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It doesn’t take much for a bathroom counter or shelf to go from tidy to covered in beauty products, toiletries, and random little extras. The Domaci 2-Pack of Scalloped Wicker Storage Baskets gives all of that a place to go, and the set is currently $30 at Walmart, down from $47. As a bonus, the woven wicker and scalloped edges add plenty of farmhouse charm at no extra charge.

The set includes two rectangular baskets in slightly different sizes. The larger one measures 15 by 6.7 by 3.9 inches, while the smaller one is 14.2 by 6.5 by 3.7 inches. Both are made from natural woven material and have wooden handles, and their low-profile shape makes them easy to slide onto shelves, set on a counter, or put inside a cabinet.

Courtesy of Walmart

These cute yet functional baskets offer more charm than your usual catchall. The scalloped edges give them a playful finish, while the wicker keeps the look cozy and farmhouse-inspired. Even when they’re filled with everyday odds and ends, they still look decorative enough to leave on display, making them a great fit for a space that could use a little extra character.

One shopper called them “very elegant,” while another said they’re “perfect for above toilet organizing.” That same reviewer loved how they made a previously messy assortment of bathroom items look “all tidy and aesthetic,” adding that they were “just perfect and pretty.” Another person called them “cute and sturdy” and mentioned “the size is perfect for keeping things organized,” noting that they also “fit nicely on shelves.”

Related: Martha Stewart’s $13 Stackable Storage Bins Make Fall Organizing So Much Easier

The two-pack also gives you a little freedom with how you use them. You can keep them together for matching storage in one area, or split them up and use one in the bathroom and the other somewhere else. At $30 for the pair, you’re paying about $15 per basket, which is a good value for something that’s both functional and decorative.

• Nytyu 2-Pack Scalloped Wicker Storage Baskets, $21 (was $34) at Walmart
• Keyohome 2-Piece Scalloped Woven Serving Trays, $20 (was $30) at Walmart
• Best Choice Products Scalloped Water Hyacinth Basket, $80 (was $114) at Walmart

If reorganizing that one messy shelf or countertop has been sitting on your to-do list, the Domaci 2-Pack Scalloped Wicker Storage Baskets make it a pretty low-cost project to finally cross off. Be sure to grab them while the discount is still available and put that cluttered spot to work.

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Today’s New York Times Connections puzzle explores elements, things that might stick out of a window, classic hits by “The Boss” and words that end with terms associated with the present.

There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today’s Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We’ve warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you’ve completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today’s NYT ‘Connections’ hints and answers for #1187 on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

The New York Times

If you’ve been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Thursday’s puzzle, you’re not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I’ll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

1. Periodic table.
2. Spotted on a house.
3. The Boss.
4. Look at the end of each word or phrase.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

1. CHEMICAL ELEMENTS: ACTINIUM, KRYPTON, LEAD, SULFUR
2. WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE STICKING OUT OF A WINDOW: AIR CONDITIONER, CATIO, CLOTHESLINE, FLOWER BOX
3. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN CLASSICS: ATLANTIC CITY, BADLANDS, BORN TO RUN, THUNDER ROAD
4. ENDING IN SYNONYMS FOR “HAPPENING NOW”: ADULT CONTEMPORARY, ALTERNATING CURRENT, REPRESENT, SEXTANT

How’d you do?

Up Next:

– 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
– Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT’s ‘Mini Crossword’ Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let’s Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: NYT ‘Connections’ Hints, Clues and Answers Today, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

When was the last time you bought new towels? Can you even say? If not, well, then it is absolutely time, my friend. It’s definitely time. Luckily, you do not have to shell out the big bucks to get high-quality, absorbent and cozy bath towels. Just take a look at these four-piece sets on sale at Aldi right now. Each set retails for just $14.99.

Aldi’s Kirkton House Terry Sets come in four colors, including purple (pictured below), green, taupe and gray, giving you plenty of pretty hues to choose from for your bathroom. Each towel set includes four pieces: two 16-by-26-inch towels and two 30-by-54-inch towels.

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Aldi

These towels are medium-weight, making them absorbent and perfect for wrapping up after a shower. They have a 450 GSM weight, which means they are exceptionally soft and luxurious despite their extremely affordable price point. Despite being super absorbent, these towels will still dry incredibly fast and won’t stay damp.

Related: Home Depot’s 3-Tier Bookshelf Is Utter Boho Perfection

If you personally aren’t in need of a new set of towels, these would make a great addition to a housewarming gift basket (or perhaps to throw in your college kid’s bag the next time they come home from the dorms). For the value and price, you really can’t go wrong with snagging a few sets of these luxuriously soft towels.

These Kirkton House Terry Towel Sets are available now at select Aldi stores as part of the German grocery store’s current rotation of Aldi Finds, its fan-favorite selection of product specials that come and go every Wednesday. These can be shopped in the store’s center aisles. Just make sure to get to your local Aldi quickly; these items never stick around for very long.

If you are interested in shopping for other Aldi Finds, be sure to check out these gorgeous ceramic pumpkins that put the chicest twist on classic autumn decor, or this charming six-piece comforter and coverlet set, the prettiest autumn refresh for your bedroom.

Related: Costco’s Sleek Pickleball Bag Is Versatile, Stylish and Roomy

Today’s NYT Wordle answer describes doing something in a way that is deliberately unemotional, understated or lacking expression.

But the day just isn’t complete until I’ve solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1909 ahead.

Let’s start with a few hints.

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There are two sometimes vowels in today’s five-letter word.

Today’s Wordle begins with a consonant.

There are double letters in today’s Wordle.

A hint for today’s Wordle is: refers to speaking or acting in a subtle, quiet and humorous way.

OK, that’s it for hints—I don’t want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

We’ll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don’t want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today’s Wordle answer on Thursday, September 10, 2026, is DRYLY.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn’t Used Yet (Updated Daily)

AC/DC delivered an unfortunate update regarding the upcoming Power Up tour stop in Toronto.

The Australian rock legends officially announced that their Sept. 16 concert at Rogers Stadium has been canceled due to the severe thunderstorm that hit the area in early September.

In an Instagram post, AC/DC shared an official statement from Rogers Stadium announcing the major change and explaining the efforts made to find a solution, especially for fans who were looking forward to attending the show.

“We regret to announce that AC/DC’s show scheduled for September 16, 2026, at Rogers Stadium in Toronto has been cancelled due to damage the venue sustained following a severe weather event.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Moreover, Rogers Stadium also noted that they don’t want to compromise the safety of everyone; hence the cancellation.

“The safety of our fans, artists, crew and venue staff remains our highest priority. Every effort was made to find potential solutions for the show to move forward in Toronto, but unfortunately we were unable to find an alternative venue that could accommodate everyone.…Last week’s storm was an extraordinary weather event. A suspected microburst in the area with extreme winds and heavy rainfall made it a 100-year storm for Toronto.”

As for the tickets, all original purchases will be automatically refunded in full through Ticketmaster.

In the comments section, fans are requesting the band to schedule another show either outside Toronto or in 2027, as they simply want another chance to see AC/DC perform live.

“We don’t care about the refund! Provide an alternative venue! Wanna see AC/DC,” one wrote.

“Please schedule another Toronto date, even if it’s next year,” a commenter said.

“I’m crying. This is a bucket-list band for me. Why not reschedule for another date even in the spring/winter at SkyDome? This is unacceptable,” a follower echoed.

The same goes for another fan who said, “I have been waiting all my life for this, smh. I cannot believe that no other place can host this event.”

Classified by the city as a “100-year storm” due to its rarity and extreme intensity, the rainfall delivered nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours, causing widespread destruction across the Greater Toronto Area.

With powerful wind gusts exceeding 110 km/h, the storm tore down a large part of Rogers Stadium, where AC/DC was scheduled to perform, forcing the band to call off the show.

On the other hand, AC/DC’s global concert tour will continue this year with scheduled performances in Canada and the U.S.

Sept. 12: Montréal, QC @ Parc Jean-Drapeau

Sept. 20: Winnipeg, MD @ Princess Auto Stadium

Sept. 25: East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium

Sept. 29: Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field

Related: 70-Year-Old Rock Legend Leaves the Public in Awe with Simple Gesture

Just like Saturday Night Fever helped to fuel the disco fever of the ’70s, another John Travolta movie influenced the country crossover craze of the early ’80s: Urban Cowboy. In fact, one song from the soundtrack, “Lookin’ for Love,” became an instant classic…and turned its singer, Johnny Lee, into a chart-topping star.

Lee was a largely unknown musician leading the house band at the Houston bar Gilley’s in the late ’70s when Irving Azoff, manager of the Eagles, approached him. Azoff was the music coordinator for Urban Cowboy (which used Gilley’s as a filming location) and asked Lee if he would consider singing in the movie, according to Rolling Stone. Initially, Lee was skeptical.

“Well, people were bullshitting me all the time,” he told Texas Monthly. “So I said, ‘Yeah, sure, just as soon as I finish this watermelon. You bet.’”

Of course, the offer was legit. Before long, Lee was sorting through piles of demo tapes in search of the song he would sing in Urban Cowboy.

“Becky [Mancuso-Winding, producer] put me up in this hotel room with a million cassette tapes of songs people had submitted,” Lee recalled. “Within the first fifteen songs, I pulled out ‘Lookin’ for Love.’ I couldn’t believe I hadn’t written it myself, it was the story of my life up till then. I changed the rhythm on it, turned it into a two-step, and they put it in the movie.”

“Irving Azoff had seen the massive acceptance of the California sound — the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt — which was rooted in country,” Mancuso-Winding said. “And you could already hear the Eagles’ influence on Nashville. Irving knew it was time for a crossover, and not just musically. He’d looked at the disco movement and Saturday Night Fever. He knew Urban Cowboy could impact the way people dressed, ate, danced, listened.”

Travolta agreed, saying, “Urban Cowboy was three-dimensional. You could watch it, and then you could go experience it. You could buy a cowboy hat, get on a mechanical bull, go country dancing. You could live this movie.”

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Azoff’s instincts proved to be right on the money, literally. The romantic drama, complete with mechanical bull, was a box office success, and “Lookin’ for Love” went to both #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The soundtrack spawned a number of other hits, too, including “Stand by Me” by Mickey Gilley and “Could I Have This Dance” by Anne Murray, but “Lookin’ for Love” was the film’s standout tune.

“When that movie was hot, I was sh—ing in high cotton,” Lee said. “I ended up doing a Dick Clark special. He’d formed his all-American band. Stevie Wonder was our piano player, and I played rhythm guitar, up there with all of these big shots. Man, I didn’t know whether to scratch my watch or wind my ass.”

In 1981, the pop culture legacy of “Lookin’ for Love” was further cemented when Eddie Murphy sang a version of the song, “Wookin’ Pa Nub,” in the classic Saturday Night Live sketch “Buh-Weet Sings.” Years later, Rolling Stone ranked Lee’s original at #186 on a list of the “100 Greatest Country Music Songs of All Time.”

Related: 1964 No. 1 Hit, Featured in ‘Goodfellas,’ Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’

With news of an upcoming album, it’s time to learn a bit more about Beck.

The alt-rock icon, 56, recently announced his first new LP in seven years, Ride Lonesome, which is due out Sept. 18. And just weeks later, a New York Times bestselling author is set to release the first-ever mainstream biography about Beck — the man, the myth, the legend.

With his tour also launching this month, it appears this fall is poised to be the season of Beck. And going on sale October 6, The Last Temptation of Beck: The Untold Story of a Pop Messiah is a comprehensive publication said to draw from interviews with those closest to him and troves of never-before-published documents as an attempt to understand the enigma of Beck through a larger investigation into celebrity, cult influence, masculinity, authenticity and the collapse of Gen X idealism, according to a news release from Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Biographer Josephine Riesman is the NYT bestselling author of Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America and the Hugo finalist True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee.

As publisher Simon & Schuster puts it, “the true story of Beck in the nineties and beyond has never been told,” perhaps giving The Last Temptation an added level of anticipation.

And regarding the Grammy winner’s upcoming album, Ride Lonesome is a reunion between Beck and several musicians with whom he toured years ago and who helped record some of his most well-known records, including Sea Change, Morning Phase and Mutations.

The returning collaborators include Smokey Hormel, Joey Waronker, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and Jason Falkner. Nigel Godrich, who previously worked with Beck on Sea Change and Mutations, returned to mix the album.

The singer-songwriter commented on the process, saying in a statement, “It had been a decade since we went in the studio and recorded Morning Phase. This time It felt like the playing and the chemistry had evolved and deepened— a sound that’s come together over the decades of working together.”

2007 was a massive year for cinema. From Superbad, Ratatouille, and Atonement to Gone Baby Gone, Eastern Promises, and Once, movies across all genres were firing on all cylinders. But few left quite the same mark as There Will Be Blood.

A masterful period epic with a cast at the top of its game, Paul Thomas Anderson’s film has now been named the best movie of the 21st century by Rolling Stone.

“Paul Thomas Anderson’s origin story of American avarice towers like a derrick over our new millennium, its shadow as imposing as the silhouette mad oil baron Daniel Plainview casts upon his own era,” the magazine wrote. “Right from a primeval opening stretch in the bowels of New Mexico, it’s clear that the writer-director means to connect one turn of the century to another, building a long pipeline across cinema history.”

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Loosely adapted from Upton Sinclair’s 1927 doorstop novel Oil!, There Will Be Blood is the story of a ruthless oil prospector whose pursuit of wealth and power turns him into an increasingly isolated and brutal oil tycoon around the turn of the century. A silver miner who evolves into an independent oil driller, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, Daniel Plainview moves his crew from site to site before homing in on the oil beneath a man’s family ranch in Little Boston, California.

There, Daniel meets local preacher Eli Sunday, played by Paul Dano, setting off a psychological war between oil and religion and an internal battle between greed and humanity.  

“The wordless determination of a man carving his destiny from the rock evokes the majesty of early movies, as do the expressive close-ups of Plainview’s furious face—which is to say, of the magnificently mustached and stony countenance of a different, driven Daniel (Day-Lewis),” Rolling Stone wrote, comparing the film to the work of Stanley Kubrick and Terrence Malick.

They added, “Even the vindictive ramble through an old manor that ends the movie brings to mind Charles Foster Kane. That you can mention Plainview in the same breath as that composite Great Man is a testament to how close Anderson came, in his own wild entrepreneurial ambition, to achieving the fabled ideal of the Great American Movie.”

While the film’s performances and behind-the-camera work earned much of the praise, its music was just as essential to its unsettling power. Anderson recruited Jonny Greenwood to compose his musical score. The lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist of Radiohead, Greenwood incorporated material from his earlier orchestral piece, “Popcorn Superhet Receiver,” into the score, alongside newly written music and other preexisting works.

Relying heavily on 20th-century avant-garde classical techniques, he drew inspiration from modernist composers such as Krzysztof Penderecki and Olivier Messiaen, per Entertainment Weekly.

“Yes, Blood has the scale of an Old or New Hollywood epic, precious to a present not exactly gushing with grand visions,” Rolling Stone wrote. “But it also has a jagged modern soul, bursting free in the form of [Jonny] Greenwood’s atonally clicking score or whenever Day-Lewis is spewing contempt in pressurized, shockingly funny, Oscar-winning geysers of invective.”

Released in December 2007, There Will Be Blood turned a respectable box-office profit, grossing more than $76 million worldwide against a reported $25 million budget. Its slow-burn theatrical release eventually gave way to a major awards-season run, earning eight Academy Award nominations and two wins, with Day-Lewis winning best actor and Robert Elswit winning best cinematography.

Over the years, however, its legacy has only ballooned.

“Maybe the movie truly endures because its portrait of way back then has twisted, with disturbing inevitability, into a prophecy of right now,” Rolling Stone concluded. “What could be more relevant to the 21st century than a drama about a vampiric capitalist, coming as a creator and leaving as a destroyer?”

Related: 1982 Ballad, Immortalized in a Jake Gyllenhaal Cult Classic, Became a Cross-Generational Hit

Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Lonesome Dove, is getting an unexpected second life. The best-selling Western, which follows the adventures of two former Texas Rangers, Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, on their final cattle drive from the Rio Grande to Montana, has captured America’s attention again, more than 40 years after its debut.

The best-selling Western was so popular when it was first published in 1986 by Simon & Schuster that three years later, CBS turned it into a four-part miniseries with an all-star cast including Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Duvall, Danny Glover, Anjelica Huston, Diane Lane, and Ricky Schroeder.

The show drew a whopping 26 million viewers, according to Deadline, and went on to win a Peabody, seven Emmys, and two Golden Globes.

Photo by Tony Esparza/CBS via Getty Images

Now, Netflix is hoping to recreate that magic, announcing on Wednesday, September 8, that it had won a “highly competitive” bidding war for the rights to turn the 1,000-page book into an all-new series.

The cast has not been announced yet, but the series will be overseen by showrunners Zoe Kazan and Jeb Stuart, who just wrapped filming the highly anticipated, limited series East of Eden. The duo said in a statement, “We come to this material with love and respect, and can’t wait to hit the trail with Gus and Call and the rest of these beloved characters. Yee-haw.”

McMurtry, who also wrote The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment, died in 2021 at age 84. But his longtime writing and producing partner, Diana Ossana, and his grandson, Curtis McMurtry, have both signed on as producers.

When Lonesome Dove was first released, it made itself at home in the No. 1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller list, spending 24 consecutive weeks in hardcover and 28 consecutive weeks in paperback, Variety reported. It went on to win the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and McMurtry continued the story with additional books, all of which became miniseries.

Now, Lonesome Dove is hot again. Simon & Schuster told the New York Post that sales of McMurtry’s novel had exploded, reaching a 30-year high. The publisher told the Post that the “last time Lonesome Dove had sales this strong was . . . when the Return to Lonesome Dove TV miniseries aired,” which was in 1993.

One reason for the renewed interest in Lonesome Dove may be the ringing endorsement given to the book by “King of Horror” Stephen King, known as a voracious reader and one of the most successful writers in history, with well over 350 million books sold.

During a 2021 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, King was asked to name his all-time favorite book, and he replied, “There are so many that I would be afraid to say. Probably, if I had to pick anything, I’d say Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.”

Then, to capitalize on the popularity of Western-themed shows like Yellowstone and Landman, Simon & Schuster released a 40th anniversary edition of the book in June 2025, with a foreword from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan.

Netflix did not give a timetable for when its new Lonesome Dove series will premiere, but Deadline reported that the intention is to produce an ongoing series (rather than a mini-series like in 1989).

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Martha Stewart knows exactly how to make a space look expensive for less. The television icon has an entire home collection on Wayfair, spanning from stacking desk drawer organizers to floral comforter sets that will instantly upgrade your home. Thanks to the retailer’s latest deals, the already budget-friendly pieces are available at steep discounts. Our cart is currently harboring the Martha Stewart Bedford Accent Ottoman, since it’s 46% off right now.

The furniture originally cost $190, but has been reduced to $102. If you’re focused on refreshing your home ahead of an upcoming seasonal gathering, the ottoman could arrive at your doorstep in less than a week (depending on the area you live in). The piece will look stunning in farmhouse-style and cottagecore homes. It could even fit well into European-inspired spaces due to the gray-blue printed stripes and classic cream colored base.

Courtesy of Wayfair

Plus, the hexagonal shape will add dimension to any space without trying too hard. The ottoman comes with solid wood legs that you can easily screw in so that it’s not laying fully on the floor (this is great for establishing airflow, which actually extends the lifespan of furniture!). 

When it needs a refresh, all you have to do is wipe the ottoman — which is made from polyester, plain weave, and muslin fabric — with a soft damp cloth or steam it to maintain its quality. One shopper said that it’s “easy to clean,” which is another bonus. 

The ottoman is 16 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches long. That’s a standard size, so you can place it next to your couch, near an accent chair, and in virtually any other space that needs a stool or footrest. It only weighs 6.6 pounds, so you can easily maneuver it anywhere you’d like. One customer even placed a round tray on top of the ottoman to use it as a side table.

Aside from its versatility, reviewers loved that the ottoman is “sturdy,” “well-made,” “very attractive.” One even declared it the “perfect addition” to their entryway. Another shopper wrote that the ottoman holds up well even when toddlers climb all over it, making it a family-friendly find, too. The piece can hold up to 300 pounds, so if you’re a frequent host, it’s a great option for extra seating when guests come over. 

• Martha Stewart Bedford London Upholstered Skirted Swivel Armchair, $393 (was $700) at Wayfair
• Martha Stewart Hutton Shaker Style Office Desk, $227 (was $249) at Wayfair 
• Martha Stewart Eden Gold Leaf Metal Wall Mirror, $91 (was $210) at Wayfair

This gorgeous Martha Stewart ottoman may move fast while it’s on sale, so make sure to shop for it while you can. The piece will elevate your home with an effortless elegance at an affordable price. Don’t miss out on this 46% off Wayfair deal! 

Related: Joanna Gaines’ ‘Super Soft’ Stain-Resistant Area Rug Has the Prettiest Vintage-Inspired Look

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In 1986, CBS introduced Designing Women, the beloved sitcom that became one of the most influential TV shows of its era and continues to rank among the 100 Best Sitcoms of All Time.

Celebrating iconic sitcoms in TV history, Rolling Stone unveiled its list of TV shows that left a lasting mark on audiences, offering viewers comfort, plenty of laughs and entertainment through character-driven humor and relatable situations.

Ranked No. 63 on the list is Designing Women, starred Dixie Carter as the outspoken Julia Sugarbaker, Delta Burke as the wealthy former beauty queen Suzanne Sugarbaker, Annie Potts as the practical and sarcastic head designer Mary Jo Shively, Jean Smart as the naive yet sweet and fiercely loyal office manager Charlene Frazier and Meshach Taylor as the refined and well-spoken ex-convict Anthony Bouvier.

The publication emphasized that the CBS show was more than just a sitcom, highlighting its sharp humor while addressing issues involving women and society without losing its entertaining appeal.

Premiered in September 1986, the sitcom, created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, was set in Atlanta, Georgia and centered on the professional and personal lives of four Southern women working at a fictional interior design firm called Sugarbaker & Associates.

CBS via Getty Images

Designing Women portrays different archetypes of women in the late ’80s as they navigate their day-to-day jobs while balancing personal challenges and social issues.

With the sitcom’s massive popularity, it earned 18 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and one win.

Adding to the list of accolades were two Golden Globe nominations for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 1990 and 1991.

After 163 episodes across seven seasons and seven years on the air, the comedy show bid goodbye to viewers with an hour-long series finale in May 1993.

Looking back on the iconic CBS show, Jean Smart spoke about the creativity of Designing Women, particularly the writing of the show’s creator.

“There weren’t a lot of shows that were just about women back then,” the actress mentioned in a 2022 interview with Variety, adding, “ Linda [Bloodworth-Thomason] is such a good writer that she made the characters so distinct from each other,” Smart said. “A lot of times, back in the day on sitcoms, you could practically all trade lines and nobody could tell the difference. The jobs are kind of all the same.”

When asked whether she would portray the role again, Smart said, “I would kill to play a part like that again — someone who’s kind of sweet and gullible. It’s funny, in some ways I see myself more that way than some other roles I’ve played recently.”

Decades later, Designing Women continues to uphold its legacy, proving that its humor, relatable stories and memorable characters still resonate with audiences decades after its debut.

Related: ‘Young Sheldon’ Favorite Annie Potts Sparks Nostalgia With Latest Post

In 1952, guitarist Phil Palmer was born on Sept. 9 in London, England. Now 74, the veteran musician can look back on a career that has included a stint with Dire Straits, thousands of recording credits and collaborations with some of the biggest names in music.

Palmer joined Dire Straits during the band’s final studio era, playing on 1991’s On Every Street. The album went straight to No. 1 in the U.K. and eventually sold 15 million copies worldwide.

He then hit the road with the group for its massive On Every Street Tour, playing alongside Mark Knopfler as Dire Straits performed approximately 300 shows for some 7.1 million ticket buyers before the tour concluded in October 1992. It would prove to be the band’s final world tour.

But Dire Straits represents just one chapter in Palmer’s extraordinary résumé.

The guitarist has worked with Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, George Michael, Roger Daltrey, Bryan Adams, Iggy Pop and many more. He’s also a songwriter, co-writing “I’m No Angel” with Peter Blegvad. Bill Medley recorded the song before the Gregg Allman Band released its own version in 1987.

Palmer’s musical connections began long before he became one of rock’s busiest guitarists. He was born into a remarkable musical family: Ray and Dave Davies of The Kinks are his maternal uncles.

Still, Palmer built a formidable résumé entirely his own.

By 2021, he had reportedly appeared on more than 500 albums and more than 5,000 songs, a staggering total accumulated over decades as an in-demand session and touring guitarist.

His album credits include Eric Clapton’s Journeyman, George Michael’s Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 and Tina Turner’s Foreign Affair, along with recordings by artists ranging from Céline Dion and Pet Shop Boys to Tears for Fears and the Spice Girls.

His Dire Straits connection didn’t completely disappear after the band’s final tour, either. In 2011, Palmer joined fellow former Dire Straits musicians Alan Clark and Chris White, along with drummer Steve Ferrone, to form The Straits for a charity performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Palmer has also performed in various lineups under the Dire Straits Legends and Dire Straits Legacy names.

Palmer’s career has taken him to some particularly enormous stages along the way. He performed as part of the backing band at the Queen’s Golden Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2002, and two years later served as musical director for The Strat Pack concert at Wembley Arena, celebrating 50 years of the Fender Stratocaster.

At 74, Palmer’s name may still be less familiar than many of the stars he’s played beside, but with more than 5,000 song credits, his guitar has been heard by generations of music fans.

Related: ’70s Rock Legend, Called a ‘Peerless’ Virtuoso, Turns 77 Nearly 50 Years After Breakthrough No. 1 Hit

The word “stroke” is terrifying enough, and reading the list of the ramifications it can have on your body will likely only make you more anxious. At the same time, education is so important. A stroke can cause paralysis, speech problems, difficulty swallowing, sensitivity to sound, incontinence, depression symptoms and more. Plus, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds and dies from it every three minutes and 14 seconds. Those are scary facts.

If you think about these things too much, you may be afraid to do anything—but if you don’t work to reduce your risk, you may be more likely to experience this medical emergency.

The good news is that 80 percent of strokes are preventable. In case you’re not clear on the details, a stroke prevents your brain from getting enough blood flow, so it’s both a heart health and brain health issue. There are certain things within those buckets that can reduce your risk, and some are more surprising than others. For example, getting your ApoB values checked, reducing stress levels and even flossing regularly are all on the list. 

But let’s get even more specific: What should people avoid after 5 p.m. to reduce their stroke risk? Parade asked a neurologist and vascular surgeon to share the main things they urge you to avoid.

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Whether you love a happy-hour drink with friends, are used to a nightcap or just had a rough day, you may be tempted to drink at night. But doctors urge you to be aware of how this can affect your stroke risk, especially if you drink a lot (which, let’s be real, may be less than you’d think). 

“While moderate alcohol consumption may not pose a major concern for everyone, excessive or binge drinking can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation,” says Dr. Christopher Yi, MD, a board-certified vascular surgeon at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “Both high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation are important risk factors for stroke.”

Consuming alcohol late at night can also “disrupt sleep” and “cause increased risk of stroke,” according to Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, MD, a neurologist with Sentara Health in Harrisonburg, Virginia. (We’ll touch on sleep more below.)

Related: Drinking This Much Alcohol Could Double Your Dementia Risk, Scientists Warn

A salty meal is usually pretty delicious; we’ll give you that—but try to avoid it late at night.

Again, we’re looking at a heart concern that can increase your risk of stroke. “Too much sodium can contribute to higher blood pressure, one of the most important modifiable risk factors for stroke,” Dr. Yi explains. “A lighter evening meal built around vegetables, lean protein and minimally processed foods can be a healthier choice.”

Eating late at night—especially after 9 p.m.—and then going to bed can increase the risk of stroke because it also increases blood pressure. We see this noted in recent research findings.

“It’s important to have dinner earlier…and at least give your body three to four hours of digestive break before going to bed,” Dr. Siddiqui says. “Late-night dinners can disrupt circadian rhythm and cause strain on the gut, body and brain.”

Related: ‘I Ate Dinner at 5 PM for a Month—Here’s What Happened to My Belly Bloat’

Don’t sacrifice sleep, no matter how busy you are or how much you need that nighttime caffeine hit. Sleep is necessary for many health reasons, including a reduction in stroke risk.

“Staying up late, spending too much time on screens, consuming caffeine too close to bedtime or maintaining an inconsistent sleep schedule can make it harder to get the restorative sleep your body needs,” Dr. Yi says. “Poor or insufficient sleep is associated with high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors that can increase stroke risk.”

He encourages adults to aim for about seven to nine hours of sleep and to maintain a consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule.

Related: Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep

Getting your body moving is so important—as is remembering that exercise doesn’t have to mean running five miles every day.

“Any brisk movement for more than 30 minutes, especially while in a natural setting, helps improve general brain and cardiovascular health,” Dr. Siddiqui says.

According to a Cleveland Clinic neurologist, the three best types of exercise for brain health are aerobic exercises, resistance training and mind-body exercises. 

According to these doctors and other experts that Parade has interviewed, the following can also help you avoid or reduce your risk of stroke: 

• Maintain optimal blood pressure since hypertension (high blood pressure) is the leading cause of stroke. If you have high blood pressure, some habits that can lower blood pressure quickly include walking in nature, eating more cheese, skipping naps and consuming enough magnesium. 
• Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, “healthy” fats, legumes, seeds, herbs and spices.
• Address any sleep-related concerns once you notice symptoms.
• Drink beetroot juice regularly (yes, seriously!).
• Stay up-to-date on medications that can help lower stroke risk.

One good thing about all of these tips (besides their stroke benefits) is that they can improve your health in other ways, too. So really, why not try them?

Up Next:

• Dr. Christopher Yi, MD, is a board-certified vascular surgeon at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
• Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, MD, is a neurologist with Sentara Health in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
• Effects of Stroke, American Heart Association
• Stroke Facts, CDC
• Meal timing and eating window with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and life expectancy: population-based cohort study, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

As Apple unveils its newest iPhone today, it’s hard not to think about one of the models that helped change the way we used smartphones. The iPhone 5 arrived in 2012 with a taller screen, 4G LTE and a thinner, lighter design that Apple called its “most beautiful consumer device” ever. More than a decade later, it has been named the best iPhone of all time, a nostalgic reminder of a moment when a new iPhone didn’t just feel like an upgrade—it felt like a glimpse of the future.

Here’s why:

“The iPhone 5 is gorgeously designed, thinning the sharp iPhone 4 build to a stunning degree while extending the display to proper widescreen dimensions. Crucially, it’s also where Apple embraced long-overdue LTE support, finally giving users the network speed to appreciate that great Retina display and the wonderful App Store selection. It was the iPhone that sorted our biggest lingering complaints in nearly every significant way and felt like a nearly complete package.”

This might be the method 👀 #Tyla reveals that she prefers taking pictures on her old iPhone 5 and that she doesn’t need her selfies to be in 4K 🤔 🎥: @gq

The iPhone 5 arrived as smartphones were becoming an increasingly important part of everyday life, bringing faster wireless connectivity, a larger screen, a better camera and a growing universe of apps into a device that was still small enough to carry everywhere.

The iPhone 5 sold so quickly that Apple reported more than 2 million preorders in its first 24 hours, more than double the previous record.

Related: 1998 Nintendo Classic Is Getting a Major Makeover 28 Years Later

iPhone 5 will always have a special place in my heart. 🥹 What about you? Which old iPhone are you still holding onto or just can’t seem to let go of? #iPhone #apple #iPhone17

More than a decade later, the iPhone 5 ranks at the top. Sure, today’s iPhones can do things the iPhone 5 could never do, but the 2012 model represents a time when Apple was at the top of its game, offering a smartphone that felt perfectly balanced between functionality and design.

It was powerful without being overwhelming and innovative without requiring users to constantly think about the technology in their hands. It was a phone you could simply use without thinking about it.

That’s the nostalgia at the heart of the story: Before smartphones became increasingly complicated, the iPhone 5 made the future feel beautifully simple.

Related: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Novel About an Aging Punk Rocker Named Best Book Published Since 2010

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It’s film festival season, and already, one film is emerging as an early front-runner for best of the year. Fresh off well-received premieres at the Venice International Film Festival (Sept. 2 to 12) and the Telluride Film Festival (Sept. 4 to 7), Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine is making an argument.

A dark comedy spy thriller from Searchlight Pictures, Wild Horse Nine is set against the backdrop of the 1973 Chilean coup d’état and centers on two seasoned CIA operatives, Chris and Lee, played by John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, respectively, who are dispatched from Santiago to Easter Island before their operations escalate again. Trust is tested, bonds are deepened, and legacies are written.

No stranger to the high-concept buddy comedy, McDonagh is a master of pitch-black humor, profound existential dread, and fiercely loyal yet deeply toxic male friendships. See: The Banshees of Inisherin, Seven Psychopaths, and In Bruges.

A perennial Oscar favorite, McDonagh just might be headed back to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles next year, with Wild Horse Nine his fast track to another statuette. Though he’s won one Oscar for his 2006 short film, Six Shooter, he has yet to win for a feature-length film. But if critical enthusiasm is any indication, he might have a winner on his hands. ​

Awards Radar published a Telluride review with the headline, “Wild Horse Nine Is Arguably Martin McDonagh’s Best Movie,” with the reviewer going even further in the body, calling it “the best film I’ve seen at Telluride right now.” Time Out gave the film a “5/5” and wrote that McDonagh’s latest “could be the best yet,” praising it as a bittersweet buddy movie with “outlandishly funny” moments.

Next Best Picture said it is “quite tempting to call Wild Horse Nine McDonagh’s best film,” while Coming Soon is carrying a first-reactions piece explicitly titled, “Wild Horse Nine First Reactions Say Banshees of Inisherin Director Has Made His Best Movie Yet.”

AwardsWatch also gave the film an A, calling it a comedic investigation with Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, and it currently has a 91% combined critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with several more festival screenings before it releases to the public.

Of course, there are those publications that aren’t as jazzed. The Guardian called it “not a McDonagh classic,” while IndieWire gave it a lukewarm B-, calling it “prickly but unconvincing.” Still, getting a 13-minute standing ovation at Venice, with Malkovich visibly emotional and already generating Oscar buzz, is a step in the right direction.

Next up are additional festival screenings, including the Toronto International Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival, before Wild Horse Nine hits theaters Nov. 6.

Related: 1964 Sean Connery Hit, With 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and a No. 1 Soundtrack, Ranked Among Greatest Thrillers

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as the saying goes…or to put it in classic rock terms, a “throwaway” song for the Beatles was a breakthrough hit for the Rolling Stones.

“I Wanna Be Your Man” was originally released by the Stones as a single in 1963 and became the band’s first Top 20 hit in the U.K., peaking at #12. But it was actually written for Ringo Starr to sing by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who were walking down London’s Charing Cross Road when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards passed them in a taxi.

“So they shouted from the taxi and we yelled, ‘Hey, hey, give us a lift, give us a lift,’ and we bummed a lift off them,” McCartney recalled in Many Years From Now by Barry Miles.

“So there were the four of us sitting in a taxi and I think Mick said, ‘Hey, we’re recording. Got any songs?’ And we said, ‘Aaaah, yes, sure, we got one. How about Ringo’s song? You could do it as a single,'” he added.

“We often used to say to people, the words don’t really matter, people don’t listen to words, it’s the sound they listen to,” McCartney continued.

“So ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ was to try and give Ringo something like ‘Boys’; an uptempo song he could sing from the drums. So again, it had to be very simple.”

In Lennon’s opinion, the song was a “throwaway.”

“The only two versions of the song were Ringo and the Rolling Stones,” Lennon explained in All We Are Saying by David Sheff.

“That shows how much importance we put on it: We weren’t going to give them anything great, right?”

Lennon also had a slightly different recollection about how the Stones got their hands on “I Wanna Be Your Man.”

“‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ was a kind of lick Paul had: ‘I want to be your lover, baby. I want to be your man,'” he said, adding, “I think we finished it off for the Stones…yeah, we were taken down to meet the Stones at the club where they were playing in Richmond…they wanted a song and we went to see them to see what kind of stuff they did.”

According to Lennon, what happened next inspired Jagger and Richards to start writing their own songs.

“We sort of played it roughly to them and they said, ‘Yeah, OK, that’s our style,'” he said.

“So Paul and I just went off in the corner of the room and finished the song off while they were all still there talking. We came back and that’s how Mick and Keith got inspired to write, because, ‘Jesus, look at that. They just went in the corner and wrote it and came back!’ Right in front of their eyes we did it.”

The Rolling Stones had the distinction of performing “I Wanna Be Your Man” on the debut episode of the BBC’s Top of the Pops as the first band appear ever appear on the show. The Beatles, meanwhile, released their own version of the song with Starr on vocals on With the Beatles, released in November 1963 in the U.K., and on Meet the Beatles! in the U.S., released in January 1964.

Related: 1968 Banned Rock Classic, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time,’ Was Recorded With a Toy Drum Set

Aldi is about to give home cooks another reason to make a beeline for the middle aisle. Starting next week, the cult-favorite supermarket is rolling out a new batch of cast-iron cookware, and one particular piece looks poised to steal the spotlight.

Meet the Crofton Cast-Iron Sauté Pan, a $24.99 find that’s giving major Le Creuset energy without asking you to hand over a small fortune. A similar Le Creuset pan can cost nearly $200, making the Crofton an enticing alternative for anyone looking to get the job done without splurging on high-end cookware.

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Aldi

The first thing to grab my attention is the rich, gorgeous green that looks like it belongs in a perfectly styled celebrity kitchen, preferably sitting casually on a marble stovetop while simmering a delicious-smelling Sunday dinner. There’s also a creamy white option for anyone whose kitchen aesthetic leans more Nancy Meyers than cottagecore.

And while the look is clearly part of the appeal, this isn’t just a pretty pan waiting for its close-up. Cast iron is famous for its ability to retain heat, making it a reliable choice for everything from searing and sautéing to simmering up a stovetop casserole and frying your morning eggs. And since it’s cast iron, it can go from stovetop to oven without worry.

In other words, it has the potential to become the workhorse in your kitchen while still looking good enough to appear on your stovetop even outside of meal prep time.

Related: This Chic Marble Salt Cellar Set From T.J. Maxx Is a $15 Kitchen Must-Have

Of course, the inevitable comparison is to Le Creuset, whose colorful enameled cast-iron cookware has become something of a kitchen status symbol. But you can grab this piece for less than $25, making it one of those deals you just can’t pass up.

And if you’re really in love with this showstopping green color, you may want to snag the Dutch oven and oval roaster so you can head home with the entire collection for right around $75.

For shoppers who have been admiring those glossy, colorful designer cookware collections from afar, Aldi’s version could be an especially tempting way to bring the look home. This new dream kitchen piece drops with a host of other cast-iron goodies on Sept. 16, so be sure to start planning your trip right away.

Related: Sam’s Club’s Bubble Stoneware Plates Bring a ‘Whimsical and Luxurious’ Touch to Any Table

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle explores things humans share with chimps, attire made of blue material, the act of brining people together and a shortened version of a popular name. There’s also a golf term hidden in the mix and a style of fighting that is in the Olympics.

Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Thursday, September 10, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

1 Across: Humans share about 99% of it with chimps — HINT: Starts with the letter “D”

4 Across: Blue attire made of 1-Down — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”

6 Across: Bring together — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

7 Across: Chunk taken out of a golf fairway — HINT: Starts with the letter “D”

8 Across: Foreboding signs — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

1 Down: Blue material in 4-Across — HINT: Ends with the letter “M”

2 Down: Gullible — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

3 Down: _ Chigurh, Javier Bardem’s Oscar-winning role in “No Country for Old Men” — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”

4 Down: Olympic martial art — HINT: Ends with the letter “O”

5 Down: Theater backdrops — HINT: Starts with the letter “S”

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

1 Across: Humans share about 99% of it with chimps — DNA

4 Across: Blue attire made of 1-Down — JEANS

6 Across: Bring together — UNITE

7 Across: Chunk taken out of a golf fairway — DIVOT

8 Across: Foreboding signs — OMENS

1 Down: Blue material in 4-Across — DENIM

2 Down: Gullible — NAIVE

3 Down: _ Chigurh, Javier Bardem’s Oscar-winning role in “No Country for Old Men” — ANTON

4 Down: Olympic martial art — JUDO

5 Down: Theater backdrops — SETS

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Night Ranger isn’t done motoring yet.

The ’80s arena-rock legends behind massive hits like “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” and “When You Close Your Eyes” have just added a new batch of shows to their U.S. touring schedule, taking them well into 2027.

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The new dates kick off this Friday, Sept. 10, in Chandler, Arizona, and hit several major cities from coast to coast before wrapping on March 2, 2027, aboard The ’80s Cruise, departing from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Formed in 1979, the San Francisco group started as Stereo. Following a couple of name changes, they settled on Night Ranger and became known for their dual-lead vocals, twin guitar solos, and sing-along power ballads.

According to their website, they have thus far sold more than 17 million albums worldwide, cementing Night Ranger as one of the most iconic bands of their time.

After their 1982 debut, Dawn Patrol, the band broke through with 1983’s Midnight Madness, which featured their mega-hit, “Sister Christian.” Written and sung by their drummer, Kelly Keagy, the power ballad peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984, helping propel the band to the upper tier of ’80s arena rock.

Beyond their famous ballads, the band also scored a string of rock-radio and MTV hits, including “(You Can Still) Rock in America” and “Sentimental Street.” Their music has continued to appear in contemporary entertainment, including films like Boogie Nights, Sixteen Candles, and The Secret of My Success, as well as video game franchises like Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

In 2023, Night Ranger celebrated their tradition with the live album 40 Years and a Night With the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart. They also recently issued a comprehensive Best Of album in August, which they’re pulling from on tour.

Next year, their debut album, Dawn Patrol, celebrates 45 years. According to vocalist Jack Blades, the band is in a great place more than four decades later.

“We don’t have anything to prove right now; that’s why our shows, when people come see us live, are so much fun,” he told Ultimate Classic Rock. “We’re playing our hearts out. … I think that was a major, major change when we hit our stride with these last 20 years of music.”

The current lineup includes Blades on bass and vocals, Keagy on drums and vocals, Brad Gillis on guitars, Eric Levy on keyboards, and Keri Kelli on guitars.

Presale tickets for the band’s newly added shows became available today, Sept. 9. General sale starts Friday, Sept. 11, with more information available on the band’s website.  

Related: ’80s Metal Legends Announce New Orleans Shows, Their First in 30 Years, With Massive Lineup

Liza Minnelli is ready to share her side of the story. In a new series on social media, the daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli is releasing transcribed recordings and letters that reveal more details about her famous family.

In the first post dedicated to the series, Liza, 80, shared a letter from her late father, who wrote about his love for Garland amid her struggle with addiction. The couple tied the knot on June 15, 1945, and the time The Wizard of Oz star was taking “too many pills” but promised to stop for her new husband.

“We flew to New York for our honeymoon and took a long walk by the river. Your mother reached into an elegant handbag that I had gifted her and said, ‘Darling, please hold my hand.’ I did,” Vincente wrote. Out of the handbag, Judy pulled bottles of prescription medicine. With a dramatic sweep of her arm, all the bottles went flying into the river.”

He continued, “Until you were born, it was the best present of my life.”

Liza did not share the entirety of the letter, calling the rest “too intimate to share,” but she does hope fans see how hard and long Garland fought substance abuse.

Vincente divorced Garland after six years of marriage in 1951. Sadly, Garland died in 1969 at the age of 47 due to an accidental overdose. Liza was 23 years old.

“My mother was so brave, and I am proud of her every day of my life,” the Cabaret star added. “I don’t give a d–n what anybody else thinks. I had, for me, the best parents in the world. My parents always said, despite the films and love they made, I was their best production.”

Vincente was best known for directing films such as Meet Me in St. Louis, starring Garland, Father of the Bride, and An American in Paris. He died at the age of 83 in 1986.