Social justice at NASCAR's forefront as new season begins
Fans said they didn't want to hear about social justice, and banning the Confederate flag at racetracks would drive them from the sport forever. As a new season begins Sunday with the Daytona 500, a new era of social consciousness has enveloped the sport and NASCAR is committed for the long haul. There's not a Confederate flag to be found at the speedway. Born in Alabama but raised in North Carolina, Wallace no longer wanted to see the Confederate flag at his workplace. “There was a question at the time: Social justice, is that something a sport should do, NASCAR should do?
Did you catch these? Here are the Super Bowl commercials we loved
Whether you’re into the big game or not, many of us can agree: The Super Bowl commercials are what make the day extra fun. Here are some of the commercials that stuck with us especially. The commercial was set at the U.S. Center Chapel in Kansas, and spoke about crossing our current divide. This emotional adoption storyJust try not to tear up at this Toyota spot, featuring U.S. Paralympic swimmer Jessica Long. Well, that’s the premise of this GM commercial, starring Will Ferrell, Awkwafina and Kenan Thompson.
Amazon, Cadillac score with Super Bowl ads
NEW YORK – During this year's Super Bowl, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reigned supreme on the field. Overall, this year's crop of Super Bowl ads focused on light humor that strove to entertain and connect. Bud Light Seltzer LemonadeBud Light used lemons as a metaphor for everything that went wrong in 2020 to introduce its new Seltzer Lemonade. Michelob was likely hoping to drive people to repeat views online with the celebrity lookalikes, but during the fast-moving Super Bowl the conceit was confusing. With its first-ever Super Bowl ad, Scott's was looking to keep that momentum going, but the overstuffed ad ended up being distracting.
The Latest: Robinhood's ad emerges from the time capsule
The latest news on Super Bowl commercials. ___10 p.m.Smartphone-based stock market investment service Robinhood bought its Super Bowl spot in December after a successful year, unaware that it was about to make global headlines. Ad___9:45 p.m.Jeep starred iconic singer Bruce Springsteen in his first ever ad promoting the idea of unity. Most brands that have money to spend on Super Bowl ads are already household names, but the big game is also a chance for upstarts to make a big splash. ___7:15 p.m.General Motors used humor in a Super Bowl ad to promote its ambitious push to get more Americans to buy electric vehicles.
'Ma Rainey,' 'Minari' and Boseman lead SAG nominations
The Screen Actors Guild has nominated the cast for a SAG Award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. But the SAG Awards, presented by SAG-AFTRA, are considered a far better barometer for the Academy Awards, where actors account for the largest percentage of the academy. Usually, the eventual Oscar best picture winner is first nominated for best ensemble by the SAG Awards, though “Green Book” and “The Shape of Water" were two recent exceptions. In 2019, he memorably a ccepted the SAG ensemble award for “Black Panther." Aside from Boseman and Oldman, the nominees for best male actor in a lead role were Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”), Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”) and Steven Yeun (“Minari”).
New this week: 'The White Tiger,' Salt-N-Pepa movie & Rhye
Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. “The White Tiger” shows her acting chops in a way that American productions have thus far failed to. The film, from director Gabriela Cowperthwaite (“Blackfish”), is adapted from Matthew Teague’s Esquire article about his own experience. — AP Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSIC— After a hectic 2020, all you need is the smooth and soothing sound of Rhye to help you start the new year right. — AP Music Editor Mesfin FekaduTELEVISION— The rise and impact of one of the first female rap groups is dramatized in the Lifetime movie “Salt-N-Pepa” (8 p.m. EST Sunday).
'The Little Mermaid': Lin-Manuel Miranda Says Halle Bailey Will Be an 'Incredible' Ariel (Exclusive)
Even Lin-Manuel Miranda can't wait for everyone to see Halle Bailey in Disney's live-action The Little Mermaid remake. Miranda named his eldest son, 5-year-old Sebastian, after the wise-cracking crab character in The Little Mermaid. In April, Bailey spoke to ET's Melicia Johnson about the status of The Little Mermaid. Diggs danced around the topic of Little Mermaid when ET asked about the film, which would reunite him with his Hamilton co-star, Miranda. For more on The Little Mermaid, watch ET's interview with Awkwafina below.
How many people saw 'Hamilton'? For now, that's a secret
(Disney Plus via AP)NEW YORK Disney+'s streaming of Hamilton was surely the biggest event on television screens over the holiday weekend. Hamilton is the poster boy for how the science of measurement is not keeping up with how entertainment content is being consumed. For example, Fox News Channel drew 5.7 million viewers on Friday night when it showed President Donald Trump speaking at Mount Rushmore. CBS had 3.3 million, ABC had 2.3 million, Univision had 1.4 million, Fox had 1.3 million, ION Television had 1 million and Telemundo had 820,000. ABC's World News Tonight led the evening newscasts with an average of 8.9 million viewers.
Hamilton movie trailer released ahead of July 3 Disney+ premiere
(CNN) -- Broadway fans who couldn't get tickets for "Hamilton" will soon be able to watch one of its many sold-out performances from the comfort of their homes. A filmed version of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is set to premiere on streaming service Disney+ on July 3. The 60-second trailer, released Sunday, shows a montage of scenes from the critically acclaimed drama, set to a mash-up of the show's opening number, "Alexander Hamilton," and "Satisfied." The "Hamilton" movie was originally scheduled to arrive in cinemas in October 2021, but the studio opted to release the film early on its subscription streaming service amid the coronavirus pandemic. In May, cast member Diggs, who portrays Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the production, admitted he was "terrified" about the musical being released on Disney+.
How the 'Snowpiercer' Series Pays Homage to Tilda Swinton's Iconic Film Performance (Exclusive)
None of them, however, are more iconic than Tilda Swintons turn as Minister Mason, the trains second in command and the spokesperson for conductor Mr. Wilford. In the series, the most recognizable version of this character is Ruth Wardle. Weve also done a slight nod to her by having [Ruth] speak in a similar sort of way, the actress adds. Snowpiercer the series takes place in a much different timeline from the graphic novel and the film. RELATED CONTENT:Jennifer Connelly Talks Unreal 'Top Gun' Sequel and Relevancy of 'Snowpiercer' (Exclusive)We the Animals and Snowpiercer Actress Sheila Vand Is One to Watch (Exclusive)How to Watch 'Snowpiercer,' Plus Other Films and Series About Extreme Quarantines
'Little Mermaid': Daveed Diggs in Talks to Play Sebastian the Crab in Live-Action
It looks like the upcoming Little Mermaid live-action adaptation may have found its Sebastian! Daveed Diggs is in talks to help bring the lovable crab to life in the new Disney film, ET has learned. The GRAMMY and Tony winner would join Halle Bailey, who will playing Ariel, the mermaid who fantasizes about joining the human world. However, the role of Prince Eric hasn't been claimed yet. RELATED CONTENT: Watch 'Grown-ish' Cast React to Halle Bailey Getting Named Ariel 'Little Mermaid' Remake (Exclusive) Embed Code RestartHarry Styles Reveals Why He Passed on Playing Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid'13 Reasons Why' Star Christian Navarro Reveals He's Auditioning for Prince Eric in 'Little Mermaid' MovieAwkwafina Dances Around Rumors She's Joining 'Little Mermaid': 'I Would Be More Than Honored' (Exclusive)