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Oscars 2021: Experts explain why award show ratings have plunged during COVID, and why interest in Academy Awards may dip this year
Viewers aren’t tuning into awards shows like they used to — and that’s bad news for Sunday’s Oscars. Although declining ratings for ceremonies isn’t a new trend, industry experts are blaming historically low viewership on how the COVID-19 epidemic has changed the way these shows are presented. “It is kind of mystifying why we see it, and the only real (new) variable is that these award shows look differently than they did before because of COVID,” Robert Thompson, the founding director of Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television & Popular Culture, told the Daily News. “I suppose that...
New York Daily News
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Oscars 2021: Our movie critic shares her predictions for the 6 major categories
Life has changed, rather dramatically, since we last talked about the Oscars — back in February 2020, when our hearts were young and our hands unsanitized. But nonetheless, here we are again, with a slate of films that most of us didn't see in theaters. Whether the Oscars seem like an odd afterthought or a welcome return to seminormalcy, it's time to indulge in my annual sport: predicting the winners. It's harder than usual this year, as I haven't quite seen everything (some films aren't available except in theaters, and my not-yet-fully-vaccinated self isn't quite ready). But the pre-Oscars a...
The Seattle Times
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Television Q&A: Why did Christopher Meloni leave 'SVU'?
You have questions. I have some answers. Q: I wonder if you would be able to explain why Chris Meloni left “Law & Order: SVU” many years ago. I love that show and am happy that he is back in “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” A: Fans were astonished when Meloni, who had played detective Elliot Stabler, left the long-running drama a decade ago. Different theories have been offered for his departure, including that money issues during contract negotiations played a role. Meloni, meanwhile, told the New York Post in 2020 that his departure “had nothing to do with the ‘Law & Order’ people, the ‘SVU’ ...
Tribune News Service
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Quick Fix: Cheese quiche easy to mix, bake
You can have this homemade quiche ready in just 25 minutes, without fussing with pastry dough. Dr. Amy Ronner, law professor emeritus, created this vegetarian quiche looking for new recipes during the pandemic. It’s an easy mix-and-bake quiche. The secret to saving time and calories is to use breadcrumbs and chopped walnuts for the crust instead of pastry. You can still slice and serve the quiche with this crust. I’ve adapted her recipe for this dinner. She used vegetarian bacon-flavored bits. They add flavor and color to the dish and can be found in most supermarkets. Helpful Hints: — You can...
Tribune News Service
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Timber, condos, glamping? States debate land use to fund schools
SEATTLE — Checkerboarded across the landscape of the American West are thousands of parcels of state-owned land that collectively cover an area larger than North Dakota. They include vast swaths of forest and prairie, fracking wells, coal mines, luxury housing developments, parking lots, cell towers and solar panels. Known as state trust lands, these parcels were given to Western states as they were admitted to the Union, setting them up with a long-term revenue stream to fund public services, primarily schools. Although the rules can vary by state, government officials generally have broad le...
Stateline.org
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As Chauvin trial concludes, Rayshard Brooks’ case drags on
ATLANTA — Their names have been intertwined since last June, when Rayshard Brooks, 27 was fatally shot in a downtown Wendy’s parking lot after resisting arrest for a suspected DUI. Less than three weeks earlier, in Minneapolis, George Floyd, 46, died after police confronted him for allegedly trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. For nine minutes and 29 seconds, Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck and back. This week, Chauvin was remanded to state custody after jurors found him guilty of two counts of murder and one count of manslaughter for actions that led to Floyd’s death. As family...
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Michael Phillips: The Oscar for Chicago Authenticity goes to ... well, not ‘Trial of Chicago 7’ or ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’
Can you make a persuasive, evocative Chicago movie without filming most, or any, of your movie in Chicago? For decades, Hollywood answered that with: Stupid question. Outside Chicago, who cares? Look at the late silent and early sound era gangster classics, from “Underworld” (set in an inferred, not stated, Chicago) to “Little Caesar,” “The Public Enemy” and “Scarface.” Those weren’t filmed here. Who cared? They worked like crazy, and they maximized the customary way of shooting movies, on studio backlots and a few Los Angeles streets. Until “Call Northside 777″ filmed with James Stewart on lo...
Chicago Tribune
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Naquan Jones’ journey to the NFL draft has seen heartbreak, reflection and hard work. Now he's eager to begin his next climb.
CHICAGO — Over the last few months, NFL coaches and talent evaluators have connected with Naquan Jones, wanting to hear his story. They’ve been eager to learn more about his drive, his passion for football and where he sees this journey taking him. Jones, with his honesty and gregarious disposition, hasn’t been afraid to shoot straight. Why turn on a rehearsed and polished presentation? Why shy away from the setbacks and scars that shaped him? Why not share the nuances of his personality and be upfront about the weaknesses he’s still working on? Jones hopes offering even a glimpse of what’s in...
Chicago Tribune
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During COVID-19, many people who were homeless lived in Chicago-area hotels. Here’s what was learned
CHICAGO – When COVID-19 halted the world a little more than a year ago, one group of people appeared to be particularly vulnerable to this new, little-understood coronavirus: the homeless. Often suffering from poor health and packed head-to-foot in shelters — known as congregate housing — homeless individuals were one of several groups of people who, it was feared, would be decimated by the spread of COVID-19. While those experiencing homelessness did suffer COVID’s aggressive spread initially, a silver lining has emerged out of the deadly pandemic. Hotels, abandoned by business travelers and ...
Chicago Tribune
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On Gardening: Gardens of beauty await those for whom the coral bells show
There are gardens of untold beauty for whom the coral bells show — and I know many of you in the South desperately want them. Just think all of those pages of gorgeous heuchera varieties (coral bells) have their DNA forever linked to natives in the United States. The Garden Guy came across gorgeous wild ones in the North Georgia Mountains, yet it has been rare to see them growing in a garden. To be exact, I have never seen them in a garden in the South with which I wasn’t somehow associated. I know they must be there, and I invite photo submissions. So I want to give you two approaches. Right ...
Tribune News Service
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