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Buying a new TV is intimidating. Look for one online and you’ll get bombarded with acronyms and numbers. Visit a store and you’ll come face-to-face with a wall of images that are more confusing than helpful. But we all know that once it’s in our living rooms, we’ll spend thousands of hours relying on that screen to transport us to The White Lotus, make sure we’re caught up on Oscar-worthy films, show us all the NFL action, and even serve as a hub for learning basically anything via YouTube.
Since we spend so much time with our TVs, it’s worth doing a bit of research to make sure you’re buying the right TV for your preferences, including budget, made by a trustworthy brand. But instead of opening 57 browser tabs to Google all of the TV jargon, we’ve checked in with home entertainment expert Will Greenwald, a Lead Analyst at PCMag, which Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis, also owns.
SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV dealsFollowing Greenwald’s expertise (he and the PCMag team use high-end equipment to test each TV) and Mashable’s experience, we’ve narrowed down the best TV brands to a list that’s easy to digest. Below, we’ll explain which TV brands excel where and mention a few top picks from each brand to help narrow down your endless options.
Best OLED brand: LGLG makes some of the best OLED TVs on the market today. They offer superior image contrast and close to perfect black levels, and they tend to be great when viewed from an off-angle. The LG lineup of sizes and prices is also noteworthy, allowing shoppers to spend less than $1,000.
Best LG OLED TV LG Evo G5 OLED 4K TV (65-inch) $3,296.99 at B&H Photo VideoWithout wasting any time, Greenwald wrote to Mashable, “The LG Evo G5 is the best OLED TV I've seen yet,” which is truly impressive since he’s tested more than 170 TVs with highly specialized equipment. “If you can afford it, the stunning LG Evo G5 is simply one of the most gorgeous TVs you can buy,” Greenwald explained in his review.
The LG Evo G5 knocks it out of the park in terms of brightness, with super accurate colors. The “G” is LG’s Gallery series, which comes with a slim design meant to be hung on the wall, sitting nearly flush. The modern edge-to-edge screen comes with hardly any bezel.
In terms of gaming, the LG Evo G5 has a 144Hz refresh rate that can reach up to 165Hz with variable refresh rate (VRR). Greenwald’s testing shows input lag of 4.8 milliseconds, which is well below the 10-millisecond threshold considered to be acceptable for gaming. In simpler terms, that’s less than one frame of latency per second.
Size optionsThe LG Evo G5 comes in 55, 65, 77, 83, and 97 inches.
Another pick worth considering LG C4 OLED 4K TV (65-inch) $1,496.99 at WalmartIf you’re looking for an LG TV that’s less expensive than the Evo G5, the C4 is a standout model. Mashable’s sister publication, CNET (also published by Ziff Davis), considers the LG C4, which debuted in 2024, to be an excellent OLED TV. This model is brighter than its C3 predecessor and comes with a 144Hz refresh rate. CNET’s review said, “The LG C4 combines superb picture quality with a price that's not incredibly unreasonable, making it a top dog among its competitors.”
The size range here leans smaller, with the option of 42- and 48-inch versions, which are smaller than the LG Evo G5 goes (the smallest G5 is 55 inches). Of course, smaller means a more affordable price, and the 42- and 48-inch LG C4 come in at under $1,000.
Size optionsThe LG C4 comes in 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches.
Best budget brands: Hisense and TCLYou don’t need to spend several thousand dollars to get a great TV. Budget-friendly options come with plenty of features packed into a high-quality screen, and many options cost less than $1,000. In terms of brands, Greenwald says Hisense and TCL lead the way as the best options that offer affordable prices without skimping on quality. Here are a few picks Greenwald recommends after extensive testing.
Best Hisense Hisense U8N QLED 4K TV (65-inch) $947.99 at AmazonThe 4K QLED Hisense U8N comes with features and a display that feels like it should cost much more. “Hisense once again hits it out of the park with a premium TV that rivals much more expensive competitors,” mentioned Greenwald in his PCMag review, while listing it as a “fantastic value.”
In Greenwald’s testing, the U8N was shockingly impressive, hitting 920 nits in HDR Theater mode and then achieving 2,755 nits when testing with an 18 percent white field. For comparison, the Samsung QN90D (which costs more than double the U8N’s price) only gets to 1,253 nits with an 18 percent white field. Greenwald also mentioned that off-angle viewing of the U8N is pretty perfect with no desaturation.
Best TCL TCL QM8 4N QLED TV (65-inch) $897.96 at AmazonOn Mashable’s list of the best 65+ inch TVs, the TCL QM8 earns the top spot. Finding the balance between affordable price and great image quality, we consider the TCL QM8 to be an excellent option for most people. Greenwald’s testing showed incredible brightness levels thanks to the 4K QLED with HDR content in Dolby Vision. Greenwald also mentioned “very good color performance, and loads of useful features,” which add to the attractively affordable price. “It beats rival Hisense models in peak brightness, so it's the TV to get if you simply want the highest light output.”
Gaming stats are also impressive, with a 120Hz native refresh rate that can reach up to 144Hz with VRR support from AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Input lag is also impressive, measuring just 6.4 milliseconds in Game Mode, according to Greenwald’s testing, which makes it slightly quicker than the Hisense U8N.
The TCL QM8's size options are also impressive, ranging from 65 to a massive 115 inches.
Size optionsThe TCL QM8 comes in 65, 75, 85, 98, and 115 inches.
Best brand for unique features: SamsungSamsung earns the top spot as the best TV manufacturer with unique feature offerings. The brand has several impressive models that wow in terms of performance, plus it's one of the only manufacturers to release 8K TVs (but you don’t need one). Samsung’s The Frame lineup is also noteworthy.
Best Samsung for displaying art Samsung The Frame QLED 4K TV (65-inch) $1,297.99 at WalmartWithout a doubt, Samsung’s family of The Frame models is what you want if you like the idea of your TV also serving as a digital picture frame. When you’re not watching TV, The Frame can go into Art Mode, giving you access to the library of graphics or giving you the option to display your own photos. Customizing The Frame’s functions is also possible, so the TV (including Art Mode) can power off when it detects no one is in the room. Greenwald also mentions that many libraries and museums offer free high-resolution images of paintings that you can add to The Frame’s library to display in your home.
The overall look of The Frame is meant to be similar to a hanging piece of art, sitting nearly flush with the wall, and the matte finish cuts down on glare while also adding to the overall art aesthetic. Greenwald explained in his review, “You can even set the ambient art mode to display a matte frame around the picture to further improve the illusion. With the backlight set to a moderate level, the effect is striking and stealthy enough that guests could mistake what appears on screen for a framed painting at first glance.” Thanks to these features, he’s ranked it as his top pick for a digital picture frame.
Sadly, Greenwald doesn’t feel that The Frame’s performance as a TV justifies the price. He noted, “For watching videos, the TV's performance is more in line with very good budget models.”
The Frame Pro is an updated version of the original offering, and the nearly wireless design is a cool upgrade. It still needs a power cord, but everything else, like HDMI ports, is stored in a Wireless One Connect Box. Samsung also upgraded to a Neo QLED 4K display with The Frame Pro. But again, Greenwald thinks more affordable options, specifically the Hisense U8N, offer a better value unless you find the Art Mode features worth the cost.
Size optionsSamsung The Frame comes in 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches.
Samsung The Frame Pro comes in 65, 75, and 85 inches.
Best Samsung OLED Samsung S95D OLED 4K TV (65 inch) $2,297.99 at AmazonThe Samsung S95D is a great option, performing well in terms of contrast, variety of features, and gaming specs. Greenwald said it has “fantastic contrast and color that OLED TVs typically offer, along with light output that rivals many high-end LED models.” The S95D earned a PCMag Editors’ Choice award thanks to its specs, including almost undetectable input lag. But the real appeal of the Samsung S95D is the picture quality with perfect black levels and detailed shadows, as seen by Greenwald’s testing results.
The included Eco Remote has solar recharging capabilities, which feels like a modern and thoughtful touch on Samsung’s part. Plus, it comes with Samsung’s One Connect Box, which is always welcomed since it moves all connection ports to an external component, allowing for a slimmer design.
Size optionsThe Samsung S95D comes in 55, 65, and 77 inches.
A Samsung OLED to keep an eye on Samsung S95F OLED 4K TV (65 inch) $3,297.99 at AmazonThe 4K OLED Samsung S95F impressed Greenwald when he tested a pre-production version, being the brand’s brightest OLED yet, dethroning its predecessor, the Samsung S95D. The built-in speakers on almost all TVs aren’t worth using (you should probably upgrade to a soundbar), but Greenwald was actually impressed with the advanced speaker system on the Samsung S95F. The 120Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and acceptable input lag also make the S95F a nice gaming TV option.
Size optionsThe Samsung S95F comes in 55, 65, and 77 inches.
Gone are the days of clip-on pedometers. Now, it's all about tech wearables that maximize your physical potential with round-the-clock vitals monitoring — but I'm not talking about an Apple Watch or Fitbit. The next evolution of fitness trackers is here, and it's the smart ring.
Smart rings monitor your health in a tiny, inconspicuous package. At first glance, they look like any other piece of jewelry, a simple gold or silver ring. But with tiny sensors, these rings track biometrics through your finger. Yes, they'll track your step count and calories burned, but more advanced technology allows them to track sleep and stress levels, all detected through heart rate and variability.
If you're looking to upgrade your fitness tracker and want to make the leap to a smart ring, we've vetted the most popular models on the market through weeks of testing to find the best smart ring.
Why should you buy a smart ring? So you think you want a smart ring? Here's what you need to know about the latest tech wearable. Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableSmart rings are not just another fitness tracker. Yes, they do track your activity, steps, and calories burned. However, they're really meant to offer a more holistic view of your health so you can gain deeper insights into your sleep habits, cardiovascular health, and more.
You're a good candidate for a smart ring if you hate the look of a smartwatch or fitness tracker with LED screens, which are categorically not cool. Smart rings are posed as a discreet option, looking like a regular piece of jewelry. However, to be frank, they don't blend in that well. In my weeks of testing, while wearing the rings during hangouts, someone would inevitably ask me, "What's that?"
Since a smart ring doesn't have a screen, you have to pull out your phone and open an app whenever you want to track activity. That's certainly not the end of the world, but if you convert from a smartwatch, you'll miss the convenience of tapping your wrist. That being said, I actually find a smart ring most useful when paired with a smartwatch. I ran all my testing while simultaneously wearing an Apple Watch, and I appreciated the smart rings that were compatible with my watch so I could receive push notifications.
What's the best smart ring?The smart ring market is ever-growing, with new models debuting each year. Samsung just launched a smart ring in 2024, and while Apple doesn't have a smart ring on the market yet, we're sure it will be here in a matter of time. But smart rings are synonymous with the Oura Ring, a leader in the field. After spending weeks with the device, testing its hype, and comparing it to other devices, we can confidently say it is the best ring.
It offers the most expansive biometric tracking, monitoring your health around the clock. It focuses on daily and long-term health goals more holistically than other rings.
However, the Oura Ring has downsides, like a monthly subscription fee. If you're not down for a monthly fee, we tested some other viable smart ring options.
Please stop killing Pedro Pascal. I've had enough.
Look, even if you played the game and knew Joel's death was coming, The Last of Us's brutal exit for this character was harder to watch because it was Pascal. It's not just because the scene was intense. It's because it also gives Pascal fans PTSD-style flashbacks to all the other times Pedro Pascal has been killed onscreen.
Game of Thrones. Drive-Away Dolls. Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Gladiator II. The list goes on, if you go deeper into his filmography. And it all started with Joss Whedon, whose whole thing is, "Don't get too attached, I'll kill your favorite character." Somehow, even though Pascal just had a bit part on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Whedon was like, "THIS GUY!" Dead.
SEE ALSO: 'Drive-Away Dolls' cast on working with Pedro Pascal's 'head'And it's not just that Pedro Pascal dies onscreen. His eyes get pressed into his pretty head. That head gets cut off. He gets pummeled to a pulp made effectively horrendous looking with just horrific prosthetics — that'll probably win an Emmy for Outstanding Makeup. Props to The Last of Us team. And sometimes he's literally thrown into a meat grinder.
It's just enough. Give us some time for him to smile, give Daddy vibes and warm charisma — and don't kill him. I'm looking at you, Disney! Because you got The Mandalorian Season 2, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the relaunch of the Avengers and more Star Wars stuff. Pascal will have plenty of opportunities to die nobly for a valiant cause. I just need you not to do it. Just give us a breather.
To the Pedro Pascal fans out there who just want a movie where he gets to be cute and charming and not die, we've got The Materialists coming up! It's a rom-com starring Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans. From Past Lives writer/director Celine Song, it has a love triangle — and look at that cast! We love to see it! And Pascal probably won't die! Right? Right?!
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, May 3, 2025:
AcrossGreiner of "Shark Tank"The answer is Lori.
The answer is Silent.
The answer is Psyched.
The answer is ATM.
The answer is One.
The answer is Neptune.
The answer is Nursed.
The answer is Seer.
The answer is Listen.
The answer is Olympus.
The answer is Rec.
The answer is In House.
The answer is Span.
The answer is Tenner.
The answer is Deed.
The answer is Tre.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
Shokz has crept up the wireless audio ranks to become a trendsetter in the sporty earbuds category. Releases like the OpenFit 2 and OpenFit Air were complementary pieces to the brand’s excellent bone-conduction headphones. Now, it’s taking a page out of Anker’s and Bose’s playbooks by transitioning into the clip-on earbuds game with the recently launched OpenDots One.
These awesome-looking earpieces are built for outdoor runners who want to enjoy music with the full openness of their environment. The OpenDots One clearly find inspiration from the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, adopting the same earring cuff-like appearance. However, Shokz' version is more durable, lasts longer, and gives Bose’s buds a run for their money in the audio department.
With the good also comes the bad. As expected, the open-ear design lets in a lot of ambient noise, so you won’t hear music completely. The feature set is small, and the touch controls are spotty too.
The drawbacks might be dealbreakers for casual consumers, but for exercisers, who the OpenDots One are marketed toward, these are runner-friendly buds that finish the marathon in convincing fashion.
Scroll down to see why Shokz is a worthy contender for the best workout earbuds.
These aren't your typical earbuds. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Shokz OpenDots One open earbuds specs and setupThe OpenDots One’s spec sheet isn’t decked out like some of the market’s top-tier sports buds (e.g., Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, Jabra Elite 8 Active), but it’s noteworthy. See below:
Dual Speaker Driver Unit: 11.8mm
Frequency Response: 100 to 20,000 kHz
Dolby Audio support
Customizable EQ via Shokz app
IP54 water resistance (buds only)
Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint technology
10 hours of battery life / 40 hours with wireless charging case
10-minute quick charge equals 2 hours of listening
Colors: black and gray
Connecting the buds is standard procedure. Hold down the pairing button on the back of the case with the lid open, and you’ll enable pairing mode. Once the LED flickers, select the product from the Available Devices list in your Bluetooth settings. My unit paired instantly with my MacBook Pro. Multipoint pairing lets me connect to my iPhone 15 and OnePlus 11 smartphones at the same time.
Downloading the Shokz app from Apple’s App Store or Google Play grants access to all special features. It’s a small amount compared to other challengers. However, what’s given is serviceable.
A flashy, familiar, and functionally transparent designEven though the OpenDots One look exactly like the Ultra Open Buds, they have a more innovative design. There are touch panels on the battery barrels, as well as the soft silicone grip that keeps the buds secure for intense training. I’ve worn them when performing lateral exercises (e.g., jumping jacks, side lunges), and there was no slippage. I don’t recommend them for leisure because they pinch your ears. This can hurt after about three hours of wear, depending on your pain threshold.
The open-ear design is what’s most important. It is clutch for increasing ambient awareness, no matter where you are. Runners can keep tabs on traffic when jogging. I was well aware of cars and emergency vehicles when crossing streets. Bicyclists, chatty pedestrians, and construction sites were also transparent at high levels.
The open-ear design allows you to hear your surroundings. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Some of the best sound I’ve heard on open earbudsShokz isn’t known for its sound quality, but the OpenDots One leave quite the impression. The 11.8mm drivers deliver crisp and lively sound to keep runners fueled on long runs. It’s great having audio personalization via EQ with preprogrammed presets. Each of these represents its audio categories fairly well. There’s also the ability to create your own sound profile by manually adjusting frequencies in the EQ setting, something audiophiles will appreciate.
SEE ALSO: 10 best podcasts to listen to while runningThe electric guitar strums on Hozier’s “Too Sweet” had fantastic reverberation that stimulated a second wind during my 5K run. Enabling the Dolby Audio mode enhanced definition and unveiled the track’s fine production layering; the steady snares and tinny tambourines were pronounced. Upbeat bangers like Mya’s “Best of Me, Part 2” gave me the head-bopping bass I desired, highlighted by punchy drums that blended well with the delicate piano keys. The balanced midrange boosted the singer’s soft, low-note vocals.
The buds are made to let in noise. Therefore, don’t expect to hear every detail when listening in rowdy environments. You can hear audiobooks, music, and videos clearly. It just requires being in a silent setting and playing music at high volume. These are not like typical wireless earbuds. Open-ear buds project audio to the ear, whereas wireless earbuds send audio directly into the ear canal.
Comparing the OpenDots One to other open earbudsI put the OpenDots One up against the most popular sports buds and open buds: the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. Audio, fit, and transparency were the three hallmarks I prioritized when comparing models.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 produce superior sound output, thanks to their robust audio specs (e.g., dual-layer drivers, Personalized Spatial Audio) and an in-ear design that passively blocks out ambient noise. The Ultra Open Earbuds have 12mm drivers that provide crisp, full-bodied sound, plus hi-res streaming (aptX Adaptive) over Bluetooth. As for the OpenDots One, they sound better than most bone conduction headphones and open earbuds.
Beats’ signature ear hook design creates the most secure fit of any sports buds out there. Bose’s and Shokz’ clip-on designs are dependable for stability and take up less ear real estate.
Ambient listening is equally great on the OpenDots One and QuietComfort Ultra. The Powerbeats Pro 2 have a strong transparency mode that makes ambient sounds and conversations sound louder and more natural, but their active noise cancellation is disappointing.
Plenty of battery lifeThe OpenDots One generate up to 10 hours of playtime, with the wireless charging case holding an additional 30 hours. This is longer than the Ultra Open Earbuds (7.5 hours/27 hours) and on par with many of Anker’s current open-ear entries. A 10-minute charge can net you two hours of continuous playback. Those numbers held up during testing.
Over the course of a week, I ran with the OpenDots One for six hours and used them specifically for calls. This left me with 30 percent juice. I used the buds moderately (est. four hours) a week later and they had to be recharged every three days. The case didn’t need to be recharged until the third week of use.
Uniqueness presents compromisesAs much as I love the ingenuity behind Shokz’ control scheme, it isn’t convenient or reliable. The silicone grip only accepts double taps (play/pause/call management), and the touch pads only register the two-finger pinch or long-hold gesture. There are no single- or triple-tap gestures available, which would have expanded operation. On top of that, whatever function is assigned to the touch pads (e.g., voice assistant, volume, previous/next track) will be assigned to both buds.
The on-ear controls are nothing to write home about. Credit: Alex Bracetti / MashableThe Shokz app is low on upscaled features. Dolby Audio, multipoint technology, and the Find My Buds mode are nice to have, but you get more from other competitors. The Ultra Open Earbuds boast a hi-res codec and universal spatial audio, while several of Anker’s open earbuds have proprietary 3D audio modes.
Digital assistance works well on iOS/macOS devices, but the feature struggles on Android devices. Google Assistant is effective. It’s Google Gemini that demonstrates poor speech recognition. Most voice commands are either misinterpreted or don’t execute properly.
Lastly, the open-ear design isn’t for everyone. These buds only suit you if you’re some who wants to hear your surroundings during workouts or recreation. The OpenDots One excel at this and dish out impactful sonics at high volume to reduce a decent amount of ambient noise. They don’t completely neutralize external sounds like the best noise-cancelling headphones.
Are the Shokz OpenDots One open earbuds worth it?Yes, but only if you’re an avid outdoor runner or a fitness fanatic who isn’t bothered by the common fracas at your local gym. The OpenDots One dish out satisfying sound that increases stamina when running low on energy, and the addition of Dolby Audio gives music a bit more thump. Battery life is sufficient for about a week of use, depending how long you exercise. The stylish design also stabilizes fit when sprinting at fast speeds.
Those looking for a pair of everyday buds to enjoy their favorite playlists should look elsewhere because the OpenDots One’s open-ear design doesn’t allow for full audio consumption. The lack of special features isn’t appealing either; most standard sports buds come with an ambient listening mode and extra perks (e.g., ANC, shortcut widget, spatial audio).
The Shokz OpenDots One are priced at $199.99 and can be purchased on Shokz’s website, as well as popular online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
Shokz OpenDots One $199.95 at AmazonThunderbolts* comes by its unexpected tenderness honestly. In the latest installment of Marvel's never-ending superhero saga, the disaffected but charming Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) feels adrift, unfulfilled, and bored.
As her adoptive father Alexei "Red Guardian" Shostakov (David Harbour) observes, the light inside her has gone dim. What started as ennui now looks more like stifling depression.
Remarkably, Yelena's numbness gives way to an openness, a kind of calm curiosity, that becomes Thunderbolts* grounding force as the film explores what more than one character calls "the void."
SEE ALSO: 'Thunderbolts*' review: Florence Pugh can't rescue this flop from the MCU's worst impulsesThis emptiness is what follows both a lifetime of disappointments as well as specific traumas that haunt Yelena, her ragtag crew of anti-heroes (aka the Thunderbolts), and even the film's villain. There are visual and verbal references to unforgivable betrayals, mental illness, domestic violence, parental neglect and death, and suicidal ideation.
Against the backdrop of these traumatic experiences, Thunderbolts* mounts an ambitious attempt to leave the viewer with a simple — perhaps simplistic — message: The void is survivable with human connection.
This is applaudable, especially for a could-be blockbuster, expected to match or rival the MCU's past box office performances. But there are also fundamental flaws in the execution.
To tell this story of redemption, Thunderbolts* turns Bob (Lewis Pullman), a civilian with a long history of psychic suffering, into the Big Bad known as The Void. As The Void, Bob's suicidal thoughts are weaponized against the entirety of New York City. From on high, he flattens unsuspecting victims into black shadows, presumably to relieve them of their own pain.
There's a general understanding amongst mental health experts that portraying people with mental illness as murderous helps no one. In real life, outside of Marvel's sprawling IP empire, people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence, not the other way around.
Importantly, Bob is not a willing participant in his transformation from an ordinary but desperate guy into Sentry, a superhero of immense powers, including flying and being able to toss Yelena and her fellow assassins across the room like rag dolls.
Instead, Bob participated in medical testing, courtesy of the morally rudderless CIA director Valentina (Val) Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). But he was promised a better, stronger self, not a starring role in the wholesale destruction of countless people's lives. (Note to Marvel: Maybe now would be a good time to cool it with the storylines about medical research misconduct and conspiracies.)
The story, co-written by The Bear's Joanna Calo, largely treats Bob with compassion, which isn't surprising given the way the FX show about a tortured chef sensitively handles topics like anxiety and suicide. Bob is given a complex, if somewhat cliché, backstory of growing up in a household surrounded by mental illness (his mother) and domestic violence (his father). But he also has delusions of grandeur, along with emotional highs and lows, and episodes when he blacks out.
When Val tries to play a nurturing but manipulative mother to Bob, it sets off a chain of events that turns him not into should-be-heroic Sentry, but the villainous Void. It's hard to know it then, but the scene is built on the idea that sons of abusive men will become abusers themselves, under certain circumstances.
Yelena epitomizes the gentle understanding that Thunderbolts* extends to Bob. When The Void unleashes hell on earth, Yelena steps into his black void — not to end her own emptiness once and for all — but to find Bob and bring him back.
Fighting her way through a series of "interconnected shame rooms" in which she must confront her own horrific acts, she discovers Bob hiding in what appears to be his childhood attic. The scenes that follow could easily be a Marvel dramatization of a number of public service announcements geared toward reaching out to someone who needs help. "Be the friend who listens," implores the suicide-prevention campaign Seize the Awkward.
Yelena is indeed the friend who listens. When that isn't strong enough to ward off The Void, she and the other Thunderbolts find themselves with Bob, trapped in a simulation of the room where the medical experiments took place. The Void's blackened frame harangues Bob as a failure. It's clear, then, that Bob is at the mercy of his own inner critic, on anti-hero steroids.
This is arguably the film's most powerful scene as Bob tries to take control by pummeling The Void into nothingness. Yet the violence only accelerates everyone's doom. The all-consuming void can only be vanquished when Yelena and the Thunderbolts pull Bob off and surround him in a steady embrace. Another way to think about this is silencing one's inner critic with compassion, a counter-intuitive strategy that experts routinely endorse.
One would be well within their rights to view this scene cynically — a pat portrayal of friendship as an antidote to mental illness. It's certainly critical to feel less alone, but loneliness is one among many risk factors for feeling suicidal. Audiences may also watch Bob's or Yelena's stories unfold and see themselves as newly capable — and deserving — of human connection. That's a very good thing.
Still, the weaponization of Bob's mental illness can't be waved a way. Nor is it possible to justify the tail-end of his narrative arc, in which he recalls not a single thing that happened to him — including his own triumph over the proverbial demons that animated him as The Void. He returns to being Bob, but deprived of the details that would truly give his life the purpose and meaning he's long sought.
Perhaps there's more in store for Bob in a forthcoming film, but abandoning him in a state of not-knowing feels cheap. Ultimately Bob becomes little more than a cipher, or a useful but disposable cog in Marvel's billion-dollar filmmaking machine.
Strangely, the final minutes of Thunderbolts* surrender what the film fought so hard for: the sense that a meaningful life is possible, even when it feels against the odds.
If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860; or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.
Near the center of the Milky Way are enormous filaments of radio energy that sometimes look like bones, and one in particular has astronomers playing orthopaedists.
If the new picture at the top of this story reminds you of an X-ray, well, that's because it is. Scientists used a space telescope to examine a conspicuous fracture along the bone's 230 light-year length. The images from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, coupled with data from the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa and the National Science Foundation's Very Large Array, have revealed what likely caused it to crack.
The assailant, seen right at the point of the break, could be a fast-spinning neutron star, known as a pulsar. Scientists think that, as the object whizzed through the galaxy at breakneck speed, it slammed through the bone and just kept on going. The collision apparently distorted the bone's magnetic field and warped its radio signal.
SEE ALSO: Scientists discover a rebellious star family defying the cosmic order NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory helped scientists study The Snake, a filament of radio energy near the Milky Way's galactic center. Credit: NASA / CXC / J. Vaughan illustrationThe discovery not only offers a diagnosis for how the filament fractured but highlights that a single star can rattle the galaxy, even long after its own death. The findings described by NASA this week were published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Researchers have named the filament G359-dot-something-something-something, but friends and fun astronomers just call it "The Snake." Why, you might ask? Because G359.13142-0.20005 just doesn't roll off the tongue.
The glowing streak threads through the congested downtown of the Milky Way. Dozens of other such filaments appear in radio waves around the galactic center, lit up by particles spiraling through parallel magnetic fields. The Snake is one of the longest and brightest of its kind.
But why these structures exist — and what makes some longer and more luminous than others — remains a mystery.
An annotated version of a composite image of The Snake shows a close-up view of the fracture and the object that likely created it. Credit: NASA / CXC / Northwestern University / F. Yusef-Zadeh et al / NRF / SARAO / MeerKat / SAO / N. WolkAs for the assailant, it's trying to make a quick getaway. Neutron stars form when massive stars explode into supernovas, leaving behind a crushed stellar core, perhaps just 10 miles wide. But a pulsar beams radiation as it revolves like a lighthouse beacon.
The new images also suggest extra X-rays may be coming from the area around the pulsar. Particles like electrons and positrons — tiny pieces of matter and antimatter — that sped up during the crash may have caused them.
After a supernova, remnant neutron stars often get an intense kickback from the blast. Scientists estimate this pulsar could be flying at a dizzying 1 million to 2 million mph.
Scores of new gadgets are introduced every year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the tech world's biggest showcase. Yet many of these products never make it to market. They're only proofs of concept or prototypes of devices that could maybe one day potentially hit the market.
That makes Bird Buddy's new $129 Petal smart nature camera somewhat of a phenom. After debuting at CES 2025 in January, the Petal and its modular Wonder Blocks system finally went up for preorder on Kickstarter on April 29, becoming an instant smash. A company representative said the campaign raised $1.5 million from more than 5,000 backers in 24 hours, crushing its $100,000 fundraising goal by 1,400 percent. (At the time of writing, it had drummed up over $1.8 million from 6,300 backers.)
Why all the hype? I wanted to share my take as someone who got to check out the Petal and Wonder Blocks on the CES showroom floor this past winter.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable Bird Buddy to bee buddyThe Bird Buddy name alone has a big sway. The company's eponymous smart bird feeder, which has a built-in camera that can identify different avian species, has become hugely popular since it first launched in late 2020.
Bird Buddy co-founder and CEO Franci Zidar told me at CES that the company has cultivated an enthusiastic user base that's passionate about connecting with nature. Zidar said the Petal was an obvious next step to help people better understand their local ecosystems, going beyond just birds to capture backyard plants, insects, and pollinators, too.
Credit: Bird BuddyDesign-wise, the Petal is a 12MP camera in a cup-shaped case that comes in several colors. You can install the Petal by clipping it to the side of a pole or planter, or simply by wrapping its squiggly, bendable stem mount around a branch or gate. It's a lot friendlier-looking and less austere than your standard security camera. (To quote my CES writeup, the base and stem combo makes it look sort of "like a minimalist, bionic flower.")
The Petal ships with a swappable macro lens for detailed close-ups and an ovular solar panel that'll keep it running "indefinitely in most environments," according to its press materials. Without the panel, the device's "low-powered architecture" lets it run for over a month between charges.
SEE ALSO: Best of CES 2025: Everything that stole the show, according to our expertsThe Petal isn't meant to be a cutesy backyard CCTV system: Its purpose is to get you on a "first-name basis" with your local flora and fauna, Zidar said in January. Its camera can identify more than 2,000 species using visual and audio cues. It can also detect shifts in its surroundings using an "advanced AI layer" called Nature Intelligence, which alerts users to these changes. For example, if a songbird starts building a nest in a nearby tree, you'll get a ping.
Credit: Haley Henschel / MashablePer the press release, Petal's companion app has a "built-in storytelling engine" called Nature's Voice that can create "BBC Earth–style mini documentaries" using highlights from its 4K video footage. Its narrator does a pretty good Attenborough impression.
A feature called Impact Score gives the user insights into their backyard's biodiversity and the frequency of pollinator visits. Users hoping to up that frequency can look into Wonder Blocks, a modular habitat system for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that launched alongside the Petal. Together, they form what Bird Buddy calls a "Smart Nature Observatory."
The core Wonder Block configuration includes a Petal camera, an Observation Pole, and a self-watering planter base called the Habitat. The latter contains a built-in Bee Habitat, a Bee Observatory, and a "micro water feature" called the Stream. It ships with a seed pod that'll grow flowers native to your region. You can also add accessories like a butterfly shelter, hummingbird feeder, and a magnetic trellis.
Credit: Haley Henschel / MashableBird Buddy CEO Zidar originally told me that the Petal would cost less than $100, but Bird Buddy has it priced at $129 on Kickstarter for early backers. (There's also a Duo Bundle with two cameras and an Observation Pole for $249.) Wonder Blocks setups range from $299 to $1,199. A singular Habitat planter sans Petal is also available for $149.
For those who have been waiting to try the Petal and Wonder Blocks since their CES appearance, stay patient: They'll start shipping in mid-2026. I know, I know — that's a long way off.
In the meantime, the Bird Buddy smart bird feeder is available at Amazon and Target for $199.
Meet the Bird Buddy product line The original Bird Buddy smart bird feeder $199 (save $100) Get Deal Coming soon-ish Petal Smart Nature Camera $129 Pre-Order Here Coming soon-ish Wonder Blocks by Bird Buddy Starting at $299 Pre-Order HereTL;DR: Ditch messy notebooks and let AI take over your note-taking with a lifetime My Notes AI Pro Plan for just $39.99 (reg. $299).
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Opens in a new window Credit: AI Magicx AI Magicx: Lifetime Subscription (Rune Plan) $59.97Crank up your air conditioning and find the coziest spot on your couch, because it's time for summer television.
SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?This summer promises a boatload of TV coming our way, be it old favorites or new obsessions. Beloved smash hits like Squid Game, The Bear, and Wednesday are almost back, while new comedies like Adults and Overcompensating aim to make you laugh your summer vacation away. And keep your eyes peeled for sci-fi series, mystery thrillers, and romances.
All this TV can be daunting, so we've picked out 43 titles for you to peruse across a wide variety of genres. Plus, we've sorted everything by streaming service, so you can figure out which shows you'll have access to, or which streamer you'll need to get in order to catch an upcoming series that strikes your fancy. Here are the TV shows you should keep an eye out for this summer.
What's coming to Apple TV+ this summer?Apple TV+ has you covered across a wide range of genres this summer. Hungry for sci-fi? Feast your eyes on Murderbot. What about a historical epic? Check out Chief of War. More in the mood for a sports comedy? Stick should be right up your alley. But there's even more where that came from.
The Buccaneers, Season 2 Josie Totah, Alisha Boe, Aubri Ibrag, and Kristine Frøseth in "The Buccaneers." Credit: Apple TV+You might have ventured into The Buccaneers' first season to satiate your thirst between seasons of Bridgerton without expecting much. However, this Regency romantic drama created by Katherine Jakeways, based on Edith Wharton's final novel, quickly found its own footing, offering diabolical narrative twists, long-simmering love stories, and a Taylor Swift-packed anachronistic soundtrack.
And now, it's back for a second season on Apple TV+, with the show's core American expats — Nan St. George (Kristine Frøseth), Jinny St. George (Imogen Waterhouse), Lizzy Elmsworth (Aubri Ibrag), Mabel Elmsworth (Josie Totah) and Conchita, Lady Brightlingsea (Alisha Boe) — all returning. But where these England newcomers felt like fish out of water last season, they're now either in positions of immense power or on the run. Drama will ensue! — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Kristine Frøseth, Alisha Boe, Aubri Ibrag, Josie Totah, Imogen Waterhouse, Christina Hendricks, Mia Threapleton, Josh Dylan, Guy Remmers, Matthew Broome, Barney Fishwick, Leighton Meester, Jacob Ifan, Grace Ambrose, Maria Almeida, and Greg Wise
How to watch: The Buccaneers Season 2 premieres June 18 on Apple TV+.
Chief of War Jason Momoa in "Chief of War." Credit: Apple TV+Jason Momoa takes on acting, writing, directing, and executive-producing duties in Chief of War, which he co-created with Thomas Pa'a Sibbett.
Based on true events, Chief of War transports viewers to Hawaii at the end of the 18th century, when the Hawaiian Islands are at war with one another. Enter warrior Ka'iana (Momoa), who undertakes a bloody campaign to unite the islands in the face of Western colonization. Prepare yourself for epic historical action, and to see the story of Hawaii's unification told from an Indigenous perspective. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Jason Momoa, Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, and Te Kohe Tuhaka
How to watch: Chief of War premieres Aug. 1 on Apple TV+.
MurderbotMartha Wells' Hugo–winning The Murderbot Diaries series comes to TV in this sci-fi comedy about an android who claims to despise humanity — but who may actually have more in common with humans than it cares to admit.
Alexander Skarsgård plays the titular Murderbot, a rogue security android who's gained autonomy by hacking its own governor module. Instead of using its newfound freedom to destroy the humans it works for, Murderbot tries its best to keep a low profile and watch all the TV it wants, including the space-set soap opera The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. But when a mission it's chaperoning goes haywire, Murderbot finds itself getting closer to its scientist clients and facing its most daunting challenge yet: emotions. Come for another high-quality Apple TV+ sci-fi show, stay for Murderbot's snarky —yet super perceptive — inner monologue. — B.E.
Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tattiawna Jones, and Tamara Podemski
How to watch: Murderbot premieres May 16 on Apple TV+.
Smoke Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett in "Smoke." Credit: Apple TV+In 2022, Taron Egerton and Dennis Lehane teamed up for the riveting true crime miniseries Black Bird. The pair look to recreate the magic in the upcoming miniseries Smoke.
Inspired by true events and the podcast Firebug, Smoke stars Egerton and Jurnee Smollett as an arson investigator and a detective investigating two serial arsonists. Smollett earned an Emmy nomination for her leading role in Lovecraft Country, while Egerton received one for his role in Black Bird, so their team-up here sounds extra promising. — B.E.
Starring: Taron Egerton, Jurnee Smollett, Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Anna Chlumsky, Adina Porter, Greg Kinnear, and John Leguizamo
How to watch: Smoke premieres June 27 on Apple TV+.
Stick Owen Wilson and Peter Dager in "Stick." Credit: Apple TV+Apple TV+ struck gold in the realm of feel-good sports comedies with Ted Lasso. Can the streamer do it again with Stick?
This golf-centric comedy series stars Owen Wilson as Pryce Cahill, an ex-pro golfer whose career ended prematurely. Now, 20 years down the line, his marriage has collapsed, and he's lost his job at a sporting goods store. So Pryce gambles his future on one last big move and decides to focus all his energy on coaching troubled golf prodigy Santi (Peter Dager). Can these two beat the odds? — B.E.
Starring: Owen Wilson, Peter Dager, Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño, Lilli Kay, and Judy Greer
How to watch: Stick premieres June 4 on Apple TV+.
What's coming to Disney+ this summer?Get ready for a double dose of Marvel on Disney+ this summer, with a bit of nostalgia on the side. Beloved stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb make their triumphant TV return, while new MCU titles like Ironheart and Eyes of Wakanda await.
Phineas and FerbFerb, I know what we're gonna watch this summer. The Phineas and Ferb reboot, of course! The new season promises 104 more days of summer vacation, reuniting viewers with stepbrothers Phineas (voiced by Vincent Martella) and Ferb (voiced by David Errigo Jr.) as they dream up new ways to spend their summer.
Once again, their sister Candace (voiced by Ashley Tisdale) is on the warpath to bust their shenanigans, and once again, platypus Perry (aka Agent P) must thwart supervillain Dr. Doofenshmirtz (voiced by Dan Povenmire) from taking over the tri-state area. Brace yourself for boatloads of nostalgia — and boatloads of bangers. — B.E.
Starring: Vincent Martella, David Errigo Jr., Ashley Tisdale, Caroline Rhea, Dee Bradley Baker, Alyson Stoner, Dan Povenmire, and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh
How to watch: Phineas and Ferb premieres June 5 at 8 p.m. ET on the Disney Channel, and all episodes are streaming on Disney+ June 6.
Eyes of Wakanda The Lion in "Eyes of Wakanda." Credit: MarvelThe four-episode animated miniseries Eyes of Wakanda takes us back into the history of Wakanda and the MCU. Directed by Todd Harris and executive produced by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, the series follows the Wakandan warriors known as the Hatut Zeraze as they retrieve dangerous vibranium artifacts from across the globe. Maybe we'll even see the Black Panthers who preceded Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa, or older iterations of the Dora Milaje warriors.* — B.E.
Starring: Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint, and Anika Noni Rose
How to watch: Eyes of Wakanda premieres Aug. 6 on Disney+.
Ironheart Dominique Thorne in "Ironheart." Credit: Jalen Marlowe / MarvelRiri Williams (Dominique Thorne) steps into the spotlight in Ironheart, created by Chinaka Hodge. First introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Riri is a genius inventor who's hoping to make a mark on the world. Honestly, she already has! As an MIT student, she built a suit of armor on par with Tony Stark's — and she's just getting started. In Ironheart, she returns to her hometown of Chicago, where she'll cross paths with the mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), aka The Hood. What comes next is a collision between magic and technology that will lead Riri down a dangerous path.* — B.E.
Starring: Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Manny Montana, Matthew Elam, and Anji White
How to watch: Ironheart premieres June 24 on Disney+.
What's coming to Hulu/FX this summer?Strangers, chefs, and aliens are just a sample of the fascinating characters you'll meet on Hulu (and FX on Hulu) this summer. Get ready for the comedy Adults, the Alien prequel Alien: Earth, and The Bear Season 4.
Adults Amita Rao, Lucy Freyer, Malik Elassal, Jack Innanen, and Owen Thiele in "Adults." Credit: Pari Dukovic / FXCreated by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), Adults is an ensemble comedy about five twentysomethings in New York trying to become good people, even if they're barely fully fledged "people" yet. Samir (Malik Elassal), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Paul Baker (Jack Innanen), Issa (Amita Rao), and Anton (Owen Thiele) all crash in Samir's childhood home, where they experience the highs and lows of early adulthood together. From dating drama to work woes, Adults looks to paint a heightened picture of a pivotal moment in everyone's lives — and the groups of friends who are able to see us through.* — B.E.
Starring: Malik Elassal, Lucy Freyer, Jack Innanen, Amita Rao, and Owen Thiele
How to watch: Adults premieres May 28 on Hulu.
Alien: EarthThe Alien franchise comes to TV with Alien: Earth, a prequel series from Fargo's Noah Hawley. Set two years before the events of the original Alien, the show kicks off when a mysterious spaceship crash lands on Earth. As a group of ragtag tactical soldiers investigates, they'll come face to face with Earth's greatest threat. We're guessing face-hugging, chest-bursting, and more delicious sci-fi horror is in store. We’re also guessing the Weyland-Yutani corporation is going to be totally normal about this!* — B.E.
Starring: Sydney Chandler, Timothy Olyphant, Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, Essie Davis, Adarsh Gourav, Kit Young, David Rysdahl, Babou Ceesay, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diêm Camille, Adrian Edmondson, Moe Bar-El, and Sandra Yi Sencindiver
How to watch: Alien: Earth premieres this summer on Hulu.
The Bear, Season 4 Jeremy Allen White in "The Bear." Credit: FX NetworksPerhaps The Bear can overcome its underwhelming third season and get back to top form in Season 4. After all, Season 3 left us with a ton of unanswered questions: What did the restaurant review of The Bear really say? Will Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) finally talk things over with Claire (Molly Gordon)? Did Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) accept a job offer at another restaurant? Who knows! One thing’s for sure: I bet we’re in for a healthy serving of mouthwatering cooking scenes. Here’s hoping they just come with a side of much-needed evolution.* — B.E.
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, Edwin Lee Gibson, Corey Hendrix, Oliver Platt, Molly Gordon, Ricky Staffieri, and Jamie Lee Curtis
How to watch: The Bear Season 4 premieres this summer on Hulu.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Season 17The gang's all back in Season 17 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of its series premiere this August. On the docket is the conclusion to Always Sunny's crossover with Abbott Elementary, this time told from the gang's perspective. Surely their volunteer time at Abbott couldn't have been that bad of a catastrophe, right? Right? — B.E.
Starring: Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Danny DeVito, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, and David Hornsby
Nine Perfect Strangers, Season 2If you desperately want The White Lotus to do a ski resort-themed season, then check into Season 2 of Nine Perfect Strangers.
Set at a wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps, Season 2 re-introduces enigmatic guru Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman). Joining her are nine new strangers seeking spiritual well-being, played by big names like Crazy Rich Asians' Henry Golding, Schitt's Creek's Annie Murphy, The Gilded Age's Christine Baranski, and The White Lotus' Murray Bartlett. — B.E.
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Henry Golding, Murray Bartlett, Christine Baranski, Annie Murphy, Dolly De Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, King Princess, Aras Aydin, Lucas Englander, Mark Strong, and Lena Olin
How to watch: Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 premieres May 21 on Hulu.
Rick and Morty, Season 8Rick & Morty returns with more high-concept sci-fi mayhem! Season 7 saw Rick face down his vicious nemesis Rick Prime, and Morty tackle his own personal Fear Hole. What could Season 8 possibly do to top those heart-wrenching yet hilarious episodes? Well, for starters, a weird-ass Easter episode, as previewed in Season 8's teaser.
The trailer above revealed even more, including a death race car, a scream-worthy Matrix-like experiment involving Morty and Summer, a Space Beth adventure, and a clutch of alternate dimension Ricks and Mortys that seem to have escaped Evil Morty's annihilation at the Citadel of Ricks. And if you're aching for more clues for what Season 8 has in store, check out the titles teased for the upcoming episodes: "Summer of All Fears," "Valkyrick," "The Rick, The Mort, & The Ugly," "The Last Temptation of Jerry," "Cryo Mort a Rickver," "The Curicksous Case of Bethjamin Button," "Ricker Than Fiction," "Nomortland," "Morty Daddy," and "Hot Rick." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden, Sarah Chalke, Chris Parnell, and Spencer Grammer
How to watch: Rick and Morty Season 8 premieres May 25 at 11 p.m. ET on Adult Swim, and streams on Hulu starting Sept. 1. It also begins streaming on Max Sept. 1.
Washington BlackBased on the novel by Esi Edugyan, limited series Washington Black tells the story of George Washington "Wash" Black (Ernest Kingsley Jr.), an 11-year-old boy who escapes from a 19th-century Barbados plantation. On the run after a shocking death, Wash crosses paths with a number of new characters on his adventures, including gregarious refugee Medwin Harris (Sterling K. Brown), the de facto mayor of Black Halifax, Nova Scotia. — B.E.
Starring: Ernest Kingsley Jr., Sterling K. Brown, Iola Evans, Eddie Karanja, Edward Bluemel, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Rupert Graves, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Tom Ellis, and Charles Dance
How to watch: Washington Black premieres this summer on Hulu.
What's coming to HBO/Max this summer?Several major Max shows return this summer, including And Just Like That..., The Gilded Age, and Conan O'Brien Must Go. On the new shows front, get ready to roll with crime thriller Duster.
And Just Like That..., Season 3And just like that... there's a third season of the Sex and the City reboot. After those major cameos, anti-Android sentiments, strangely minimal use of Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker) voiceover, and big moments of the finale, And Just Like That... Season 2 threw a lot at us. Season 3 picks up in the summer, with Carrie enjoying her new place in Gramercy Park — and narrating again! Things between her and Aidan (John Corbett) remain fairly undefined, but anything's possible in New York in the summer, right?* — S.C.
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Mario Cantone, Sarita Choudhury, Evan Handler, David Eigenberg, Nicole Ari Parker, John Corbett, Sebastiano Pigazzi, Dolly Wells, Mehcad Brooks, Jonathan Cake, and Logan Marshall-Green
How to watch: And Just Like That... Season 3 premieres May 29 on Max.
Conan O'Brien Must Go, Season 2There's something deeply enjoyable about watching Conan O'Brien interacting with other human beings, whether they're fans from his podcast, former colleagues that he shares a deep love/hate relationship with, or random celebrities like Javier Bardem and Taika Waititi. All of these feature in Season 2 of comedy travel show Conan O'Brien Must Go, which sees the former late night host visiting the home countries of random people he's met on his call-in podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend — this time Spain, New Zealand, and Austria. The show has plenty of slapstick humor (O'Brien singing and dancing in costume is a regular occurrence), but it's in the more low-key, improvised moments with everyday people in the street that this show really shines. — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
Starring: Conan O'Brien
How to watch: Conan O'Brien Must Go premieres May 8 on Max.
DusterCrime drama Duster promises high-octane thrills courtesy of J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan (Shameless, The Walking Dead). Set in the American Southwest in the 1970s, the series centers on the FBI's first Black female agent (Rachel Hilson, Red, White & Royal Blue), who teams up with a getaway driver (Josh Holloway, Lost) in order to take down a formidable crime syndicate.* — B.E.
Starring: Rachel Hilson, Josh Holloway, Keith David, Sydney Elisabeth, Greg Grunberg, Camille Guaty, Asivak Koostachin, Adriana Aluna Martinez, and Benjamin Charles Watson
How to watch: Duster premieres May 15 on Max.
The Gilded Age, Season 3The 1800s-set period series The Gilded Age returns for more old money versus new money squabbles, gorgeous gowns, and lauded Broadway stars sinking their teeth into Julian Fellowes' scripts. Here's hoping that we get more petty beefs between America's uber-wealthy, and that Bertha and George Russell (Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector) get whatever they damn well want.* — B.E.
Starring: Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Morgan Spector, Cynthia Nixon, Louisa Jacobson, Denée Benton, Harry Richardson, Taissa Farmiga, Blake Ritson, Taylor Richardson, Phylicia Rashad, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jordan Donica, Victoria Clark, Merritt Wever, Bill Camp, Leslie Uggams, LisaGay Hamilton, Paul Alexander Nolan, Hattie Morahan, Andrea Martin, Jessica Frances Dukes, Dylan Baker, Kate Baldwin, Michael Cumpsty, John Ellison Conlee, Bobby Steggert, and Hannah Shealy
How to watch: The Gilded Age Season 3 premieres June 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max.
What's coming to Netflix this summer?Two of Netflix's biggest titles get new seasons this summer: Squid Game closes out its run with its third and final season, while Jenna Ortega gets creepier and kookier in Wednesday Season 2. But that's just the tip of the Netflix iceberg.
Big Mouth, Season 8 Nick and Andrew in "Big Mouth." Credit: Courtesy of NetflixWith its eighth season, Big Mouth becomes Netflix's longest-running series. But now it's time to say goodbye, as this is also the animated comedy's final season.
Kicking off in 2017, Big Mouth followed a batch of mixed-up middle schoolers (voiced by the likes of John Mulaney, Nick Kroll, Jessi Klein, and Jason Mantzoukas) through the highs and lows of puberty. Along the way they've faced social disasters, changing bodies, sexual urges, hormone monsters, and a whole array of emotion-centric critters who got their own spinoff with Human Resources. But in Season 8, besties Nick and Andrew have new misadventures and fresh anxieties to tackle. How will they climax? You'll have to tune in to find out. — K.P.
Starring: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, Jordan Peele, and Andrew Rannells
How to watch: Big Mouth Season 8 premieres May 23 on Netflix.
ForeverFor decades, the books of Judy Blume have spoken to kids and teenagers on their level about life, loss, love, and much, much more. Her frankness about things like sex and menstruation has made her a controversial figure whose books have been banned — as covered in the documentary Judy Blume Forever. Now, one of her most frequently banned books is a new Netflix series.
Published in 1975, Forever… sought to demystify and destigmatize teen sex by centering on a pair of high school seniors who fall in love and explore that love through physical intimacy. While a lot has changed since this novel first hit shelves, producer Mara Brock Akil felt the story at its core was timeless. So, she reconceived Forever..., setting it in 2018 Los Angeles, where two Black teens, Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) fall for each other, flirting through text messages and facing modern concerns about dating and balance. From the looks of Forever's first trailer, this series will be a must-watch. — K.P.
Starring: Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Xosha Roquemore, Marvin Lawrence Winans III, Wood Harris, Barry Shabaka Henley, Niles Fitch, Paigion Walker, and E’myri Crutchfield
How to watch: Forever premieres May 8 on Netflix.
FUBAR, Season 2 Arnold Schwarzenegger in "FUBAR." Credit: Christos Kalohoridis / NetflixArnold Schwarzenegger rings in the summer with a whole lot of action in FUBAR Season 2.
Season 1 ended with the bombshell reveal that the show's central CIA operatives' covers have been blown. Now, Luke Brunner (Schwarzenegger) and his daughter Emma (Monica Barbaro) will have to clean that mess — and more — to survive. But they're not alone. Joining the cast this season is The Matrix legend Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays a former East German spy (who's also Luke's ex). — B.E.
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Monica Barbaro, Carrie-Anne Moss, Travis Van Winkle, Fortune Feimster, Milan Carter, Scott Thompson, Fabiana Udenio, Andy Buckley, Jay Baruchel, Adam Pally, Tom Arnold, Aparna Brielle, and Barbara Eve Harris
How to watch: FUBAR Season 2 premieres June 12 on Netflix.
Ginny & Georgia, Season 3Buckle up, Peaches! We're heading back to Wellsbury, Massachusetts, for Ginny & Georgia Season 3, and things are only going to get more complicated for our titular mother-daughter pair.
Season 2 ended with Georgia (Brianne Howey) under arrest for the murder of Tom (Vincent Legault), and you can bet Season 3 will pick right back up with her trial. Meanwhile, Georgia's daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) tries to piece her life back together after her mother's arrest. In true Ginny & Georgia fashion, expect even more drama on the horizon. — B.E.
Starring: Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry, Felix Mallard, Sara Waisglass, Diesel La Torraca, Jennifer Robertson, Scott Porter, Raymond Ablack, Katie Douglas, Chelsea Clark, Nathan Mitchell, Katelyn Wells, Ty Doran, and Noah Lamanna
How to watch: Ginny & Georgia Season 3 premieres June 5 on Netflix.
LeanneLooking for a classic multi-cam sitcom? Netflix has you covered with Leanne, co-created by Leanne Morgan and Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory, The Kominsky Method). The series kicks off when Leanne's (Morgan) husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Now, she has to pick up the pieces of her marriage and start over, which is the last thing she expected! Luckily, she has the rest of her family to help her through. — B.E.
Starring: Leanne Morgan, Kristen Johnston, Graham Rogers, Hannah Pilkes, Ryan Stiles, Celia Weston, and Blake Clark
How to watch: Leanne premieres this summer on Netflix.
Long Story ShortAnyone who's seen BoJack Horseman will know the power held by creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg to make you cry-laugh at cartoons, so the news that he has a new animated show coming out is a big deal. Details on Long Story Short are fairly slim, but the Netflix series will tell the story of a family over time, including — according to Bob-Waksberg — "the shared history, the inside jokes, the old wounds." In other words, prepare yourself for more clever visual gags and smart humour mixed with the occasional side of crushing despair. — S.H.
Starring: The cast of Long Story Short has yet to be revealed.
How to watch: Long Story Short premieres this summer on Netflix.
The Sandman, Season 2The Sandman comes to an end in its second and final season, finishing up the story of Dream (Tom Sturridge) as he works to rebuild his kingdom of the Dreaming. This season of the fantasy epic covers the Brief Lives and Seasons of the Mist portions of The Sandman graphic novels, introducing new members of the Endless family, as well as Greek gods like Loki, Odin, and Thor. This season is also the first adaptation of Neil Gaiman's work to be released following allegations of sexual misconduct. — B.E.
Starring: Tom Sturridge, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Esmé Creed-Miles, Adrian Lester, Barry Sloane, Patton Oswalt, Vivienne Acheampong, Gwendoline Christie, Jenna Coleman, Ferdinand Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Razane Jammal, Ruairi O’Connor, Freddie Fox, Clive Russell, Laurence O’Fuarain, Ann Skelly, Douglas Booth, Jack Gleeson, Indya Moore, and Steve Coogan
How to watch: The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1 premieres July 3 on Netflix. Volume 2 premieres July 24.
SirensJulianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, and Kevin Bacon swim into the star-studded limited Netflix series Sirens. This dark comedy hinges on the mysterious Cliff House, a sprawling mansion on a lush island, where preppy-in-pink staff manager Simone (Alcock) handles things for glamorous owner Michaela (Moore). Simone's flustered sister Devon (Fahy) turns up on Labor Day weekend, pretty pissed her sister didn't show up after she told her about their father's diagnosis of early onset dementia. But there's something more afoot here, as pastel-clad guests turn up and Michaela wields a scepter to address them all. — S.C.
Starring: Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, Kevin Bacon, Glenn Howerton, Felix Solis, Bill Camp, Josh Segarra, Trevor Salter, Britne Oldford, Lauren Weedman, and Jenn Lyon
How to watch: Sirens premieres May 22 on Netflix.
Squid Game, Season 3 Lee Jung-jae in "Squid Game." Credit: Noh Ju-han / NetflixStill reeling from the cliffhanger ending of Squid Game Season 2? Don't worry, you won't have to wait another three years to find out what happens next. The show's third and final season is already shot, and it premieres this summer.
Hopefully, this season will gives us some answers to our biggest questions: What are the full consequences of Gi-hun's (Lee Jung-jae) rebellion? What happens when he finds out the Front Man's (Lee Byung-hun) true identity? And perhaps most importantly, will Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun) ever get off that damn boat?* — B.E.
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-jun, Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Jo Yuri, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, and Roh Jae-won
How to watch: Squid Game Season 3 premieres June 27 on Netflix.
Too Much Meg Stalter in "Too Much." Credit: Ana Blumenkron / NetflixLena Dunham's return to TV eight years after Girls ended comes with Too Much, a romantic comedy co-created with her husband Luis Felber. The Netflix series sees Megan Stalter in the lead as Jessica, a woman who leaves New York for London after a messy breakup. Here, she meets the dashing Felix (Will Sharpe, The White Lotus, A Real Pain), and you know the rest. But prepare for twists and turns along the way — Notting Hill ain't a straight road. — S.C.
Starring: Megan Stalter, Will Sharpe, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Adwoa Aboah, Andrew Rannells, Daisy Bevan, Dean-Charles Chapman, Emily Ratajkowski, Janicza Bravo, Kaori Momoi, Leo Reich, Michael Zegen, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Rhea Perlman, Richard E. Grant, Rita Wilson, and Stephen Fry
How to watch: Too Much premieres this summer on Netflix.
The Waterfront Holt McCallany in "The Waterfront." Credit: Dana Hawley / NetflixA new dysfunctional family is hitting our screens in The Waterfront, starring The Iron Claw's Holt McCallany. McCallany plays Harlan Buckley, the patriarch of the Buckley family, who have ruled the fishing town of Havenport, North Carolina, for decades. But the Buckleys' grip on the town is loosening as Harlan recovers from two heart attacks. In order to regain the family's foothold, Harlan's wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) take some dangerous risks. Will they pay off? Or will the Buckleys sink beneath the waves? — B.E.
Starring: Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Jake Weary, Melissa Benoist, Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, and Brady Hepner
How to watch: The Waterfront premieres June 19 on Netflix.
UntamedEric Bana stars as a special agent for the National Parks Service in Netflix mystery thriller Untamed. And honestly? You had me at "National Parks mystery." The series centers on Kyle Turner (Bana) as he investigates a brutal death, uncovers dark park secrets, and confronts his own past. Here's hoping we'll get some gorgeous National Parks scenery to go along with his case. — B.E.
Starring: Eric Bana, Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lily Santiago, and Wilson Bethel
How to watch: Untamed premieres this summer on Netflix.
Wednesday, Season 2Da-da-da-da! Click click! We've been tormented by the tiny clues and behind-the-scenes snippets from Season 2 of Tim Burton's Netflix series, but finally, Wednesday is returning to Netflix. Jenna Ortega is back in the braids and pinstripes as our spooky eponymous queen, returning to the Nevermore Academy with her best teen werewolf friend Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) and siren Bianca Barclay (Joy Sunday). But what lies in store for the students this time around? We don't know much, but we do know there's going to be a bunch of new faces (just check out that cast list). Remember that dance? It's probably time to break it out again.* — S.C.
Starring: Jenna Ortega, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Bianca Barclay, Moosa Mostafa, Georgie Farmer, Victor Dorobantu, Hunter Doohan, Isaac Ordonez, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Jamie McShane, Fred Armisen, Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter, Noah Taylor, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Lumley, Thandiwe Newton, Frances O'Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Joonas Suatamo
How to watch: Wednesday Season 2 Part 1 premieres Aug. 6 on Netflix, with Part 2 premiering Sept. 3.
What's coming to Paramount+/Showtime this summer?What do the Star Trek franchise and Dexter Morgan have in common? They're both major players on Paramount+ this summer.
Dexter: ResurrectionContrary to what the Dexter: New Blood finale would have you believe, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) isn't dead. Dexter: Resurrection fittingly resurrects the serial killer antihero for one more (last?) ride. This time, he's following his son and would-be killer Harrison (Jack Alcott) to New York City, where I'm sure we're in for a sweet, loving family reunion.
Dexter players like David Zayas, John Lithgow, and Jimmy Smits are all returning for Resurrection, with Peter Dinklage and Uma Thurman joining up as some of Dexter's new enemies. Who will prevail, and who will leave this season in a body bag? — B.E.
Starring: Michael C. Hall, James Remar, David Zayas, Jack Alcott, Peter Dinklage, Uma Thurman, Krysten Ritter, Neil Patrick Harris, David Dastmalchian, Steve Schirripa, John Lithgow, and Jimmy Smits
How to watch: Dexter: Resurrection premieres July 11 on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Season 3Paramount+ has a dazzling array of Star Trek shows and movies old and new, including 2025's film spinoff Star Trek: Section 31 starring Michelle Yeoh. But only one of these series can be called the delightfully horniest of the bunch, and that'd be Strange New Worlds.
Centering on a time when Spock (Ethan Peck) was not only young and hot, but also everyone (including Carol Kane as a flirtatious engineer) was hot for him, Strange New Worlds doesn't take itself as seriously as some of the classic Trek shows. To that point, this series has already offered a musical episode that including move-busting Klingons and a crossover episode with the animated comedy Lower Decks, which resulted in all kinds of epic adventure and hilarity.
What does Season 3 have in store? Paramount gave a glimpse of some of the action and drama to come out of New York Comic Con last fall. But we suspect the show's biggest surprises are being held close to their coms badges. We can't wait to see them.* — K.P.
Starring: Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia, Babs Olusanmokun, Bruce Horak, Rebecca Romijn, and Martin Quinn
How to watch: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 premieres this summer on Paramount+.
What's coming to Peacock this summer?This summer, Peacock delivers the second seasons of Rian Johnson's whodunnit Poker Face, starring Natasha Lyonne, and video game adaptation Twisted Metal, starring Anthony Mackie.
Poker Face, Season 2Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne put a delightful spin on Columbo in Poker Face, which sees Lyonne sniffing out crime as "human lie detector" Charlie Cale. In Season 1, she solved murders everywhere from racetracks to dinner theaters, so who knows what's in store for her next?
One thing's for sure: Like in Season 1, Poker Face Season 2 will be packed with high-profile guest stars. Among the faces you can expect are John Mulaney, Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live), Sam Richardson (Veep), Giancarlo Esposito (The Boys), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Kumail Nanjiani (Only Murders in the Building), and Margo Martindale (The Sticky). There's even more where those came from, and that's no lie.* — B.E.
Starring: Natasha Lyonne, John Mulaney, Ego Nwodim, Sam Richardson, Giancarlo Esposito, Katie Holmes, Gaby Hoffmann, Kumail Nanjiani, Sherry Cola, Kevin Corrigan, Ben Marshall, Kathrine Narducci, Cynthia Erivo, BJ Novak, and Margo Martindale
How to watch: Poker Face Season 2 premieres May 8 on Peacock.
Twisted Metal, Season 2Peacock's adaptation of the Twisted Metal games continues in Season 2. Based on the end of Season 1, we'll be seeing the titular tournament in action, so strap in for some serious car-on-car violence. Plus, get ready to learn more about John's (Anthony Mackie) mysterious sister Dollface, last seen on the hunt for her brother.* — B.E.
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Samoa Joe, Will Arnett, Michael James Shaw, Saylor Bell Curda, Lisa Gilroy, Anthony Carrigan, Richard de Klerk, Patty Guggenheim, and Tiana Okoye
How to watch: Twisted Metal Season 2 premieres July 31 on Peacock.
What's coming to Prime Video this summer?YA drama, crime thrillers, and more await on Prime Video this summer. Teen romance The Summer I Turned Pretty brings its love triangle to a close, while college comedy Overcompensating and crime series The Better Sister are just kicking off.
The Better SisterAlafair Burke's crime novel The Better Sister gets the TV treatment with Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks in the lead. In the new eight-part series from Prime Video, the pair play estranged sisters Chloe (Biel) and Nicky (Banks), whose reunion comes after Chloe's husband, Adam (Corey Stoll), is brutally murdered.
But there's more going on under the surface here, as Adam is actually also Nicky's ex, who married her sister and lived with her along with Nicky's teen son Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan). Bit awkward. Suffice to say tensions are high. Chloe and Nicky must wade into family secrets as Detectives Nancy Guidry (Kim Dickens) and Matt Bowen (Bobby Naderi) investigate his death, and the sisters try to keep the press off their lawn. — S.C.
Starring: Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Banks, Corey Stoll, Kim Dickens, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Bobby Naderi, Gabriel Sloyer, Gloria Reuben, Matthew Modine, and Lorraine Toussaint
How to watch: The Better Sister premieres May 29 on Prime Video.
Countdown Uli Latukefu, Jensen Ackles, Elliot Knight, and Jessica Camacho in "Countdown." Credit: Elizabeth Morris / PrimeJensen Ackles, Eric Dane, and Jessica Camacho lead Countdown, an action series about the murder of a Department of Homeland Security Officer, and the LAPD detective (Ackles) tasked with investigating it. He joins a secret task force of undercover agents who discover a sinister plot that could kill millions. What follows is an explosive race against the clock — but hopefully not too explosive, for the sake of the citizens of L.A. — B.E.
Starring: Jensen Ackles, Eric Dane, Jessica Camacho, Violett Beane, Elliot Knight, and Uli Latukefu
How to watch: Countdown premieres June 25 on Prime Video.
Motorheads Mia Healey and Michael Cimino in "Motorheads." Credit: Samantha Falco / PrimeRev your engines if you're in the mood for YA drama, because that's what Motorheads looks to deliver in spades. The series takes place in a once-thriving rust belt town, where a group of high schoolers form an unlikely bond over street racing. Could Motorheads join The Summer I Turned Pretty in the ranks of Prime Video teen drama royalty? — B.E.
Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Nathalie Kelley, Michael Cimino, Melissa Collazo, Uriah Shelton, Nicolas Cantu, Drake Rodger, Josh Macqueen, Mia Healey, Matt Lanter, Audrey Gerthoffer, and Johnna Dias-Watson
How to watch: Motorheads premieres May 20 on Prime Video.
OvercompensatingMourning the loss of The Sex Lives of College Girls and searching for another college-set comedy? Look no further than the absolutely hilarious Overcompensating, created by comedian Benito Skinner and produced by A24.
The semi-autobiographical series focuses on Benny (Skinner), a closeted former football player and homecoming king navigating the ins and outs of college life, including frat houses, fake IDs, and embarrassing hookups. Oh, and Charli XCX is involved too, wearing multiple hats as executive producer, executive music producer, and star. The mastermind behind brat summer plays herself, yelling in the trailer, "Do you think I want to play fucking 'Boom Clap' in a fucking college? Are you joking?" (Maybe she'll play "365" instead?) — B.E.
Starring: Benito Skinner, Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Adam DiMarco, Rish Shah, Andrea Martin, Connie Britton, Kyle MacLachlan, Kaia Gerber, Julia Shiplett, Tommy Do, Alexandra Beaton, Claire Qute, Elias Azimi, Maddie Phillips, and Charli XCX
How to watch: Overcompensating premieres May 15 on Prime Video.
The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, Season 2 The crew of "The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy." Credit: Courtesy of PrimeIt’s the year 14,002 in a space hospital in the Ergulon galaxy. Alien surgeons and BFFs Dr. Sleech (Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Dr. Klak (Keke Palmer, One of Them Days) have one doozy of a case on their hands — with the chance to cure anxiety for good. From showrunner, writer, and executive producer Cirocco Dunlap comes The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, a new animated series with major talent backing it up — Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne, and Danielle Renfrew Behrens are on board as executive producers. Plus, the voice cast and cameo lineup for this one is stacked. — S.C.
Starring: Keke Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, Kieran Culkin, Sam Smith, Maya Rudolph, and Natasha Lyonne
How to watch: The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy Season 2 premieres May 27 on Prime Video.
The Summer I Turned Pretty, Season 3Prime Video's teen drama The Summer I Turned Pretty comes to a close in its third and final season, and the question remains: Which of the Fisher brothers will be Belly's (Lola Tung) endgame?
For now, the answer appears to be Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), whom Belly chose over his brother Conrad (Christopher Briney) at the end of Season 2. Season 3 picks up at the end of Belly's junior year of college — that's right, it's a time jump! — and she and Jeremiah are still happily together. But when a surprise turn of events brings Conrad back into her life, Belly will once again have to choose between brothers. We can't guarantee how faithfully The Summer I Turned Pretty will follow the end of Jenny Han's book series, but we can guarantee one thing: There will definitely be Taylor Swift on the soundtrack. It wouldn't be The Summer I Turned Pretty without it. — B.E.
Starring: Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, Sean Kaufman, Rain Spencer, and Jackie Chung
How to watch: The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 premieres July 16 on Prime Video.
What's coming to Starz this summer?The biggest story on Starz this summer is the release of Outlander prequel, Outlander: Blood of My Blood.
Outlander: Blood of My BloodOutlander fans know all about the time-traveling love story of Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) — but what about their parents' love stories?
Prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood weaves the romances of the two couples together and delivers origin stories for key Outlander players. Claire's parents, Julia Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine), cross paths during the horrors of World War I, while Jamie's parents, Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy), meet in the Scottish Highlands in the 18th century. Before Outlander airs its eighth and final season, Blood of My Blood is sure to tide over Outlander fans' cravings for sweeping romance. — B.E.
Starring: Hermione Corfield, Jeremy Irvine, Harriet Slater, Jamie Roy, Tony Curran, Séamus McLean Ross, Sam Retford, Rory Alexander, and Conor MacNeill
(*) means a blurb has previously appeared on another list.
TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home works for Mac or PC, lasts for life, and is on sale for $159 (reg. $249).
One of the only reasons to stick with Microsoft 365 was that it had the most recent versions of apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The subscription is expensive, but the AI upgrades really save a ton of time.
Good news: that's not the only way to get updated Microsoft apps. Now, you can get Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC as a one-time purchase, and it's marked down to 159 (reg. $249).
Why rent when you can buy?This license lasts for life with no recurring costs of any kind. It connects directly to your Microsoft account and lets you use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote on a PC or Mac.
Each of these apps have all the recent upgrades. Word now includes real-time co-authoring, which lets multiple users work on the same document simultaneously. You also get to use AI-powered suggestions to help streamline the writing process.
In Excel, dynamic data handling with new formulas like FILTER, SORT, and UNIQUE can be a serious time-saver for anyone working with complex data sets. That means Excel can now handle real-time updates, so your data visualizations and reports stay accurate and current without the need to manually refresh anything.
PowerPoint has received a major upgrade, too. You can record presentations with voice, video, and closed captions. That's a lot easier than manually inserting everything yourself after recording it on another app.
And don’t forget about OneNote. The updated app is designed for smoother collaboration so you can share notes and work with others way more efficiently.
Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or Windows for $159.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase $159.97SAVE $150: As of May 3, the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air is on sale for $849 at Amazon. This deal saves you $150 on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849 at AmazonThe latest Apple MacBook Air is still available at its lowest-ever price on Amazon. We assumed that this deal would vanish after a day or two, but it remains live. So if you've been waiting for another price drop, we would suggest that this is the best you're going to get. Of course we could be wrong, but it looks like this is the lowest price we'll get for the foreseeable.
As of May 3, the 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air is on sale for $849 at Amazon. This deal saves you $150 on list price. And yes, that's a record-low price on Amazon according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel.
SEE ALSO: Review: I went hands on with the M4 MacBook Air (2025)The new M4 MacBook Air was released in mid-March, with open-lid support for two external displays and a new 12MP Center Stage camera in addition to the new CPU. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said this model was "impressively powerful" and "the best-buy Apple laptop, period." And tha's exactly why we named it the best MacBook for most people in our roundup.
Pick up the new Apple MacBook Air for under $850 at Amazon.
SAVE OVER $300: The Bluetti AC180 portable power station is on sale for $449 at Amazon. This deal saves you 44% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station $449 at AmazonPortable power stations are fantastic bits of kit that can change the camping game. So when we see a popular portable power station drop to its lowest-ever price, we feel the need to make some noise.
The Bluetti AC180 portable power station is on sale for $449 at Amazon. This deal saves you 44% on list price, and marks the record-low price on Amazon according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. If you've been waiting for the right moment to pick up a portable power station, this is your time to shine.
SEE ALSO: Feeling eco-friendly? Save hundreds on a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24 with a new batteryThe Bluetti AC180 packs a 1152Wh LiFePO4 battery that can be fully charged in just an hour. The AC180 boasts 1800W output and 11 outlets to handle almost anything you plug in, and you can even give it a boost to 2700W for your higher energy needs. You also get a built-in MPPT charge controller for up to 500W of solar input that can fully charge in 2.8-3.3 hours with renewable energy.
Save over $300 on this camping essential from Bluetti.
FREE COMIC BOOKS: Free Comic Book Day takes place on May 3, 2025. Get your hands on Marvel's Fantastic Four/X-Men, The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe, the latest Energon Universe special, and much more on Free Comic Book Day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Free Comic Book Day Free Comic Book Day 2025 Learn MoreMay is here, and that can only mean one thing for comic book fans: the return of Free Comic Book Day.
Every year, comic shops all around the world participate in this special event by giving away free books. Fans can get their hands on DC All In: 2025 Special Edition, Marvel's Fantastic Four/X-Men, The Amazing Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe, and so much more during this giveaway. Check out the full line-up of free comic books right here.
SEE ALSO: Building the 'Twilight' Lego set was the therapy session I didn’t know I neededSee something you like? Well you know what to do. Many comic book shops will be participating in this event, but you can make use of this Free Comic Book Day store Locator to find your nearest shop and confirm they'll actually be giving out free comics. And then make plans to attend. Clear your schedule. This is free comic books we're talking about here. This takes priority over whatever else you had planned.
It's important to note that Free Comic Book Day isn't actually free for store owners. They will still need to pay shipping costs for these books, so it might be a good idea to purchase a few comics to go along with your freebie. No pressure, of course. Just an idea.
Make the most of Free Comic Book Day in 2025.
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