The Hallmark Channel finds itself in the midst of some very real holiday drama…
…not over the movies it creates…
but the commercials it airs.
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What Happened:
- Zola, an online wedding resource (for creating a registry, website etc.) had 6 commercials airing on the Hallmark Channel.
- 4 commercials featured same-sex couples, incl. 2 women kissing.
- Last week, a conservative group petitioned Hallmark to remove the ads.
- Hallmark stopped airing the ads with the same-sex couples – then abruptly reversed its decision.
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“Our mission is rooted in helping all people connect, celebrate traditions, and be inspired to capture meaningful moments in their lives. Anything that detracts from this purpose is not who we are. We are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused.”
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“All kisses, couples and marriages are equal celebrations of love and we will no longer be advertising on Hallmark.”
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“Being ‘family friendly’ means honoring love, not censoring difference.”
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“Shame on Hallmark for airing commercials with same-sex couples and even considering movies with LGBT content and lead characters.”
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Something To Consider
Americans, in general, have become more accepting of same-sex marriage over the last decade.
However, the increase of acceptance has plateaued. For example, those accepting same-sex marriage grew from approx. 40% to 60% in the last ten years, but the percentage has recently still hovered around 60%.
Pew Research
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More than 85M people watch Hallmark Channel during the holidays; that's roughly 1-in-4 Americans, often making it the most-watched cable channel. It pulls in a particularly powerful group of viewers for advertisers: women from 25-54. What do you think about this controversy?
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LOOK OUT, HOLLYWOOD.
A big movie studio let it go.
Critics panned it.
But “Bird Box”, Netflix’s biggest hit to date, may show the film industry has its blinders on.
Why it matters
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What Is Bird Box?
- Book-turned-horror movie about mother protecting her children from unseen threat stars Sandra Bullock, cost est. $30M to make.
- Premiered Dec. 21st, with one week limited theater release.
- Netflix said recordA 45M accounts (30% of all users) watched 1st wk.
- Bottom line:A ratings matter; most imp’t for Netflix is subscriptions (boost from Bird Box unknown).
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a Classical measurement has either been box office or awards. This defies all of it. But creating a phenomenon is bound to translate into something.a
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Why It Matters
- Attendance in movie theaters is down.A Netflix’s foray into movies still new, but will couch viewership compete with theaters?
- Film originally panned by movie critics.
- Earned “R-rating” in theater, but no constraints in viewers’ homes.
- Many artists rebuff Netflix, wanting a widespread theater release. Is this a game changer?
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Netflix is eyeing the music industry, recently adding "Springsteen on Broadway" & Taylor Swift's "Reputation" concert to its offerings. Resale tickets cost $270 to as much as $40K/each; Netflix hopes not leaving your couch is incentive to sign up.
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LEAVING THE NEST
The man who gave life to Big Bird & Oscar the GrouchA is retiring after calling “Sesame Street” home for nearly a half century.
LA LA LA
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Behind the Beak
- Carol Spinney (84) joined “Sesame Street” at its start in ’69.
- Originally was asked to play Big Bird as “a funny, dumb, country yokel,” but a few episodes in, Spinney suggested he be played “like a child” who “can learn with the kids.”
- Met his wife of 45 years while working on the show in 1973.
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Watch Now“Before I came to ‘Sesame Street,’ I didnat feel like what I was doing was very important. Big Bird helped me find my purpose. Even as I step down from my roles, I feel I will always be Big Bird. And even Oscar, once in a while!”
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Did You Know?
- Oscar the Grouch was orange in Season 1. After a vacation in the swamp, he came back green.
- When the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded mid-flight in 1986, NASA had originally wanted Big Bird on it, but the plan was shelved.
- “Sesame Street” was almost called “123AvenueB” or “Fun Street.”
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“Sesame” Set to Turn 50
- Idea began at a NYC dinner party to use TV to educate kids.
- First episode aired Nov. 10, 1969.
- In 1981, gov’t stopped funding “Sesame Street” so the show turned to licensing.
- Inked 5-season deal with HBO in 2015.
- Adapted adding online programs, but remains longest running children’s TV show of all time.
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Playing Big Bird, standing 8 feet 2 inches, all these years has been physical challenging. Spinney stopped in 2015 after developing problems with balance, but remained the voice. Big Bird will now be played by Matt Vogel, Spinney's apprentice since 1996.
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EXCLUSIVE “EGOT”
It’s show business’s ultimate accomplishment: winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar & Tony.
Only 15 people in history have done it…
3 of them did so last night.
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Entertainment History
John Legend, Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice achieved “EGOT” status each winning an Emmy forA Jesus Christ Superstar Live.
Webber & Rice won an Oscar for Evita,A multiple Grammys & Tonys.
Legend has won 10 Grammys, an Oscar for his song in Selma &A aA Tony for co-producing Jitney.
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A “Miami Vice” Connection
“EGOT” became a thing afterA Philip Michael Thomas (a.k.a. Detective Rico Tubbs) pronounced his plan to win all 4 awards within 5 years.
He even emblazoned a gold medallion with “EGOT” and wore it.
That was back in 1984. He has not won any of the awards – or been nominated.
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Who’s Got an EGOT?
- Robert Lopez:A The Book of Mormon & Frozen songwriter has double EGOT status with 2 of each. Lopez & Legend are the youngest to achieve EGOT status.
- Richard Rodgers: Composer of Hammerstein fame wasA 1st EGOT.
- Audrey Hepburn:A Only posthumous EGOT.
- Whoopi Goldberg:A 1st Black EGOT.
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There are 5 others with "unofficial" EGOT status: those who won thanks to an honorary award vs. in competition with others. For more on who has accomplished the impressive EGOT feat, read on here.
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FORTNITE
More than a video game – now a bonafide phenomenon with more than 45M players worldwide – and it’s free.
move over, pac-man.
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What Is Fortnite Anyway?
- Online brawl where 100 players leap out of a plane on to an island & fight until 1 person is left.
- Hidden around the island are weapons & defense items.
- As game goes on, playable area shrinks; forcing players closer.
- Last survivor is the winner.
- Epic Games just released Season 5.
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Why It Matters
- Huge hit:A made $300M+ in June.
- Free to play, but users may upgrade cosmetic items for fun.
- Personalization:A add-ons help users express themselves (i.e. play as a sniper or as a clown.)
- Multiple device play: console, handheld device & computer.
- Group play:A not super violent, attracting both sexes & can be played among friends.
Entertainment
Heard of Flossing?
(And, no, not your teeth.)
- 2018’s go-to dance move is all thanks to Fortnite.
- During Fortnite, players can bust some dance moves to taunt an opponent, celebrate, or for fun.
- To floss, you swing your hips frantically in the opposite direction of your arms & back again.
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The Fortnite player to know? "Ninja" who's real name is Tyler Blevins. 27-year-old streams his games online, raking in $500K A MONTH. Rapper Drake even challenged Ninja to a game & 6M people tuned in. Click to watch him in action.
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IS YOUNG LOVE…ETERNAL?
Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Cardi B…
all young celebrities choosing their spouses early.Will it last?A
Here's The Data
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“But They’re So Young…”
Singer Justin Bieber (24) engaged to model Hailey Baldwin (21).
Singer Ariana Grande (25) engaged to Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson (24).
Entertainer/Rapper Cardi B (25) married hip hop artist “Offset” (26).
Cold Hard Facts
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What Research Says:
- Divorce rates within the first five years of marriage dramatically decrease if you marry between the ages of 25 – 35…but increase if you marry younger OR older.
- Higher success rates of marriage for couple committed (not necessarily married) AFTER age 23-years-old; 60% divorce rate before 23 vs approx. 30% divorce rate after.
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Click Here: His Take“…older marriages now have higher divorce rates than those marrying 28-32. I didn’t see this 20 years ago.A The mystery is why this has happened.”
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What’s “normal” marrying age in U.S.A?
- In 2017, the oldest age for first marriages recorded in U.S.:
Women = 27.4 years-old
Men = 29.5 years-old - Median marrying age in 1947 (when data started being collected every year until present time): Women: 20.5 & Men: 23.7A (Census).
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Marriage rates in America have dropped in recent years; Divorce rates have risen. Data is mixed on whether thats due to "cohabitation" without a ring & a date. A great new article addresses the data thoroughly - it's a must read:
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Homeless To Hollywood?
“In a world full of De Niros,
be a Pratt”
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ICYMI:
Watch Now“God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you, believe that. I do.”
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His Roots:
- Washington State native.
- Mom bagged groceries. Dad worked as a miner.
- He wrestled in high school.
- Dropped out of community college studying acting and eventually moved to Hawaii & lived in a van on the beach at 19.
- “Discovered” working as a waiter for Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant.
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a He asked what I was doing that night, and I was honest. I said, a My frienda s inside buying me alcohol… He said, a Jesus told me to talk to you…a At that moment I was like, I think I have to go with this guy. He took me to church. Over the next few days I surprised my friends by declaring that I was going to change my life.a
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Pratt’s Path
- Recent movie: Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom – part of Jurassic World series – earnedA one of top opening wkds of the year.
- Pratt gained 40lbs working on sitcom, Park & Rec, and was passed over for roles because of his weight. Now he’s one of America’s biggest action stars.
- Pratt has a 5-year-old son Jack & divorced from actress Anna Farris.
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Pratt has talked faith before - including at the Teen Choice Awards in 2017: a I would not be here with the ease and grace I have in my heart without my lord and savior, Jesus Christ.a Pratt highlights his charity work on his instagram feed: @prattprattpratt
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THE REAL MR. ROGERS
He was a man in a cardigan who accepted you just the way you are. But how much do you know about Fred Rogers?
A new documentary pulls back the curtain on the unlikely TV star – 50 years after “Neighborhood” aired.
Flip: the true story
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Yes, He Was THAT Nice.
“The greatest thing we can do is show people they are loved and capable of loving.”
- Rogers was a Protestant minister, composer &A student of behavior.
- When the TV was introduced, he saw the need to make it a tool to help children.
- Rogers responded to every fan letter – over 1 million of them.
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He Worked Tirelessly.
“If we in public TV can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable & manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health.”
- Up before 5AM, the vegetarian, who didn’t smoke or drink, would swim laps before work.
- He wrote scripts, songs, created the characters & puppet voices – all of which were some facet of his personality.
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He Was Really Very Funny.
“I would like to do a program for people who are just about to go to sleep… We’ve heard that this slow-paced voice of mine can put people to sleep. So why not use it in that way?”
- Loved to get a laugh telling jokes or talking in puppet voices at home.
- Monty Python fan.
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The Cardigan Was Special
Watch him tell you.“I guess that’s the best thing about things. They remind you of people.”
- Many of the two dozen he wore were knitted by his mother.
- He wore one every day as part of the comforting ritual that opened the show.
- One is on display at the Smithsonian.
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The documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" isn't the only upcoming movie about Fred Rogers. Click to learn which Oscar winner will play Mr. Rogers on the big screen.
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Prince To Prince
‘Black Panther’ Heads To House of Saud
Two weeks after the Saudi Crown Prince met with the head of Walt Disney in Los Angelesa |aA Disney movie, featuring a groundbreaking prince, headlines as the first movie shown in Saudi Arabia in 35 years.
Flip For Why It Matters
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Why Now?
- 32-year-old Saudi Crown Prince recently toured U.S., meeting the most powerful Americans in business and politics.
- Movie theaters are part of Prince’s “Vision 2030” plan to reform Saudi Arabia & diversify economy.
- Movie industry estimated to bring in $30B & 30,000 jobs by 2030.
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Money & Politics
- Majority of the Saudi kingdom under age of 25.
- 32-year-old Crown Prince is a millennial himself and could rule for the rest of our lifetimes.
- Domestic Priority: HIGH unemployment (esp for youth).
- Economy: Dependent on oil.
- Reforms geared towards the young but keeping the Saudi royal kingdom intact.
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Something To Consider:
- Saudi Arabia may allow American movies, orA partner w/U.S. in certain areas of foreign policy, but its not a democracy.
- Saudi Arabia home to 2 holiest sites in Islam – important to entire Muslim world – millions make pilgrimages to sites.
- Other Muslim nations like Bahrain and United Arab Emirates *already* show movies.
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So Why Outlaw Movies?
- Saudi Arabia outlawed movies in 1979 because of a strict adherence to conservative Islam.
- Saudi Arabia is still an Islamic monarchy.A Movies will undergo censorship of some sort – unclear how severe.
- Experts ask if “reforms” are real or simply superficial.
Entertainment
“Films are slightly edited and modified to reflect sensitivity to the local culture here in the region. But even with those modest edits a you can imagine what they are, sexuality and nudity are out a but we believe that those edits will be quite modest.”
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AMC plan to open 40 theaters over the next 5 years in Saudi Arabia. Next movies? "Rampage" & "The Avengers"
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TOP FIGHTER…
FACING CHARGES
29-year-old Irish Fighter Conor McGregor under arrest in NYC.
One of the biggest names in international sports…the first UFC fighter to hold two world titles simultaneously…now charged with multiple counts of assault.
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UFC President Dana White called it “the most disgusting thing that has ever happened in history of the company.”
McGregor & his entourage attacked a bus full of fighters, throwing chairs, trash cans, and anything else that wasna t pinned down, injuring several fighters and bystanders.
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Will Face Charges…
Instead Of A Comeback.
“If you beat me, I’ll say fair enough and I’ll come back better and get you the next time. You can’t keep me down. I learn from everything. Every experience makes me better.”
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Although McGregor (21-3) hasn't fought in the UFC since he won the lightweight belt in November 2016, he reportedly made $140M from his August 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather.
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Fixer Upper: Final Farewell
“One of mama’s and I’s first dates, I climbed up a magnolia tree and I pulled off a magnolia bloom and I gave it to her.”
How Fixer Upper Changed TV
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Background:
Show finished almost 5 years to the day of its debut (May 2013).
Definition of overnight success.
First episode? 1.9M viewers.
Averaged 14.5 M viewers weekly.
Irony? Chip & Joanna Gaines don’t own a TV.
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Why Is Fixer Upper SUCH A Big Deal…in TV?
Show gained viewers as others lost.
- Oscars lowest viewership in 40 yrs.
- Super Bowl lowest viewers since 2009.
- Important network morning shows all losing viewers year-over-year. In fact, Fixer Upper often beat the TV giants in viewership.
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‘Fixer Upper’ Success
Talent & Good Timing
- Americans expected to spend more this year on home renovations (up 7.5% to more than $340 B) ~ due in part to rebuilding from terrible natural disasters.
- Sales on homes already built (ripe for remodel) up year-over-year.
- Overall, healthy real estate market.
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Chip & Joanna Gaines have big plans - including a new baby in July (child #5) - Read more on what's next (including a 'Magnolia Kids' line)
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