T(abel) Reads 9

Friday January 10th, 2025 - Edition 009

EVERYONE'S FAVORITE BI-WEEKLY NEWS SOURCE... UNLESS YOU'RE NOT EVERYONE

FIRE IN THE PALISADES

20,000 Acres and 75 Billion in Damages Later and the Palisades Fire Has Been Extinguished

DOMESTIC

Southern California came face to face with a devastating natural disaster, the Eaton Wildfire severely impacted the Pasadena area. Originating in Eaton Canyon near Altadena, the fire rapidly expanded, consuming over 20,000 total acres and resulting in numerous fatalities. The blaze destroyed numerous structures, including homes and community buildings, leading to widespread evacuations and significant property loss. The Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center was among the affected structures, with its leaders expressing horror at the destruction. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the folks affected by this tragedy. Concurrently, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to 19 distinguished individuals. Honorees included former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, philanthropist George Soros, chef José Andrés, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, musician Bono, and conservationist Jane Goodall. This ceremony marked President Biden’s final opportunity to bestow these honors before leaving office.

ART AND FASHION

A recent art exhibition in Fort Worth, Texas, titled “Diaries of Home” has sparked significant backlash from both the public and the press. The controversy stems from one of the featured artists, Sally Mann, renowned for her provocative and often polarizing nude photographs of her adolescent children. Despite the exhibition including a content warning, many viewers found some of Mann’s images deeply unsettling, leading to police reports and widespread criticism. While Mann faces growing public disapproval, Zendaya is enjoying a surge in admiration. The newly engaged actress and fashion icon has taken center stage in the celebration of Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami’s 20th-anniversary collaboration. To generate excitement for the milestone, the two luxury powerhouses chose Zendaya as the face of the campaign—a decision that proved brilliant. With an impressive $7.4 million in media impact value generated within a single week, it’s clear that Zendaya was the perfect choice to elevate the celebration.

MUSIC

If you’re on social media, you’ve likely heard LiAngelo Ball’s breakout song Tweaker. First teased during a livestream, the track quickly gained massive popularity. Officially released on January 3rd, Tweaker has skyrocketed to the top five on the US Spotify charts. Riding this wave of success, G3 Gelo has been added to the Rolling Loud LA lineup, with stars like Boosie and Moneybagg Yo requesting features. This week also marks the final installment of T(Abel) Reads’ countdown of 2024’s most notable albums, and at number one is Brat by Charli XCX. The album has taken the world by storm, amassing 46.73 million streams in its first week. The UK-based artist debuted at number three in the U.S., her highest chart position stateside to date. Brat has become a cultural phenomenon, dubbing the summer of 2024 as the “Brat Summer” and inspiring countless memes featuring its iconic green background and bold black text.

Listen: Tweaker by Gelo, Brat by Charli XCX

Author: Bray Olmstead

SPORTS

The TGL Golf League, spearheaded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, debuted this week on ESPN, blending high-tech virtual play with liveaction golf. Major champions Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark, and Matt Fitzpatrick headlined the inaugural match, giving fans a glimpse of the league’s innovative format. Next Tuesday, all eyes will be on Tiger Woods and his Jupiter Links Golf Club as they take center stage in must-watch TV for golf enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the NBA season nears its halfway mark, with surprises at the top of the standings. The Cleveland Cavaliers boast the league’s best record at 32-4, while the Oklahoma City Thunder lead the Western Conference at 30-6. An NBA Finals between Cleveland and OKC might feature two smaller TV markets but could deliver one of the most exciting matchups in years. Powerhouse teams like the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets remain firmly in the mix, keeping the championship race wide open.

TV AND FILM

The 82nd Golden Globe Awards, held on January 5, 2025, celebrated achievements in film and television, with independent cinema in the spotlight. The Brutalist, a post-Holocaust drama, won Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director for Brady Corbet, and Best Actor for Adrien Brody. In Musical or Comedy, Emilia Pérez, about a transgender cartel leader, won Best Motion Picture, with Zoe Saldaña earning Best Supporting Actress, along with awards for Best Non-English Language Film and Best Original Song for El Mal. Demi Moore secured her first Golden Globe as Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for The Substance. On the television side, Shōgun dominated, winning Best Television Series – Drama and multiple acting awards. Hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, the event featured sharp humor, engaging performances, and a celebratory ambiance. The ceremony’s emphasis on independent films highlighted the industry’s evolving landscape and showcased its diverse storytelling and talent.