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☆ O.J. Was an Earthquake. We’re Still Living With His Aftershocks.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Wesley Morris | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

When our Great Americans go, we know how to mourn them. But there’s a Great American subset — where the adventure rocks the infrastructure and the life leaves a gash. In some other realm, the football career and its showbiz afterlife, pitching rental cars and enlivening spoofery, would have warranted the plain-old Great American treatment. Are we still in Great American territory? In a place some call “La La Land,” no less.

Persons: Simpson, What’d, spoofery, O.J, Folks, LeVar Burton, Nicole Brown Simpson, Ronald Goldman, beckoning, ” Organizations: Great Locations: O.J, Africa, La

☆ Opinion: What we may never understand about O.J. Simpson
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Gene | Opinion Gene Seymour | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated via Getty Images Simpson competes during a track event at the University of Southern California in 1967. Focus On Sport via Getty Images Simpson gets ice applied to his bandaged right foot from his wife Marguerite in 1967. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Simpson poses with the Heisman Memorial Trophy after receiving the award in 1968. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Simpson is brought down by another football player during the Hula Bowl in 1969. ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Simpson acts in a scene from the 1978 film "Capricorn One."

Persons: Gene Seymour, Orenthal James Simpson, Gene Seymour Jeremy Freeman, we’ve, We’ll, Simpson, Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, “ I’m, acclimate, Simpson’s, Nicole Brown Simpson, Ronald Goldman, O.J, Bundy, Vince Bucci, Malcolm W, Emmons, Walter Iooss Jr, Marguerite, Arnelle, Tony Tomsic, Jason, Michael Ochs, Lola Falana, Richard Burton, Everett, George Gojkovich, Bruce Bennett, Jim Ringo, LeVar Burton, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Joe Namath, Frank Gifford, Mickey Pfleger, Nicole, Adam, PhotoQuest, Vinnie Zuffante, Leslie Nielsen, George Kennedy, Al Cowlings, Ford Bronco, Simpson's, Ronald Lyle Goldman, Allen J, Simpon, Cowling, Ron Galella, Chris O'Meara, Robert Kardashian, Alvin Michelson, Kardashian, Barbara Alper, Johnnie Cochran , Jr, Myung J, Chun, Reuters Simpson, Wilfredo Lee, Colin Braley, Christy Prody, Frazer Harrison, Jason Bean, Brooke Keast, AP Simpson, Jeffrey T, Barnes, Brown, O.J . Simpson, Mark Fuhrman Organizations: The New York Times, Newsday, Entertainment, The Washington, CNN, University of Southern, LA Coliseum, Fame, Getty, Sporting, USC, Bettmann, UCLA, Buffalo Bills, USA, Michael Ochs Archives, New York Jets, NFL, ABC, Disney, Warner Bros, San Francisco 49ers, AP, United, Paramount, Everett, Ford, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Police, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Daily, AP Simpson, Reuters, Lovelock Correctional, Nevada Department of Corrections, Goldman, Los Angeles Police Department Locations: University of Southern California, San Francisco, O.J, Los Angeles, Simpson, AFP, Hollywood, California, Cowlings, Simpson's Brentwood , California, Tampa , Florida, Los, Surrey, England, Miami, Dade County, Lovelock , Nevada, Las Vegas, Lovelock, Nevada

☆ Louis Gossett Jr.’s Greatest Roles: A Streaming Guide
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Jason Bailey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Gossett had already established himself as an actor of note onstage, and in television guest shots and small but memorable appearances on film (“The Landlord,” “Skin Game”) when he was cast in the ABC mini-series adaptation of Alex Haley’s best seller. He plays the key role of Fiddler, an older enslaved man who becomes a mentor to the central character, Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton). Fiddler allows Gossett to display several of the gifts that would distinguish him throughout his career: an inherent dignity, a no-nonsense toughness and a (seemingly contradictory) warmth and humanity. The mini-series was a cultural sensation, breaking records for television viewership, and Gossett would win an Emmy for his unforgettable work.

Persons: Gossett, Alex Haley’s, Kunta, LeVar Burton Organizations: ABC

☆ Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries "Roots," has died. Gossett became the third Black Oscar nominee in the supporting actor category in 1983. "More than anything, it was a huge affirmation of my position as a Black actor," he wrote in his 2010 memoir, "An Actor and a Gentleman." "I knew too little to be nervous," Gossett wrote. Gossett went to Hollywood for the first time in 1961 to make the film version of "A Raisin in the Sun."

Persons: Louis Gossett Jr, Oscar, Gossett's, Neal L, Gossett, Nelson Mandela, Louis Gossett, Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton, John Amos, Richard Gere, Debra Winger, David Susskind, Ed Sullivan, Red Buttons, Merv Griffin, Jack Paar, Steve Allen, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Martin Landau, Steve McQueen, Frank Silvera, Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands, Billy Daniels, Sammy Davis Jr, Melvyn Douglas, Anne Baxter, Patrick O'Neal, Royce Corniche, Richard Pryor, Sharon Tate's, Charles Manson's, Louis Cameron Gossett, Louis Sr, Sadat, Dave Karger's, Satchel Paige, Josephine Baker, Oscar didn't, Satie, Robert Gossett, Hattie Glascoe, Christina Mangosing, Cyndi James, Reese Organizations: HOLLYWOOD, TCM, Associated Press, Oscar, Globe, Broadway, New York University, Hollywood, Beverly Hills Hotel, Universal Studios, Eracism Foundation, Rockford, Mamas, White Locations: CA, Hollywood , California, Santa Monica , California, Malibu, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Hollywood, Los Angeles County, Beverly Hills, Coney, Brooklyn , New York, Malibu .

☆ The 75 most impactful TV moments are debuts, farewells and historic firsts
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

These and more indelible moments appear on the Television Academy’s new list of the 75 most impactful moments in TV history, spanning introductions, endings and history-making events. MTV premieres with its first music video – “Video Killed the Radio Star,” 198113. “All in the Family” – viewers meet the working-class Bunker family, 197135. 8.” M*A*S*H” series finale, 198326. But these classic TV moments that stirred audiences when they first aired are still resonant and frequently referenced in contemporary culture.

Persons: Martin Luther King Jr, Mister Rogers, Clemmons, Whitney, George Floyd’s, Lucy ”, Neil Armstrong, O.J, Simpson, Ford Bronco, Walter Cronkite, John F, Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr, Nixon, Barack Obama’s, Rodney King’s, Princess Diana’s, Queen Elizabeth II’s, Rodney King, William Shatner’s Captain Kirk, Nichelle Nichols, Uhura, Nichols, Ellen DeGeneres, “ Ellen ”, Sammy Davis , Jr, Archie, “, Lucy ” – Lucy Ricardo, Little Ricky, Lucille Ball, “ Maude ” – Bea Arthur’s Maude, Kelly Clarkson, – Kirk, Kunta Kinte, LeVar Burton, ”, Matt Zoller Seitz, Kunta, Levar Burton, George Carlin, Gordon, Walter White, Bart, Homer, Ted Turner, Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, it’s, hallucinating, King Cole, White Walker, ” – Julia Child, boeuf, “ Julia ” –, Julia, “ Will, Grace ”, James Farley, Tony Soprano, Will Hart, It’s, Hawkeye, “ Newhart, Robert Hartley, Bob Newhart, –, “ Mary Tyler Moore, Mary, Ted Danson’s Sam, Bette Midler, Johnny Carson, weren't, Robb, Catelyn, Ed Sullivan, Elvis, “ Charlie Brown, – Linus, Charlie Brown, Carol Burnett, Lucy ” – Lucy, “ Dallas, Mary Tyler Moore, Mary can’t, Chuckles, “ Seinfeld, Jerry, Will Smith, Chris Rock, Harry Bemis, Kinte, Toby, Elmer Fudd, Siegfried, Bugs Bunny, Michael Jackson’s, Oprah ”, Oprah Winfrey, Robb Stark, Hooper, Big, Mr, offscreen, Bill, Frank, Justin Timberlake, Janet, Luke, Laura get, – Whitney Houston, “ Peter Pan ”, “ Walt, Disney Organizations: CNN, The, Television, “, Space Shuttle, NFL, Ford, Capitol, MTV, Radio Star, ABC, Getty, Variety, Oceanic Airlines, Democratic National, HBO, Super, “ Dallas, Beatles, US, Nazi, Pontiac Locations: Angeles, New York, Southern, Monica, “, Valhalla

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced Monday that he will run for Virginia governor in 2025. In a campaign video announcement, Stoney said he wants all Virginians to have a fair shot at success. He served as the first Black Secretary of the Commonwealth and is now in his second term as mayor. While no Republicans have announced a bid yet, Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Outgoing Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase, who lost a June primary and ran unsuccessfully for her party’s nomination for governor in 2021, has also said she may run.

Persons: — Democratic Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Stoney, “, ”, ” Stoney, Abigail Spanberger, Eileen, Jennifer Wexton, Glenn Youngkin, Jason Miyares, Winsome Earle, Sears, Sen, Amanda Chase Organizations: — Democratic Richmond Mayor, Virginia, Commonwealth, Democratic, CIA, U.S . Rep, Republican Gov, Republicans, Gov Locations: RICHMOND, Va, Virginia

The National Book Award ceremony took a political turn on Wednesday night, as the event concluded with a joint statement from a group of writers who called for a cease-fire in Gaza. For the final award of the night, Justin Torres received the fiction prize for “Blackouts,” his widely acclaimed, genre-defying novel about erasure and queer history. As Torres gave his speech, more than a dozen other nominees from different categories joined him on the stage. They stood behind Aaliyah Bilal, a finalist in the fiction category for her short story collection “Temple Folk,” as she read the statement. “On behalf of the finalists, we oppose the ongoing bombardment of Gaza and call for a humanitarian cease-fire to address the urgent humanitarian needs of Palestinian civilians, particularly children,” Bilal said.

Persons: Justin Torres, Torres, Aaliyah Bilal, ” Bilal, “, LeVar Burton, ” Burton Locations: Gaza

HENRICO, Va. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger announced Monday she will run for Virginia governor in 2025 instead of seeking reelection to the U.S. House next year. Spanberger, a three-term Democrat, made the announcement in a campaign video, highlighting the importance of lowering prescription drug prices, growing the middle class and easing inflation. Her decision not to seek reelection in the House could lead to a competitive Democratic primary in the 7th. Postal Service won her first congressional race in a district that had been held by Republicans for almost 50 years. Last month, former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn announced she would not run for governor in 2025 and will instead run next year to represent the competitive northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by a fellow Democrat, U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton.

Persons: Abigail Spanberger, ” Spanberger, ”, Spanberger, they’re, That’s, Glenn Youngkin’s, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Jason Miyares, Winsome Earle, Sen, Amanda Chase, Chase, she’s, Eileen, Jennifer Wexton Organizations: — U.S . Rep, Virginia, U.S . House, Congressional, Democratic, CIA, U.S . Postal Service, Republicans, Commonwealth, Republican Gov, Richmond Mayor, Democrat, Gov, Sears, U.S . Senate, U.S . Rep Locations: HENRICO, Va, Richmond, Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Voters in Virginia's capital city are deciding Tuesday whether developers can move forward with a proposed $562 million resort casino along Interstate 95. A ballot measure on whether to allow the gambling and entertainment complex is before Richmond voters for a second time, after the city narrowly rejected the proposal two years ago. Many of the anti-casino signs that dotted the city in recent weeks have emphasized the fact that the city already said “no” once before. Boosters estimate the casino will deliver 1,300 permanent jobs, and developers are promising big financial benefits. An agreement with the city calls for a one-time upfront $25.5 million payment if the referendum passes, with another $1 million after financing closes.

Persons: Levar Stoney, ”, Tierra, Paul Goldman, Goldman, They’re, trashing, ” Goldman Organizations: —, Richmond, Richmond Grand, Urban, Kentucky Derby, Democratic Party, “ Locations: RICHMOND, Va, Virginia's, Richmond, Churchill Downs, Louisville, Tierra Ward, Virginia, Bristol, Portsmouth, Danville, North Carolina, Norfolk

☆ LeVar Burton Wants to Be Heard
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Laurel Graeber | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

LeVar Burton has spent much of his career encouraging children to read. They can develop that skill, along with an ear for mysteries, in “Sound Detectives,” a new podcast for audiences of elementary-school age that is part whodunit, part science exploration and part comic adventure. Co-produced by SiriusXM’s Stitcher Studios and LeVar Burton Entertainment, “Sound Detectives” features Burton as a fictionalized version of himself, an inventor with the same name. “In a certain sense, ‘LeVar Burton’ has reached iconic status,” Burton said in a phone conversation. “And it’s fun for me to lean into that.” He added, “It’s also an opportunity for me to introduce ‘LeVar’ to another generation.”

Persons: LeVar Burton, ”, SiriusXM’s, LeVar, Burton, LeVar Burton ’, ” Burton, “ It’s, ’ Organizations: SiriusXM’s Stitcher, LeVar Burton Entertainment, “

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn has decided against a bid for governor in 2025 and will instead run next year to represent the competitive northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by a fellow Democrat, U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton. “This is an unfair, devastating reality that she now has to navigate,” Filler-Corn said, adding that she had discussed her plans with Wexton. The open seat dynamic in the Loudoun County-centered 10th District — Filler-Corn said she lives just outside it — could set up a competitive race with implications for party control of the U.S. House. Filler-Corn is a strong fundraiser who led the Democratic House caucus during the national scandal and party strife that exploded after the 2019 discovery of a racist photo in former Gov. Neither has publicly committed to a run and both have also said they are focused on this year's legislative races.

Persons: Eileen, Jennifer Wexton, “, Abigail Spanberger, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Wexton, Barbara Comstock, Ralph Northam’s, —, That's, Glenn Youngkin's, Spanberger, she’s, Wahoo, Connor Joseph, she's, Stoney, Kevin Zeithaml, Jason Miyares, Winsome Earle, Sen, Amanda Chase, Chase Organizations: —, Virginia, U.S . Rep, Virginia General Assembly, Associated Press, Richmond Mayor, Democratic, U.S . House, Republican Rep, Gov, Commonwealth, Republican Gov, University of Virginia, Democratic Party, AP, District, Republicans, Sears, U.S . Senate Locations: RICHMOND, Va, Virginia, Richmond, Washington, Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Congress, “, Spanberger

NEW YORK (AP) — LeVar Burton will host next month's National Book Awards ceremony, replacing the original choice, Drew Barrymore, who was dropped because of her decision to resume taping of her show during the writers' strike. The National Book Foundation, which presents the awards, announced Burton's selection Friday. Burton, a longtime advocate for reading known for his roles in the TV miniseries “Roots” and in “Star Trek: The Next Generation," also hosted the ceremony in 2019. The National Book Awards will take place at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Nov. 15, when winners will be announced in five competitive categories. Oprah Winfrey will be a guest speaker and poet Rita Dove will receive a lifetime achievement medal.

Persons: — LeVar Burton, Drew Barrymore, Burton, “, Oprah Winfrey, Rita Dove Organizations: Book Foundation, “, Cipriani, Associated Press Locations: New York City

The network said that the show would be returning on Sept. 18 without written material that is “covered by the W.G.A. strike,” a similar approach to that taken by “The View,” which began airing episodes from its new season this month, circumventing union writers. Barrymore, who had stepped down as the host of the MTV Movie and TV Awards in May in solidarity with the striking Hollywood writers, was greeted by a wave of critical backlash online after the decision to go back on air. Representatives for Barrymore and her show did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Recent hosts include the author and TV host Padma Lakshmi, the author and comedian Phoebe Robinson, and actors like LeVar Burton, Nick Offerman and Cynthia Nixon.

Persons: Barrymore, ”, Colson Whitehead, gestured, Ms, Padma Lakshmi, Phoebe Robinson, LeVar Burton, Nick Offerman, Cynthia Nixon Organizations: MTV Locations: United States

"Star Trek: Picard" is back for its third and final season. Stewart previously played the character on seven seasons of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and in four theatrical Star Trek films. Check out the trailer for 'Picard' season 3In the third season, Picard reunites with many of his former crewmates from "The Next Generation," including characters played by Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and Michael Dorn. How to watch 'Star Trek: Picard' season 3You can watch "Star Trek: Picard" season 3 exclusively on Paramount Plus. You can watch "Star Trek: Picard" for free if you sign up for a trial to Paramount Plus.

☆ Virginia on track to send first Black woman to Congress
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Zoë Richards | Zoë Richards Is The Evening Politics Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

State Sen. Jennifer McClellan is on track to become the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress after she won the Democratic primary Thursday to fill the seat of Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin, who died last month from cancer. Lamont Bagby, the chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, in the primary. Morrissey resigned from his state House seat in 2014, but he then ran for that same seat as an independent and won in 2015 — while serving time in jail. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia also threw his support behind her. McClellan had also won the support of other Black leaders in the district, including Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.

☆ Virginia capital removes last public Confederate monument
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Tyler Clifford | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 12 (Reuters) - A Black-owned construction business on Monday dismantled and removed the last public Confederate statue on display in Richmond, Virginia, the city that served as the capital of the Confederacy during the U.S. Civil War. Richmond began removing a dozen Confederate monuments in 2020 as part of a reckoning with the U.S. South's legacy of slavery. Hill, the last Confederate monument owned by the city, is removed from its plinth in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. December 12, 2022. Hill's remains will be reinterred at a grave site in his birthplace in Culpeper, Virginia, the Times-Dispatch reported. The statue will eventually go to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, according to media reports.

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