Tech

“You Had to Be There” review: Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and other comedy legends reveal their shared showbiz start

Published

5 months ago

September 7, 2025

Vicky

Even the most devoted comedy nerd may not realize how many truly iconic comedies of past and present might never have existed if it weren't for a single theatrical production. Everything from Only Murders in the Building and Schitt's Creek to SCTV and Saturday Night Live can be linked back to a 1972 Toronto production of Godspell, which boasted such not-yet-famous performers as Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Jayne Eastwood, and Paul Shaffer.

Incredibly, over its much raved about (and protested) 14-month run, not a soul thought to video record this production for posterity. So, 53 years later, documentarian Nick Davis aims to bring us back to this pivotal time and place with the preposterously and perfectly titled You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (in a Canadian Kind of Way).

For the sake of brevity (and sanity), we'll refer to the film simply as You Had to Be There going forward. As in, You Had to Be There is so stuffed with interviews with comedy icons, remarkable anecdotes, and cheeky revelations that it's manna from heaven for comedy nerds.

Table of Contents

You Had to Be There has an incredible obstacle and even more incredible interviews.

With a dismaying dearth of footage of the show itself, Davis instead relies on a two-pronged approach to usher audiences down memory lane for a bevy of comedy legends. First off, he offers interviews with much of the cast from the show's run, including Short, Levy, Thomas, Garber, Martin, Eastwood, Shaffer, Avril Chown, Don Scardino, Valda Aviks, and Rudy Webb.

Many of them are now in their 70s, and they have the refreshing give-no-fucks air that is perfect for documentaries, looking back with fondness and candor to a time when everything felt possible — and vaguely terrifying because of that. Davis' thoughtful collection of interviews takes us back to 1972 Toronto, where the stuffy culture of the Canadian city was set alight with the arguably sacrilegious clown show that was Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak's Godspell, a musical that depicted the story of Jesus Christ through parables and willfully silly theatrics.

Short, who laid out a lot of this history in his addictive memoir, I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend, proves an especially great interview, in part because of his lifelong dedication to keeping records of his work. However, You Had to Be There is most fun when the cut leaps from one individual interview to another, creating the sense that we're at a dinner party with some of the coolest people on the planet — recounting a party we weren't invited to. It's enchanting and bittersweet, especially as they talk about those who can't join the fun anymore, like Gilda Radner.

You Had to Be There is a movie for comedy lovers by comedy lovers, which means Davis won't spend extra screen time reminding audiences who his subjects are, or what they suffered. The expectation is that you know the broad strokes.

Radner's friends remember her, warts and all, but warmly, putting forth chiefly that even when she struggled with disordered eating and terminal cancer, she was a light for all around her. (For more — and and more complicated — stories of Radner, do read Martin's book, as they dated for years and remained close for decades after.)

For a greater sense of history beyond the personal, Davis invites some famous faces inspired by these groundbreakers for interviews. These talking heads include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janeane Garofalo, Heidi Garner, and Mike Myers. This works to swiftly pave a path of legacy and brings some added star power without derailing the narrative.

You Had to Be There employs animation to fill the gaps.

With little footage from the troupe's time in Toronto to pull from, Davis opts for animation in reenactments. This way, the audience won't be distracted by how well other actors are playing or impersonating modern comedy icons. By favoring a style of animation that's reminiscent of '70s cartoons like Schoolhouse Rock! and Scooby-Doo, Davis gifts us visuals that emotionally and artistically tie back to this era and its sense of free-love, optimism, and creative moxie.

Animators thoughtfully recreate the costumes from '72's Godspell, documented in promotional photos, and create caricatures of the twentysomething theater kids. This animation enhances the mischievous tone of many of the interviews. For instance, there's one story about how Levy's chest hair became a problem for producers, who feared a hirsute Jesus would be inappropriate for kids in the audience. (Remember how we noted 1972 Toronto was stuffy?) Well, as Short and Levy set up the story — one giddy, the other wry — the reveal of the compromise is illustrated through the cartoon as a sensationally silly punchline.

You Had to Be There gets serious, too.

Of course, looking back not only on this production but on 50-some years in show business, not all the stories are funny. Props to Davis, who gives voice to one player in particular, actress/singer Avril Chown. She uses this platform to finally share her story, which includes a harrowing tale of abuse that came after Godspell's cast had taken their final bow. Before she recounts her heartbreaking experience, she asks simply, "How much blood do you want to give for something you love?"

Rather than feeling exploitative or like a tangent, this sequence provides a counterbalance to the more convivial stories of showbiz. Because of course, clowns make us laugh, but sometimes they cry. To show only one side of this would be to sanitize comedians, actors, and performers who built their careers and legacies on taking risks.

Simply put, You Had to Be There gifts audiences plenty of laughs, and so much more. This is not some fluffy celebration of comedians or even Godspell. Davis and company have come together to craft a documentary that is both informative, historical, entertaining, and deeply humane.

These stars let us into this time of their lives in such a sublimely personal way that by the film's final revelation — a long lost clip of one song's performance — the audience gasps with excitement — just as its subjects do. The most incredible thing about You Had to Be There is that this film makes you feel like you were there, and these friends are your friends too.

You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (in a Canadian Kind of Way) was reviewed out its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.

Tech

How to watch the 2026 winter sports biathlon online for free

Published

21 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Vicky

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 winter sports biathlon for free on streaming platforms like 9Now, CBC Gem, and BBC iPlayer. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

What a time to be a fan of winter sports. There's top-level ice hockey, curling, alpine skiing, and so much more taking place right now. It's actually difficult to follow everything, such is the packed nature of the schedule.

The likelihood is that fans are going to need to make some tough decisions over the next couple of weeks. We know that not everyone will have the time to track all the action, but if you have any time to spare, can we suggest that you check out the biathlon? There are few other sports that demonstrate such versatility. Athletes combine rifle shooting and cross-country skiing. The result is an extremely watchable event.

Mashable Deals

Be the first to know!

Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone!

By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Thanks for signing up!

If you want to watch the 2026 winter sports biathlon for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

Table of Contents

When is the 2026 winter sports biathlon?

The international biathlon takes place from Feb. 8-21. Here's a full breakdown of what's on the schedule:

Mixed Relay 4 x 6km — 8:05 a.m. ET on Feb. 8
Men's 20km Individual — 7:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 10
Women's 15km Individual — 8:15 a.m. ET on Feb. 11
Men's 10km Sprint — 8 a.m. ET on Feb. 13
Women's 7.5km Sprint — 8:45 a.m. ET on Feb. 14
Men's 12.5km Pursuit — 5:15 a.m. ET on Feb. 15
Women's 10km Pursuit — 8:45 a.m. ET on Feb. 15
Men's 4 x 7.5km Relay — 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 17
Women's 4 x 6km Relay — 8:45 a.m. ET on Feb. 18
Men's 15km Mass Start — 8:15 a.m. ET on Feb. 20
Women's 12.5km Mass Start — 8:15 a.m. ET on Feb. 20

The great news for fans is that it's possible to follow events live without spending anything.

How to watch 2026 winter sports biathlon for free

The 2026 winter sports biathlon is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

Australia — 9Now
Austria — ORF
Canada — CBC Gem
France — France TV
Germany — ARD
Ireland — RTÉ Player
Italy — RAI
Spain — RTVE
UK — BBC iPlayer

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 winter sports biathlon from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 winter sports biathlon by following these simple steps:

Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free access
Watch the 2026 winter sports biathlon for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the biathlon before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 winter sports biathlon for free with ExpressVPN.

Tech

How to watch Bad Bunnys halftime show online for free

Published

21 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Vicky

TL;DR: Live stream Bad Bunny's halftime show from the 2026 Big Game for free on 7Plus, TVNZ+, or Channel 5. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

If you're interested in watching the huge game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, you've come to the wrong place. We all know the real star of the show is Bad Bunny.

Spotify's most-streamed artist of 2025 will headline the Big Game's halftime show. Interested in live streaming this incredible event without spending anything? It's actually a pretty straightforward process. You might need to jump through a couple of hoops, but it's worth it. This is Bad Bunny we're talking about.

Mashable Deals

Be the first to know!

Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone!

Thanks for signing up!

If you want to watch Bad Bunny's halftime show from the 2026 Big Game for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

Table of Contents

How to watch Bad Bunny's halftime show for free

Bad Bunny's halftime show from the 2026 Big Game is available to live stream for free on the following platforms:

Australia — 7Plus
New Zealand — TVNZ+
UK — Channel 5

These free streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, New Zealand, or the UK, meaning you can live stream the halftime show from the Big Game for free from anywhere in the world.

Follow these simple steps to secure access to the halftime show for free:

Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, New Zealand, or the UK
Visit 7Plus, TVNZ+, or Channel 5
Watch the halftime show for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming require a subscription, but leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the halftime show without actually spending anything. This is obviously a short-term fix, but you can watch Bad Bunny (and all the other performances) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the halftime show?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live events, for a number of reasons:

Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Live stream Bad Bunny's halftime show from the 2026 Big Game for free with ExpressVPN.

Tech

Microsoft Office 2024 for Mac and PC gets smarter with AI, now 60% off

Published

21 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Vicky

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for $99.97 through March 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT, offering 60% off Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more.

Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License

$99.97

$249.99
Save $150.02

If your work revolves around documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and email, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business brings those core tools together with updated features designed to keep everyday tasks moving efficiently. The lifetime license for Mac or PC is priced at $99.97, representing a 60% discount off the regular price, and ends on March 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Included are Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook — the familiar lineup, installed directly on your device for both online and offline use. Office 2024 brings performance improvements across the whole software. In Excel, for example, working with large datasets or handling multiple workbooks is quicker and more reliable. For anyone who routinely works with numbers or builds reports, this added speed can make daily tasks less tedious.

Mashable Deals

Be the first to know!

Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone!

Thanks for signing up!

Content creation tools have also been refreshed. PowerPoint now supports recording presentations with voice narration, video, and closed captions, which is a plus for remote meetings, online classes, or sharing presentations after the fact. Word adds Focus Mode to help reduce distractions as you write, alongside AI-powered suggestions to sharpen up your prose. Built-in research features keep citations and references at your fingertips, so you can stay in the zone without switching tabs.

Microsoft’s Fluent Design system brings Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook a cohesive look and feel. Touch and pen support is now smoother on tablets and convertibles, and customizable templates and themes make it easy to create polished work without a designer’s eye.

Collaboration tools are built in as well. Real-time co-authoring allows multiple people to work on the same file simultaneously, with chat, comments, and version history helping track changes and feedback. Deeper integration with Microsoft Teams centralizes file sharing and communication within the Office environment.

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is designed for users who already rely on Microsoft’s core apps and want updated features without changing how they work. For $99.97 through March 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT, the current deal makes it easier to step into the latest version at a lower cost, especially if those tools are already part of your daily routine.

StackSocial prices subject to change.