ByMolly Gregory|Feb 27, 2020, 9:00 AM EST
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Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a picky loved one or just want to add some personality to an empty desk or lonely shelf, chances are there’s a Funko Pop! out there that fits your needs. But if you’re not into the superheroes and movie characters that make up a majority of the company’s figures, don’t worry, because there are also plenty of vinyl Pops based on real-life heroes and icons. These are perfect for science lovers, history buffs, and bookworms, and you can find them all for under $15.
But fair warning: You just might be tempted to buy them all.
1. Albert Einstein; $10
Albert Einstein, best known for his theory of relativity (and his incredible head of hair), is the perfect companion for the desk of any aspiring scientist. This Funko, complete with its E=mc2 sign, will ensure that no one forgets one of science’s most important equations—or one of its quirkiest figures.
Buy it: Amazon
2. Bob Ross; $11
Bob Ross proved that life is all about happy accidents and happy little trees. But he wasn’t always the hippie-like painter that audiences—and ASMR fans—know and love. He spent two decades in the Air Force, where he served as a Master Sergeant until he retired in 1981 and made his foray into public television. Ross, who took painting classes while in the military, wanted to share his own “joy of painting” with others—and after he got his hair permed, he became the icon we all know and love today. This Funko Pop! is the perfect way to celebrate his legacy, and to bring a little more happiness into your own home.
Buy it: Amazon
3. George Washington; $9
There’s only one word to describe this Funko Pop!: Iconic. Modeled after the first President of the United States, this George Washington Funko Pop! comes complete with Revolutionary War regalia and powdered hair. (Although he’s not smiling, so you can’t see his hippo, ivory, gold, and brass dentures.) Buy this for any history buff who won’t shut up about the founding father who holds the highest-ranking officer title in U.S. history—sort of.
Buy it: Amazon
4. Bill Nye; $6
Bill Nye is a science luminary—and it’s not just because of his hit TV show. The author, educator, engineer, and aspiring astronaut (he was rejected by NASA four times) is the CEO of the Planetary Society and worked on the Mars rover space mission. He’s made science more accessible—and a whole lot more fun. (You can watch Bill teach science using emojis here and here.) This Funko Pop! is great for the goofy scientist in your life who embraces the power of the bow tie and never takes themselves too seriously.
Buy it: Amazon
5. Edgar Allan Poe; $11
Never say “nevermore” with this funky Edgar Allan Poe figurine, which is currently available for pre-order and will ship in the spring. The poet and writer behind “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher” was despised by his contemporaries. Ralph Waldo Emerson cast him aside as a “jingle man,” and of “The Raven” said, “I see nothing in it.” But English majors, hopeless romantics, and high school teachers know that Poe was nothing short of a genius. Help them to honor him with this Funko, which is sure to spark creativity (or just to give your home a little literary-inspired flair).
Pre-order: Amazon
6. Benjamin Franklin; $8
Contrary to popular belief, some historians and scientists debate whether Benjamin Franklin even conducted the kite experiment on that faithful night in 1752. But nevertheless, the image of the founding father braving a lighting storm in the name of science is forever part of history—and the Funko Pop! collection. Along with holding a kite and key, this Funko also sports Franklin’s signature shoulder-length hair and bifocals, which he invented.
Buy it: Amazon
7. Stephen King; $10
Stephen King, the master of the horror genre and the author of over 70 novels and 200 short stories, is one of the biggest bestselling authors of all time. With masterpieces like It, The Shining, Carrie, Pet Sematary, and many more under his belt—and with countless movies, TV shows, and even operas based on his works—he’s made himself a household name when it comes the art of writing. And the work he’s done championing other writers makes him something of a literary philanthropist. This Funko is guaranteed to bring you some positive SKE (Stephen King Energy). Just make sure never to turn the lights off when you put it on display.
Buy it: Amazon
8. Ruth Bader Ginsburg; $13
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (a.k.a. The Notorious RBG), can bench press 70 pounds, dissent like there’s no tomorrow, and can even drink her own custom beer. In August 1993, she became the second woman ever appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and she’s still going strong after serving for nearly 27 years (and beating cancer four times). Channel your inner RBG with this Pop! and defeat all who might oppose you—even if that just means deciding what to binge on Netflix this week.
Buy it: Amazon
At Mental Floss, we only write about the products we love and want to share with our readers, so all products are chosen independently by our editors. Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers and may receive a percentage of any sale made from the links on this page. Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication.
The 5 Best Indian Restaurants in the U.S., According to Guy Fieri
Chicken vindaloo in Alaska and lamb curry in New Mexico? These are the unexpected Indian restaurant picks that made Guy Fieri’s list.
ByNitya Rao|May 12, 2026, 8:34 PM EDT
Guy Fieri has spent decades behind the wheel of his red Camaro, proving that you don’t need a plane ticket to Delhi to find world-class curry. From the high-desert heat of Santa Fe to a hidden gem inside a Utah gas station, the Mayor of Flavortown has uncovered a “real deal” map of Indian cuisine right here in the U.S.
We aren’t just talking about your standard, lukewarm lunch buffets or the neon-red chicken you find at the mall. We’re shouting out five standout restaurants where the spices are toasted fresh, the tandoors are roaring, and the flavors are, in Fieri’s words, “off the hook.”
If you’re ready to trade the burgers for biryani and see how the spice trade meets the American Main Street, explore this mouthwatering list of Fieri’s top five Indian restaurants in the U.S.
- Paper Dosa – Santa Fe, NM
- Tandoori Oven – Logan, UT
- Gandhi Mahal – Minneapolis, MN
- Hari Om Cuisine of India – Fairbanks, AK
- Al Noor – Baton Rouge, LA
Paper Dosa – Santa Fe, NM
Lamb Curry
Santa Fe is world-renowned for its green chile, but Paper Dosa is successfully putting South Indian comfort food on the New Mexican map. This isn’t your typical rich, cream-based fare; instead, Chef Paulraj Karuppasamy offers an aromatic, authentic approach to the subcontinent’s lesser-known culinary region.
While their namesake paper-thin fermented rice crepes are a work of art, Fieri was specifically floored by the lamb curry. The dish features a lighter profile than most Northern Indian stews, relying on fresh curry leaves and toasted mustard seeds rather than heavy dairy. The result is a vibrant, aromatic dish with layers of flavor—”spice,” “smoke,” and “acid,” to be specific—that allow the tenderness of the lamb to shine through. After sampling the spread, from the potato-stuffed masala dosa to the fragrant lamb curry, Fieri noted that a visit here “isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience.”
Tandoori Oven – Logan, UT
Chicken Tikka Masala
In the world of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, some of the best culinary treasures are found in the most unassuming places. Case in point: Tandoori Oven, which is famously tucked inside a Utah gas station. While travelers might stop for a tank of unleaded, locals know to head inside for a “smorgasbord of flavors” that the Arora brothers have been perfecting for years.
When giving Fieri the lowdown on the restaurant’s offerings, Chef Sham Arora clarified that Northern Indian food is typically richer than its Southern counterparts, and the signature chicken tikka masala he later whipped up is a prime example. The secret to this creamy, spicy “Indian stew,” as Fieri describes it, lies in a rigorous two-day marination process that breaks down the proteins until the meat is so tender that your teeth simply sink into it.
After a trip into a traditional clay tandoor oven, the chicken is smothered in a vibrant, orange-red tomato-onion gravy and served with rice, naan, or—if you’re doing it right—both. Between the “perfect blend of spice” and the high-heat char from the clay tandoor, Fieri found himself struggling with the etiquette of eating something so delicious. He joked that his only real anxiety was figuring out how to “shovel it in fast enough” without looking like a dog who had never seen food before.
Gandhi Mahal – Minneapolis, MN
Dal with Naan
Gandhi Mahal is a Minneapolis legend that proves you can be “green” while serving up red-hot curry. Before its original building was lost in 2020, the restaurant was a marvel of urban sustainability, featuring a full aquaponics system in the basement. This high-tech setup allowed the kitchen to grow its own fresh produce and raise fish right on-site. Today, that commitment to fresh ingredients continues through their “Curry in a Hurry” concept.
When Fieri visited, he was immediately floored by the “outstanding” chicken tikka masala, noting it had “such a depth” of flavor. He specifically praised the “richness” of the ground almonds in the sauce and the juiciness of the chicken, which he likened to butter.
But the “next level” experience didn’t stop there. Fieri also got a taste of the plant-based side of the menu, continuing his Indian feast with a helping of earthy dal and blistered naan. The lentils are simmered for hours before being finished with a tarka—a traditional technique where whole spices are tempered in hot ghee to create an explosion of flavor.
Fieri was so impressed by the bite of smooth dal and pillowy naan that he declared the combination “multi-layered perfection.” For Fieri, the soulfulness of the cooking made it the perfect entry point for any skeptic: “If you don’t think you like Indian food, let this be your visa.”
Hari Om Cuisine of India – Fairbanks, AK
Chicken Vindaloo
If you think you have to be in a major metro area—or even the mainland—for authentic spice, Hari Om in Fairbanks is here to prove you wrong. Located just a few hours south of the Arctic Circle, this eatery provides a fiery contrast to the Alaskan chill thanks to the expertise of Chef Amit Paul.
With nearly three decades of experience, Paul has mastered the Dum Pukht tradition—a specialized slow-cooking method where the pot is sealed, allowing the food to steam in its own juices. This technique is likely why Fieri was so impressed with the texture of the chicken vindaloo, noting that the chicken was so tender it “just fell apart.”
The dish features a thick sauce built from a potent paste of red chiles and vinegar, a combination that hits all the right notes for the Mayor of Flavortown. “I love the spice, and I love the acidity,” Fieri remarked, adding that the dish has a “really nice mix of spices” and a distinct “zip.” While the vindaloo brought the heat, Fieri also sampled the lamb korma, a rich, nut-based curry that showed off the kitchen’s range.
Ultimately, Fieri concluded that the meal is “everything you want it to be, especially on a cold day in Fairbanks.”
Al Noor – Baton Rouge, LA
Lamb Kebabs
Baton Rouge might be the land of gumbo and crawfish, but Fieri found a culinary powerhouse tucked away in a suburban strip mall at Al-Noor. Chef Khalad Al-Noor famously walked away from a career in corporate engineering to return to his roots, and the result is what Fieri calls “Indian Soul Food.”
The lamb sheekh kebabs are a masterclass in tandoori cooking. The process starts with fresh ground lamb mixed with a total of 16 flavorful ingredients, including fresh ginger, garlic, and a custom blend of toasted spices. Next, the supple meat is hand-molded onto long metal skewers and lowered into a roaring clay tandoor. The intense heat renders the fat perfectly, creating a kebab that is incredibly juicy with a signature charred exterior.
While Fieri called the restaurant’s unique espresso-rubbed venison “off the hook,” it was the lamb that he deemed truly “outrageous,” noting that the spices aren’t just on the meat—they’re in it.
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Quiz: Can You Name the ‘70s Sitcom By Its Main Character?
The 1970s had some great sitcoms, but how well do you remember them?
ByAlexandria Ingham|May 18, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT
When it comes to sitcoms, there’s a reason we all turn to those from the past. The 1970s were among the best decades for comedy shows, but just how well do you remember them? Can you name the titles just from the names of the main characters? We’ve got a quiz for that!
Did you manage to score a perfect score? If you did, we’re impressed! While there were some ‘70s sitcoms named for their main characters, there were others that focused on the groups or a feeling. We didn’t want to make this one too easy, because we wanted to make sure you had bragging rights if you got them all right.
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Best Sitcoms of the 1970s
When it comes to the 1970s, there are always going to be some shows that stood out more than others. They’ve managed to stand the test of time, whether it’s because of their excellent leads, the heartfelt stories they added in with the comedy, or just the brilliance of the writing. Which ones do rank the best? IMDb users have weighed in!
One particular list puts Laverne & Shirley in fifth place for the best ‘70s sitcoms. The show has become a reference for pop culture, and it all comes down to the iconic plot. It followed two single women on their adventures throughout the 1950s and 1960s, bringing an element of nostalgia to the past.
Then in fourth place is Happy Days, and that’s not surprising considering a whole pop culture term was coined because of it. You know the term “jump the shark?” Well, that term was coined thanks to Fonzie literally jumping a shark while on a surfboard. It was the point at which the show started to go downhill, but it brought us some laughter and joy throughout its 10-year run.https://www.youtube.com/embed/u6zl5x8r9Bs?feature=oembed
Mary Tyler Moore then sits in third place, which was very much like Laverne & Shirley in the way of following a single woman. It was rare that shows during this time period would have single women in the lead, and both of these shows were done just right. The best thing about Mary Tyler Moore was that we got to see her with her friends, manage her workload, and find balance at home.
M*A*S*H comes in second place, and if you haven’t started to hum the theme tune, then you definitely didn’t grow up on this show! The series followed the staff of a Korean War Army hospital, trying to deal with the severity of their situation with laughter. Of course, it was the Korean War, and that meant some horrors and heartbreak, and M*A*S*H was able to combine both.
Finally, All in the Family takes the top spot on the list, following a working-class man who constantly fights with his family. Of course, there’s still plenty of love and laughter throughout, bringing a side of real life to our TV screens, and it remains relevant today!
Do you love to test your TV and movie knowledge? Check out the Mental Floss quiz page for more challenges.
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When the Miniseries Ruled Television in the ‘70s and ‘80s
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