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☆ ‘Secret Chef’ is just one of the delicious shows out this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Something to sip on…David Chang is an executive producer and one of the stars of "Secret Chef." Jim Fiscus/ HULUReminder that I simply adore movies and shows that celebrate food. “Guided by a mischievous animated talking hat, the chefs are tasked to perform a series of cooking challenges. With their true identities concealed, everything will be hidden except the one thing that matters most … the food.”Yes, please! “Is It Cake?” is over on Netflix, while “Secret Chef” is currently streaming on Hulu.

Persons: let’s, David Chang, Jim Fiscus, ”, –, Angela Bassett, Mike Coppola, Bassett, Tina Turner, “, Oscar, I’m, Lily, Rose Depp, Abel, Eddy Chen, Abel “, Madonna, Tesfaye, “ I’ve, ‘, Bowie, ” Tesfaye, Can’t, Kevin Baker, Henry Cavill, Cavill, Liam Hemsworth Organizations: CNN, Hulu, Netflix, Marvel Studios, HBO, Warner Bros . Locations: Hulu, Hollywood , California

Another factor that several conference participants identified as vital is that the projects must have customers signed up before FIDs are made. GREEN METHANOLMethanol is shaping up as having the best potential for Tasmanian hydrogen projects, since it can be used to decarbonise shipping, one of the sectors deemed hardest to shift away from fossil fuels. Methanol in Tasmania would be made from combining green hydrogen with wood waste or wood chips. The state-owned grid operator, TasNetworks, needs to build some new transmission lines and refurbish others to meet the additional electricity requirements. And finally, some wind power projects need also to get to FID, with the 1,000-MW Bass Offshore Wind Energy project now looking set to be the first cab off the rank.

Persons: ABEL, Marinus Organizations: Tasmanian Energy Development Conference, FIDs, ABEL Energy, Hydro, Energy, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, Australia's, Tasmania, Devonport, Bell, Tasmanian, Hydro Tasmania, Victoria, FID

☆ HBO's 'The Idol' sees viewership dip as it delivers 'the worst sex scene in history'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Nathan Mcalone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Episode two of HBO's "The Idol" brought in 800,000 viewers, per Variety. British GQ declared that episode two included "the worst sex scene in history." The second episode of HBO's controversial new series "The Idol" brought in 800,000 viewers across HBO and Max on Sunday, a 12% decrease compared to its premiere, according to Variety. British GQ declared that in Sunday's episode two, the series delivered "the worst sex scene in history." Discovery told Variety that "The Idol" had scored higher viewership in Latin America and Europe than "The White Lotus" and "Winning Time" had in the same amount of time.

Persons: Sam Levinson, Lily, Rose Depp, Abel, we're, Lucy Ford, Tesfaye, Depp, Levinson Organizations: British GQ, HBO, Max, Variety, Rotten, Warner Bros . Discovery, Stone Locations: British, FlixPatrol, America, Scandinavia, Central Europe, Western Europe, Europe

☆ HBO's controversial 'The Idol' starring The Weeknd has divided the world, according to new data about its global popularity
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Nathan Mcalone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

It's a hit in Scandinavia and Latin America, but hasn't performed as well in the US, per data from FlixPatrol. HBO's "The Idol" was divisive before it even debuted on June 4, and its popularity around the world has also been uneven, according to new data. But the controversies started for "The Idol" well before the reviews started rolling in. A bombshell story from Rolling Stone in March said the show had gone "wildly, disgustingly off the rails," according to interviews with 13 sources. Tesfaye called the Rolling Stone article "ridiculous" in an interview with Vanity Fair shortly after its publication.

Persons: hasn't, Sam Levinson, Lily, Rose Depp, Abel, Max, Variety's Peter Debruge, Gyarkye, Stone, Levinson, Tesfaye, Depp Organizations: Rotten, HBO, Netflix, Stone, Cannes Film Locations: Scandinavia, Latin America, FlixPatrol, America, Central Europe, Western Europe, Sweden, Hungary, Denmark, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia

☆ ‘The Idol’ Series Premiere Recap: Does it Live Up (or Down) to the Hype?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Esther Zuckerman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Season 1, Episode 1: ‘Pop Tarts & Rat Tales’In the background of an early scene in the new HBO series “The Idol” you can hear Fiona Apple’s 1990s hit “Criminal.” The pop star heroine of the series, Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), is posing for her album cover. Areolas are not allowed per the nudity rider — a detail that neither Jocelyn nor her team seem to care about. As Apple’s track plays, two of the members of Jocelyn’s entourage describe her alternately as Brigitte Bardot and Sharon Tate — the latter reference, to the actress and Manson murder victim, is meant to make you shudder. Still, the use of “Criminal” stood out to me among the onslaught of cultural references Sam Levinson throws at the audience. (Levinson, who created the series with Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, wrote and directed Sunday’s premiere.)

Persons: Fiona Apple’s, Jocelyn, Lily, Rose Depp, Brigitte Bardot, Sharon Tate, Manson, Britney Spears, Tedros, Abel Tesfaye, Donna Summer, ”, Sam Levinson, Levinson, Tesfaye, Reza Fahim, “ I’ve, Mark Romanek, Apple, Angelou Organizations: HBO, Apple, MTV

☆ Opinion | ‘The Idol’ Is the First Big TV Show of the Backlash Era
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Michelle Goldberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

To write about “The Idol” at all is to fall into a bit of a trap, because the show desperately wants to be a scandal. Sam Levinson, who created the show with Tesfaye and ended up directing it, pronounced himself delighted by the Rolling Stone report. HBO also leaned into the controversy, marketing “The Idol” as the “sleaziest love story” in Hollywood. Jocelyn, after all, doesn’t really resemble any current female pop stars. The stars who’ve been open about their mental health challenges, including Selena Gomez and SZA, certainly don’t sexualize those struggles.

Persons: Rolling Stone, ”, Amy Seimetz, Seimetz, Abel Tesfaye, Tesfaye, Sam Levinson, ‘, ’ ”, Rose Depp, Jocelyn, she’s, Jane Adams, chides, Tedros, ” Jocelyn, erotically asphyxiating, Megan Thee, who’ve, Selena Gomez, SZA Organizations: Rolling, Cannes, HBO, Tesfaye Locations: Hollywood, America

☆ ‘The Idol’ Creators: ‘This Is Not Going to Be for Everybody’
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Manohla Dargis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

the Weeknd) and Lily-Rose Depp, walked into the Lumière Theater at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of the first two episodes of their show, “The Idol,” to a standing ovation. Created by Levinson, Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, “The Idol,” which premieres on Sunday, was already a heat-seeking target by the time it played at Cannes. Levinson, Tesfaye and other “Idol” collaborators have vigorously defended the show and its creators. “The process on the set was unbelievably creative,” Azaria said at a news conference a day after the Cannes premiere, as Adams nodded along. “I’ve been on many, many a dysfunctional set, believe me,” Azaria continued.

Persons: Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye, Lily, Rose Depp, ”, “, Jocelyn, Depp, —, Hank Azaria, Troye Sivan, Jane Adams, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Eli Roth — Jocelyn, Tedros, Levinson, Tesfaye, Reza Fahim, Amy Seimetz, trumpeted Levinson, ” Azaria, Adams, “ I’ve Organizations: Cannes Film, Cannes, Idol, HBO, YouTube Locations: Los Angeles, Hollywood

☆ The Weeknd has reverted to his birth name on social media
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Weeknd is now officially known online by his real name – Abel Makkonen Tesfaye – after following through on plans to update his social media accounts. On Monday, the Canadian artist’s Twitter and Instagram accounts had updated to display his birth name rather than his artistic name. And the change is part of a wider plan to “kill The Weeknd,” Tesfaye told W Magazine in an interview published May 8. “It’s getting to a place and a time where I’m getting ready to close the Weeknd chapter. “The album I’m working on now is probably my last hurrah as The Weeknd,” he told W Magazine.

Revisit some of the predominant trends in music that came to define a mercurial decade, from pop-rap and boy bands to aesthetic sadness and protest anthems. Rap goes the viral pop routeAt the beginning of the 2010s, rap stars had trouble scoring their own No. Dark and dreary pop blows upLana Del Rey helped to usher in a new era of downbeat and dark pop. Karl Walter/Getty ImagesBoth the Weeknd and Del Rey have pivoted since their debuts, with their images becoming more complicated than their indie origins belie. Del Rey, meanwhile, has only burrowed deeper into her niche, crafting intensely personal records that have matured with her listeners.

☆ How TikTok sensation Squishmallows found Warren Buffett
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

May 13 (Reuters) - Squishmallows joined Warren Buffett's business empire two years after Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and others helped make the plush stuffed toys a viral sensation on TikTok. They married in 1993 and embarked on law careers, but Judd Zebersky soon realized that wasn't his destiny. Laura Zebersky, a litigator, sold her practice in 2005 and joined him, becoming Jazwares' president. "This was a brand that needed a lot of love," Judd Zebersky said. "Greg is exactly what we have all learned about the Berkshire model," Laura Zebersky said.

☆ UBS shares its 5 top takeaways for investors from Berkshire Hathaway's 'best annual meeting in years' — including how Warren Buffett's successor will take over
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Berkshire Hathaway had a successful annual meeting following its Q1 earnings report. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway had its "best annual meeting in years" over the weekend, according to UBS analyst Brian Meredith — and it wasn't just because of its strong earnings report. 5 top takeaways from Berkshire Hathaway's annual meetingStrong earnings results were just one impressive component from Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting. "We viewed Berkshire's 2023 annual meeting as the best in several years with quality questions and insightful answers," Meredith wrote. After BNSF undershot on volumes and suffered from higher compensation costs, Berkshire investors may start to wonder if the company would reconsider its stance against PSR.

☆ Warren Buffett's rival for attention at Berkshire weekend: Squishmallows
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Investors and guests walk by a Squishmallow display during the Berkshire Hathaway Inc in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. May 5, 2023. On Friday, the start of Berkshire Hathaway Inc's (BRKa.N) three-day shareholder weekend, thousands thronged a convention hall in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, for five hours to buy discounted products from many Berkshire-owned brands. For many, the $9.99 Squishmallows featuring Buffett and Munger, made by Berkshire's recently acquired toy company Jazwares, were the must-have memento. About 10,000 Buffett and Munger Squishmallows were sold, and by Monday they were fetching as much as $255 at auction on eBay. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in Omaha, Nebraska Editing by Megan Davies and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Prince William honored his father with a few words during Sunday night's concert - the first ever to be staged at Windsor Castle, home to monarchs for almost 1,000 years. Royals dance the night awaySeveral members of the royal family got their groove on throughout the concert. Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesMesmerizing drone displayA fabulous drone display lit up the sky over the coronation concert, earning audible gasps from the crowd below. Crowds watch illuminated drones creating a light display above Windsor Castle. But when Miss Piggy, dressed in a cerise pink evening dress and glittering necklace, recognized “Downton Abbey” star Bonneville she had other things in mind, thinking he was a real lord.

☆ Buffett’s imprint on Berkshire reaches its limit
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Lauren Silva Laughlin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, May 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Warren Buffett gives off a zen vibe about Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa.N) after his time is up. They’ll have over a decade to wind down the inheritance, in effect insulating Berkshire’s new leaders while they leave their own imprint. The succession planning has been possible because of Buffett’s iron grip, and not everyone is happy about it. One shareholder, Peter Flaherty, proposed separating the chairman and CEO roles at Berkshire. Berkshire security may be able to shut down such dissent at its own shareholder meeting, but it can’t stifle the doubts about life after Buffett.

[1/9] Investors and guests arrive for the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders' meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. May 6, 2023. Speaking at Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting, Buffett criticized how politicians, regulators and the press have handled the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, saying their "very poor" messaging has unnecessarily frightened depositors. At the meeting, Berkshire shareholders reelected all directors and rejected shareholder proposals concerning climate change, diversity and political activities. LIGHTED MATCHBuffett said regulators were right to guarantee depositors of Silicon Valley Bank, saying that not doing so "would have been catastrophic." He also said bank shareholders and executives should bear the risks of mismanagement, with Munger criticizing executives concerned more with getting rich than with customers.

Speaking at the annual meeting of his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N), criticized how politicians, regulators and the press have handled the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, saying their "very poor" messaging has unnecessarily frightened depositors. The meeting featured Buffett, 92, who is Berkshire's chairman and chief executive, and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger answering five hours of shareholder questions. LIGHTED MATCHBuffett said regulators were right to guarantee depositors of Silicon Valley Bank, saying that not doing so "would have been catastrophic." Buffett defended the size of Berkshire's $151 billion Apple investment, saying consumers are less likely to shed their $1,500 iPhones than, for example, their $35,000 second cars. Many recognized it could be one of their last chances to see Buffett and Munger, given their ages.

Buffett spoke hours after Berkshire posted a $35.5 billion quarterly profit and said it bought back $4.4 billion of its own stock, a sign it considered the shares undervalued. The meeting features Buffett, 92, who is Berkshire's chairman and chief executive, and Charlie Munger, 99, a vice chairman, answering five hours of shareholder questions. Many recognized it could be one of their last chances to see Buffett and Munger, given their advanced ages. Yongsheng Zhao, who lives in Shanghai and is a researcher for an asset management firm, said he showed up at midnight to attend his eighth Berkshire meeting. "I am inspired by their passion and normalcy," he said, referring to Buffett and Munger.

OMAHA, Nebraska, May 6 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett on Saturday offered a vote of confidence in the United States, saying he could not imagine the government letting it default on its debt and risk letting the world's financial system "go into turmoil." Buffett, 92, who is Berkshire's chairman and chief executive, and Charlie Munger, 99, a vice chairman, are answering five hours of shareholder questions at the meeting. Many recognized it could be one of their last chances to see Buffett and Munger, given their advanced ages. Yongsheng Zhao, who lives in Shanghai and is a researcher for an asset management firm, said he showed up at midnight to attend his eighth Berkshire meeting. "I am inspired by their passion and normalcy," he said, referring to Buffett and Munger.

☆ Warren Buffett set for 59th Berkshire Hathaway shareholder marathon as big questions loom
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett walks through the exhibit hall as shareholders gather to hear from the billionaire investor at Berkshire Hathaway Inc's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S., May 4, 2019. Tens of thousands of people are flocking to Omaha, Nebraska this weekend for the extravaganza that Buffett, 92, calls "Woodstock for Capitalists." "Charlie is 99 and Warren turns 93 on Aug. 30," Lountzis added, "and you just don't know how many more you're going to have." Buffett and Munger are due to answer five hours of shareholder questions at the meeting. "We believe in constructive engagement and dialogue, whether it's Warren Buffett or another company," Frerichs said in an interview.

☆ Warren Buffett and Greg Abel respond to question on BNSF derailments
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWarren Buffett and Greg Abel respond to question on BNSF derailmentsBerkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger preside over the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Buffet's team responds to a question about train derailment incidents involving Norfolk Southern and BNSF this year. Berkshire owns BNSF Railway.

☆ Warren Buffett: Greg Abel understands capital allocation as well as I do
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWarren Buffett: Greg Abel understands capital allocation as well as I doBerkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger preside over the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Buffett responds to a concern on whether Greg Abel, vice chairman for non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway, has the same capital allocation acumen as him.

☆ Buffett on clean energy push: This country should be ahead of where it is
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBuffett on clean energy push: This country should be ahead of where it isBerkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger preside over the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Buffett and Greg Abel, vice chairman for non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway, discuss clean energy.

☆ Berkshire's Ajit Jain says Geico is 'taking the bull by the horns' to improve telematics
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBerkshire's Ajit Jain says Geico is 'taking the bull by the horns' to improve telematicsBerkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger preside over the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Ajit Jain, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway's insurance operations and Greg Abel, vice chairman for non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway discuss GEICO.

☆ Warren Buffett reiterates Abel will be successor, discusses Berkshire executive bench
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWarren Buffett reiterates Abel will be successor, discusses Berkshire executive benchBerkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger preside over the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting.

☆ Warren Buffett's successor Greg Abel is wooing shareholders, but some questions remain
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

To say that Warren Buffett's successor Greg Abel has big shoes to fill would be an understatement. The vice chairman for non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway recently joined Buffett in Japan to visit the country's top trading houses. Skin in the gameAbel recently loaded up on Berkshire Hathaway shares with his personal assets. Berkshire acquired MidAmerican Energy in 1999, and Abel became CEO of MidAmerican Energy in 2008, six years before it was renamed Berkshire Hathaway Energy in 2014. How does dispute resolution work if there is a dispute," said a Berkshire shareholder, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

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