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From 2011 to 2012, thieves stole $18 million worth of maple syrup from the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. Among the most valuable heists in Canadian history (and arguably the most Canadian heist ever), the robbery earned the title of the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist.
Now, the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist gets its own TV adaptation with Prime Video's The Sticky. Created by American Housewife team Brian Donovan and Ed Herro, The Sticky stars Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Guillaume Cyr as an unlikely trio of maple syrup hustlers. The three have incredible chemistry — but in the end, is it enough to counteract The Sticky's long, winding road to the notorious heist that spawned it?
SEE ALSO: 'The Sticky' trailer: Margo Martindale, Jamie Lee Curtis, and the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist What is The Sticky about? Margo Martindale in "The Sticky." Credit: Jan ThijsThe Sticky may draw inspiration from true events, yet as a title card reminds us at the beginning of each episode, what we're seeing is "absolutely not" the true story. Yes, people will work to steal maple syrup from a governing syrup body in Quebec, but that's basically where the similarities begin and end. Notably, every member of The Sticky's aspiring heist crew is fictional.
Every member of the heist crew is also down on their luck, and growing more desperate day by day. There's syrup farmer Ruth Landry (Martindale), whose husband Martin lies in a years-long coma, and whose farming land is on the verge of being seized by the corrupt association that governs the local maple syrup supply. Security guard Remy Bouchard (Cyr) is the organization's sole security guard. Overworked, underpaid, and unappreciated by boss Leonard Gauthier (Guy Nadon), Remy takes revenge where he can — by stealing one barrel of syrup a month from the stockpile. Rounding out the team is Bostonian mobster Mike Byrne (Chris Diamantopoulos), who's looking to pull off a job unaffiliated with the U.S. crime family that hounds him.
Pushed together by circumstance, these three decide to take down those who have wronged them by executing the sweetest heist known to mankind. But of course, as we've come to expect from any heist story, things rarely go according to plan, and Ruth, Remy, and Mike are in for a hell of a lot of sticky situations.
SEE ALSO: 'A Man on the Inside' review: Ted Danson and Mike Schur reunite for sweet sitcom gold Margo Martindale, Guillaume Cyr, and Chris Diamantopoulos are a delightful heist crew. Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Guillaume Cyr in "The Sticky." Credit: Jan ThijsYou may be drawn in by the promise of maple syrup mayhem, but the true heart of The Sticky is just watching Martindale, Cyr, and Diamantopoulos become the most dysfunctional heist crew in all of Canada. The three give delightful performances separately, but put them together, and you get dynamite.
Martindale's Ruth is ferocious as can be, unafraid to storm the association's offices with a downed tree in tow or curse out Leonard in front of his staff. Cyr's Remy becomes a perfect foil for her, not just because of his links to the organization but also because of his mild-mannered demeanor, which can sometimes lead to others taking advantage of him. However, that mildness flies out the door in most of his interactions with the hot-tempered Mike, who tries to assert himself as the dominant cool guy in charge of the operation. But despite all that posturing, Mike's often just as inept as his compatriots. Don't just take my word for it: Feast your eyes on Diamantopoulos' many icy pratfalls, which somehow get funnier over time, no matter how often Mike bites it in the Quebec snow.
SEE ALSO: The best comedies on Prime Video for when you need a good laughThe lead-up to The Sticky's heist gives our trio plenty of time to bond, from planning sessions to car trips to an accomplice's storage unit. It also gives them plenty of opportunities to cross each other, building tension — and some very fun sap-related arguments — along the way. Yet among all The Sticky's many twists and turns, it can sometimes feel like the heist itself has gotten lost in the syrup... er, sauce.
The Sticky's heist feels more like an afterthought. Jamie Lee Curtis in "The Sticky." Credit: Jan ThijsDespite The Sticky's lightning-fast first season (six episodes, each less than 30 minutes), the series can sometimes feel like it's wading through syrup in its efforts to get to the heist proper. Ruth and Remy drop out of the heist at separate points, only to get pulled back in mere moments later. Elsewhere, new wrinkles out of our trio's control keep pushing the planned heist date back. Some, like the arrival of new security guard Gary (Meegwun Fairbrother), spawn riotous side quests. Others, like the intrusion of Mike's Bostonian colleagues — including mobster Bo (Jamie Lee Curtis) — feel like The Sticky stalling for time, or clawing for a great antagonist for a potential second season.
Here's the thing, though: I'm far more interested in the small-town dynamics The Sticky initially sets up than whatever hell Boston has to rain down on Mike. The series briefly explores the solidarity between Ruth and the other syrup farmers and townspeople, including a scene where a diner refuses to give Leonard any syrup with breakfast. But otherwise, it barely fleshes out the rest of them.
By the time The Sticky finally gets to its heist, the season has almost run out of steam, and it shows. Prior iterations of the heist plan play out in snappy, darkly funny sequences of what the crime might look like. Yet that energy dissipates for the real deal, which seems almost grim in comparison to everything that's come before it.
But while the final destination of The Sticky Season 1 may be underwhelming, at least the characters who brought us there are anything but. Martindale, Cyr, and Diamantopoulos have created a trio of lovable, flawed criminals who are fully-fledged right off the bat, and watching their dynamic evolve over the course of the season is a sweet treat all by itself.
Hey folks, Spotify would like you to know that its Spotify Wrapped feature, which showcases your favorite songs, albums and artists of the year, is coming soon.
Not yet, though. If you open Spotify on your phone, you'll be greeted with a teaser for Spotify Wrapped, reminding you to check your top songs of 2023, as well as your favorite songs of 2022.
It's time...to wait a few more days for Spotify Wrapped. Credit: SpotifySo when's Spotify Wrapped going to be available? We don't know. According to Spotify, "the best time of the year is right around the corner." They also said that about Spotify's HiFi tier, back in February 2021, and it still hasn't launched. Just sayin'.
All we can do at this point, aside from falling into desperation, is remember that last year, Spotify Wrapped launched on November 29, a day after Thanksgiving, so it's reasonable to expect the feature to show up on the date this year, too. If you want to take speculation a step further, Reddit has a thread in which people post various clues on when Spotify Wrapped may happen this year.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Spotify Wrapped 2024In any case, this pre-announcement gives you a couple more days to repeatedly play Slayer's seminal 1990 album, "Seasons in the Abyss", so that it shows higher on your personal top list.
If you're meeting up with friends or heading home, sharing your location through DMs can be a wildly useful feature — and safety method for all ages. It's a tool that's been long available on Google Maps, Snapchat, and pretty much all of the messaging apps out there, and finally, Instagram has added location sharing.
As of Nov. 25, Instagram now lets you send your current whereabouts to your friends for up to an hour, or share a pin so you can see how far you and your mates are from the meeting point — there will be no more "I'm almost there" shenanigans afoot.
SEE ALSO: When do you stop sharing your location with someone?Your live location can be shared and unshared to either a solo or group chat, and those you've shared to can't forward this to other chats. And remember, you should never share your location with someone you don't know, whatever age you are.
Importantly, if you're under 13 you can't set up a Instagram account at all. Instagram's recently launched Teen Accounts (for users aged 13 to 17) are automatically set to only receive messages from accounts they follow or have previously connected with. Plus, teens under 16 will need a parent's permission to change any of those strict automatic protections. According to Meta, "Location sharing is off for minors by default. When either an adult or minor turns on location sharing, we include a consistent indicator as a reminder that they're sharing their location."
The feature is available through the Instagram app on iOS and Android in select countries, and is turned off by default. But how do you turn it on? Here's how.
How to share your live location on Instagram Total TimeStep 1: Open Instagram.
Step 2: Go to your Messages.
Tap the minimalist paper airplane icon in the top right.
Step 3: Open a chat.
Either a solo or group chat works with this feature.
Step 4: Tap the + button at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5: Tap "Location".
Step 6: Tap "Share your location" to drop it in the chat.
Remember, you can stop sharing your location at any time, and it's a good idea to keep in mind that you'll still be sharing it for an hour after you activate it — even when you've arrived at your destination.
Why can't I share my location on Instagram?If you can't see the option to share your live location in Instagram, the feature may not have launched in your country yet.
Alternatively, you may need to check if your phone is allowing location sharing. For iPhone users, you'll need to go to Settings, tap Privacy and security, scroll down to Instagram and toggle the switch on. You'll be prompted to select when Instagram is allowed to use your location; select either Never, Always, or While using the app, depending on your preference.
SAVE $170: As of Nov. 27, the 44mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is on sale for $159.99 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. That saves you 52% off its list price of $329.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 $159.99 at AmazonBlack Friday is one of the best times of year to invest in the tech you've had your eye on. If you've been on the hunt for a smartwatch, whether to gift yourself or someone you know, Amazon's got a fantastic deal on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 that's definitely worth taking advantage of right now.
As part of Amazon's Black Friday sale event, you can score the 44mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 at its lowest-ever price of $159.99. This is over 50% off its list price of $329.99 and an all-time low price for the watch according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. There's truly no better time to grab it.
SEE ALSO: Hulu's Black Friday deal is back. Get a whole year for just $0.99 per month.Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 has plenty of features to make it worth the investment, including fitness tracking features, a heart rate monitor, and sleep tracking. Writer Alex Perry called it the, "king of the Android smartwatch mountain for now, thanks to a nice display, ease of use, and more features than the competition" in our Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 review. It also made our list of the best smartwatches as the top pick for Android users, in case you're in need of a little extra convincing before hitting that 'buy' button.
Don't miss out on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 at its lowest-ever price for Black Friday.
There are plenty more tech deals worth exploring this Black Friday. Other top retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are dropping delightful deals each day in the lead-up to Black Friday proper, so have a look at our breakdowns for each to see if any more offers catch your eye.
Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey give us a behind-the-scenes look at how Luca Guadagnino approached filming the ayahuasca scene in Queer. They also give an in depth look at the relationship between the two lead characters in the film.
Queer opens November 27th in NY & LA, in theaters everywhere December 13.
TL;DR: Stay connected abroad with an eSIM that comes with $50 in credit to spend on affordable data — now only $25 ahead of Black Friday.
Opens in a new window Credit: Affinity Click aloSIM Traveler's Mobile Data Plan: Pay $25 for $50 Credit $24.97Whether you’re flying home for the holidays or checking off a bucket list destination, planning an international getaway is extremely exciting. And stressful. And expensive. Especially when it comes to getting a SIM card and mobile data.
Instead of getting the usual physical SIM card from your provider and succumbing to international data costs while you're traipsing through Paris or Tokyo, why not try aloSIM? There's no need to wait for Black Friday to save — this eSIM is your key to international connectivity and arrives with $50 in data credits for only $24.97 (reg. $50) through December 1.
A lifelong eSIM for all your travelsA digital SIM card is essentially mobile data, so you don’t have to worry about getting a physical SIM card through your mobile carrier—or deal with overpriced roaming charges when you return. Check out how easy it is to use aloSIM:
Download aloSIM to your phone, tablet, or computer. You can only use this eSIM on only one device.
Select a data package for the location and duration of your trip. aloSIM works in over 175 countries and has plans starting at seven days long and as low as $4.50.
Activate the data package when you arrive at your destination. Setting up your eSIM before you arrive at the airport is recommended so you don't have to deal with extra stress or spotty WiFi.
One important thing to remember is that data packages expire at the time stated at redemption, even if you have remaining data. This means leftover data will not carry over for future use, though aloSIM is yours for life.
Your digital SIM comes with HushedIn addition to your eSIM and data credits, you'll get a free Hushed phone number. This might be helpful if you need to leave a number for your dinner or tour reservation but don't want to put down your actual number.
Don't wait for Black Friday to save on this travel hack. Get your aloSIM for life and $50 of credit to spend on data for just $24.97 (reg. $50) through December 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Act while supplies last.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
SAVE UP TO 50%: Get up to 50% off matresses in the DreamCloud Black Friday sale. Plus, spend $1,000 and save an extra $100 at the checkout.
Opens in a new window Credit: DreamCloud DreamCloud Black Friday Sale Get DealBlack Friday provides an awesome opportunity to save on popular products like robot vacuums, headphones, laptops, and much more. The focus is definitely on tech during these major shopping events, but there is value to be found elsewhere.
If you're looking to improve your sleep and secure a saving over this busy shopping period, you can find a number of Black Friday mattress sales. We're not going to pick a favorite from the bunch, but the DreamCloud Black Friday sale has got our attention. You can save up to 50% on matresses in the DreamCloud Black Friday sale. Plus, spend $1,000 and save an extra $100 at the checkout.
SEE ALSO: PSA: You can get a new mattress now without dealing with the Black Friday chaosWith this big Black Friday discount applied, you can pick up the DreamCloud Memory Foam mattress for $299, the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress for $419, the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam mattress for $749, and the DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid mattress for $949. You can also save on bed frames, pillows, mattress protectors, and other important sleep accessories.
Save up to 50% with the DreamCloud Black Friday sale.
Lindsay Lohan, Kristin Chenowith and Ian Harding dive into the hilarious holiday chaos in Our Little Secret, where awkward family dynamics and romantic entanglements collide.
SAVE UP TO 50%: Get up to 50% off matresses in the Nectar Black Friday sale. Plus, spend $1,000 and save an extra $100 at the checkout.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nectar Nectar Black Friday Sale Get DealWe make a lot of noise about the best tech deals over Black Friday, and we're not going to apologize for that. You can save on everything from robot vacuums to Apple's range of products, so of course we're going to make a fuss. But that's not to say that there isn't value to be found in other categories during this busy shopping period.
There are many other avenues of opportunity during Black Friday, and if you're looking for a deal on better sleep, you can rest easy. Nectar's Black Friday sale is offering up to 50% off all Nectar mattresses. Plus, you can save an extra $100 at the checkout when you spend $1,000 or more.
SEE ALSO: PSA: You can get a new mattress now without dealing with the Black Friday chaosWith this Black Friday discount applied, you can pick up the Nectar Classic Memory Foam mattress for $349, the Nectar Classic Hybrid mattress for $499, the Nectar Premier Hybrid mattress for $799, the Nectar Luxe Memory Foam mattress for $999, and much more. You can also save on sleep accessories like bed frames, pillows, and mattress protectors.
Save up to 50% with the Nectar Black Friday sale.