Black creators and other communities of color have long used the phrase "It's OK, Pookie" in a joking manner. However, when two white Southerners like Jett and Campbell use the term, it's no longer seen as a joke or a meme but an endearing reflection of love.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Pookie" is far from a new phenomenon. According to Holliday, people in Black communities and non-Black communities in the South have been using the term since at least the 1930s. 

As a word or phrase like Pookie gains popularity online it's often rebranded as Gen Z or internet slang. But culture's insistence that these terms are Gen Z innovations obscures their real origins, which are almost always rooted in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and merely discovered by white audiences online. The incorporation of this language into universal vocabularies is seen by many as a form of digital appropriation. 

SEE ALSO: Digital blackface thrives on TikTok audio

Pookie is unique in that it has always existed across racial and ethnic lines. It's common for AAVE and Southern White varieties to have overlap in the geographic area the term originates from, explained Holliday. 

"If it's a Southern rural term during the Great Migration, African Americans would have taken that with them," Paul Reed, an assistant professor in the Department of Communicative Disorders at the University of Alabama who specializes in grammatical variation in Southern American Englishes and Appalachian Englishes, told Mashable. Reed posits that Pookie has always existed in rural Southern communities, like the white rural traditional South as well as urban African American communities — two groups that don't always get the media coverage that leads to widespread exposure — following the diasporic spread of Black Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the 1900s.

"TikTok spreads lexical items or particular words that are not known in a geographically wide way or in a socially wide way that people find to be useful terms or interesting or cute," said Holliday, who thinks Jett's use of the term is "authentic" because he is Southern.

SEE ALSO: The enduring ubiquity of 'naur,' Gen Z's favorite objection

However, there are some racially specific uses of the term. In the 1980s during the crack epidemic, Pookie referred to both a crack pipe and a crack user. "It had this whole other meaning in urban centers that were ravaged by crack," said Holliday. She pointed to Chris Rock's portrayal of a character called Pookie who becomes addicted to crack cocaine in the 1991 film New Jack City as an example. 

There are also caricatures of Pookie and Ray Ray employed by Black comedians in the United States. According to the Houston Chronicle, Pookie is a folk character that ranges from a wayward cousin to the every-youth. During both of former president Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, he invoked Pookie and Ray Ray to appeal to Black voters. In a speech before the 2008 primaries in South Carolina to a mostly Black audience, he said, "I need you to grab Cousin Pookie to vote. I need you to grab Ray Ray to vote." 

Across racial and gender lines, Pookie is a nickname within a tight-knit community. Reed likens the term to Bubba, a term of endearment for men because both can have that effect. "[Pookie] is a [term] that can become how people refer to you. I know folks in my hometown that if you knew them you would call them Pookie because that's what everyone called them," Reed told Mashable, referring to upper northeast Tennessee where the state meets Kentucky and Virginia. Pookie is used similarly throughout the rural, white, broader traditional South.

But Bubba is also shorthand for a caricature or type of personae and can lean pejorative, while Reed sees Pookie as "neutral to endearing." 

Holliday explained that in internet spaces nouns like G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) are used similarly in place of someone's government name. She says it's particularly common in online forums, like the use of "DH" (Dearest Husband) in wedding planning spaces. 

As Pookie catches on, its use changes. In fandom spaces, it's not uncommon for someone to say that their fave "is Pookie," which may sound perfectly normal to those unfamiliar with it but isn't how it was intended to be used. Pookie is a vocative case, which is what you call someone. So saying someone "is Pookie" is the same as saying someone "is Honey" or "is Sweetie." Pookie is now being used as a third-person reference when it originally was used in the second person, changing its meaning to fit an ever-changing internet lexicon.  

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

"You've got all these people who were not aware of Pookie before and they're imitating [Jett], so now the word is getting used in other contexts. That's a way that language changes," said Holliday.

As "Pookie" continues to morph and spread across TikTok, it serves as a prime example of the platform's knack for appropriating and popularizing regional expressions, distilling their complex meanings into something more palatable for online consumption. It's only a matter of time before it finds its next linguistic target.

Through no fault of her own, Taylor Swift has helped amplify perhaps the dumbest conspiracy theory involving the NFL: that it's rigged.

To those heartbroken fans of the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, I regret to inform you that the league is not rigged — your team just doesn't employ Patrick Mahomes. Unfortunately for most fans, 31 other NFL franchises share that fate. Such is life.

Swift's presence at the games and her highly publicized relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has revived the popular conspiracy theory that the NFL is rigged. Some fans claimed the league wants Swift to stick around all season to boost its business. Others invented a more diabolical angle. It all stems from the idea that the NFL is attempting to piggyback off Swift's immense popularity to some end. But I'm not buying it.

SEE ALSO: What songs will Usher perform at the Super Bowl? Here's our dream setlist.

Let's bust out Occam's razor. What's more likely: The NFL is coordinated and smart enough to carry out a massive scheme to rig its outcomes and, importantly, dumb enough to think it's a good idea to risk its entire business to get Swift to the Super Bowl, or, just hear me out, fans of defeated teams are reaching for something to be mad about. Tough call, I know.

I understand. I wanted to think — and probably claimed at some point in a fit of disappointment — that the league was rigged after my favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles, lost the Super Bowl last year. They even lost, in part, due to a controversial call! But the truth is the Kansas City Chiefs scored more points than the Birds. And maybe KC caught a few breaks Philly didn't. That's life. That's football. It's as simple as that.

But Swift has caused the whole "NFL is rigged" discourse to gather steam. To better understand that, you first need to understand that the idea isn't new. Year after year, fans really want to believe it. So much so that popular sports podcasts have made obvious jokes about the NFL script, and people thought it was serious. The NFL itself even kicked off this season with a commercial about it.

Tweet may have been deleted

Yet, the speculative nonsense has taken a more intense and political turn with Swift (unfairly) at the center. At first, people theorized the NFL was rigging games in favor of the Chiefs to get Swift to the Super Bowl. And there is some data to show she's bringing in fans. Searches for "football outfit" have spiked since Swift's appearance at the games, and Kelce's jersey sales jumped by 400 percent.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

She is perhaps the most famous person alive, so it would be nice for the NFL to have her at the Big Game to support Kelce. But thinking the league would rig games to that end is ignoring the fact that the NFL, and the Super Bowl especially, is maybe the only thing in the country bigger than Swift. Twenty-nine of the top 30 broadcasts in 2023 were NFL games. The Oscars were watched by 19.4 million people; the Super Bowl was watched by 115 million people. It's safe to say the NFL doesn't need Taylor Swift to get eyeballs.

But now this simple play on a classic conspiracy — the NFL is rigged for ratings — has been warped into a political conspiracy. Right-wingers are claiming the NFL is rigged so Kelce can win the Super Bowl, and then he and Swift will endorse President Joe Biden on the biggest stage during an election year. And this isn't just coming from anonymous Reddit posters spouting nonsense online. These are prominent Republican figures and politicians.

For example, failed presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, right-wing meme-guy Benny Johnson, and other conservative figures were in on it.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

The thing is these people do not care about football. They don't watch it. They're like any other politician trying to score points by tapping into sports. It's the conspiratorial cousin of Ted Cruz calling a basketball hoop a "ring."

People latch on because we're pattern-seeking creatures who love a conspiracy. The Chiefs head coach and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell even had to answer questions about this nonsense.

"I'm not that good a scripter," Goodell joked, via AFP.

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If these people actually watched the NFL, then they'd understand the league can't even agree on what a catch is, let alone how to carry out a political plot. Also, Goodell works for the NFL owners. Do you think 32, mostly white, mostly male, mostly older billionaires are going to support a Democratic president? Publicly available data in a 2020 report from Open Secrets showed that NFL owners gave to Republican candidates, including Trump, by a 9-1 margin. But never let common sense and actual empirical evidence get in the way of good outrage bait, right?

The NFL is not rigged, folks. This entire article aside, do people not understand that the league has publicly embraced sports gambling now? There are legal implications if the NFL were rigging games while letting average fans wager their hard-earned dollars. It could potentially bankrupt the league.

So please, if nothing else, understand that the outcome of Sunday's Big Game will have nothing to do with which team Taylor Swift supports. I suspect it'll have to do with all the talent on the roster — like the San Francisco 49ers or that pesky Mahomes fellow on the other sideline.

TL;DR: As of February 8, get the Nix Mini 2 Color-Matching Sensor for only $69.99 — a 29% discount.

Those who just finished binge-watching the new season of Queer Eye might feel inspired to make over their own home and wardrobe. And, with a little elbow grease and some Pinterest-inspired DIYs, you can have a lot of fun while doing it. Well, as long as you have the right tools.

This nifty little gadget might help you complete your next project by giving you the ability to scan any surface and match its color to paint shades or digital codes. It’s called the Nix Mini 2 and you can take one home for just $69.99 (reg. $99).

Enjoy accurate color-matching for just about any project

Wondering how it works? Or how it’s different from just taking a picture with your phone? The Nix Mini 2 has a pre-calibrated LED light source that also blocks out ambient light, giving you the most accurate color readings possible.

Start by downloading the (free) Nix Paints or Nix Digital app and pairing the color-matching sensor to your iPhone or Android. Then, simply scan nearly any type of surface — maybe a wall or piece of fabric — to find matches to brand-name paint shades for real-world projects or codes like sRGB HEX, CMYK, and LAB for digital ones.

Within the Nix apps, you’ll find options for saving colors and creating palettes to use in future projects. You may also easily share colors with customers, friends, or colleagues with simple integration with email and social media platforms.

DIYs and projects will never be the same

Imagine how easy DIY and home projects could be with the Nix Mini 2: easily color-match paints for touch-ups, find the perfect color palette, save colors from the real world, and so much more.

Get your magical Nix Mini 2 color-matching sensor right here for $69.99 (reg. $99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nix Sensor Nix Mini 2 Color-Matching Sensor $69.99 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: Get ready for tax season with this deal on a PC or Mac download of H&R Block's 2023 federal and state tax software. It's on sale for $24.97 until February 11—that's almost 50% off the regular price of $49.

Many of us get stressed when we start seeing our yearly tax forms in the mail. We all know the stress tax season can bring, especially if you are filing them on your own. Take charge of your taxes with the help of H&R Block's 2023 Tax Software. It includes both federal and state filing for PCs or Macs, and it's on sale for just $24.97 (reg. $49) through February 11.

Skip the pricey accountant and check out this user-friendly software. It includes five federal electronic files with unlimited preparation and printing access. You also get one state program; however, additional state programs are available for an added fee.

You get step-by-step instructions and guidance on hundreds of deductions and credits. With access to over 13,000 articles, frequently asked questions, and tips available with just a click. This software aims to get you the highest refund possible, with real-time refund results.

This software was made with users in mind. Thoughtful features like the ability to save your progress and return to it later help keep things stress-free. And if you used TurboTax last year, you can easily import your information to H&R Block's software in seconds.

This company also offers what it calls worry-free audit support. This means, on the off chance of an audit, they will provide support in person and free of charge.

Get help navigating the complex world of taxes at a 40% savings.

Stay ahead of the game and pick up H&R Block's 2023 Federal and State Tax Software while it's on sale for $24.97 (reg. $49) until February 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Opens in a new window Credit: RetailKing H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe Federal + State 2023 (PC/Mac Download) $24.97 in the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: As of Feb. 8, the Eton Elite Executive AM-FM Shortwave Radio is on sale for just $149.99 — that's almost $100 off the regular price of $249.

We all know that the weather can be unpredictable. This is why many families keep an emergency kit ready to go. Usually, this consists of things like batteries, flashlights, candles, and matchsticks. Others take it a step further and add in some jugs of water and camping lanterns. Others still will keep a decent portion of canned or packaged food set aside as well. But everyone really could benefit from a radio.

There have been some wonky weather patterns occurring as of late. For instance, according to Climate.gov, in 2023, as Hurricane Hilary approached the West Coast, "The National Hurricane Center issued its first-ever tropical storm watch for parts of southern California." These are the scenarios in which an Eton Elite Executive AM-FM Shortwave Radio comes in handy. For a limited time, it's on sale for $149.99.

When the power goes out and the cellular networks are down, you'll need a way to hear what's happening. This Eton Elite Executive international radio gives every radio wavelength possible, including AM (MW), FM with RDS, longwave, and shortwave in the U.S. or abroad. And if those aren't enough to give you peace of mind, the Eton also receives VHF aircraft and single sideband frequencies.

While it may sound complicated, it's made to be easy to use. With a precise digital tuner (automatic or manual), a reset/lock button, and an easy-view LCD, even the most intense preppers will feel good about their communication prospects should the power go out in an emergency.

Pick up this radio and leather case now and have it ready to go should you ever need it.

Don't miss the Eton Elite Executive AM-FM Shortwave Radio while it's on sale for just $149.99 (reg. $249).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eton Eton Elite Executive AM/FM/Aircraft Band/SSB/Shortwave Radio with RDS $149.99 in the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: Chiefs vs 49ers is available to stream for free on ITVX, 7Plus, and TVNZ. Access free live streams of Chiefs vs 49ers from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

What is the biggest sporting event on the calendar? There are a lot of major events taking place in 2024, so the competition for the top spot is fierce. We've already enjoyed the Australian Open and the Africa Cup of Nations, and we still have the Six Nations, European Championships, and Olympics to come. What a year we've got in store.

All of those competitions could lay claim to being the biggest sporting event of the year, but for Americans, it's really all about the Super Bowl. Nothing comes close to the spectacle of the big game, and it's clear that the love for this event is spreading around the world. It has global appeal, and fans from around the world can watch all the action this year without spending anything.

If you want to watch the big game for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the big game this year?

The big game is scheduled to be played on Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. The game will be contested by NFC champion San Francisco 49ers and the AFC champion and defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Where to watch Chiefs vs 49ers for free?

American Football fans from around the world can watch Chiefs vs 49ers for free with this selection of streaming services:

• Australia — 7Plus (free)

• Austria — RTL+ (free)

• France — 6play (free)

• Germany — RTL+ (free)

• New Zealand — TVNZ (free)

• UK — ITVX (free)

The issue here is that all of these free streaming platforms are geo-restricted to a certain location, meaning you'll be blocked it you attempt to connect from another country. That is unless you're equipped with a VPN.

How to watch Chiefs vs 49ers for free

To access free streaming platforms from other countries to watch Chiefs vs 49ers for free, you simply need to use a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of Chiefs vs 49ers by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage

4. Visit your preferred streaming service (we recommend ITVX)

5. Watch Chiefs vs 49ers for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Chiefs vs 49ers before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Chiefs vs 49ers?

There are many VPNs that can reliably bypass geo-restrictions to unblock free streaming sites, but ExpressVPN is the best. This fast VPN is the top choice for streaming, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 94 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Chiefs vs 49ers for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Just looking for where to stream it from the US? Don't mind paying?

Here you go:

• Paramount+: $5.99 per month; get the first month for free

• YouTube TV: $62.99 per month

• Hulu with Live TV: $76.99 per month

• DirecTV Stream: $83.99 per month

• Fubo: $80 per month

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Here are some rom-coms, picked just for you.

Are you in the mood for a one-night stand? A workplace fling? A full-blown commitment stretched over 30 episodes? More importantly, are you looking to laugh the whole time you're watching whichever sort of relationship you choose? We've got you covered with a selection of the best romantic comedies now streaming on Netflix. (If you're just looking for romance and not so much comedy, we've got you there, too, with a guide to the best romantic movies on the streaming service.)

We combed through Netflix's extensive catalog of will-they-won't-theys and could-they-should-theys, movies and TV shows included, to find the titles sure to give you that perfect balance of giggles and butterflies. Settle in with your chocolates, wine, and a cuddly blanket. Here are the best romantic comedies now streaming on Netflix.

24. Love at First Sight (2023) Credit: Rob Baker Ashton / Netflix © 2023

Based on a hit novel by Jennifer E. Smith, Love at First Sight is a delightful romance with an airport at the center of its meet-cute. Haley Lu Richardson is a perpetually late, underprepared American student heading to London for her dad’s wedding, and Ben Hardy is a charismatic Brit who offers to lend her his phone charger at a crucial moment. They fall in love during the flight, but a mix-up at baggage claim prevents the star-crossed pair from sharing their contact information. Will they ever see each other again? Love at First Sight is a champion charmer, but it also packs a more weighty emotional punch than your standard rom-com. Gut-wrenching moments from a particularly unique costume party will stay with you for days.* — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributing Writer

How to watch: Love at First Sight is now streaming on Netflix.

23. Plus One (2019)

Ben King (Jack Quaid) and Alice Mori (Maya Erskine) are old college friends who, in their late twenties, find themselves some of the few people in their circles left without partners. With a summer of endless weddings and awkward singles tables ahead of them, Ben and Alice decide to team up as each other’s plus ones and wingmen for the nuptial marathon, accidentally falling for each other along the way. 

With a cast full of indie comedy darlings and a funny, grounded script, Plus One is a top notch rom-com for the modern era. For outrageous hijinks and convenient romance, look elsewhere. This is a sweet, relatable winner that feels about as real as a rom-com can get. — K.G.

How to watch: Plus One is now streaming on Netflix.

22. Falling Inn Love (2019) Credit: Nicola Dove

Imagine a home improvement show. Take that home improvement show and make it a scripted Bachelor spin-off. Now, take that home improvement show-turned-scripted Bachelor spin-off and set it in New Zealand. Finally, sprinkle in some puns and you've got Falling Inn Love.

Starring Christina Milian and Adam Demos, this delightfully delirious romp into renovation romance is the perfect comfort movie for a cozy afternoon on the couch. Marvel at the pretty settings, lust after the linen shirts, stare at the goat named Gilbert. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Falling Inn Love is now streaming on Netflix.

21. Holidate (2020) Credit: Netflix

Directed by John Whitesell (Deck the Halls), Netflix's Holidate takes the "fake relationship" trope to new, seasonally decorated heights. Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey star in this will-they-won't-they about two friends who agree to be each other's "holidates" — specially dedicated plus ones for occasions where the pressure of an actual romantic partner is the last thing anyone needs. Of course, with all the flirty fun of events like Christmas, Valentine's Day, and [checks notes] St. Patrick's Day, it's not long before these not-lovers start making eyes over the dinner table. — A.F.

How to watch: Holidate is now streaming on Netflix.

20. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)

The mother of modern romantic comedies, My Best Friend’s Wedding holds up brilliantly. In fact, we’re all currently dressing like we’re 1997 Julia Roberts anyway, so we might as well watch one of her most endearing and iconic performances. 

Roberts is sparkling as Jules Potter, a food critic who long ago made a pact with best friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney) that they would get married if they were both still single at age 28. Weeks before her 28th birthday, Jules gets a call from Michael — he’s engaged (to an impossibly young Cameron Diaz). Suddenly, her path becomes clear. She needs to break up this couple, sabotage the wedding, and declare her love for Michael before she loses her soulmate forever. Yes, she is objectively the villain of this movie! That’s what makes it so good!

Sharp, funny, and burning with unspoken yearning, My Best Friend’s Wedding is as touching as it is entertaining, now two decades later and counting. — K.G.

How to watch: My Best Friend’s Wedding is streaming on Netflix.

19. When We First Met (2018) Credit: Jami Saunders

Somewhere between Hot Tub Time Machine and Some Kind of Wonderful, When We First Met imagines the perfect first date over and over and over again.

Adam DeVine and Alexandra Daddario star as one couple that just couldn't get the timing right, with supporting performances from Robbie Amell and Shelley Hennig. This movie's saccharine tone and overdone premise shouldn't work, and yet they do. It's...fate? — A.F.

How to watch: When We First Met is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Love Seasons 1-3 Credit: Suzanne Hanover / Netflix

As series go, Love is a bit all over the place — but, so is its namesake.

Gillian Jacobs and Paul Rust star as Mickey Dobbs and Gus Cruikshank, two Angelenos who serendipitously meet at a gas station and fall hopelessly, madly in...something. Over the show's all-too-brief three seasons, viewers are treated to the ups, downs, and sideways of finding the one. Come for the promise of happily ever after, stay for everything that really isn't that. — A.F.

How to watch: Love Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.

17. Love, Guaranteed (2020)

Incredibly silly and deeply improbable, Love, Guaranteed is a sweet little ditty about a perpetually single man, Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.), and a lawyer, Susan (Rachael Leigh Cook), who team up for a predatory lawsuit against a dating company that “guarantees love.” But uh oh, this hopeless, lonely pair might find something more than they bargained for when they decided to sue the fictional version of Match.com together. 

I mean, look. The premise is ridiculous — but it’s unique! No fake-dating tropes here, folks! And luckily, the cast is deeply likable, making Love, Guaranteed a perfectly pleasant way to spend an hour and a half! — K.G.

How to watch: Love, Guaranteed is streaming on Netflix.

16. Been So Long (2018) Credit: Netflix

Adapted from the musical of the same name, Been So Long offers a dreamy look at a chance encounter between two people in desperate need of a break from reality. With electric interactions between stars Michaela Coel and Arinzé Kene, this poppy romance will have you from the moment the first words are sung — and won't let go until the very last verse. — A.F.

How to watch: Been So Long is now streaming on Netflix.

15. The Lovebirds (2020) Credit: Skip Bolen / Netflix

Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani play a charming couple stuck in a seriously screwed-up situation in the spectacularly funny The Lovebirds. When our titular lovebirds are blamed for a vehicular homicide, date night becomes a race against the clock to solve the crime they didn't commit. It's the perfect popcorn flick with enough heart to get you invested in its leads. — A.F.

How to watch: The Lovebirds is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Wedding Season (2022)

Fluffy, energetic, and fun, Wedding Season is a cheerful, low-stakes rom-com. Pallavi Sharda and Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi, How I Met Your Father) are Asha and Ravi, two thirty-somethings tired of being set up on Indian dating websites by their parents. So what do they do when faced with a long season of weddings where they’ll face endless questions about their dating lives? You guessed it! They fake-date! It’s the only reasonable course of action!!!

The best romantic comedy trope gets new life in Wedding Season, with its super-charismatic cast and delightful wedding montages. If you like bright and shiny rom-coms and romantic leads with great chemistry, then RSVP "yes!" to Wedding Season.* — K.G.

How to watch: Wedding Season is streaming on Netflix.

13. The Half of It (2020) Credit: Netflix

Director Alice Wu's The Half of It hinges on straight-A student Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) and her journey toward self-acceptance. It does wonders for the streaming service's rom-com catalog, not because it's especially new in its ideas, but because Wu executes them with a flair all her own.

A charming combination of unique subject matter and clichéd storytelling, The Half of It explores the perspectives of characters rare to the genre — namely, Ellie who is a queer Chinese-American teenager — with some pretty predictable narrative turns. You haven't seen this story done with these characters anywhere else before, but you'll feel like you have. That's a victory for the genre in its own right.* — A.F.

How to watch: The Half of It is now streaming on Netflix.

12. Easy Seasons 1-3 Credit: Netflix

Joe Swanberg's Easy covers a lot of emotional ground, but the more romantic episodes definitely stand out.

An intimate anthology examining relationships in Chicago, this series weaves together so many genuine displays of feeling that it can be hard to keep your heart in check. Not all the characters fall in love, but you'll absolutely fall in love with all the characters. Start anywhere during any of the three seasons, and see where it gets you. (Tears. Tears is where it gets you.) — A.F.

How to watch: Easy Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.

11. The Incredible Jessica James (2017) Credit: Netflix

Get a masterclass in self-confidence and healthy communication from The Incredible Jessica James. Jessica Williams stars opposite Chris O'Dowd, with a supporting performance from LaKeith Stanfield. This charming tale of a woman who will stop at nothing to be loved the way she deserves explores so much of what makes romance the sticky business that it is. But this rom-com boasts just the right amount of optimism to keep you invested until its stunningly grounded happily ever after. — A.F.

How to watch: The Incredible Jessica James is now streaming on Netflix.

10. She’s All That (1999)

A romantic comedy hall-of-famer, 1999’s She’s All That gives us one of the most iconic and absurd examples of nerdy-girl-isn’t-hot-until-you-take-her-glasses-off movie magic. Freddie Prinze Jr. is lovably smug as the high school top dawg who bets his bros he can turn any girl into the prom queen in six weeks, even social outcast Laney Boggs. That’s right, it’s a 1990s Pygmalion/My Fair Lady — and you already know how it ends! 

This is a teen comedy that retains some of its edge; the teens were still allowed to be mean to each other in the '90s. Rachael Leigh Cook became a household name as the artsy high school misfit who was obviously cute long before she got contacts. Matthew Lillard, Paul Walker, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Kieran Culkin, Anna Paquin, Gabrielle Union, and more help cement She’s All That in the hallowed halls of rom-com history, and its soundtrack is a full-fledged nostalgia bomb. It’s time for a rewatch. — K.G.

How to watch: She’s All That is now streaming on Netflix.

9. Alex Strangelove (2018) Credit: Walter Thomson / Netflix

To find true love, you've first got to find yourself.

Featuring heartbreaking performances from Daniel Doheny, Antonio Marziale, and Madeline Weinstein, Alex Strangelove is a coming-of-age story designed to make your palms sweat. A poignant and touching look at coming out, this world is filled with good people doing good things that will make any viewer need a handhold. — A.F.

How to watch: Alex Strangelove is now streaming on Netflix.

8. Always Be My Maybe (2019) Credit: Netflix

Fans of Netflix comedy special Baby Cobra were long overdue for a fictional Ali Wong fantasy, and Always Be My Maybe really, really delivers. Wong and Randall Park make for a delightful will-they-won't-they, complete with love triangles, awkward childhood flashbacks, Keanu Reeves in the role he was born to play, and authentic representations of the Asian-American experience. — A.F.

How to watch: Always Be My Maybe is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Emily in Paris Seasons 1-3 Credit: Netflix

Created by Darren Starr (Sex and the City, Younger), Emily in Paris is the poppy Parisian fantasy you'll lap up like a "chatte" drinking "lait." Lily Collins stars as the titular expat, a young marketing professional from Chicago who gets an unexpected promotion that takes her to France. There she sells perfume, eats fine cheese, and, of course, falls for a hunky chef, played by Lucas Bravo. This show isn't 100% rom-com, but it's at least 75% rom-com. — A.F.

How to watch: Emily in Paris Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.

6. Sex Education Seasons 1-4 Credit: Sam Taylor / Netflix

Sex Education had us from the moment its lead pretended to pretend to masturbate.

There's plenty to love about this perfectly cast teenage dramedy. But in light of the events of Seasons 2 and 3, nothing feels more pressing than the relationship between Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve (Emma Mackey) — except maybe Eric's (Ncuti Gatwa) ongoing love antics. At the heart of every great story is a great romance, and Sex Education has more than its fair share. — A.F.

How to watch: Sex Education Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.

5. Never Have I Ever Seasons 1-4 Credit: Netflix

Created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, this smart, sweet coming-of-age story was among the most fulfilling new Netflix binges of 2020. And it just keeps wowing us.

Lead Maitreyi Ramakrishnan will steal your heart as Devi, a high school sophomore reeling from the loss of her father the year before — but with big plans for a future as vibrant and fearless as she is. As culturally important as it is authentic, Never Have I Ever serves not only as a critical step for representation, but also as a dreamy teen rom-com you'll adore.* — A.F.

How to watch: Never Have I Ever Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.

4. Bridgerton Seasons 1-2, plus Queen Charlotte, A Bridgerton Story Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Where to begin with the scandalous, sexy, and silly sensation that is Bridgerton? In this period dramedy, Regency-era Londoners look for love under the critical eye of the Queen and a host of courtiers while dodging scandal at every turn. It's Gossip Girl meets Downton Abbey with a How to Get Away with Murder-type twist that's undeniably Shonda Rhimes. You're going to love it, so much so that you should plan on bingeing both seasons straight through. — A.F.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, is a lavish, ebullient triumph, and further evidence that Shonda Rhimes just doesn't miss. Delving into the personal history of the tragic, impulsive, and steely queen we know and love from Bridgerton Seasons 1 and 2, we watch a young girl transform into a formidable monarch — and fall in love along the way. The costumes are sumptuous, the drama juicy, and the romance slow-burning. It checks all the boxes while still making space for a thread of sadness that lends gravitas and complexity to the entire Bridgerton world. An ambitious and beautiful show that fully earns its shining crown as Netflix's newest darling.* — K.G.

How to watch: Bridgerton Seasons 1-2 are now streaming on Netflix, as is Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

3. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Seasons 1-4 Credit: Greg Gayne / The CW

Monuments should be erected in honor of this television masterpiece, but a spot on this list will have to do for now. With four spectacular seasons of musical-infused madness, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is as much a gooey rom-com as it is a fearless portrait of self-love. Whether you're single, attached, or moving to West Covina for Josh from camp, Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom) and her gaggle of lovable pals will welcome you with open jazz hands. — A.F.

How to watch: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.

2. Set It Up (2018) Credit: Netflix

An enticing combination of The Devil Wears Prada and Jim and Pam's The Office romance, Set It Up makes workplace love almost seem like a good idea. Almost.

Starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as two overworked assistants intent on making their bosses fall for one another, this breezy comedy delivers on laughs and butterflies in equal measures. Plus, Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu hook up and it is very, very appealing. You're welcome. — A.F.

How to watch: Set It Up is now streaming on Netflix.

1. To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018) Credit: Netflix

If you're reading this list, there's just no way you haven't seen To All the Boys I've Loved Before and its two sequels, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You and To All the Boys: Always and Forever. Then there's XO, Kitty, the spinoff series about the fan-favorite little sister played by Anna Cathcart, which has a season two on the way. As you wait for it, go ahead: Bask in the chemistry of Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. Delight in the drinkable yogurt representation. Consider why you never dressed this well in school. Then, send out your letters. — A.F.

How to watch: To All the Boys I've Loved Before is now streaming on Netflix.

Asterisks (*) indicate the entry comes from a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Feb. 6, 2024, 4:50 p.m. EST This story was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated since to reflect Netflix's catalogue.

Opens in a new window Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Netflix Sign up for a Netflix membership. Get Deal

The culprit behind last month's fake Biden AI robocalls appears to have been identified. New Hampshire's Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that it traced the illegal calls back to Life Corporation, a company based in Texas, and its owner Walter Monk. 

A cease-and-desist order has been issued against Life Corporation, which is accused of violating laws that prohibit "engaging in voter suppression by knowingly attempting to prevent or deter another person from voting or registering to vote based on fraudulent, deceptive, misleading, or spurious grounds or information."

SEE ALSO: Listen to this ‘Biden' call sent to voters. No wonder the FCC is cracking down on AI robocalls.

Last month, thousands of New Hampshire residents received robocalls explicitly discouraging them from voting in the primary election. These calls falsely stated that their votes needed to be "saved" for use in November's general election, and that casting a ballot in the current election would be ineffectual. In actuality, voters are able and encouraged to vote in both the primary and general election.

This would be bad enough. But these calls also used AI-generated deepfake audio of President Joe Biden's voice to spread this disinformation, and even spoofed the caller ID so that it appeared as though the call was coming from a phone number that belonged to a former New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair. 

To the casual listener, it would have sounded as though the 46th President of the United States was directly instructing them not to vote. Up to 25,000 of these robocalls were made.

Texas-based Lingo Telecom has also been implicated in the disinformation scheme, having allegedly facilitated the robocalls on its networks. Lingo Telecom has been issued a cease-and-desist as the originating voice service provider, and has stopped providing its services to Life Corporation.

Both Lingo Telecom and Life Corporation have further been issued documentation preservation notices and subpoenas in the ongoing criminal investigation.

"AI-generated recordings used to deceive voters have the potential to have devastating effects on the democratic election process," Attorney General John Formella said in the news release. "The partnership and fast action in [investigating] this matter sends a clear message that law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and industry are staying vigilant and are working closely together to monitor and investigate any signs of AI being used maliciously to threaten our democratic process."

This isn't the first time Life Corporation has fallen afoul of the law. The Federal Communications Commission previously issued a citation against the company in 2003 for making pre-recorded, unsolicited advertising calls.

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 Feb. 8's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A location or a point in space.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

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 Wordle #964 is...

PLACE.

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.

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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 February 8's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Tools for Olympic Archery

• Green: Game night

• Blue: Slang for hitting people

• Purple: Neo-traditional tattoos

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: Archery Equipment

• Green: Card Games

• Blue: Wallop

• Purple: Classic Tattoos

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 Connections #242 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Archery Equipment: ARROW, BOW, QUIVER, TARGET

• Card Games: BRIDGE, GIN, SPIT, WAR

• Wallop: BELT, CLOCK, DECK, SLUG

• Classic Tattoos: ANCHOR, DRAGON, HEART, ROSE

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Have you ever googled yourself and found a slew of results from "people finder" websites with your personal data? These data brokers often profit from selling your information, which can include everything from your social media profiles to your real-world home address.

Mozilla, the organization behind the popular Firefox web browser, has just launched a new service called Mozilla Monitor that says it will get these data brokers to remove your information. 

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT revealed personal data and verbatim text to researchers

Mozilla offers both a free plan that will scan the web to find where your information is listed, as well as a paid plan that will take the extra step of automatically removing these listings from data broker websites. The paid plan, Mozilla Monitor Plus, costs $13.99 per month, or $8.99 per month if paid annually. This plan also includes continuous monitoring of the web for your information.

Mozilla Monitor is a relaunch of a previous service from Mozilla, formerly known as Firefox Monitor. Originally, the free service just monitored the web to find instances of when your email was involved in a data breach. The focus seemed to be on vulnerability to potential identity theft since such data breaches could leak a person's usernames and passwords as well as credit card or social security numbers. The latest version of this service, Mozilla Monitor, still offers this feature, but now includes data broker monitoring as well.

Data brokering is big business with estimates putting the industry at more than $200 billion in revenue each year — so there's a lot at stake as Mozilla rolls out this feature.

Most people don't realize that they can actually opt-out of being included by data brokers. However, getting your information removed can be a tedious process, involving a separate request to each individual data brokering website. 

There are existing companies that offer removal services similar to Mozilla Monitor, but none are as big or well known as the organization behind Firefox. Perhaps with Mozilla offering such a service, more people will become aware of just how much of their private information is on the internet and for sale.

Inspiration is everywhere and this week, folks on TikTok have found it in a rodent. No, not that rodent. This rodent, Punxsutawney Phil — the groundhog who pops his head out every winter to predict whether spring will come sooner or later.

Phil has had the same gig for more than 100 years, even though groundhogs typically only live for about six. To keep the magic alive, the folks over at the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club claim to feed the little guy an "elixir of life" to keep him going. However, the Club does not extend the same courtesy to Phil's wife, Phyllis.

So how do the pressures of eternal life affect Phil and Phyllis's relationship dynamic? That's the question TikTok user @olivesongs11 explores in an original song from Phil's perspective.

The tune finds Phil grappling with his immortality, telling his wife, "You can have the fame, Phyllis. I'd give up all the fame. You can have the overbearing stares, the noisy crowds, the holy shadow, and the shame." But, he warns her, celebrity is more a curse than a blessing. "Don't pretend you want this. Don't be so naive," he sings, "Nothing's supposed to live forever, Phyllis. The burrows be made will eventually fade and I'll be left to sing the same old song."

Posted on Feb. 3, the video has been viewed more than 4 million times and duetted dozens of times by TikTok users adding Phyllis' perspective, the plot of their fictional marital strife thickening with each addition.

As many a commenter has pointed out, the duets are reminiscent of The Last Five Years, a two-person musical about the highs and lows of the relationship between a struggling actress and successful writer whose fame drives a wedge between them. Sound familiar?

In 2021, a community-produced musical adaptation of the Pixar movie Ratatouille raised more than $1 million for charity after its crowd-sourced material gained traction across the platform in 2020. No word yet on whether Phil and Phyllis will get the same treatment, but you can enjoy some of the best takes on the idea below.

The Phyllis perspectives SEE ALSO: How Daniel Mertzlufft helped jumpstart the Ratatouille musical that raised $1 million Add some drums... Plus a mayor and his urchin child SEE ALSO: Winter or spring? Punxsutawney Phil takes over the internet on Groundhog Day And, finally, choose a Playbill

The best deals on game day hosting essentials at a glance: BEST FOR WATCHING Paramount+ with Showtime Get one free month with code JUNE (save $11.99) Get Deal BEST FOR FOOD PREP Instant Omni 7-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven (19-quart) $129.95 at Amazon (save $70.04) Get Deal BEST FOR CLEANING Shark Matrix RV2300S $299 at Walmart (save $200.99) Get Deal

The grand finale of the NFL season is upon us. If you've been tasked with hosting the watch party, having the right gear can really make a difference in how the day goes — regardless of which team comes out on top.

You don't need to spend a fortune, thankfully, because a lot of the essentials for game day hosting are on sale. We've gathered some major players — from a 4K TV to a blender system — to help you gear up for the big game and host a party your guests will cheer about until next season. And these deals will all arrive in time for Sunday's viewing party.

For watching the gameA 4K TV

The TV is the centerpiece for any football watch party. If you're sporting an old, crappy model and could use an upgrade, there are tons of excellent choices on sale ahead of game day. We particularly like this deal on the LG 65-inch B3 Series OLED TV, which features Dolby Vision and a 120Hz refresh rate — that means less lag and more immersive viewing. The B3 is already LG's most affordable OLED TV, but it's even cheaper at just $1,299.99 at Best Buy as of Feb. 7. That's a $700 discount and matches its Black Friday pricing.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 65-inch B3 Series OLED TV $1,299.99 at Best Buy (save $700) Get Deal The right streaming service

If you don't have cable access, you're going to need a streaming service to watch the game. While you could opt for a live TV cable replacement service like YouTube TV or Fubo, they're a bit on the expensive side. Paramount+, on the other hand, is much more affordable and will be streaming the game live. Even better, you can get it for free if you're new to the service. Use the code JUNE at checkout with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan and you'll get one month for free. After your month is up, you'll owe $11.99 per month. Cancel before the month is up and you'll owe nothing.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount Plus Paramount+ with Showtime Get one free month with code JUNE (save $11.99) Get Deal A soundbar to pair with your TV

If your main reason for watching the Big Game is to enjoy the halftime show, you're going to want some decent speakers to hear it. Don't settle for your TV speakers — grab a soundbar instead so you can enjoy Usher singing "Yeah!" and "Love in this Club" in surround sound. The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 features TrueSpace technology and two upward-firing transducers to deliver what it calls "shockingly immersive sound." Plus, it's equipped with Alexa, so you can ask the AI assistant to crank up the tunes during halftime. Better yet, it's on sale for $100 off as of Feb. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Smart Soundbar 600 $399 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal For food and drinksA large-capacity cooler

If you told your friends and neighbors to bring their own beverages, you're going to need a spot to keep them cold. This massive 72-quart Igloo Overland Ice Chest should do the trick, as it can hold up to 110 cans. Its extra-thick 1.5-inch foam-insulated walls and lid extend ice retention, while its built-in bottle opener allows for quicker consumption. Usually $130, you can snag it on sale for just $109 at Walmart.

Opens in a new window Credit: Igloo Igloo Overland Ice Chest (72-quart) $109 at Walmart (save $20.99) Get Deal An air fryer

You can cook your apps and snacks the easy way or the hard way. If you prefer the easy way, an air fryer is the way to go. Crispy wings, fries, and whatever else you have in mind can easily be whipped up in this 19-quart Instant Omni 7-in-1 air fryer toaster oven. Besides air frying, it can broil, bake, roast, toast, warm, and act as a convection oven for versatility. At $129.95, it's not its lowest price ever, but it's still a significant $70 discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Instant Instant Omni 7-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven (19-quart) $129.95 at Amazon (save $70.04) Get Deal A smart indoor smoker

Want to splurge and really impress your guests? The new GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker, which just debuted at CES last month, is on sale for $300 off at Amazon and can give you all the joys of a barbecue on your countertop. It's equipped with six food presets, five adjustable smoke settings, and a built-in temperature probe, and is designed to filter smoke into warm air. Typically $999, you can get it at Amazon for only $699.

Opens in a new window Credit: GE GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker $699 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal A blender for mixing drinks and dips

Have frozen cocktails and tasty dips at the ready for your Sunday shenanigans with the help of a good blender. The Ninja BN801 Professional Plus features 1400 peak watts of professional power, five different presets, and a large 72-ounce pitcher for big batches of drinks. It also comes with an 8-cup Precision Processor Bowl for your sauces and dips, plus two single-serve to-go cups. Save $40 at Amazon and grab the whole system for only $179.99 as of Feb. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System $179.99 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal For cleaning upA portable carpet and upholstery cleaner

Whether you need to get your kid's latest spill out of your couch before you have company or need to wash out your friend's margarita stain after the Big Game, the Bissell Little Green is a solid cleaning companion. The beloved tool comes with a self-cleaning hose tool and a spraying crevice tool to make removing tough spots and stains from carpets, upholstery, and more a breeze. Use the on-page coupon to snag it for just under $100 at Amazon as of Feb. 7. That's a savings of about 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bissell Bissell Little Green $99.59 at Amazon (save $24 with on-page coupon) Get Deal A self-emptying robot vacuum

Make clean-up easier on yourself before and after the Big Game by grabbing a self-emptying robot vacuum. The Shark Matrix RV2300S is on sale at Walmart as of Feb. 7 for only $299 — that's 40% off. It features home mapping and virtual boundaries guided by 360-degree LiDAR, a crosshatch-pattern cleaning style for accuracy, a 120-minute battery life, and a self-emptying dock that holds up to 30 days' worth of debris.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix RV2300S $299 at Walmart (save $200.99) Get Deal

With Valentine's Day coming up, there's no better time to invest in pleasure. From Feb. 7 through Feb. 15, sex toy brand Ava is offering 20% off its entire Amazon storefront.

Ava Sex Toy Sale Best Ava sex toy deal overall Ava Vivv $17.95 at Amazon (save $12) Get Deal Best dual-function sex toy deal Ava Lolli $24.47 at Amazon (save $5.52) Get Deal Best large wand sex toy deal Ava Evo $26.23 at Amazon (save $3.76) Get Deal

It's always important to take time out for pleasure, whether that means spending some solo time or experiencing it with a partner. Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and sex toy brand Ava, formerly known as Luna, wants to help you tap into that feeling in time for the most romantic holiday of the year.

As of Feb. 7, Ava is offering 20% off its entire Amazon storefront — that means all of its available sex toys — so you can save some cash when grabbing a new vibrator, clitoral stimulator, or whatever makes you tick. That means you can rack up on some great picks, including one of our favorites, the Ava Vivv wand, and much more, for less.

Take advantage of this sexy sale before it ends on Feb. 15, and grab something for you or your partner (or partners).

Best Ava sex toy deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ava Vivv $17.95 at Amazon (save $12) Get Deal

Mashable Associate Editor Anna Iovine named the Ava Vivv the "best vibrator under $30," especially for new vibrator users. It's also a great pick for experienced buyers looking for a cheaper wand to add to their collection. It's light but surprisingly powerful, and it can use "intuitive memory" to pick up where you left off after your previous session. It's an intelligent and inexpensive option that should suit most users just fine.

Best dual-function sex toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ava Lolli $24.47 at Amazon (save $5.52) Get Deal

The Ava Lolli is a dual-function vibrator that's a massager with a suction option for clitoral stimulation. It offers a variety of gentle pulses that you can ease in with and deep, satisfying vibrations to finish off, plus other patterns you can play with to see what works best for you. It has a sleek, contoured head that you can bend up to 50 degrees, and it's super quiet at just 45 decibels. It might be quieter than you, which is always a plus when you want to keep things a bit more discreet. Powerful and pleasurable, you'll want this bad boy at your side.

Best large wand sex toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ava Evo $26.23 at Amazon (save $3.76) Get Deal

The Ava Evo massage wand goes beyond your everyday vibrator and adds a bit of texture to your massage. It has 20 different patterns with eight different intensities and uses "Intuitive Memory" tech that can recall your favorites and how often you use them. It'll also last for a whopping six hours, so if you or your partner want to go long, you've got the option to do so.

Other Ava sex toy deals

• Ava Vivvo Vibrating Wand – $21.96 $31.95 at Amazon (save $9.99)

• Ava Bullet Hum Massager – $11.99 $14.99 at Amazon (save $3)

• Ava Fliq Dual-Function Bending Vibrator – $27.99 $34.99 at Amazon (save $7)

• Ava Mini Go Massager – $19.96 $24.95 at Amazon (save $4.99)

Netflix has always been a trendsetter in the online streaming arena, but this latest trend is the worst one yet.

Almost a year after Netflix started cracking down on password sharing in the U.S., Disney+ (Disney Plus) is set to do the same, per The Verge. Subscribers expect to receive an email with more information about the change, which restricts Disney+ usage to devices in the home of the person who pays the monthly bill. This move was first announced last August and then implemented in Canada by September.

SEE ALSO: How to watch Disney's 'Wish' at home and online

Per the Verge, these new rules are already in place for new subscribers, but existing Disney+ customers have until March 14 to get their affairs in order.

As for how one would get their affairs in order to prepare for this, that's not entirely clear. The Disney+ help site offers only the following on how account sharing works now:

You may not share your subscription outside of your household. "Household" means the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside therein.

Unlike Netflix, there doesn't appear to be a way to pay extra to add users from outside the household. It's possible that could exist in the future, but at present, the Disney+ pricing tiers page doesn't address that whatsoever.

It seems like, for now, the best way to circumvent these rules is to just pony up for your own account. Bummer.