With yet another heat dome smothering much of the U.S. this week, it’s no surprise that Americans are frantically Googling their way through the sweat. Google Trends dug into our collective panic and revealed the top heat-related questions we’ve been asking lately—and they’re exactly what you’d expect from a nation slowly turning into a baked potato.
Here are the five most-Googled heat wave questions from the past month:
1. What temperature is considered extreme heat?
It depends on where you live. In Phoenix, 95 degrees might be your average Tuesday. In Seattle, it’s a heat emergency. There’s no universal number—local health officials decide based on regional norms and how likely the temperature is to pose a health risk.
2. Why does extreme heat make you so tired?
Turns out your body’s working overtime just trying to stay cool. Dehydration is a major culprit too. Add in crummy sleep from tossing and turning in the heat, and it’s no wonder you’re dragging through the day like a wilted houseplant.
3. How do you prepare your body for extreme heat?
Hydration is key. Start hydrated and keep it going with plenty of fluids. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothes also help. Bonus points if your outfit says, “I’m melting, but fashion still matters.”
4. Does hot weather affect type 2 diabetes?
Yes, and it’s a double whammy. People with diabetes are more prone to dehydration, which can raise blood sugar. That leads to more peeing, which leads to more dehydration. Heat can also mess with insulin, so it’s important to check your blood sugar more frequently in high temps.
5. Is hot weather bad for pregnancy?
Definitely. Pregnant people already have a tougher time regulating body temperature and staying hydrated. That puts them at higher risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In other words: growing a human in a heat wave is next-level hardcore.
Bonus Googled Curiosity:
“What are visible heat waves called?” You know those wiggly lines that hover over hot pavement? They’re typically called heat haze or heat shimmer. And that mirage in the distance that looks like a lake? It’s just your brain playing tricks on you.
So if you’re melting this week, just know you’re not alone—and that millions of other sweaty souls are also turning to Google for answers and a little peace of mind. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and maybe don’t wear jeans.
Recruiters are talking, and Gen Z is… not. Literally.
A viral social media post from a recruiter has sparked a very modern etiquette debate: Why are so many Gen Z candidates answering phone interviews with total, unnerving silence?
The recruiter explains she does tons of scheduled phone interviews, and she’s noticed a specific trend among younger applicants.
She’ll call right on time… calls they scheduled, with her number… and they’ll answer… and just breathe. No “hello,” no “hi, this is Taylor,” not even a confused “…yeah?”
Just ambient breathing and maybe a faint TikTok video playing in the background.
To be clear, she’s not slamming them. She says it’s not a deal-breaker, just weird.
A Millennial hopped into the conversation to explain why this freaks people out: “Saying ‘hello’ isn’t just polite. It’s how you confirm you’re a human who picked up the phone, not a haunted voicemail system.” (Rough paraphrase, but you get it.)
There are a few theories about why Gen Z doesn’t say hello. For one, they probably never grew up with landlines, so nobody taught them the sacred ritual of answering with, “Hello, this is [your name].”
Also, they mainly text. Phone calls are already borderline terrifying for some Gen Z’ers. Combine that with a lifetime of spam calls and AI bots, and you get a generation that treats every ring like it might be a trap.
The post has stirred up reactions ranging from “who cares?” to “this is why we can’t have nice things.” Some people think it’s just a new normal, while others believe that if you’re interviewing for a job, you should probably start the call like you’re not being held hostage by an invisible demon.
Fleetwood Mac legends Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham sent fans into a nostalgic spiral after dropping what looked like a carefully coordinated set of clues pointing to a long-awaited reunion . . . or at least a major project together.
Last week, both artists raised eyebrows on social media by following each other again after years of estrangement. But what really sent the rumor mill into overdrive was what they posted next: lyrics from their 1973 song “Frozen Love”, the final track on their only album as a duo, “Buckingham Nicks”. Stevie wrote, “And if you go forward…” while Lindsey added, “I’ll meet you there.”
Enter the conspiracy boards.
Fans immediately speculated about a reissue of their cult-classic “Buckingham Nicks” album, which has never been officially re-released or added to streaming platforms.
But then things got even more interesting: Mick Fleetwood himself joined the fun, posting a video of himself listening to “Frozen Love” and calling it, “Magic then, magic now. What a thrill. Amen.”
And just when it couldn’t feel more like a ‘70s rock movie teaser trailer, a billboard appeared on Sunset Boulevard in L.A. featuring the original “Buckingham Nicks” album artwork and a date: September 19th. No caption. No further context. Just enough mystery to make longtime fans absolutely lose it.
buckingham nicks billboard located at 7365 sunset blvd, los angeles ca ~ you’re welcome ✨ pic.twitter.com/8CXDWQbAwr
And now we finally have an answer. We are getting a reissue of “Buckingham Nicks” in all formats (digital, vinyl, and CD) on September 19th.
The original album came out in 1973 but was quickly buried after poor commercial sales—despite becoming a fan-favorite over the years. It also famously led to both Nicks and Buckingham joining Fleetwood Mac in 1975, setting off one of the most dramatic and iconic chapters in rock history.
So far, the track “Crying in the Night” is available on streaming,
Worth noting: this probably won’t lead to a Fleetwood Mac reunion. Stevie has said there’s “no chance” of putting the band back together after Christine McVie’s passing in 2022. But a musical reconnection with Buckingham—who was fired from the band in 2018 after personal tensions boiled over—feels like a long-overdue bit of closure, if not outright healing.
For dog people, traveling is basically a countdown to getting home and being smothered in fur and slobber.
A new survey of 2,000 dog owners confirms what every pet parent already knows: the highlight of any vacation isn’t the beach, the food, or the overpriced souvenirs… it’s that tail-wagging, zoomie-filled reunion at the front door when they return from the trip.
Here’s how obsessed we are with our dogs:
🐶 42% say coming home to their dog is the best part of the trip 🕐 53 minutes is how long it takes before the average person starts missing their pup 🧠 13 times a day is how often people think about their dog while traveling 📱 19% have asked a pet sitter to put the dog on the phone 📹 17% have FaceTimed their dog 🧳 76% say summer travel plans depend on whether they can find good dog care 😭 22% say missing their dog can ruin their trip 🔮 1 in 5 claim they “always” know what their dog’s going to do before they do it
People also have plenty of vacation anxiety when it comes to their dog.
40% of dog owners say they constantly worry about their pup while traveling
32% don’t trust anyone else to understand their dog’s quirks
34% are afraid their dog won’t get enough love
And the same number worry their dog won’t get enough walks or playtime
We’re so deep in the dog-parent lifestyle that 40% of us worry more about the dog’s needs than our own. (Only 19% say the reverse, which feels like a lie.)
But here’s the kicker: while we’re focused on belly rubs and ball tosses, only 28% think about giving their dog mental stimulation, and just 29% prioritize socialization. That’s like feeding your kid lunch but never letting them go to recess or read a book.
Moral of the story: If you’re going to leave your dog behind, make sure they’re living their best life too… because odds are, you’re the one who’s going to suffer more.
If you’re the kind of person who shops early, picks out meaningful gifts, and even wraps them with precision… this isn’t for you.
But if you’re more of a last-minute, “oh no the birthday party is TODAY” type, this might just change your life.
A writer for Slate recently shared her accidental discovery of the ultimate kid gift: a candy bar and a $20 bill.
It started as a desperation move. She forgot to buy a gift for a kid’s birthday party and, in a panic, slapped a $20 bill around a Kit Kat.
She figured it looked lazy compared to the other gifts the kid would get. But surprise! The kid lit up and shouted, “Money AND candy?” Instant win.
Even better, the parents followed up later to say it was his favorite gift. They loved it too—because it wasn’t another plastic toy they’d trip over by Tuesday.
Now it’s her go-to gift for every birthday, holiday, or kid-adjacent event. Zero stress. No wrapping.
No guessing what a 9-year-old’s into this month. And no fear of being the person who buys a duplicate LEGO set.
It’s simple, it’s sweet, and it spends well. So next time you’re at a gas station on the way to a birthday party, grab a Hershey’s and 20 bucks. You’ll look like a genius.
Ozzy Osbourne, the godfather of heavy metal and one of rock’s most unpredictable icons, has passed away at the age of 76.
Just last week, his daughter Kelly Osbourne denied rumors that he was dying. But on Tuesday morning, the sad news became official: Ozzy died surrounded by family. No cause of death has been released. A statement from the family said, “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love.”
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 23: Black Sabbath fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne on July 23, 2025 in Birmingham, England. Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary rock icon and Black Sabbath frontman, died on Tuesday, aged 76, after performing a farewell show in his hometown of Birmingham earlier this month. Over the course of his storied career, he brought home five Grammy Awards and was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – once as a member of Black Sabbath, and again as a solo artist. (Photo by Katja Ogrin/Getty Images)
For millions of fans, Ozzy wasn’t just a music legend—he was a larger-than-life character who shaped decades of pop culture.
From fronting Black Sabbath to starring in a chaotic reality show, his career was anything but ordinary.
He got his start in Birmingham, England, as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, helping invent heavy metal in the early ‘70s. After being fired from the band in 1979, he launched a wildly successful solo career, producing hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley” while also redefining the role of a rock frontman.
Black Sabbath: Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne – 1970 (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)
His bizarre stunts—biting the head off a bat, snorting ants, and allegedly urinating on the Alamo while wearing his wife Sharon’s dress—only added to his myth.
Ozzy also became one of the most unlikely reality TV stars of the 2000s, thanks to MTV’s The Osbournes, which turned his entire family into household names and introduced a new generation to the Prince of Darkness.
Despite his hard-partying reputation, Ozzy remained shockingly resilient.
He survived decades of substance abuse and multiple health scares. In 2003, he was seriously injured in an ATV crash, and in 2019 he suffered another fall that aggravated previous injuries. He also batted Parkinson’s disease.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – (L-R) Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne speak onstage during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy )
In a 2023 interview, Ozzy described the last few years as “five years of absolute hell.” Still, just this month, he delivered his final performance in Birmingham at the Back to the Beginning show, which raised $190 million for charity.
He sold over 100 million records and holds the rare distinction of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—first with Black Sabbath in 2006 and again as a solo artist in 2024.
Ozzy is survived by his wife Sharon, children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and his children from a previous marriage: Jessica, Louis, and Elliot.
Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward all shared heartfelt tributes, with Iommi writing, “There won’t ever be another like him.”
Rest in peace, Ozzy. You truly were one of a kind.
Singer Ozzy Osborne stripped off in his swimming pool in Beverly Hills, California in June 1987. Ozzy smokes his cigar while giving the victory sign. (Photo by Eddie Sanderson/Getty Images).
Feeling like life’s been a blur of blah lately? You might be selling your days short.
According to a new nationwide survey, the average American racks up 252 “good days” per year. That’s about five out of every seven days. Not too shabby for a population that frequently doom-scrolls and stress-snacks.
The study, commissioned by Icelandic Provisions (yes, the yogurt people), dug into how we define a “good day” and found that the mood-boosting magic often comes down to a few small things: a positive outlook, laughing at the little stuff, quality family time, exercise, and eating healthy.
And most of us know how our day’s going to go by 8:30 a.m., which honestly checks out.
The Happiest States in the U.S.
Here’s where it gets interesting… your zip code might play a role in your daily mood stats.
Florida (yes, Florida) tops the list with the most good days per year at 276, or about 76% of the time. Who knew gator country was secretly thriving?
Other states with above-average good vibes include Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and Hawaii.
On the flip side, Kentucky, Vermont, and Connecticut reported the fewest good days at 228 a year… still a solid 62%, but noticeably lower.
Some other big-name states like California, Texas, and Pennsylvania fell below the national average, along with 10 others including Ohio, Virginia, and Iowa. The rest of the country? Smack dab in the middle.
So What Counts as a Good Day?
The biggest takeaway? You’re probably having more good days than you realize. They might not always involve champagne corks or Instagram-worthy sunsets… but if you’re laughing, moving your body, eating decent food, and spending time with people you care about, that counts.
If you’re over 35, brace yourself: Gen Z might already consider you a dinosaur.
A new survey tackled the age-old question… literally… of when someone officially becomes “old.” The answer? It depends entirely on who you ask. For Gen Z, the cutoff comes alarmingly early: 22% of them say “old” starts at 35. That even includes a bold 3% who think you’re washed up at 27. Yes, 27.
Gen Z, born between the mid-to-late ’90s and early 2010s, is just now rounding the bend into adulthood. The oldest are only around 28, so it’s possible this opinion is less about wisdom and more about the shock of finding their first gray hair. Millennials, on the other hand… many of whom are in their 30s and 40s… are far more forgiving: just 15% believe 35 counts as “old.”
The survey didn’t ask Gen X or Boomers, but it’s safe to assume none of them would be caught calling 35 “elderly”… at least not with a straight face.
The survey also uncovered some deeper anxieties about aging among young adults:
Fear of decline: 51% of Gen Z and 62% of Millennials say their top age-related worry is declining health.
Second-biggest fear? Gen Z is haunted by the idea of not achieving enough. Millennials, meanwhile, are stressed about financial insecurity.
Judgy vibes: Nearly half of Gen Z disapprove of people who still party in their 30s, while 49% of Millennials look sideways at 30-somethings who live with their parents.
Peaked too soon? Around 30% of both groups feel like their best years are already behind them… though 73% say they’re still hopeful that the future holds better days.
The fame game also looms large: 63% of Gen Z and half of Millennials admit to comparing their lives to celebrities. And while nearly 4 in 10 Gen Z’ers have already let go of the dream of becoming famous, a third of Millennials say they think it’s too late to change careers.
Also: 9% of Gen Z think people stop having sex at 40. (Spoiler alert: they don’t.)
So, what age is “old”? Apparently, it’s not a number… it’s a vibe. And depending on your generation, that vibe kicks in anywhere from 27 to never.
After nearly 40 years of fans quoting the line “There’s no basement at the Alamo,” Pee-wee Herman’s iconic red bicycle has finally made its way there—for real this time.
The original bike from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” has officially been acquired by the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, just in time for the movie’s 40th anniversary.
It’s set to become a permanent part of the site’s upcoming Visitor Center and Museum, opening in Fall 2027. But you won’t have to wait two years to see it.
The Alamo announced that the legendary cruiser will be on display for a limited time at the Ralston Family Collection Center later this year. That’s also in San Antonio, but the specific dates haven’t been shared yet. You can bet fans are already dusting off their grey suits and red bow ties in anticipation.
And yes, there will be a free movie screening to go along with the exhibit, but details are still to come.
In the meantime, the Alamo’s official Instagram account had some fun with the announcement, posting: “Until then, don’t worry… the bike will be stored for safekeeping. Maybe in the basement!”
“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure”, released in 1985, marked the directorial debut of Tim Burton and helped launch Paul Reubens’ quirky character into pop culture history. The film’s plot—centered around Pee-wee’s desperate quest to retrieve his stolen bike—turns the Alamo into a hilarious (and completely false) detour, cementing it in fan memory.
Now, nearly four decades later, the Alamo is embracing its Hollywood cameo and giving the bike the spotlight it deserves.
DC just unleashed the latest “Superman” on the world, and Marvel’s up next, with Friday’s release of “Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
But not all superheroes are created equal. In fact, some of them kind of suck. But not necessarily in a bad way. Here are 10 of the best not-so-super superheroes:
1. “The Toxic Avenger” (1984)
The years-delayed remake starring Peter Dinklage and Kevin Bacon is finally hitting theaters at the end of the summer, but let’s not forget the movie that still fuels the demented engine of Troma Films, and almost-kinda-sorta made New Jersey cool.
Melvin the Mop Boy is pranked by the patrons at the health club where he works, causing him to fall into a vat of toxic waste, which transforms him into “a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength.”
This hideously deformed creature is driven to not only fight crime, but to literally tear it limb-from-limb in such graphic and gory fashion that even he starts to wonder if he’s not such a nice guy. Don’t worry, his doubt doesn’t last. Nor does the evil in Toxie’s beloved Tromaville.
2. “Super” (2010)
Before he became a Hollywood darling, “Superman” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn got his start at the aforementioned Troma Films. As such, his pre-Marvel and DC output was pretty weird, and often wonderful.
In “Super,” Rainn Wilson is brilliant as Frank Darbo, a depressed and possibly schizophrenic short order cook who decides to rescue his wife when she falls back into addiction, and back in with a gang of drug dealers led by a sleazy Kevin Bacon. (Yes, second mention of Kevin Bacon so far, but sadly, probably the last.)
To achieve his goals, Frank becomes a “superhero” called The Crimson Bolt, with the equally delusional Elliot Page as his female sidekick Boltie. But Frank is no superhero, nor does he become one in the end. He does more or less save the day, but ultimately, he’s just as pathetic as ever.
3. “Chronicle” (2012)
What if three high school kids suddenly got super powers? Would they become champions of the people and spend the rest of their lives fighting for truth, justice, and the American way. Hell no. They’d screw around until things went sideways and people started getting hurt.
That’s what happens in the brilliant “Chronicle,” which employs the found footage conceit better than most horror movies, and features a still-gestating Michael B. Jordan as one of the super teens.
4. “Batman” (1966)
It actually took people a while to realize that the ’60s TV Batman wasn’t bad, it was a brilliant, before-its-time superhero parody, and it might be even more relevant in this age of Marvel and DC overkill. Made during the original run of the TV series, the movie was just as good or better.
Adam West’s Batman was so decent and square, he was the cool one (a concept James Gunn co-opted for the new “Superman”). And the fact that he would just happen to carry “Shark Repellent Bat-Spray” in case an obviously rubber shark might latch onto his leg? Why not?
(And the “Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb” scene? Chef’s kiss. In my opinion one of the great comedy routines of all time.)
5. “Mystery Men” (1999)
This one should have been a hit. A stellar cast, including Ben Stiller, William H. Macy, Hank Azaria, Janeane Garofolo, and Geoffrey Rush . . . not to mention Paul “Pee Wee Herman” Reubens as the Spleen, whose weapon is flatulence so foul it debilitates anyone downwind of him.
In the end, our heroes overcome the evil Casanova Frankenstein, as well as the fact that they’re not very good superheroes, with a GROUP HUG. Or, as Macy’s The Shoveller puts it: “We struck down evil with the mighty sword of teamwork and the hammer of not bickering.”
This movie needs a sequel, stat.
6. “Brightburn” (2019)
Is this a superhero movie or a horror flick? Any attempt to answer that question would give too much away. It’s basically the Superman origin story, but with a twist: Alien baby’s space capsule crash lands in the Midwest, and baby is adopted by farmers.
But was he sent here to do good or evil? Any similarities to the new “Superman” movie are most likely not coincidental, since “Brightburn” was produced by James Gunn, and written by his brothers Brian and Mark.
7. “Kung Fury” (2015)
Even though it’s only 31 minutes long, this is one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. An homage to everything ’80s, from Miami-cool to buddy cop movies, martial arts flicks, VHS, and even the Nintendo Power Glove, and beyond.
“Kung Fury” is a cop who was supercharged by being struck by lightning AND bitten by a cobra at the same time. He travels through time to defeat no less than Adolf Hitler, with the aid of his partner Triceracop, his retro tech wiz ally Hackerman, some sexy female Viking warriors, and an actual T-rex.
(Bonus: You can watch the whole thing on YouTube. Oh, and did I mention the David Hasselhoff cameo?)
FYI, a sequel featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the president was made a few years ago, but remains criminally unreleased.
8. “Italian Spiderman” (2007)
A series of short films meant to parody not only superheroes, but Eurotrash cinema of the ’70s and early ’80s, Italian Spiderman isn’t even Italian. It was made by an Australian collective and starred “Franco Franchetti” (not his real name) in the title role.
He’s out of shape, he has a creepy pornstache, and he probably smokes too much . . . but he’s just as amazing as his American cousin, although for vastly different reasons.
9. “The Machine Girl” (2008)
If you asked me to name the 100 weirdest movies I’ve ever seen, it’s a strong bet that at least 75 of them would be Asian. And “Machine Girl” would probably make the list.
Ami Hyūga is an orphaned schoolgirl (Because Japan, obvi) whose arm is cut off by the yakuza. So she does what any orphaned schoolgirl would do: She slaps a machine gun on her stump and starts wasting bad guys who come at her with chainsaws, flying guillotines, and the dreaded drill bra. (Trailer)
10. “Batpussy”
To paraphrase cult movie god Bruce Campbell, this movie wasn’t released, it escaped. And we are all the worse for it. This porn flick was discovered in the storeroom of an adult movie theater in Memphis in the mid-1990s
Nobody knows who made it or when, but best guesses say late ’60s or early ’70s. There’s also no indication who the “actors” are, but boy, must we use that term loosely.
The “film” starts with a highly unappealing couple having highly unerotic sex, while insulting each other the entire time. Soon Batpussy arrives via hippity-hop… I’m not joking… and we have what’s got to be the most sack-deflating threesome ever committed to film.
This could easily be the worst porn flick ever made, the worst superhero movie ever made, and even the worst movie ever made. I’d also bet my mortgage that in the 30 years since it was uncovered, no one has ever masturbated to it. And anyone who has needs to be on some kind of watch list.
But if your mission is to seek out the worst that film has to offer, that mission can never be complete until you’ve watched Batpussy at least once.
(Here’s the safe-for-work four-plus-minute hippity hop scene. It includes a pee break and a little crimefightin’ on the side.)
