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TL;DR: Find a wide range of free online courses from MIT on edX.
You can find an enormous bank of free online courses from top educational institutions on edX. And we really do mean the best schools in the world, including the likes of MIT.
edX hosts free online courses from MIT on topics like AI, modern finance, Python programming, and much more. We recommend taking some time to check everything out, because there really is something for everyone.
These are the best free online courses from MIT this month:
Data Analysis: Statistical Modeling and Computation in Applications
Financial Regulation: From the Global Financial Crisis to Fintech and the COVID Pandemic
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
Machine Learning with Python: From Linear Models to Deep Learning
These free courses do not come with a certificate of completion, but that's the only catch. You can still learn at your own pace with unrestricted access to all the course materials.
Find the best free online courses from MIT on edX.
Opens in a new window Credit: MIT MIT Online Courses Free at Udemy Get DealTL;DR: Live stream Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers for free on 7plus. Access this free streaming platform from the UK with ExpressVPN.
The NFL's first game in South America sees the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers come together in São Paulo. It's going to be a special occasion, and you can watch every play from the UK without spending anything.
If you're interested in watching Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers for free in the UK, we have all the information you need.
When is Eagles vs. Packers?Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers starts at 1:15 a.m. BST on Sep 7. This fixture takes place at the Arena Corinthians.
How to watch Eagles vs. Packers for free in the UKPhiladelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers is available to live stream for free on 7plus.
7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but fans in the UK can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access 7plus from the UK.
Unblock 7plus to live stream the NFL for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Visit 7plus
Live stream Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers for free from the UK
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to live stream top NFL fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia
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 eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, saving you 49% on list price. With this limited-time deal you also get an extra three months of coverage, a year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers for free in the UK with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Fritz vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for free on 9Now or TVNZ+. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It feels appropriate that the US Open has two Americans battling it out for a place in the final. It's going to be an epic contest between Fritz and Tiafoe, and you can watch every shot without spending anything.
If you want to watch Fritz vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to watch Fritz vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for freeFans can live stream the 2024 US Open for free on these platforms:
These streaming services are geo-blocked, but anyone from around the world can access these sites with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock 9Now and TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024 US Open by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia or New Zealand
Watch Fritz vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of Fritz vs. Tiafoe without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch every US Open match before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the US Open?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the US Open for free, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia and New Zealand
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 eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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.
Live stream Fritz vs. Tiafoe in the 2024 US Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Italy in the UEFA Nations League for free on RaiPlay. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The UEFA Nations League does not have the calibre of the World Cup or European Championship, but it's still bringing together some of the best international sides in the world. And for that we are grateful. The fixtures might be glorified friendlies, but we're not going to pretend we aren't excited to watch France vs. Italy.
If you want to watch France vs. Italy in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is France vs. Italy?France vs. Italy in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 6. This fixture takes place at the Parc des Princes.
How to watch France vs. Italy for freeFrance vs. Italy in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on RaiPlay.
RaiPlay is geo-restricted to Italy, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Italy, meaning you can access free live streams on RaiPlay from anywhere in the world.
Access a free live stream of France vs. Italy by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Italy
Visit RaiPlay
Live stream France vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch France vs. Italy in the UEFA Nations League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for RaiPlay?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RaiPlay, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Italy
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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.
Stream France vs. Italy in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch the 2024 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2024 MotoGP season is going down to the wire, with not much separating Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. And Marc Márquez is still not far behind the leaders, fresh from an impressive victory in Aragon.
All eyes will be on the next race in San Marino. If you're interested in watching the 2024 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.
When is the 2024 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix?The MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix takes place at the Misano Circuit. The 2024 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix race starts at 8 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. BST on Sept. 8.
How to watch the 2024 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix for freeEvery MotoGP 2024 race is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.
ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.
Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria
Connect to ServusTV
Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2024 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for MotoGP?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Austria
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch the 2024 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Wales vs. Turkey in the UEFA Nations League for free on BBC iPlayer or S4C Online. Access these free streaming sites from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The UEFA Nations League is an interesting competition. Are the fixtures truly competitive? Does anything actually matter in the grand scheme of things? This is international football we're talking about, so of course it matters. Players are representing their countries. It's obviously going to be competitive.
If you want to watch Wales vs. Turkey in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Wales vs. Turkey?Wales vs. Turkey in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 6. This fixture takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
How to watch Wales vs. Turkey for freeWales vs. Turkey in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer and S4C Online.
These services are geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world can stream for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams on BBC iPlayer and S4C Online from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of Wales vs. Turkey by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer or S4C Online
Stream Wales vs. Turkey for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Wales vs. Turkey in the UEFA Nations League without committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for streaming live sport?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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.
Stream Wales vs. Turkey in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago Sky in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Basketball fans are looking towards the WNBA playoffs with anticipation as Chicago Sky host Los Angeles Sparks for a late season contest.
For Chicago, however, the playoff dream is starting to fade. The team has been sitting in a playoff position but have recently been hit by a confidence-shaking losing streak. Can they make a late season comeback and clinch a playoff berth?
At this point Los Angeles are playing to prove they can, following a tough season and monster eight-game losing streak at one point. Can the Sparks show some actual spark and end the season on a high?
If you want to watch Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago Sky in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, read below to find out how.
When is Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago Sky?Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago Sky in the WNBA starts at 9.30 p.m. ET on Sept. 6. This fixture takes place at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
How to watch Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago SkyBasketball fans can watch Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago Sky plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.
While the WNBA League Pass may not show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas, you can get around these blackout rules with the use of a VPN. VPNs are handy online tools that can help by hiding your real IP address (digital location). By doing this, you can connect to secure servers based in other locations and watch every WNBA League Pass game live as it happens, excluding select games streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 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 secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is now on sale for $99.95, which includes a bonus three months of use for free. That's 49% off for a limited time. This generous offer also includes a whole year of limitless cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago Sky in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The WNBA playoffs begin later this month, which is when the 2024 WNBA championship will be decided. Before we get there, Minnesota Lynx are visiting Indiana Fever for another must-watch game.
Minnesota Lynx have already qualified and currently sit at the top of the Western Conference. Indiana Fever, meanwhile, are in a strong position — but they haven't yet clinched a playoff berth. A win against Minnesota is crucial.
Both franchises know what it's like to go all the way and win the WNBA championship, though it's been 12 years since Indiana Fever won it. Minnesota Lynx last clinched the title in 2017. But who wants it more in 2024?
If you want to watch Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out how.
When is Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever?Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA starts at 7.30 p.m. ET on Sept. 6. This fixture takes place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
How to watch Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana FeverBasketball fans can watch Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.
Remember that the WNBA League Pass may not show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. Thankfully, you can get around these blackout restrictions with a VPN. VPNs are useful online tools that work by masking your real IP address (digital location). By doing this, you can connect to secure servers in other locations and watch every WNBA League Pass game live as it happens, excluding games selected for Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 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 secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is now on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free. That's 49% off for a limited time. This generous offer also includes a entire year of limitless cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The WNBA playoffs are almost here, which is the goal for every team in the league. Next up is Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun. Both teams have already qualified for the playoffs, so the pressure's off. Does that make this any less crucial? Absolutely not.
Both teams will want to finish as high in the standings possible. And for Las Vegas, there's a chance to hit the playoffs with momentum and make a run at a third consecutive WNBA title. Connecticut Sun have never won the championship but they've now qualified for eight consecutive playoffs and have been runners up four times. Could 2024 be their year?
If you want to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out how.
When is Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun?Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA starts at 7.30 p.m. ET on Sept. 6. This fixture takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut SunBasketball fans can watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.
Don't forget that the WNBA League Pass may not show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But you can get around this restriction by using a VPN. VPNs are tools that work by hiding your real IP address (digital location). By doing this, you'll be able to connect to secure servers in other locations and watch every WNBA League Pass game live as it happens, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 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 secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This generous package also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Las Vegas Aces vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It's been a tough season for Dallas Wings, with a spot in the WNBA playoffs looking unlikely. But a couple of recent wins have proved they've still got the capacity to make something of this season. Atlanta Dream have also been sat in the bottom half of the league. But they're still in contention for the postseason, so expect them to shoot for another vital win when they host Dallas.
Fortunately, you can stream Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream in the WBNA from anywhere around the world. Keep reading for all the information you need.
When is Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream?Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA starts at 7.30 p.m. ET on Sept. 6. This fixture takes place at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
How to watch Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta DreamBasketball fans can watch Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.
The WNBA League Pass doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But there are ways to sidestep these blackout restrictions. Simply sign up with a VPN. VPNs are super useful tools that can obscure your real IP address (digital location) and connect you with secure servers based in other locations, giving you access to every WNBA League Pass game as it happens, excluding games streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 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 secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for a limited time at $99.95. That's an impressive 49% off, with a bonus three months of usage at no additional cost. Within this deal you get a whole year of limitless cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Dallas Wings vs. Atlanta Dream in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
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 September 6'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 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 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.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 6 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A show that airs multiple times.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter R appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.
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...
RERUN.
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.
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 yesterday's Wordle.
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 September 6'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.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers 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's The Mini crossword answers for September 6 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Quota
Green: Occurrence
Blue: You got mail
Purple: Synyonms for "spring"
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Quantity
Green: Incident
Blue: Things Received in the Mail
Purple: What "Spring" Might Refer To
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 #453 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayQuantity: AMOUNT, COUNT, NUMBER, TOTAL
Incident: AFFIAR, EPISODE, EVENT, MATTER
Things Received in the Mail: BILL, CARD, CATALOG, LETTER
What "Spring" Might Refer To: BOUNCE, COIL, GEYSER, SEASON
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.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
As Elon Musk struggled to rebuild X's ability to generate revenue, the site suffered a mass advertiser exodus late last year, and at least some of those departures were evidently due to pro-nazi content. A few months later, Musk told advertisers "go fuck yourself."
And this was all right before Musk shared that the former Twitter's revenue was already down by 60 percent from before his acquisition.
SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's X / Twitter has a new TV app dedicated to watching videosIt looks like 2025 isn't going to be any better for X. A new report from UK market research firm Kantar found that 26 percent of marketers are planning to reduce their ad spend on Musk's platform next year.
According to Kantar's research, this was the "biggest recorded pullback" from any of the major global advertising platforms.
“Advertisers have been moving their marketing spend away from X for several years," said Kantary's Global Thought Leadership Director Gonca Bubani. "The stark acceleration of this trend in the past 12 months means a turnaround currently seems unlikely."
X will likely lose even more advertisers soonKantar found that marketers' trust in advertising on X was already "historically low" before Musk. Since the acquisition, though, that trust has eroded even further.
The market research firm says advertisers' trust in Twitter in 2022 was at 22 percent. Now known as X, trust in that same platform is now at 12 percent in 2024.
"X has changed so much in recent years and can be unpredictable from one day to the next – it’s difficult to feel confident about your brand safety in that environment," Bubani said.
Kantar's report says that just 4 percent of advertisers believe that advertising on X provides brand safety. When compared with its competitors in the social media space, X comes out at the bottom of the heap. Google is top for brand safety at 39 percent, according to Kantar. As for trust and innovative advertising, X "scores outside of the global top ten." TikTok is viewed as the most innovative and YouTube tops the trust barometer.
The contrast between X and other social media platforms in this space is made even more stark by this graph included in Kantar's report, which provides visuals for those stats.
Credit: KantarX is unlikely to change course under Musk's leadership. Just this week, Musk came under fire for promoting a Tucker Carlson video on X with a guest that shared sympathies for Hitler.
"Very interesting. Worth watching," Musk said.
Musk later deleted the post.
No, "GPT Next" is not OpenAI's next big thing.
Earlier this week, Tadao Nagasaki, the lead executive for OpenAI's Japanese operations, shared a presentation at Japan's KDDI Summit that seemed to imply a new model call "GPT Next" was imminent.
But an OpenAI spokesperson has confirmed to Mashable that the term "GPT Next," written in quotations on the slide, was simply a figurative placeholder to indicate how OpenAI's models could evolve exponentially over time. The spokesperson also clarified that the line graph in the slide was illustrative, not an actual timeline of OpenAI's plans.
Tweet may have been deleted"The AI model called 'GPT Next' that will be released in the future will evolve nearly 100 times based on past performance. Unlike traditional software, AI technology grows exponentially," said Nagasaki according to Japanese outlet ITmedia via automated translation. The phrasing caused some confusion online as "GPT Next" was understood to be a literal new model instead of a figurative representation of where OpenAI models are headed next.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedIt's unclear, however, whether the OpenAI executive was broadly speaking about the development of OpenAI's future models or specifically about the highly-anticipated GPT-5.
SEE ALSO: OpenAI, Anthropic agree to have their models tested before making them publicNot much is known about GPT-5 aside from promises from CEO Sam Altman that it will be a "significant leap forward" and CTO Mira Murati, who says it will have Ph.D.-level intelligence. But Altman also said there's a lot of work to do with GPT-5, and there's no specific timeline yet.
Currently, OpenAI's most advanced model is GPT-4o, which combines text, vision, and audio modalities. There's also something called "Project Strawberry" which has been teased by Altman. Strawberry, another much-hyped tool is reportedly capable of multi-step reasoning that bridges the gap between current models that require step-by-step instructions, and agents, which can theoretically execute complex tasks with a single prompt.
While rumors about Project Strawberry have somewhat reignited the AI hype cycle, expectations this time around are tempered by waning investor interest, and the high cost of running AI models, not to mention consumer backlash towards AI-powered features. That said, OpenAI is reportedly in talks with Apple and Nvidia (as well as Microsoft) for investing in its latest fundraising round, which would give the company a $100 billion valuation. So the three biggest tech companies in the world definitely see further potential in OpenAI.
In short, "GPT Next" isn't a thing. But whether it's a presentation at a conference in Japan or rumors about Project Strawberry, people are watching OpenAI's next moves closely, and expectations are high.
It's that time again. A new NFL season is upon us and with it comes all sorts of new streaming struggles. Notorious gatekeepers of their broadcasts, watching NFL games has become a tangled web of subscriptions — even for those who still have cable. But we've sorted out all the complicated details for you. If you're wanting to watch your favorite teams battle it out this season without cable, here's everything you need to know — including the cheapest possible way to do so (legally).
How to watch NFL games during the 2024–2025 seasonSince no single network owns the rights to every game, watching your favorite teams isn't as cut and dry in the NFL as it is with other sports. And now with streaming services throwing hats in the ring, even cable TV subscribers will need a few extras to catch every game.
Here's the general schedule each week for the 2024–2025 season.
Thursday Night Football kicks off the week exclusively on Prime Video (starting week two)
Sunday afternoon games air on CBS for AFC teams and FOX for NFC teams
Sunday Night Football games air on NBC and stream on Peacock
Monday Night Football games air on ESPN and ABC/ESPN+
NFL Network will also broadcast seven different games throughout the season
Netflix is set to broadcast two games on Christmas Day this season
If you don't have cable, you have an abundance of options for watching games live. If you're a casual fan, you can simply invest in a digital TV antenna to catch local games and nationally broadcast games live on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Beyond football, a digital antenna will also grant you free access to local news, nationally broadcast events like the Grammys or Oscars, and other network programming. If you're reasonably close to your local TV stations, you should be able to pick up at least the four main networks. Unfortunately, you probably won't be able to access ESPN.
You can also sign up for a live TV streaming service to get access to local networks, plus a ton of other channels. Live TV streaming services can be pretty pricey, but you do get a lot of bang for your buck. This option will get you ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN in most markets. No need to be close to your local TV stations.
With either option you choose, you'll still have to sign up for Prime Video if you want to watch Thursday Night Football games. You can also utilize streaming apps like Peacock and Paramount+ to watch many regular season games. It's all up to you and how many games you want access to. Below, we've rounded up the best streaming deals for each streaming service required to watch football games this season.
The best football streaming deals for the 2024–2025 NFL seasonThe best Prime Video deals for Thursday Night FootballIn addition to Thursday Night Football games, Prime Video is also set to stream a playoff game this season during Wildcard weekend. Prime members get access to Prime Video included in their subscription, which runs you $14.99 per month. If you're new to Prime, you can even score a free 30-day trial before you'll owe a monthly fee. Here are a few other ways you can save some money.
Best for long-term viewing: Prime Annual (save 22%)
Enjoy the perks of a Prime membership, including access to Prime Video, for an entire year with a Prime Annual subscription. Rather than paying a $14.99 monthly fee, you'll pay $139 up front. That ends up saving you about 22%, knocking the price down to about $11.59 per month.
Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video Annual $139 per year (save 22%) Get DealMost affordable: Prime Video only (save $6 per month)
If you don't want all the extra perks of being a Prime member, you can simply subscribe to Prime Video as a standalone service for just $8.99 per month. That's $6 per month cheaper than a full Prime membership. Naturally, Amazon makes it unnecessarily complicated to sign up for Prime Video alone. When you go to sign up for a subscription, you'll have to select the option to "see more plans" or "change plans" and navigate to the option for Prime Video on its own. Like a Prime membership, you can still cancel whenever you please with no strings.
Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video only $8.99 per month Get DealBest for those under 24: Prime for Young Adults (save 50%)
Amazon's Prime Student subscription has now evolved into Prime for Young Adults. Those between the ages of 18 and 24, as well as college students of any age, can now score a free six-month trial to Prime. After the trial period is up, it'll cost just $7.49 per month — that's 50% in savings. You'll have to verify your age or student status, but after that, the world of Prime is your oyster.
Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime for Young Adults Free 6-month trial, then $7.49 per month Get Deal The best live TV streaming deals for NFL Sunday gamesSunday afternoon games are broadcast on either CBS (for AFC teams) or FOX (for NFC teams). While CBS is accessible without cable through Paramount+, FOX is only accessible through a live TV streaming service like Fubo, YouTube TV, Sling, or Hulu + Live TV. Live TV streaming services are notoriously expensive, but we've found a few different deals currently live for the start of the NFL season. Here are our top picks.
Best for AFC games only: Paramount+ Essential annual subscription (save 17%)
Paramount+ is one of the most affordable streaming services at just $7.99 per month with ads. However, you can score it for even cheaper by opting for an annual subscription for $59.99. Slash 17% off when you pay for a year up front. That knocks the monthly cost down to just $5 per month. Just note that Paramount+ only gives you access to in-network AFC games via CBS.
Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ annual subscription $59.99 per year (save 17%) Get DealBest for students who want to watch AFC games: Paramount+ for students
Students who want to watch in-network AFC games can score a Paramount+ Essential subscription for only $5.99 per month. That's 25% cheaper than a typical Paramount+ subscription. You'll just have to verify your student status to unlock the deal.
Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ for students $5.99 per month (save 25%) Get DealBest live TV streaming service deal: Sling Season Pass (save $92)
If you prepay for four months of Sling Orange, Blue, and Sports Extras, you can save $92 with Sling Season Pass. The Blue package gets you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, and NFL Network in local markets, while the Orange package gets you access to ESPN. With the Sports Extras add-on, you'll also get access to NFL RedZone, where you can see every touchdown that happens on Sunday afternoons. It'll cost you $199 for four months of Sling Season Pass, which is significantly cheaper than any other live TV streaming service. Just be sure to check your local market to ensure you'll have access to the channels you need.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $199 for four months (save $92) Get DealBest YouTube TV deal: $64.99/month for your first four months (save $32)
YouTube TV is one of our favorite live TV streaming options. It will give you access to all the networks you need to watch Sunday afternoon games in your network, as well as Sunday night and Monday night games — NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, NFL Network, and ESPN. For a limited time, YouTube TV is offering new users a discount on their first four months of service. Plus, you can kick things off with a free trial. It usually costs $72.99 per month for the base plan, but you'll pay just $64.99 per month (save $32) for your first four months.
Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $64.99 per month for your first four months, then $72.99 per month (save $32) Get DealBest bang for your buck: Get Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ all for $76.99 per month
While other live TV streaming services might be a little cheaper, Hulu + Live TV comes with the most bang for your buck. You'll pay $76.99 per month and get access to the live TV channels you need to watch NFL games, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). For comparison, YouTube TV is $72.99 per month and includes a similar live TV channel lineup, but no extras. Fubo is $79.99 per month and features a slightly wider channel lineup, but still no extras.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV (with Disney+ and ESPN+) $76.99 per month Get DealAnother live TV streaming deal: Take $30 off your first month of Fubo
Fubo isn't our first pick for a live TV streaming service, simply because it's too expensive. However, the streamer is currently offering new subscribers their first month at $30 off. That knocks the Pro plan down to $49.99 for your first month ($79.99 per month thereafter) and the Elite plan with Sports Plus down to $69.99 for your first month ($99.99 per month thereafter).
Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo Fubo TV Pro plan $49.99 for your first month, then $79.99 per month Get Deal The best Peacock deals for streaming Sunday Night FootballIf you don't have access to local networks via a live TV streaming service or a digital antenna, you can still tune into Sunday Night Football on NBC by signing up for Peacock. Week One's game in São Paulo, Brazil, on Friday, Sept. 6 will also be streamed on Peacock. Subscriptions start at just $7.99 per month, but we've rounded up a few ways you can save.
Best for long-term viewing: Peacock Premium yearly subscription (save 17%)
Peacock is already pretty affordable at $7.99 per month, but even that can add up quickly on top of every other streaming service. You can knock that price down to just $6.67 per month by paying for an entire year up front. A yearly Peacock Premium subscription is just $79.99 per year, which ends up saving you about 17% overall.
Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium yearly subscription $79.99 per year (save 17%) Get DealBest for students: Peacock Premium Student Discount (save $6 per month)
Students wanting to tune into Sunday Night Football can score a Peacock Premium subscription for only $1.99 per month for an entire year. That's $6 cheaper than a typical Peacock subscription. You'll just have to be able to prove your student status through SheerID.
Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $1.99 per month for one year (save $6 per month) Get DealBest for first responders: Peacock Premium for $1.99 per month
With annual first responder verification through SheerID, first responders (public or private) can get Peacock Premium for just $1.99 per month. Upon verification, you'll receive a unique promo code to use when subscribing to Peacock. That will knock $6 per month off your total cost for the streaming service.
Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders $1.99 per month (save $6 per month) Get DealBest Peacock third-party deal: Free Peacock Premium with Instacart+ (save $7.99 per month)
If you subscribe to Instacart+ for free grocery delivery, which costs either $99 per year or $9.99 per month, you'll get a free Peacock Premium subscription included. Just log in to your Instacart account, select your Instacart+ membership, then "unlock special offers" and activate the Peacock offer. You'll get redirected to Peacock's website, where you can sign in or create an account to activate the benefit.
Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Free Peacock Premium with Instacart+ subscription (save $7.99 per month) Get Deal The best ESPN+ deals for Monday Night FootballIn order to watch Monday Night Football games on ESPN, you'll need a live TV streaming service that includes ESPN (see deals above). In order to watch Monday Night Football games on ABC, however, you can use ESPN+. The Week Seven match-up between the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals will also be available exclusively on ESPN+. ESPN+ does not give you access to games broadcast on ESPN. It's all very confusing, I know. ESPN+ regularly costs $10.99 per month, but here are a couple of ways you can save money on your subscription.
Best for long-term viewing: ESPN+ Annual Plan (save 15%)
Opt into ESPN+ for an entire year and it'll only cost $109.99 instead of $10.99 per month, which adds up to $131.88. That saves you 15% overall and gives you access to plenty more than just Monday Night Football if you're a sports fan.
Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN+ ESPN+ Annual Plan $109.99 per year (save 15%) Get DealBest bundle deal: ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu (save 44%)
If you want more bang for your buck than ESPN+ on its own, you can bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu for just $14.99 per month. That's just $4 more per month than getting ESPN+ on its own. Sure, that's a lot to pay for select Monday Night Football games, but it will get you more for your money than most other streaming deals.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ / ESPN+ ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ $14.99 per month (save 44%) Get Deal What's the cheapest way to watch the most NFL games this season?Good question. If you want to watch in-market games and nationally broadcast games mainly, the cheapest way to do so would be to sign up for Sling Orange + Blue (granted your market includes all local networks), Paramount+, and Prime Video for a grand total of $71.98 per month. If your market is included in the Sling packages, this will give you access to FOX, ESPN, NBC, ABC, CBS (via Paramount+), and Prime Video. You could also add Netflix into the mix in December if you want access to those two games for $6.99 (per month). If you add Netflix to the total, December would run you a little more at $78.97.
Here's the breakdown:
$55 per month for Sling Orange + Blue — Sunday afternoon games on Fox, ESPN, NBC, ABC (check that your market is included)
$7.99 per month for Paramount+ — AFC games on Sunday afternoons
$8.99 per month for Prime Video — Thursday Night Football
$6.99 per month for Netflix — two games in December
For out-of-market games, things get a bit more complicated. And expensive. NFL Sunday Ticket is one of the only ways you can watch every out-of-market game, but it's outrageously expensive ($429 per year) and we cannot in good faith recommend it. Another option would be to sign up for a VPN and attempt to use a different location with any of the live TV streaming services above. For more information about VPNs and how to watch the NFL 2024–2025 season from other countries (or pretending to), check out this article on bypassing geo-restrictions.
Want to know what the new Apple Watch Series 10 looks like? You might be able to find out right now using your own iPhone.
A prolific leaker known online as Majin Bu tweeted that Apple may have accidentally leaked a sneak peek of the Apple Watch Series 10 on iOS 18.1.
Apparently, if you try to pair an Apple Watch with a fully updated iPhone, an image that doesn't look like any currently available Apple Watch pops up.
SEE ALSO: What to expect from Apple September event 2024: iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10, and more Tweet may have been deletedI don't have an Apple Watch on hand to test this out, but Majin Bu said the Apple Watch that appears on screen is bigger and has much thinner bezels around the display than anything Apple sells at the moment.
Rumors leading up to the big Apple event on Sept. 9 (where the next Watch is presumed to be announced) have suggested that the next-generation device will have two new sizes: 45mm and 49mm. For reference, the sizes for the current-gen Apple Watch are 41mm and 45mm.
It's a minor leak, but with just a few days to go before Apple lifts the veil off everything, we'll take what we can get.
X (formerly Twitter) is re-investing in its trust, safety and security teams pre-election, after CEO Elon Musk controversially dissolved the platform's oversight council nearly two years ago.
The company has opened up two dozen new safety and cybersecurity positions at sites across the United States, TechCrunch reported, a lean addition intended to bulk up its skeleton staff. Positions spread across existing teams, including roles for a director of strategic response, government affairs managers, security engineers, and a threat intelligence specialist. Earlier this year, X announced it wanted to build back out its content moderation team, beginning with 100-employee staff for a "Trust and Safety center of excellence" based in Austin, TX.
SEE ALSO: New evidence claims Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon could be listening to you on your devicesBut these recent hiring announcements, and their modest staff numbers, come after years of Musk quietly chipping away at X's safety investments. A report by Australia's online safety commissioner published in January found that the CEO fired around 80 percent of its trust and safety engineers not long after the site's acquisition by Musk in the fall of 2022. At the time of the oversight body's analysis, the company had just 55 engineers on staff for global trust and safety operations, while the team at large had been whittled down by nearly half.
Continued staff cuts, as well as the CEO's own statements on the platform's role in promoting "free speech" and sparse content moderation, have led many to call into question Musk's investment in platform safety — or lack thereof. The new hiring also comes at a precarious time for the company as X's revenue prospects look dim for 2025, according to a new report in The Guardian.
I come bearing exceptional news for reply guys. You can now leave comments on Instagram Stories.
Previously, reply guys had just three options to display their devastating thirst on a Story post: like the Story with a heart, react with an emoji (🔥), or respond with a private DM. They've been disadvantaged, begged, and down and out. How are they supposed to get a good response when there are only three ways to request one?
SEE ALSO: Welcome back, MySpace: Instagram adds profile songsThankfully, Instagram has their needs in mind. For private accounts, anyone the poster follows back can now leave comments. And for public accounts, anyone the poster follows can comment, whether or not they are followed back. The comments are just as temporary as the Stories themselves, but they are public, and users can preserve them when they save their story posts as highlights.
Tweet may have been deletedBeyond its dedication to reply guys, it makes sense that Instagram would add more features to Stories. Fewer and fewer people on their grids, and more users are gravitating towards Instagram Stories and Reels, so adding more ways to pull in engagement on Stories and Reels is probably a smart business move. The entire change encourages users to spend more time on the app.
The feature is still rolling out, so don't worry if you don't see it yet. If you do see it and want it turned off, you can do that by navigating to your settings and activity page, scrolling down to "how others can interact with you," clicking "comments," and turning the Stories setting on or off.
Will & Harper is an extraordinary story of friendship, a documentary portrait of how a relationship can grow and change over time, as we ourselves do.
For 30 years, Will Ferrell has delighted audiences with his kooky capering and outrageous characters. Behind the scripts of some of his most daring ventures — like the Spanish-language telenovela spoof Casa de mi Padre, the sublime Lifetime movie parody A Deadly Adoption, and the absolutely epic musical comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga — was Ferrell's long-time friend and collaborator Harper Steele.
The two met back when they were both newbies at Saturday Night Live. But for all those years, Steele was hiding a side of herself, going by a given name and an assigned gender identity that chafed. At 61, she came out as a trans woman, re-introduced herself as Harper, and began to navigate what this would mean for her relationships to friends and to the wider world. When she was male-presenting, she used to go on cross-country trips, happily delving into dive bars, sporting events, and other traditionally macho spaces with relative ease. But would these same spaces still be safe as a trans woman?
Seeking to reconnect with his friend as she eased into her transition, Will set out with Harper on a 16-day road trip across the U.S., revisiting old haunts and taking on new adventures to deepen their bond. Studded with celebrity cameos and silliness, Will & Harper is a must-see for comedy fans. Beyond that, it's a brilliant and moving documentary that captures how identity and friendships can change for the better.
Will & Harper welcomes audiences into a warm and funny friendship. Harper Steele and Will Ferrell go on a road trip in "Will & Harper." Credit: NetflixDirected by Josh Greenbaum, helmer of the spectacular buddy comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, Will & Harper reflects the defining humor of its subjects with dedication. Initially, Greenbaum employs traditional techniques, like talking head interviews and a montage of TV and movie clips to swiftly establish how Ferrell and Steele came to know each other. But there are details that break up that formality, like Ferrell commenting on the B-roll being shot as he sits down, and then describing his friend as a "a lovable curmudgeon with a super-weird sense of humor" who loves "shitty beer."
From there, Ferrell shares the email Steele sent him in 2021, while he was shooting Spirited, the Ryan Reynolds'–fronted Christmas musical. "I'll be transitioning to live as a woman," Steele wrote, admitting now in her own on-screen interview that the email was "really hard to send." Shared with the audience, this deeply personal letter treats us as if we too are her long-time friend, the doc doc entrusting us with this vulnerability at the 3-minute mark. We also get a taste of the sensibility that has informed the titular twosome's bond and work together.
"I doubt being a trans woman will change my personality that much," Steele reads her email on camera aloud, "Instead of an asshole, I'll be a bitch." Beyond this, Steele reflects on what sending the note risked, admitting her fear of coming out as trans: "Will I still be loved?"
For his part, Ferrell wonders in his interview, "OK, where do we go from here?...Will I be making a completely new friend?" And, "Does she still like shitty beer?"
Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Seth Meyers, Will Forte, and more appear and show support. Harper Steele, Will Ferrell, and Will Forte hitchhike in "Will & Harper." Credit: NetflixThe first stop on the duo's trip is New York City, where they reunite with an array of famous co-stars over dinner. It's a familiar space — near 30 Rock, where they were once royalty, among people they've known and loved for decades. But there's a tension amid the reverie and jokes, as Steele's friends worry aloud about her safety in this endeavor.
"My transition might change the way I navigate the country," she admits, noting she likes "the lowest worst places." To which Tina Fey chirps with worry, "It's not safe for you anymore!"
Other SNL cast members pop up later, with Kristen Wiig being conscripted for a special assignment and Will Forte meeting up for some casual hot-air ballooning. But Fey's fear is reflected in the reactions of Steele's grown children, one of whom presses as to how Ferrell might protect her parent should things get hostile on the road. Over lunch at a Greek diner, Ferrell makes a joke about being a trained martial artist, a bit that goes over like a lead balloon. But his shield is actually one of privilege.
Will Ferrell knowingly wields his privilege as a rich and famous white cis-man.And it's often very effective. Without putting too fine a point on it, Ferrell understands that he possesses privilege that Steele does not. As they stride into a Pacers game at a sporting arena or a backroads dive bar or a Texas BBQ place, he knows he'll be fine because no one will question his place there. The clear expectation is that by being with him, Steele will be shielded, at least a bit.
At times this works, like when an anti-trans politician bites his tongue about their road-tripping quest, seemingly because he values chatting up a celebrity more than revealing his bigotry. But this event also causes Ferrell to reflect about whether being a shield is enough. Should he have said something and challenged this politician? Should he have weaponized his privilege? The film won't preach an easy answer, but instead invites us to watch Ferrell and Steele hash that out together. If they could go back, what would have been done differently?
For her part, Steele is no damsel in distress. As she grows more comfortable on the road, she yearns to step outside of Ferrell's bubble of celebrity protection, going into one seedy joint on her own. And while the crowd there is welcoming — more so when she invites the SNL star inside to join her — another assembly along the way won't be. To assure those in want of a trigger warning: There's no violence. But one very public outing results in sneers and bigoted backlash online, in which both Steele and Ferrell are denounced, though Steele more grotesquely. This is the low point in the narrative, one the film asks us to take somberly, which the friends do as well, reflecting on what such reactions mean about America and Steele's life going forward.
Here, in a Texas BBQ, is the hate and judgment Steele feared for so long, but she got through it. Of course, others in the trans community are not so lucky, as stats point to anti-trans violence being on the rise in the U.S. However, Will & Harper doesn't pretend to be about all trans experiences. This documentary isn't meant to be a blanket statement about what it means to be trans in America. As its title suggests, it's about what it means for Harper to be trans in America, where she enjoys certain privileges that can shield her. But beyond that, it's about how a specific friendship evolved to help both sides grow more comfortable in their own skin and with each other.
Will & Harper is a story of trans joy. Harper Steele and Will Ferrell hang out in "Will & Harper." Credit: NetflixIn the end, that's what makes Will & Harper so remarkable. Sure, Ferrell will occasionally deflect tension by leaning into a bit, like dressing up as Sherlock Holmes or hiding his famous face behind preposterous glued-on facial hair. But at its core, this is a movie that's bracingly intimate, allowing us to ride along on a defining road trip.
Whether they're talking about Pringles flavors, tearful memories, or deep-set anxieties, we're buckled in with them. Maybe we'll see ourselves or someone we love in Will or Harper. For some, this movie may be the friend they need to help them better understand trans identity and themselves. Across this road trip, we are invited to awe in the blossoming of Harper, who went from hiding herself away to sharing herself with the world, not without fear, but with inspiring bravery.
Will & Harper is a resoundingly joyful and moving documentary, resplendent in its openness. It's their love story, and it's glorious.
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