UPDATE: Dec. 29, 2021, 2:00 p.m. EST This story has been updated to reflect current pricing, including a slew of TCL mini LED and Samsung’s The Frame TVs on sale.
The Samsung 70-inch Q60A Series is a large, entry-level QLED that brings out HDR and looks great in bright rooms— $999.99$1,349.99 (save $350)
The LG 65-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV has dazzling picture that can keep up with gaming — $1,896.99$2,499.99 (save $603)
The Insignia 70-inch F30 4K Fire TV operates on Amazon’s Fire TV platform and is cheaper than it was on Black Friday — $549.99$749.99 (save $200)
Large 4K TVs no longer have to cost an exorbitant amount of money. Rather, these high-quality TVs featuring punchy colors, decipherable shadows, and smooth transitions are actually affordable for regular consumers. And to make them even more budget-friendly, we’ve gathered up the best deals on 4K and QLED TVs from top brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and more.
Samsung TV deals
Credit: Samsung
Our pick: Samsung 70-inch Q60A QLED TV
$999.99 at Best Buy (save $350)
Why we love it
A pre-holiday 2021 survey by Adobe found that more time spent at home has movie theater stans looking to bring the big screen experience home. Spending less than $1,000 on this sizable Samsung QLED seems like a sweet way to upgrade. The Q60A is Samsung’s entry-level QLED but it still makes HDR pop far better than 4K can, and looks great in sunny rooms.
More Samsung TVs on sale
Samsung 43-inch Q60A QLED TV — $499.99$599.99 (save $100)
Samsung 55-inch 7 Series 4K TV — $399.99$499.99 (save $100)
Samsung 55-inch Q70A QLED TV — $849.99$999.99 (save $150)
Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED TV — $1,197.99$1,499.99 (save $302)
Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED QN90A Series 4K TV — $1,497.99$1,799.99 (save $302)
Samsung 65-inch 7 Series 4K TV — $499.99$649.99 (save $100)
Samsung 65-inch 8000 Series 4K TV — $679.99$799.99 (save $120)
Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED TV — $1,599.99$1,999.99 (save $400)
Samsung 75-inch 7 Series 4K TV — $929.99$1,099.99 (save $170)
Samsung 75-inch Q70A Series QLED TV — $1,699.99$2,099.99 (save $400)
Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED TV — $2,299.99$2,999.99 (save $700)
Samsung 75-inch QN84A Neo QLED TV — $2,649.99 plus a $500 Best Buy gift card $2,799.99 (save $150)
LG TV deals
Credit: LG
Our pick: LG 65-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV
$1,896.99 at Amazon (save $603)
Why we love it
The LG C1’s OLED display has more than 8 million pixels to bring you deep blacks and vibrant colors. Its 4K AI processor adjusts with the content to ensure everything you watch looks the best it can. Its zippy refresh rate keeps heavy-graphics gaming on point, too.
More LG TVs on sale
LG 48-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,096.99$1,599.99 (save $403)
LG 55-inch NanoCell 80 4K TV — $646.99$799.99 (save $153)
LG 55-inch A1 Series 4K OLED TV — $1,096.99$1,299.99 (save $203)
LG 65-inch UP7000 4K TV — $499.99$619.99 (save $120)
LG 65-inch NanoCell 75 Series 4K TV — $749.99$949.99 (save $200)
LG 65-inch 90 Series QNED Mini LED 4K TV — $1,599.99$1,999.99 (save $400)
LG 70-inch UP8070 4K TV — $749.99$999.99 (save $250)
LG 70-inch NanoCell 75 Series 4K TV — $899.99$1,199.99 (save $300)
Sony TV deals
Credit: Sony
Our pick: Sony 55-inch X80J 4K TV
$599.99 at Best Buy (save $200)
Why we love it
Sony doesn’t often have the budget-friendly range that Samsung or LG do, so a 50-inch 4K TV for under $600 feels lucky. This X80J and the slightly more expensive X85J use different panels and offer different viewing experiences. If you care about wide viewing angles, this living room-sized X80J is the way to go.
More Sony TVs on sale
Sony 50-inch X85J 4K TV — $649.99$849.99 (save $200)
Sony 55-inch X85J 4K TV — $749.99$999.99 (save $250)
Sony 65-inch X85J 4K TV — $899.99$1,199.99 (save $300)
Sony 75-inch X85J 4K TV — $1,299.99$1,599.99 (save $300)
Sony 75-inch X90J 4K TV — $1,599.99$2,099.99 (save $500)
Sony 77-inch X80J OLED 4K TV — $2,999.99$3,499.99 (save $500)
The price on this XL Fire TV is still $30 cheaper than it was on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The F30 series is the latest version of one of the best bargain TVs available. (It’s not to be confused with Amazon’s Omni series) It makes content look crisper than a non-4K TV does — plus, it has the Fire TV platform built-in.
More TVs from TCL, Vizio, and more
Hisense 50-inch A6G 4K TV — $309.99$389.99 (save $80)
Insignia 50-inch Class F30 4K Fire TV — $349.99$449.99 (save $100)
Toshiba 55-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $399.99$519.99 (save $120)
Hisense 55-inch U6G ULED TV — $449.99$549.99 (save $100)
TCL 55-inch 6-Series Mini LED QLED TV — $699.99$949.99 (save $250)
Hisense 65-inch 65A6G 4K TV — $499.99$599.99 (save $100)
Insignia 65-inch Class F30 4K Fire TV — $489.99$699.99 (save $210)
Vizio 65-inch V-Series 4K TV — $499.99$599.99 (save $100)
Vizio 65-inch P-Series Quantum 4K TV — $999.99$1,299.99 (save $300)
Hisense 75-inch U6G ULED TV — $899.99$1,049.99 (save $150)
TCL 75-inch 6-Series Mini LED QLED TV — $1,299.99$2,299.99 (save $1,000)
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You might not immediately think of Disney+ as a go-to for documentaries, but there’s more than you think there are.
Whether you’re looking for a behind-the-scenes look at The Mandalorian or Marvel’s big action scenes, or want to learn about where we’re at with climate change (spoiler: it’s not great), the streaming platform has many really strong documentaries on offer. Don’t forget there’s a whole National Geographic channel alongside the stash of Disney classics and Marvel menu, and there’s a starting lineup of ESPN’s 30 for 30 long-running documentary series — including a truly exceptional Bruce Lee film.
Here are the best documentaries on Disney+, both films and series, that will give you a closer look at the entertainment we inhale, the superheroes we fly with, and the planet we’re constantly begging world leaders to save.
Before we start, I’ve left out Taylor Swift’s Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions and Billie Eilish’s Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, as they’re more concert films, but they’re both worth watching as they’re both beautifully shot.
1. Be Water
Bruce Lee in “Enter the Dragon” Credit: Robert Clouse Concord /Warner Bros
How much do you actually know about Bruce Lee? Directed by Bao Ngyuen as part of ESPN’s long-running “30 for 30” documentary series, Be Water chronicles the tragically short but nonetheless influential life of the actor and martial arts expert. The story begins in 1971, when Lee had returned to his parents’ homeland of Hong Kong from America. There, he completed four films in two years, including the iconic Enter the Dragon. Tragically, Lee died just before it was released, at 32 years old.
Be Water explores Lee’s struggle to find community and industry support amid a time of blatantly racist representation of Asian Americans in Hollywood. Alongside the second-class treatment and pay that non-white actors received, most roles were played by white actors — take John Wayne as Genghis Khan or Mickey Rooney’s horrifying performance in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, for example. “When you saw Asian Americans on screen, they were usually crazed, maniacal, robotic stereotypes or serving white folks,” says cultural critic and writer Jeff Chang. The documentary speaks to how Lee was “rejected by Hollywood,” as his wife Linda Lee Cadwell says, “and so he had to show them that an Asian could be a strong leading man.” Lee refused to play roles that were demeaning to Chinese people or a “novelty.” So he started creating his own in Hong Kong.
The story is primarily told through old interviews with Lee and through those who knew him best — one of the most poignant features of the film is the access to Lee’s writings over the years, which are beautifully read by his daughter, Shannon. His poignant reflections on racism in America and Hollywood, as well as on humanity and expressing your true self, are strikingly relevant today.
How to watch:Be Water is now streaming on Disney+.
2. Free Solo
Alex Honnold making the first free solo ascent of El Capitan’s Freerider in Yosemite National Park, CA Credit: National Geographic / Jimmy Chin
A truly staggering feat in front of and behind the camera, Free Solo will deprive you of your fingernails (it’s that nervous-making). This Oscar-winning documentary is a stunning portrait of free soloist climber Alex Honnold, who is training and preparing to climb the 3,000-feet-high El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, “the most impressive wall on Earth,” with no rope. His painstakingly planned journey is boldly captured by documentary maker E. Chai Vasarhelyi and photographer/mountaineer Jimmy Chin, along with a team of filmmakers/professional climbers. “I’ve always been conflicted about shooting a film about free soling just because it’s so dangerous,” says Chin. “It’s hard to not imagine your friend, Alex, soloing something that’s extremely dangerous and you’re making a film about it, which might put undue pressure on him to do something, and him falling through the frame to his death.”
You’ll follow Honnold as he plans every move before heading up the wall of El Cap without that all-important rope. “There’s no margin for error,” big-wall free climbing legend Tommy Caldwell says in the doc of his friend’s task. “Imagine an Olympic gold medal level athletic achievement that if you don’t get that golden medal you’re gonna die. That’s pretty much what free soloing El Cap is like. You have to do it perfectly.”
How to watch:Free Solo is now streaming on Disney+.
3. Get Back
John and Paul actually seem like friends in “Get Back.” Credit: Linda McCartney / Apple Corps
Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson was allowed access to 50 hours of “lost” footage from the 1970 documentary by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, which chronicled the making of The Beatles’ final album, Let It Be. Painstakingly trawling through it to build a new, vivid portrait of the legendary band in their last recording days together, Jackson crafted Get Back, a stunning three-part series for Disney+. As Mashable’s Adam Rosenberg writes in his review, “Jackson saw something in the vaulted studio footage that painted a different picture of the Let It Be sessions than anyone outside The Beatles organization had ever known. This wasn’t where The Beatles explicitly ended, Get Back contends. It’s four friends trying their damnedest to make their magical collaboration work one more time. There were aggravating factors during the recording that widened cracks that were already there, but the actual day-to-day work of building the next Beatles album was much more frequently a joyous and playful affair.” The moment in which you spy Linda McCartney and Yoko Ono having an inaudible chat in the background is worth it all.
if you’d like even more Beatles after Get Back, Paul McCartney sits down for a one-on-one interview with producer Rick Rubin in McCartney 3, 2, 1, also available on Disney+.
How to watch:Get Back is streaming on Disney+.
4. LA 92
The intersection of Florence and Normandie Avenues on April 29, 1992. The location is considered the flashpoint of the Los Angeles riots. Credit: Steve Grayson / WireImage
Directed by Daniel Lindsay and T. J. Martin, LA 92 examines in detail the 1992 Los Angeles riots, from the simmering lead-up through the riots themselves to the fallout. The documentary looks at police brutality and violent systemic racism leading to the events in April and May 1992. Rodney King, an unarmed Black man, was brutally beaten by four white Los Angeles police officers on March 3, 1991. The assault was filmed by a neighbour and brought to the attention of the country through the press. The officers involved — who had delivered 56 baton blows in the course of the beating — were acquitted. The documentary footage showing the officers confidently entering the court building before the ruling, combined with the reactions from the Black community when it’s delivered, is chilling, infuriating, and devastating. The lack of repercussions for those responsible for this violence against Black people sparked demonstrations, marches, and eventually riots, violence, and looting across the city of Los Angeles. LA 92 looks at these events from multiple perspectives, much of it from handheld footage across the city. It’s a hard documentary to watch, with significant moments of violence shown, but you should.
How to watch:LA 92 is now streaming on Disney+ (UK only).
5. Summer of Soul
Sylvester “Sly” Stone performing at the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969, unearthed in Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s documentary, “Summer of Soul” Credit: Searchlight Pictures
An incredible directorial debut from Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not be Televised) centres around a truly pivotal music event in 1969 that took place 100 miles south of Woodstock: the Harlem Cultural Festival, a huge moment in Black history and culture. Stevie Wonder played. So did Nina Simone. Sly and the Family Stone, too, along with Gladys Knight and the Pips, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension, Mahalia Jackson, and many more. Footage from the six-week festival had never really been seen, until Questlove crafted this 2021 documentary. As Mashable’s Adam Rosenberg writes, “It’s a tragedy, and sadly a product of deep-seated racism in the U.S., that this beautiful expression of love and culture was completely hidden from public view for half a century. That sense of something lost is expressed implicitly again and again all throughout Summer of Soul.”
How to watch:Summer of Soul is now streaming on Disney+.
6. Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian
This is the way (it was made). Credit: Disney
This one is made for people who really love them some Star Wars: a 10-part docuseries about the making of The Mandalorian series. Going behind the scenes of Seasons 1 and 2, Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian examines everything from the special and visual effects to the writing, acting, and directing. You’ll get little tidbits of trivia, like how Star Wars legend Dave Filoni almost didn’t get his first job at Lucasfilm, and that actor Carl Weathers’ character Greef Carga was meant to die in Season 1.
While you’re here and into bounty hunters, check out Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett, a comprehensive look at the beloved character, with early costume tests and character development. And there’s more Star Wars ahead…
How to watch:Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian is now streaming on Disney+.
7. Empire of Dreams: the Story of the Star Wars Trilogy
Your mates Credit: Sunset Boulevard / Corbis via Getty Images
A long(ish) time ago, in the galaxy you currently reside in, the Star Wars trilogy changed everything — and Empire of Dreams takes you behind the scenes of it all. This 2004 documentary obviously doesn’t cover the newer films, focusing instead on how the original films (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI:Return of the Jedi) changed the way movies were made. Yes, it’s a little cheesy in its production (this is an early ‘00s doc), and it’s the official Lucasfilm story, so take it with a grain of salt and expect extreme reverence. But this means plenty of access to footage from the set (including the cast mucking about, and the incredibly tricky Dagobah swamp set), screen tests, early scripts, Ralph McQuarrie’s concept art, storyboards, and truly awesome videos of robotic droid testing, not to mention interviews with the big guns: George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and more.
Did you know that Harrison Ford improvised the line “I know” in Empire? Did you know Darth Vader’s identity was kept a secret (with a false page included in the script) from everyone, including Mark Hamill, who was told just minutes before the scene — even James Earl Jones thought Vader was lying? Well, that’s what this documentary will tell you. Like Mashable’s Chris Taylor in his book (but not as in-depth), the documentary spends time exploring Star Wars as a cultural phenomenon, as well as the monumental wave of merchandise that came with the film’s popularity. Plus, you get to see the original trailer, featuring whatever footage the team had thrown together when they were still working on the movie.
How to watch:Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy is streaming on Disney+.
8. The Rescue
The rescue that captured the world’s attention Credit: National Geographic
In 2018, a rescue mission captured the attention of the world when 12 boys and their football coach were trapped deep inside a flooded cave in northern Thailand. Monsoon rains had cut off the group, who were stranded in the dark two kilometres into the cave — a labyrinth of tunnels completely filled with water. Against all odds, an incredibly high-risk, complicated rescue effort was formed, and The Rescue, from Free Solo directors E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, tracks it all.
“At its core, ‘The Rescue’ is a story about a collection of people of all different nationalities, languages, and cultures working together to achieve a common goal,” said Vasarhelyi and Chin in a press statement. “In making the film, we were reminded of the beauty of humanity, especially after the last several years where the world has seemed more divided than ever before.” It’s a claustrophobic, stressful watch for the most part, and for everyone glued to the news when it was happening, it’ll bring back all those emotions of anticipation, stress, and finally, relief. The moment when British divers Richard Stanton and John Volanthen first find all 13 in the cave is astounding and deeply moving. But it’s just the beginning of a perilous mission.
How to watch:The Rescue is now streaming on Disney+.
9. Pride
Celebrating six decades of LGBTQ resistance from multiple personal perspectives Credit: FX
Covering six decades of resistance from the ’50s to the ’00s, the FX series Pride focuses on the personal stories of LGBTQ people in America, and the long (and continuing) fight for civil rights. Each episode has been made by different queer filmmakers and takes on a new decade, from the riots and revolutions of the ’60s to the underground ball scene of the ’80s, through to the “culture wars” of the ’90s and the new age of queer visibility in the 2000s. The six-part series uses actors to recreate some of the vibrant lives lived by queer people in these times, including Alia Shawkat, who plays Brooklyn-born employment lawyer and LGBTQ rights activist Madeleine Tress, reading out her memoirs. The episode on the ’70s made by Cheryl Dunye is a highlight, focusing on poet Audre Lorde and filmmaker Barbara Hammer. The series features events and people you might know, and others that have received less coverage — but each story is treated with respect, love, and admiration for those who have fought for equality, justice, and the right to live as their truest, most excellent selves.
How to watch:Pride is now streaming on Disney+.
10. Howard
Howard Ashman Credit: Disney
If you grew up singing loudly in the car to “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, or “Suddenly Seymour” from Little Shop of Horrors, you have lyricist Howard Ashman to thank. Ashman is the focus of Disney documentary Howard, which explores his early life, his career-defining work with Disney while battling AIDS, and his death at the age of 40. As Brooke Bajgrowicz writes for Mashable, “Whether you’re Disney-obsessed or not, you can get a lot out of Howard. If this film recognizes anything, it’s that story — even in the context of a documentary — is what will keep the audience engaged. And what better story is there to tell than one about a man who used songs to tell some of the greatest stories?”
There are a lot of documentaries on Disney+ about the makers of Disney films and the broader universe of the animation giant, naturally, so you could also check out Waking Sleeping Beauty, Frank and Ollie, The Imagineering Story, The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story,Prop Culture,Behind the Attraction, The Pixar Story, and Inside Pixar, among others.
How to watch:Howard is now streaming on Disney+.
11. Assembled
Go behind the scenes of Marvel Studios’ “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” Credit: Jasin Boland / Marvel Studios
Like the ol’ special features section of a DVD, Assembled gives you a look behind the scenes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Four releases. Sitting at five episodes so far, the series covers the making of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,WandaVision, Loki, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,What If…? , and Black Widow. You’ll be able to see how those ’60s Bewitched-style scenes in WandaVision were filmed with a live audience (and you’ll be able to see the sets and costumes in full colour), and watch Kathryn Hahn doing a full-on evil laugh take. You can watch Simu Liu in all those hectic action sequences in Shang-Chi. Loki-wise, you can see Tom Hiddleston’s early audition tapes for Thor and watch him making a speech for the crew in front of a giant tesseract cake.
SEE ALSO:
A complete review of all the retro-magical TVA tech in ‘Loki’
If you want to watch a behind-the-scenes look at the earlier Marvel phases, check out the short documentary Assembling a Universe, which goes right back to the early Iron Man days.
How to watch:Assembled is now streaming on Disney+.
12. Behind the Mask
If you know nothing about Marvel Comics, want a quick overview in an hour, and don’t mind a bit of brand-led reverence, Behind the Mask is for you. Directed by Michael Jacobs, it’s probably more of a documentary for newcomers to the Marvel universe, but there’s enough compelling discussion, nostalgic interviews, and strong visuals to keep hardcore fans engaged — you’ll be revisiting a huge amount of Marvel comic frames, some of which are animated. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do what Douglas Wolk did and read every Marvel Comic ever (he’s in this film!), this might be just what you need to navigate the MCU.
Yes, it’s a documentary about Marvel created by Marvel and hosted on the streaming service that owns Marvel — so it’s more than a little reverent, but surprisingly self-aware when it comes to discussions around representation. But as well as having access to all of Marvel Comics’ major players, it’s still a solid crash course in the historical context amid which Marvel’s biggest characters were released to the world — the section on Black Panther is particularly strong.
If you want even more Marvel, check out Marvel 616, which looks at parts of the Marvel universe you might not know about, like the Japanese version of Spider-Man.
How to watch:Behind the Mask is now streaming on Disney+.
13. Jane
David Greybeard was the first chimp to lose his fear of Jane, eventually coming to her camp to steal bananas and allowing Jane to touch and groom him. As the film JANE depicts, Jane and the other Gombe researchers later discontinued feeding and touching the wild chimps. Credit: National Geographic Creative / Hugo Van Lawick
Made using over 100 hours of footage that had never been seen before, Jane is the quintessential portrait of Dr. Jane Goodall. Thought lost until its rediscovery in 2014, the footage was filmed by her ex-husband, the legendary wildlife photographer Hugo van Lawick in the ’60s, when he was sent on assignment to document Goodall’s work studying chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. She was 26 at the time, recruited by Dr. Louis Leakey for the study in 1957, though she had no training or a scientific degree — yet her research was one of the first studies of its kind, to become the longest continuous study of any animal in their natural habitat in history. “I had no training, no degree,” says Goodall. “But Louis didn’t care about academic credentials. What he was looking for was someone with an open mind, with a passion for knowledge, with a love of animals, and with monumental patience. My mission was to get close to the chimpanzees, to live among them, to be accepted.”
Written and directed by Brett Morgen based on Goodall’s own writings, with a whimsical orchestral score from composer Philip Glass, Jane gives you a very close insight into Goodall’s research that made connections between chimpanzees and humans (that some tried to discredit), her relationship with Van Lawick (there’s an extremely sweet exchange of proposal via telegram), the results of human interference with animal habitats, and her decision to raise awareness of chimpanzees disappearing across the continent of Africa.
How to watch:Jane is streaming on Disney+.
14. Paris to Pittsburgh
Get locally empowered to take action on climate change. Credit: RadicalMedia / National Geographic
If you’re not sure what you can do on a local level to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement and aren’t happy to wait around for your federal government to act on climate change, check out this empowering documentary. Directed by National Geographic filmmaker Sidney Beaumont and documentarian Michael Bonfiglio, Paris to Pittsburgh follows Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in 2017 and the Mayor of Pittsburgh’s decision for the city to stay in (this was all before Joe Biden’s rejoining in Jan. 2021). Citizens hit the streets, which drove a national movement in cities around America that pledged to uphold the Paris goals and commit to using 100 percent renewable energy.
SEE ALSO:
20 climate change documentaries you need to watch because this planet is NOT fine
Narrated by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘s Rachel Brosnahan, the documentary consults climate scientists, geologists, politicians, and local pioneers to understand what those cities are actually doing to achieve this. This includes renewable energy efforts in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, hammered by extreme weather events like Hurricane Maria, which caused widespread power outages, and Miami, Florida, affected by flooding from rising sea levels. Plus, it names and shames climate deniers within the American government, and points out shameful budget cuts to the EPA by the Trump administration.*
Where to watch:Paris to Pittsburgh is now streaming on Disney+.
15. One Strange Rock + Welcome to Earth
Will Smith, vulcanologist Jeff Johnson, and explorer Erik Weihenmayer descend into a volcano to install sensors. Credit: National Geographic for Disney+ / Kyle Christy
Will Smith teamed up with director Darren Aronofsky for two stunning documentary series that urge you not to take Earth for granted. The earlier of the two, One Strange Rock, is a 10-parter that examines the beautiful weirdness of our planet, as Aronofsky pulls together some truly beautiful footage of Earthly landscapes that look quite alien, or like something you’ve seen in a sci-fi film. In order to take a truly large step back to see the Earth from afar, the documentary series features interviews with astronauts Chris Hadfield, Mae Jemison, Peggy Whitson. Leland Melvin, Mike Massimino, Nicole Stott, Jerry Linenger, and Jeffrey A. Hoffman.
The newer series, Welcome to Earth, sees Smith joining up with explorers around the world to find a new appreciation for how the world connects and moves from a sensory perspective: for example, in the first episode, Smith joins mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer, who is blind, and vulcanologist Jeff Johnson on the edge of a volcano in an effort to understand the spectrum of sound and mapping. In both series, the Hollywood-ness of it all can’t be denied, but the ambitious cinematography, swift pace, and Smith’s seemingly genuine need to understand a new perspective make these both truly engaging series about our planet.
How to watch:One Strange Rock and Welcome to Earth are now streaming on Disney+.
16. Before the Flood
Leonardo DiCaprio has made a few documentary films about climate change. This is one of them. Credit: RatPac Documentary Films
If you’re not into climate change documentaries helmed by celebrities, this one might not be for you. However, even if you’re not a fan of the Hollywood actor, Before the Flood presenter, and U.N. Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio, his use of star power and sizable budget to draw attention to the climate crisis in this documentary is undeniably impactful, encouraging people to admit what they don’t know and make the decision to get educated. “The truth is, the more I’ve learned about this issue and everything that contributes to the problem, the more I realise how much I don’t know,” he says.
Released in 2016 in conjunction with the Paris Agreement, Before the Flood covers many of the same areas as Al Gore’s films, functioning as a strong primer on climate change, the damage we’ve done, and what’s likely to happen if we fail to act. DiCaprio spent two years traveling to key locations: the melting ice sheets in Kangerlussuaq in Greenland and Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic; flooding Florida with its electric flood pumps and raised roads; and the Sumatran rainforest, where deforestation is causing wildlife habitat destruction and increased industrial carbon emissions. DiCaprio also interviews a heck of a lot of people, everyone from world leaders, including then-President Barack Obama and Pope Francis, to Arctic explorers and guides, climatologists, astronauts, scholars, economists, marine ecologists, and Elon Musk inside Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada.
Though it’s years old now, the arguments are frustratingly the same today.
How to watch:Before the Flood is streaming on Disney+.
17. Fauci
Dr. Anthony Fauci during an interview at the NIH in Bethesda, MD Credit: National Geographic for Disney+ / Visko Hatfield
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, became a symbol of progress for many Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. Though he’d been in the same job for 40 years, the outbreak of COVID-19 would see Fauci find international fame amid the crisis, and this National Geographic documentary explores this moment amid his broader career. The documentary tracks Fauci through the daily challenges of the pandemic, from NIAID staff meetings to briefings with the president, to personal threats delivered to him and his family by far-right extremists claiming COVID-19 vaccines as part of a hoax. But it also examines Fauci’s incredibly important work during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the ’80s and ’90s, and compares and contrasts this global crisis to our current one.
How to watch:Fauci is streaming on Disney+.
18. Elephant
A big journey ahead, narrated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Credit: Disneynature
One of the collection of Disneynature documentaries on Disney+ more aimed at kids, this sweet film follows a herd of elephants, focusing on 40-year-old Shani and her son Jomo, as they make the eight-month, thousand-mile journey from the Okavango delta across the Kalahari Desert to the Zambezi river. Extremely jovially narrated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the documentary has plenty of beautiful footage of these wondrous creatures, woven together by directors Vanessa Berlowitz and Mark Linfield. The score makes it feel super Disney, and all that footage is just made for an afternoon curled up with the whole family watching the herd roll around in the mud while Meghan announces, “It’s tiiiiiime for a pool party!”
There’s plenty more Disneynature options if you want more like this, with Dolphin Reef and Penguins are worth checking out. And if you want more on the flooding of the Okavango delta in Botswana, check out The Flood, narrated by Angela Bassett, which is also on Disney+.
How to watch:Elephant is now streaming on Disney+.
19. Becoming Cousteau
Jacques Cousteau wears his iconic red diving cap aboard his ship Calypso, circa 1970s. Credit: The Cousteau Society
A deep dive by definition, Becoming Cousteau explores the depths of the legendary oceanic explorer and filmmaker. Director Liz Garbus delves into the life of Jacques Cousteau, whose documentation of ocean creatures with newly adapted equipment changed the game — all aboard his boat, the Calypso. His work, including 50 books, award-winning films, and long-running television shows, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau and The Cousteau Odyssey, was highly influential on aquatic exploration. If you’ve seen Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic, you’re gotten a taste of the signature aesthetic. Garbus was granted access to 550 hours of archival material — including over 100 hours of audio journal entries and interviews from collaborators and crew members — to create this documentary, and she brings to life his innovation and dedication to environmentalism, alongside his family life and creation of The Cousteau Society.
How to watch:Becoming Cousteau is now streaming on Disney+.
20. Secrets of the Whales
An orca using a unique hunting technique: taking stingrays off the bottom of the seabed Credit: National Geographic for Disney+ / Kina Scollay).
When I tell you the cinematography of the National Geographic series Secrets of the Whales is stunning, it’s an understatement 10,000 leagues deep. Filmed over three years, this four-part documentary explores whale culture through orcas, humpbacks, belugas, narwhals, and sperm whales, including looking at how each family speaks a unique language, and how whales experience love, joy, and grief. Directed by Brian Armstrong, the documentary features the National Geographic explorer and renowned whale photographer Brian Skerry, and comes narrated by Sigourney Weaver. This is the kind of documentary you should watch if you’re done with people for a bit, but want to find some kind of human connection with these incredible underwater animals.
How to watch:Secrets of the Whales is now streaming on Disney+.
21. Among the Stars
Astronaut Chris Cassidy during a spacewalk in 2009 Credit: NASA / Chris Cassidy
If you really want to know what years in the life of a NASA astronaut can entail, check out Among the Stars, a six-part docuseries that goes behind the scenes of the American space agency on the ground and aboard the International Space Station. Filmed over two years and directed by Ben Turner, the documentary focuses on former NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy — including his final, critical mission aboard the ISS to repair the alpha magnetic spectrometer (AMS) a state-of-the-art particle physics detector. Many other astronauts are featured, including ESA’s Luca Parmitano and NASA’s Drew Morgan. You’ll go inside NASA’s training facilities (including the spacewalk pools), meet the whole team of engineers and specialists involved in the mission, and head all the way to the station, watching video logs, livestreams, and tense helmet cams — especially in the opening spacewalk.
Disney+ has a heap of space documentaries on the platform — check out The Real Right Stuff for the true story behind the film.
How to watch:Among the Stars is now streaming on Disney+.
*Asterisks indicate the writeup is adapted from another article.
The Navarro College cheer team returns to Netflix next month for Season 2 of Cheer.
Coach Monica and her championship squad face similar drama to Season 1 of the hit show: fierce rivalries, off-mat personality clashes, and a quest for a national title. But Season 2 adds the drama of the team dealing with the challenges of newfound reality-TV fame.
The trailer also briefly mentions allegations against Season 1 breakout star Jerry Harris. The FBI arrested Harris in September 2020 on a federal child pornography charge. In December 2020, additional charges were added, including multiple charges of sexual exploitation of children. Harris has pled not guilty to all charges and a trial date is still pending.
UPDATE: Dec. 28, 2021, 4:00 p.m. EST This story has been updated with the best sex toy deals we could find as of Dec. 28.
The Lionness Vibrator 2.0 in Purple is a smart vibrator that helps you orgasm and gives you data that teaches you about the way you orgasm — $199$229 (save $30 with code NEW-O)
Satisfyer Pro 2, a suction toy that uses air pulses and vibrations, yet still keeps costs low — $39.95$89.99 (save $50.04 with code HOLIDAY)
The Lelo Ina Wave 2 is one of the best rabbit vibrators out there, thanks to its Wave Motion technology — $159 $199 (save $40)
We’re not saying that treating yourself to some new sex toys will almost certainly improve your life, but we’re also not not saying that. Spending some money on upping your solo sesh game or adding a little spice with a partner is well worth the investment. Though we do believe in springing for well-made toys since you’ll be putting them in, on, and around your genitals, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to drop a ton of cash. Every week, we’ll be rounding up the best deals directly from manufacturers and online sex shops alike, so you can find a toy you’ll love, at prices you’ll love (almost) as much. Check out our finds from this week below.
Vibrator deals
Credit: Lionness
Our pick: Lionness Vibrator 2.0 in Purple
$199 at Lionness (save $30 with code NEW-O)
Why we like it
Read more from Mashable about the Lionness Smart Vibrator.
Yes, $200 is a lot of money to drop on a vibrator. But this, my friends, is no ordinary vibrator. One reviewer on Lionness’ website described it as a “Fitbit for your clitbit” and well, yeah, it pretty much is. This toy syncs with an app to collect data on your sessions, so you can understand more about how your body responds to stimulation, which you can use to find out what works best for you when orgasming, which can certainly beat shrugging your shoulders and hoping for the best. The brand doesn’t run sales too often, so if you’re interested, you’ll want to check it out before it ends on Jan. 2 at 11:49 PT.
$39.95 at Pink Cherry (save $50.04 with code HOLIDAY)
Why we like it
Suction toys are great for those that love all the attention on their clit, but they can also be quite expensive. With the Satisfyer Pro 2, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for cost. Unlike other clit stimulators, the Pro 2 uses air pulses and vibrations (with 10 different vibration modes, by the way), so getting that just-right intensity is as easy as it should be. Plus, this USB rechargeable waterproof toy allows you to take those good vibes to the bath and shower without any worries.
Our pick: PinkCherry Lucky Dick Realistic 8.25-inch Dildo
$24.48 at PinkCherry (save $35.01)
Why we like it
When it comes down to it, everyone will have their own preferences when it comes to dildos (or any sex toys, for that matter), but here’s why this one is worth a second look. The silicone material gives the dildo some flex, so you can find those just-right angles (which can feel even better thanks to its approachable size). The circular base doubles as a suction cup too, making this dildo easy to hold, fit into a harness, or stick on to the non-porous surface of your choosing.
Adam & Eve Adam’s True Feel Dildo — $34.95 $44.95 (save $10)
Deals on sex toys for penises
Credit: Fleshlight
Our pick: Fleshlight Go Stamina Training Unit Lady Pack
$69.95 at Fleshlight (save $11.90)
Why we like it
When it comes to sex toys specifically for people with penises, Fleshlight might just be the most recognizable name out there, and for good reason — they’re masters at the masturbation sleeve. Fleshlight’s sleeves have made our favorites list before, and this bundle comes with a compact version of one of the brand’s most popular sleeves, the Stamina Training Unit, as well as lube and cleaner. This deal’s a holiday special though, so don’t wait around if you’re looking to save some cash.
More deals on sex toys for penises:
Cal Exotics Super Head Honcho Masturbator — $19.95 $29.95 (save $10)
Lovehoney Ring It On Rechargeable Vibrating Rabbit Cock Ring — $23.99$39.99 (save $16)
Adam & Eve Juicy Lucy Self Lubricating Stroker — $29.95$39.95 (save $10)
Lovehoney Hot Shot Rechargeable Warming Male Masturbator — $44.99$89.99 (save $45)
Satisfyer Men Heat Masturbator — $54.95$79.99 (save $25.04)
We’ll be blunt — anal play can feel really great, but jumping right in to putting a seven-inch dildo up your butt can be markedly less so. That’s where an anal training kit, like this one from Adam & Eve, comes in. These three sizes of plugs are designed to slide in with minimal friction, and allow you to work your way up to what feels best. The tapered tips and bottoms makes insertion simple and safe, and according to reviewers, these plugs are perfect for beginner use.
Finger-worn wearables are so hot right now. Smart rings, the lovechild of jewelry and fitness trackers, are designed for anyone who longs to log health metrics without the bulk and annoyance of a notification-happy computer on their wrist.
But in contrast to the many screen-based options in the fitness tracker space, smart rings have been thin on the ground so far. Your main choice as of December 2021 was the pricey Oura ($300 for the second generation model, plus a $6 monthly subscription for ongoing health insights). Celebrities such as Jack Dorsey and Gwyneth Paltrow are among Oura’s devotees.
But as of January 2022, the smart ring universe is expanding. Health wearables company Movano just announced its first product, the Movano Ring, which will be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. (Yes, Omicron notwithstanding, CES is still going ahead.)
The Movano tracks sleep and activity metrics, and is working to gain FDA clearance to monitor vital signs such as body temperature — something even the latest Oura can’t provide yet. Movano’s companion app is focused on combining these metrics to predict how you’ll be feeling on any given day. Tracking body temperature isn’t just good for figuring out when you have a fever. It could also be useful for anyone who is trying — or not trying — to get pregnant.
Movano combines multiple stats to deliver more wholistic insights.
Credit: Movano
Can your smart ring do this?
Credit: Movano
With the combination of a robust app and metrics with a ring that looks pretty cool (check out the bold arrow design and matte/metallic colors above), Movano looks like it could be real competition for Oura. When it actually comes to market, that is. Movano says the ring will launch in beta the second half of 2022, and hasn’t released the price yet. All the company says is that it will be “priced competitively, aiming to be widely accessible and affordable” — presumably meaning it’ll be less than $300.
Meanwhile, Oura went in the other direction with the launch of the $399 Oura 3 in December. (The company asked all reviewers to spend several weeks with the device before writing about it; Mashable’s review will drop in January.) The main advantage of the new version is that it introduces heart rate tracking during the daytime, so you can finally see how your heart is doing during exercise. Oura previously avoided that metric, in part because it billed its device as more of a sleep aid than a fitness tracker.
Tweet may have been deleted
Oura and Movano aren’t the only smart ring options. Walmart recently began selling a $299 “heart and blood oxygen wellness monitor” made by Prevention (a magazine and healthcare company) called the circul+ Smart Ring. It’s substantially more bulky, and one reviewer described it as “less smart than its rivals” thanks to a limited feature set. But if Walmart is getting into the game, you know something’s up.
A number of other smart rings, the crowdfunded kind, claim to be coming to market in 2022. There’s the ArcX (designed for exercise, including a stopwatch), the Circular (more for sleepers, including circadian rhythm tracking), and the Go2Sleep (an odd design which will track the strength of your pulse). We’ll believe them when we see them in production. There are also smart rings that aren’t focused on fitness or sleep. Instead, they serve as fobs that you can use to lock or unlock, or to pay for your sandwich at the store (like Apple Pay, but on a ring).
Don’t bet on smart rings replacing smartwatches any time soon. But they are increasingly looking like a complimentary gadget for tech lovers and tastemakers with extra money on their hands. With 2022 shaping up to be a battle between Oura, Movano and a host of Hobbit-like underdogs, we could easily end the year with one smart ring to rule them all.
SAVE 40%: If you’re on the hunt for something to amp up your home audio setup, look no further. For a limited time, snag the Samsung 5.0ch S61A S Series Soundbar Speaker — a 2021 release exclusive to Amazon — for just $197.99. That’s a discount of 40% from its original price of $329.99.
More technical minds than mine have figured out why a speaker shaped like a baguette is particularly good at producing clear, multidimensional sound, but the important thing is that it does.
Maybe it’s the dual-sided horn speakers and proprietary Samsung Acoustic Beam technology, or the two woofers and tweeter built-in, but the Samsung 5.0ch S61A S Series Soundbar Speaker provides a “panoramic soundscape” that fills the room without overpowering it.
The soundbar is also equipped with AI that doesn’t just answer to “Hey, Alexa,” but recognizes and dynamically optimized dialogue with extra clarity for anything you’re watching, so you no longer have to squint at the subtitles of movies (cough Tenet cough) or turn the volume up and down every 5 minutes to catch what sports announcers are saying without being deafened by the crowd.
This speaker isn’t just limited to TVs, but can also be used to game or play music on. It’s compatible with streaming platforms since it can be connected to Wifi, and Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair it with your laptop or gaming device of choice; its center channel speaker, regularly dedicated to playing dialogue, also recognizes the voices of your teammates, so you can play co-op with clear audio (hear your teammates swearing at you in high-quality sound definition).
All in all, the Samsung 5.0ch S61A S Series Soundbar Speaker is a sleek, well-functioning sound system that will serve as a good multipurpose speaker for your home audio system. Audiophiles might want to opt for something more complex (and therefore pricier), but for your average listening needs, this Samsung soundbar is more than enough, and it’s on sale at Amazon for $197.99.
Credit: Amazon
SAMSUNG 5.0ch S61A Amazon Exclusive S Series Soundbar – Acoustic Beam and Alexa Built-in (HW-S61A, 2021 Model)
$197.99 at Amazon
Explore related content:
Get a 70-inch Samsung for under $600, plus other great 4K TV deals as of Dec. 22
7 of the best speakers for those who want crisp, clear audio
The best Bluetooth speakers for getting lost in your favorite playlists
UPDATE: Dec. 28, 2021, 2:00 p.m. EST We’ve gathered up some of the best deals from across the Apple universe, including some nice savings on the latest Apple Watch.
BEST MAC DEAL: The MacBook Pro (M1, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is a solid all-around laptop that can power you through all kinds of tasks, minus the premium price tag — $1,349.99 $1,499.99 (save $150)
BEST REFURBISHED DEAL: iPhone 11 (64GB) — no matter your carrier or plan, you can score a good deal on this iPhone — $494 $569 (save $75)
BEST IPAD DEAL: 2021 12.9″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 128GB), a tablet with the right power and screen size for creatives — $1,011$1,099 (save $88)
BEST IPHONE DEAL: TheiPhone 13 Mini (64GB) at Verizon is a mini phone with plenty of storage space and a battery life worth bragging about — $0 with select trade-ins or BOGO with any unlimited plan $699.99 (save up to $699.99)
BEST APPLE WATCH DEAL: The Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS) is Apple’s latest smartwatch at a price lower than we saw all Cyber Week — $349$399 (save $50)
BEST ACCESSORIES DEAL: The AirPods Pro are the perfect earbuds for staying focused — $197$249 (save $52)
You could really kill some time trying to dissect the iron grasp Apple has on the general population, but when it comes down to it, its products look good, work well, and stay cutting-edge — of course people like them. Whether your favorite day of the year is its annual September reveal eventor you just want a solid computer no matter the brand, Apple’s got you covered. Sure, it is a little notorious for its higher prices, but we’ve rounded up the best deals on iPads, AirPods, and more to help you out. Check them out below.
Mac and MacBook deals
Credit: Apple
Our pick: 2020 MacBook Pro
$1,349.99 at Amazon (save $150)
Why we like it
Check out Mashable’s official review of the 2020 MacBook Pro.
Whether you’re a student, video editor, or simply a person in need of a laptop, the MacBook Pro is a great all-around pick. With its M1 chip, 13-inch Retina display, and a battery capable of powering you through the day, you’ll get why this laptop is a great all-around machine for many different kinds of users.
Refurbished 2017 MacBook Air (Intel Core i5, 128GB) — $402
iPad deals
Credit: Apple
Our pick: 2021 12.9″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 128GB)
$1,011 at Amazon (save $88)
Why we like it
Check outMashable’s official review of the 2021 iPad Pro.
This iPad comes loaded with an M1 chip, meaning it’s up to more intense tasks like editing high-quality video footage or rendering 3D models. Basically, it’s your best bet for an iPad that could feasibly be used as a laptop. While it might not be the best option for the casual user, for creatives that need their tablet to handle a little heft, this tablet is definitely worth a second look.
More iPad deals
2021 iPad Air (WiFi, 64GB) — $539$599 (save $60)
2020 11″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 256GB) — $749.99$899.99 (save $150)
2021 11″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 512GB) — $1,049$1,099 (save $50)
2021 12.9″ iPad Pro (WiFi, 128GB) at Amazon — $1,011$1,099 (save $88)
iPhone deals
Credit: Apple
Our pick: iPhone 13 Mini at Verizon
$0 with select trade-ins or BOGO with any unlimited plan
Why we like it
Check out Mashable’s official review of the iPhone 13 Mini.
If you’re picking up some new phones for more than one person this holiday, it’ll be difficult to find a better deal than this buy one, get one on the iPhone 13 Mini at Verizon. Though this model looks quite similar to its predecessor, the starting storage of 128GB and improved battery life definitely justify the upgrade.
More iPhone deals
iPhone 12 Mini (64GB) at AT&T — $1per month for 36 months on an unlimited plan, then receive up to $594 in bill credits
iPhone 12 (64GB) at AT&T — $15 per month for 36 months on an unlimited plan, then receive up to $190 in bill credits
iPhone 13 (128GB) at AT&T — $0 with an eligible trade-in and unlimited plan $799.99 (save up to $799.99)
iPhone 13 Pro (128GB) at AT&T — $0 with an eligible trade-in on an unlimited plan, with installed payment plan $999.99 (save up to $999.99)
iPhone 12 Mini (64GB) at Verizon — $0 with a new line on an unlimited plan $599.99 (save $599.99)
iPhone 13 Mini (64GB) at Verizon — $0 with select trade-ins or BOGO with any unlimited plan $699.99 (save up to $699.99)
iPhone 13 (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with an eligible trade-in on an unlimited plan or BOGO with any unlimited plan $799.99 (save $800)
iPhone 13 Pro (128GB) at Verizon — $0 with select trade-ins $999.99 (save up to $999.99)
Apple Watch deals
Credit: Apple
Our pick: Apple Watch Series 7
$349 at Walmart (save $50)
Why we like it
Apple’s newest smartwatch has a larger face, increased support for biking, and better durability. And at both Walmart and Amazon, you can snag it in select colors for $30 cheaper than we saw it all Cyber Week.
More Apple Watch deals
Series 7
Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm, GPS) at Amazon — $349$399 (save $60)
Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, GPS) at Amazon — $379$429 (save $50)
Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, GPS) at Walmart — $379$429 (save $50)
SE
Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) at Amazon — $229$279 (save $50)
Series 3
Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm, GPS) at Walmart — $169$199 (save $30)
Apple Watch Series 3 (42mm, GPS) at Walmart — $199$229 (save $30)
Refurbished
Refurbished Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, GPS + Cellular) — $384 $499 (save $115)
Renewed Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm, GPS) — $314.99$429 (save $114.01)
Apple accessories deals
Credit: Apple
Our pick: AirPods Pro
$197 at Amazon (save $52)
Why we like it
Check out the official Mashable review of the AirPods Pro.
They’re not the latest AirPods release, but they’re still one of our favorite earbuds out there. With spatial audio, active noise cancellation, and interchangeable silicone tips, they certainly make for a more functional pair of buds than the third-gen AirPods.
Your Amazon Alexa has the ability to say some creepy things, but what one told a 10-year-old girl is outright disturbing.
Twitter user Kristin Livdahl took to the social media platform on Sunday to break down what happened. Her daughter asked Alexa for a challenge, and the response wasn’t only surprising, but dangerous.
“The challenge is simple,” said Alexa. “Plug in a phone charger about halfway into a wall outlet, then touch a penny to the exposed prongs.”
Tweet may have been deleted
An article on news and lifestyle site Our Community Now refers to this as a TikTok “outlet challenge” that was trending in 2020. As for how it got to Alexa: Amazon states that Alexa gets its information from the company’s cloud, but the details are vague. Mashable reached out to Amazon for comment. Presumably, however, there’s no human oversight.
Livdahl was thankfully there when this happened, she explained on Twitter, and she and her daughter had a conversation about not trusting information from the internet or the device.
Touching an electrical outlet with metal can result in a fire or an electric shock. Over 5,000 people were hospitalized in 2015 due to injuries associated with electrical outlets, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Thousands are typically admitted to the ER every year for the same reason, according to updated information from NEISS’s online database.
Amazon Support tweeted asking Livdahl to reach out about the incident, and an Amazon spokesperson told Mashable that the response has been removed from Alexa.
“Customer trust is at the center of everything we do and Alexa is designed to provide accurate, relevant, and helpful information to customers,” said the spokesperson. “As soon as we became aware of this error, we took swift action to fix it.”
Mashable tested the query on Tuesday, and the answer indeed changed. Now, Alexa merely says “give me a challenge that makes me think”:
Mashable · Alexa, give me a challenge
Considering how Alexa usage is dropping, it seems that we’re all thinking about the purpose of the smart home device lately.
You gotta go fast because Lego is releasing a new Sonic the Hedgehogset on New Year’s Day.
Inspired by Sonic Mania and the iconic first-level backdrop of the game, the Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone set is the result of the Lego Ideas program, where fans can submit their own product designs. The Ideas process is intense. A design has to get over 10,000 supporters on the Lego Ideas platform to be considered. Then a Lego expert reviews it and decides whether or not the design will come to fruition.
The Sonic Mania concept was submitted by Viv Grannell, a Sonic fan based in the UK, back in 2019. Sonic Mania is a 2017 game for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. Grannell’s design reached 10,000 supporters in 2020, and by February 2021 it was approved to become an official Lego set. Now, just two years after Grannell submitted the design, it’s finally being released.
Tweet may have been deleted
“I’ve loved the Sonic series since I was a kid—his vibrant colorful world is always a fantastic place to explore,” Grannel told Lego.
Grannell’s original design was focused primarily on the Sonic Mania video game, whereas this Lego set specifically hones in on the Green Hill aspect of Grannell’s vision. The Green Hill Zone is a natural paradise within the world of the game, and it’s the very first level of Sega’s first Sonic the Hedgehog. Additionally, the Lego set features legendary characters like Sonic, Dr. Eggman, and the Eggmobile.
Credit: LEGO
Credit: LEGO
This isn’t Lego’s first Sonic the Hedgehog set. In 2016, they released a Sonic Lego Dimensions pack, but it wasn’t as extensive as the new 2022 set. For example: This one includes 1,125 pieces, so don’t listen to Sonic and go at your own pace.
Other Lego sets that originated as Lego Ideas include the 123 Sesame Street set, the Home Alone set, and the Seinfeld set.
The Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone set will cost $69.99.
Assemble the Diamond Dogs and get ready to howl. At long last, Sexy Christmas is upon us.
As Ted Lasso fans know, Sexy Christmas, a tradition that Keeley and Roy invented in the fourth episode of Season 2, “Carol of the Bells,” comically falls on Dec. 28. Keeley originally intended to make regular old Christmas — you know, the one on Dec. 25 — sexy, but when Roy’s niece Phoebe crashed the party they rescheduled their adult plans.
Keeley suggested pushing the festivities back 24 hours and celebrating Sexy Boxing Day, but Roy had to work. She had a conflict with Dec. 27, so she suggested they celebrate on the 28th, which Roy crowned “Sexiest of all the days.” Thus, Sexy Christmas was reborn.
Now it’s up to us to keep the tradition alive.
Sexiest of all the days. Credit: SCREENSHOT / APPLETV+
If Sexy Christmas sounds a little NSFW, that’s because it is. But also, as Keely explained, it doesn’t have to be. She described the start of her dream Sexy Christmas as “a swinging, Sinatra, Vegas-type Christmas for adults where we get all dressed up and we sip on martinis and sit by the fire.” Her Sexy Christmas prep involved hanging stockings and decking the halls, turning on one of those leg lamps from A Christmas Story, firing up a chocolate fountain for strawberry dipping, making some drinks, and hanging mistletoe. She lit candles, threw on a record, and dressed in an ensemble so stunning that Roy dropped not one, but two, swear words when he saw her.
Deck the sexy halls. Credit: SCREENSHOT / APPLETV+
Sexy Christmas is lit. Credit: SCREENSHOT / APPLETV+
Bust out the chocolate fountain. It’s a special occassion. Credit: SCREENSHOT / APPLETV+
Regular Christmas is a day for potluck dinners, delivering presents, and writing poster board messages so you can stand outside someone’s door and pull a Love Actually. It’s the time to watch It’s A Wonderful Life on repeat, blow off an invite to an Elton John party, or go door to door in some posh neighborhood in search of a dentist. Christmas is heartwarming, but Sexy Christmas is all about living your best, sexiest life. Celebrating the made-up holiday is an act of self-care, really. So it deserves the same annual excitement that the internet shows April 25, the perfect date from Miss Congeniality, or Oct. 3, the day Aaron Samuels asked Cady Heron what day it was in Mean Girls.
Spend Sexy Christmas with a special someone, a group of friends, or yourself, and indulge in good food, drinks, music, fashion, conversation, and mood lighting. Don’t forget to take a selfie (or an usie) to commemorate the occasion, and add “Carol of the Bells,” the Ted Lasso claymation Christmas short, and Roy’s retirement speech to your watchlist. Sexy Christmas combines the warmth and good cheer of Christmas with the excitement of a stylish, intimate New Year’s Eve party. Crucially, it eliminates the stress and pressure associated with those two major holidays. The dream!
Holy ****ing ****, you both look incredible. Credit: SCREENSHOT / APPLETV+
Every Dec. 28, take a moment to remember how lucky we are that Roy and Keeley created a brand new holiday for us.
Merry Sexy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
