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‘Abbott Elementary’ leads TV competition for 28th annual Critics Choice Awards

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

ABC’s Emmy-winning Abbott Elementary led the class in the just-announced nominees in the television category of the 28th annual Critics Choice Awards.

Quinta Brunson‘s comedy nabbed six nominations, including Best Comedy Series and Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her. Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph scored Best Supporting Actress noms, while co-stars Chris Perfetti and Tyler James Williams earned Best Supporting Actor nominations.

AMC’s Better Call Saul scored a second-best five nominations in the drama category, including Best Drama Series, with lead Bob Odenkirk nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series; Giancarlo Esposito earned a Best Supporting Actor nod, while co-stars Carol Burnett and Rhea Seehorn will compete for the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series trophy.

Disney+’s series Andor scored a surprise nomination for Best Drama Series, with its lead Diego Luna nominated for Best Actor in a Drama series; the Star Wars show ranked alongside veteran shows like Netflix’s Emmy-winning The Crown, HBO’s Emmy winner Euphoria and Paramount Network’s ratings juggernaut Yellowstone.

The winners will be revealed at the Critics Choice Awards gala, broadcast live on The CW from the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 15.

Here are this year’s television nominees in the main categories; the full list can be found here:

BEST DRAMA SERIES
Andor (Disney+)
Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
Better Call Saul (AMC)
The Crown (Netflix)
Euphoria (HBO)
The Good Fight (Paramount+)
House of the Dragon (HBO)
Severance (Apple TV+)
Yellowstone (Paramount Network)

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jeff Bridges – The Old Man (FX)
Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us (NBC)
Diego Luna – Andor (Disney+)
Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul (AMC)
Adam Scott – Severance (Apple TV+)
Antony Starr – The Boys (Prime Video)

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Christine Baranski – The Good Fight (Paramount+)
Sharon Horgan – Bad Sisters (Apple TV+)
Laura Linney – Ozark (Netflix)
Mandy Moore – This Is Us (NBC)
Kelly Reilly – Yellowstone (Paramount Network)
Zendaya – Euphoria (HBO)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Andre Braugher – The Good Fight (Paramount+)
Ismael Cruz Córdova – The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Prime Video)
Michael Emerson – Evil (Paramount+)
Giancarlo Esposito – Better Call Saul (AMC)
John Lithgow – The Old Man (FX)
Matt Smith – House of the Dragon (HBO)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Milly Alcock – House of the Dragon (HBO)
Carol Burnett – Better Call Saul (AMC)
Jennifer Coolidge – The White Lotus (HBO)
Julia Garner – Ozark (Netflix)
Audra McDonald – The Good Fight (Paramount+)
Rhea Seehorn – Better Call Saul (AMC)

BEST COMEDY SERIES
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Barry (HBO)
The Bear (FX)
Better Things (FX)
Ghosts (CBS)
Hacks (HBO Max)
Reboot (Hulu)
Reservation Dogs (FX)

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Matt Berry – What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Bill Hader – Barry (HBO)
Keegan-Michael Key – Reboot (Hulu)
Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Jeremy Allen White – The Bear (FX)
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai – Reservation Dogs (FX)

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christina Applegate – Dead to Me (Netflix)
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Kaley Cuoco – The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)
Renée Elise Goldsberry – Girls5eva (Peacock)
Devery Jacobs – Reservation Dogs (FX)
Jean Smart – Hacks (HBO Max)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Brandon Scott Jones – Ghosts (CBS)
Leslie Jordan – Call Me Kat (Fox)
James Marsden – Dead to Me (Netflix)
Chris Perfetti – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Henry Winkler – Barry (HBO)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Paulina Alexis – Reservation Dogs (FX)
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear (FX)
Marcia Gay Harden – Uncoupled (Netflix)
Janelle James – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Annie Potts – Young Sheldon (CBS)
Sheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

BEST LIMITED SERIES
The Dropout (Hulu)
Gaslit (Starz)
The Girl from Plainville (Hulu)
The Offer (Paramount+)
Pam & Tommy (Hulu)
Station Eleven (HBO Max)
This Is Going to Hurt (AMC+)
Under the Banner of Heaven (FX)

Seventeen workers arrested at sit-in as University of California strike enters fourth week

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Seventeen academic workers on strike were arrested at a University of California administrative office in Sacramento, as a system-wide worker strike across all 10 campuses enters its fourth week.

The arrests, which occurred after some workers staged a sit-in at the university president’s office, took place while 2,000 striking workers gathered outside for a march and rally at the state capitol building.

The workers are asking the university system for higher wages, improved leave for parents and caregivers as well as childcare support.

Workers are saying the university is not supporting its diverse workforce, which they say undermines the quality of research and education. They also say compensation does not match the cost of living in California and claim the inequitable working conditions are pushing scholars out of academia.

“I’m engaging in this act of civil disobedience because the stakes are incredibly high, and the UC is not demonstrating that they understand that,” Jess Banks, a member of the bargaining team at UC Berkeley, said in a statement. “UC thinks they can end negotiations and send us back to work, but this strike will continue until they stop breaking the law and settle a fair contract.”

Academic researchers and postdocs reached a tentative agreement with the university system on Nov. 28. Workers will be voting on whether to ratify the contract through Friday.

Academic researchers and postdocs said they would continue the strike in solidarity with academic student employees and student researchers who have not yet voted to ratify proposed agreements.

The university system made a new wage proposal to academic student employees and student researchers on Dec. 2 that has not tentatively been agreed to.

“Instead of bargaining in good faith, the University of California has forced their workers to take drastic action to call attention to their unfair labor practices and unlivable wages. Our living conditions are unacceptable considering the UC is one of the largest employers in the state. We will not stop until we receive fair contracts,” Elias Bunting, a student researcher in the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Davis, said in a statement.

“Whoopi, I’m ready”: Keke Palmer is down for ‘Sister Act 3’

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

When Whoopi Goldberg recently mentioned she’d love a third Sister Act film to star Keke Palmer — as well as Lizzo and Nicki Minaj — Keke was listening.

In a conversation with the Los Angeles Times‘ The Envelope podcast, the recent SNL host and recently revealed mom-to-be says she’s all in.

“My reaction was, ‘Whoopi, where do I sign on the dotted line?'” Keke enthused. “Because Whoopi, I’m ready. I’m ready for whatever that you need from me.”

Palmer explained, “Whoopi is an EGOT winner. Whoopi had her own one-woman show. Whoopi hosted the Oscars. Whoopi is everything! So for her to mention me for the Sister Act, I mean, I’m here, I’m there for whatever that needs to be done, just call me up.”

Whoopi name-dropped Keke back in October on Charlamagne tha God‘s Comedy Central talk show, adding of the possible threequel, “You know, I want everybody to come in. I want Lizzo to come in, I want everybody. I want the girl with the chest, what’s her name? Nicki [Minaj], I want Nicki to come!”

The View co-host said, “I want as many people who wanna have some fun, ’cause I really, desperately need to have some fun.”

For her part, Keke passed along a fan-made poster that featured Goldberg’s photo in costume, along with Palmer’s name. She noted, “God bless y’all for this manifestation over my life. @WaltDisneyCo, this is what they asked for I’m just here to relay,” referencing the studio that produced the film, which is ABC News’ parent company.

A$AP Rocky on life since becoming a father: “It’s beautiful”

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(Note Language) It’s been a few months since A$AP Rocky and Rihanna welcomed their first baby, so the rapper has had some time to get a feel for parenting. In an interview with Complex, he reflected on his experience with fatherhood thus far, noting it’s already helped him to get his priorities straight.

“It’s beautiful,” he said of the life adjustments he’s made since becoming a father. “Honestly, I think fatherhood gives me more time to do exactly what I want. I don’t have time for anything that isn’t priorities.”

“It helps you prioritize, honestly. I love it,” he continued. “Everything is just based around my newfound love for being a dad and a family man. It’s lit right now. I can’t even describe it. Yo, you see this smile! I’m all smiles right now, man.”

With priorities on his mind, A$AP continues to share his art via music and fashion. He recently launched his new design studio, Hommemade, a “dream come true” that will feature “tons of innovative decor.” He’s also working on his upcoming album. A$AP says it’s nearly time for him to “start dropping songs and getting prepared for the rollout,” noting he has “some cool sh** in store.” “It’s not a situation where they are going to have to wait long,” he added. “It’s like ASAP, no pun intended.”

Overall, A$AP is focused on perfecting his artistry.

“I’m in a place where I want to give my all to all of this. All I have is my craft, my art and my family. That’s just my life,” he explained. “I just want to give motherf***ers some dope sh**. They’re going to see. It’s going to be ill.”

Mariah Carey to star in a new comic book about her life

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Mariah Carey‘s life story will soon be published in comic book form, which hits the shelves very soon.

The singer is the latest artist to be featured in TidalWave Comics‘ “Female Force” series; Female Force: Mariah Carey will be published on Wednesday, December 7.

The 22-page comic explores Mariah’s “inspirational life story,” including the highs and lows she faced on her journey to superstardom.

Publisher Darren G. Davis explained why Mariah was the perfect artist to feature in TidalWave’s growing series. “We wanted to time this with the world celebrating the self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Christmas,'” he said, adding, “She has an inspiring story, and to release it for the holidays seemed to be a perfect fit.”

Because this release is timed around the holidays, TidalWave is releasing a special Christmas edition of the Mariah Carey comic, which is 28 pages long and will feature an on-theme cover created by Marvel Comics artist Yonami.

Previous honorees in this storyline include country superstars Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, as well as Barbra Streisand and Stevie Nicks.

Female Force: Mariah Carey will be released on digital, hardcover and softcover on Amazon starting December 7. There will also be a special foil edition of the story, but only 100 copies are available.

Jan. 6 officers awarded Congressional Gold Medals; some family seem to snub Republican leaders

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Top lawmakers on Tuesday presented police officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, with Congressional Gold Medals — the highest honor that Congress can bestow — nearly two years after the attack.

For many officers honored, the Rotunda ceremony marked the first time since Jan. 6 that they’ve returned to the Capitol complex.

“Many of us still carry the physical, mental and emotional scars after that mob of thousands launched a violent assault in an attempt to halt the counting of electoral ballots,” said Chief Robert Contee of the Metropolitan Police Department. “The sound of metal poles and other objects striking the bodies, helmets and shields may still ring loudly — the air, still thick with bear spray and other chemicals, making it difficult for our officers to see and breathe — the calls for your fellow officer to be harmed just as loud as the day that this occurred.”

“But there is hope,” Contee added, speaking directly to the scores of police present, “because through adversity comes growth, and we continue to grow together and deliver excellence to our community.”

“Defending the U.S. Capitol is something that you will carry with you for the rest of your careers and lives. Regardless of your political affiliation, you responded like you do each and every day: without hesitation, with courage and an unwavering duty to uphold your oath,” Contee said. “You did not give up, and you did not give in.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in one of her final ceremonial acts in leadership, was the first to deliver remarks of the top four congressional leaders, all of whom were present. She recalled Jan. 6 — in which a mob overran law enforcement and stormed the Capitol to try and prevent the certification of Donald Trump’s election loss — as a “day of horror and heartbreak” but also a “moment of extraordinary heroism.”

“Exactly 23 months ago, our nation suffered the most staggering assault on democracy since the Civil War,” Pelosi said. “Staring down deadly violence and despicable bigotry, our law enforcement officers bravely stood in the breach, ensuring that democracy survived on that dark day. So on behalf of the United States Congress and the American people, it is my honor to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police and every hero of Jan. 6.”
MORE: Biden signs measure awarding Congressional Gold Medal to police who defended Capitol

U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said, for his officers, that it was a day “defined by chaos, courage, tragic loss and resolve.”

“I especially want to recognize our officers who made the ultimate sacrifice: Officer Brian Sicknick, Officer Howard Liebengood. Now I want to recognize also Officer Billy Evans who was lost in the line of duty on April 2, 2021, when he was attacked outside the Capitol by a lone assailant,” Manger said, referring to three police who died in the days and months after Jan. 6. “I appreciate the fact that Congress is acknowledging the courage, the strength and resiliency of each and every member of the United States Capitol Police — sworn and civilian.”

Contee, speaking for Metropolitan Police, thanked “all that voted in favor of this recognition.” While the Senate passed legislation last year to grant the medals unanimously with a voice vote, 21 House Republicans voted against it.

The ceremony arrived as Democrats race to finish a nearly 18-month investigation by a House select committee probing the attack amid discussion of criminals referrals to the Justice Department ahead of Republicans taking back the House majority in January.

Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, the likely incoming House speaker, has signaled he would not like to see the select committee kept in place and, instead, hold hearings about security lapses that led to the breach.

McCarthy, on Tuesday, joined in calling the officers “heroes.”

“Heroes who live out the code to protect and serve, heroes who do the noble work — too many people take that for granted — but days like today force us to realize how much we owe that thin blue line. We’re forever indebted to them for their heroism,” McCarthy said.

Gladys Sicknick, the mother of Brian Sicknick, appeared to pass over McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in a handshake line with congressional leaders. Gladys Sicknick had lobbied Congress to pass legislation for a bipartisan select commission to investigate Jan. 6, which Senate Republicans ultimately blocked.

McConnell, in his remarks, called law enforcement officers at the Capitol “familiar colleagues … the first faces we see on our way in each morning and our last goodbyes every night.”

“Because you honored your oath to support and defend the Constitution, we were able to honor ours,” McConnell told officers present. “That is a reality that was made especially clear 23 months ago, but it is true every single day. Thank you for having our backs. Thank you for saving our country. Thank you for being not just our friends, but our heroes.”

When President Joe Biden signed legislation to grant the medals last year, he said that one would be placed at the Smithsonian Museum “so all visitors can understand what happened that day.” Medals will also be placed at the Capitol, at the U.S. Capitol Police headquarters and at the Metropolitan Police Department.

“We cannot allow history to be rewritten,” Biden said at a Rose Garden ceremony last summer. “We cannot allow the heroism of these officers to be forgotten. We have to understand what happened — the honest and unvarnished truth. We have to face it.”

Carly Pearce explains why she “might throw up” from nerves when she performs on ‘The Voice’ this week

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Carly Pearce will return to the stage of The Voice this week, performing her current single, “What He Didn’t Do,” during the semifinal results episode of the show.

Carly has performed on The Voice before — she hit the stage in late 2021 to perform the title track of her 29 album — but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have jitters this time around.

“This show makes me very nervous because I have to sing in front of people like Camila Cabello and John Legend and Gwen Stefani and my tourmate, Blake Shelton. So, I might throw up,” the singer tells her record label ahead of her performance.

The singer is joining Blake on his Back to the Honky Tonk arena tour in 2023, along with newcomer Jackson Dean. He’s a big hero of hers, both musically and in terms of his work on the show, Carly says.

“I think about what he has done for country music by being on that show, his humor, his talent, his awareness of what artists need to go from that show to becoming superstars,” she explains. “I just think he’s everybody’s best friend, and I think he was always that, but The Voice made everybody in America and beyond aware of that.”

The episode featuring Carly will air live tonight on NBC. Blake will also take the stage to perform his single “No Body,” and John will sing “Nervous,” off his new album, Legend.

Red Hot Chili Peppers earn first billion-views video with “Californication”

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Red Hot Chili Peppers have joined the billion views club on YouTube.

The band’s video for “Californication,” which reimagines Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante and Chad Smith as video game characters, has officially passed the milestone, making it the first Peppers clip to reach 1 billion views.

“Californication” is the title track off RHCP’s 1999 album. It’s now one of several videos from the ’90s with 1 billion views, along with Nirvana‘s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Guns N’ Roses‘ “November Rain,” AC/DC‘s “Thunderstruck,” Metallica‘s “Nothing Else Matters,” R.E.M.‘s “Losing My Religion,” The Cranberries‘ “Zombie,” 4 Non Blondes‘ “What’s Up” and Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You.”

Even without the billion views news, Red Hot Chili Peppers were already having a big week with the announcement of a 2023 world tour in support of their two 2022 albums, Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen.

Billie Eilish opens up about imposter syndrome and sexism in the music industry

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Billie Eilish opened up about the price she paid growing up in the public eye, which she says was a downward spiral of imposter syndrome.

Speaking with BBC, the 20-year-old singer opened up about becoming an overnight sensation at the age of 14, when her song “Ocean Eyes” went viral. “Growing up in the public eye is a very bruising experience, and it’s really hard to develop and change,” the singer said. “I didn’t know what to do so I was grasping at straws.”

“I just had such severe imposter syndrome. I’ve had that so many times in my life,” she continued. Billie said she was swept up in a “downward spiral of imposter syndrome” between 2020 and 2021.

She said what helped her through those moments was gaining more trust from people in the industry. “Being a female at all and especially being a very young female especially in this industry — it’s, like, it’s very hard to make people believe in you,” she divulged.

While Billie admits she understands “to an extent” why she was met with resistance early on, she added, “When I finally had control was a really good moment.”

“I feel the most powerful when I feel masculine … I like to feel more masculine than feminine. It just makes me feel better,” the singer disclosed, adding she initially struggled with those feelings because she “wanted to feel feminine and like it.”

Billie says she now balances both her masculinity and femininity, which she expresses with how she moves and looks. She said being able to exhibit both traits makes her feel good.

Firearm deaths among Black men at 28-year high, doctors are taking steps to reframe gun violence as one of America’s major health crisis

December 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — There’s been a substantial increase in firearm-related deaths in the United States over the past three decades and Black men are the most affected, according to new research from a team of emergency room doctors. They’re 23 times more likely to experience firearm-related homicide than white men, the study showed.

“Gun violence is an incredible scourge in our country. Gun violence affects everybody, and that’s an important thing to recognize. However, it affects certain groups far more than others. Black men speak to one of the greatest disparities, if not the greatest disparity,” co-author Eric Fleegler, associate professor of pediatrics and emergency physician at Harvard Medical School, said in a statement.

In a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association, Fleegler and colleagues analyzed disparities in firearm-related deaths between 1990 and 2021. They showed firearm-related homicides are greatest among Black men between 20 and 40 years of age. Firearm-related violence for Black men is at a 28-year high, the analysis found.

“There are these hotspots where firearm fatalities are happening more frequently, and interventions need to be catered to where those are happening. We’re seeing huge rates of firearm-related homicides among young Black and African American males — that’s the population where we may need to think about implementing violence prevention strategies,” said co-author Chris Rees, an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Emergency medicine at Emory University School of Medicine.

To reframe firearm violence as a public health crisis, the American Medical Association, one of the nation’s largest doctor associations, established the first taskforce on firearm violence prevention in November.

“We cannot continue to live this way…In movie theaters, houses of worship, hospitals, big cities and small towns, firearm violence has shattered any sense of security and taken lives. As physicians, we are committed to ending firearm violence by advocating for common-sense, evidence-based solutions, and this task force will be key to that ongoing effort,” Jack Resneck Jr. president of the American Medical Association, said in a statement at the launch of the taskforce.

Experts say there’s a range of factors contributing to the high rates of gun deaths among Black men.

“Weak gun laws cause more damage in places that have been subjected to systemic racial inequalities,” said Jeffrey Gardere, a clinical psychologist, and an associate professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Medical associations like the AMA have called for more gun laws over the years to combat firearm violence — but there was no governmental action until this past June, when Congress passed the first gun law in 30 years.

But gun laws alone will not solve the societal issues that contribute to firearm violence among Black males.

In places where unemployment rates are higher, where there isn’t equal access to safe housing, and where public infrastructure is neglected, people may be more exposed to dangerous behavior, Gardere said. Addressing those issues “would help Black and Brown people, especially males, be able to avert gun violence — whether as victims or as perpetrators,” he said.

Reframing firearm violence as a public health issue means affected communities need to be at the table as vocal members of any taskforce.

“The next step I’d like to see is addressing things at the community level and taking into account what communities think is feasible. I don’t think any community wants to see higher rates of firearm fatalities,” said Rees.

All hands are needed to solve this continually escalating problem.

“Unfortunately, in our country, the firearm epidemic is getting worse at an accelerating pace,” Fleegler said.

Faith Crittenden, MD MPH is a resident physician in pediatrics from Yale–New Haven Children’s Hospital and contributing correspondent of the ABC News Medical Unit.

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