Month: September 2018

Opening Ceremony, the label that always seems to find quirkier and more unusual ways to display its clothes during Fashion Week, upped the ante on Sunday with a festive drag show, featuring a surprise performance by Christina Aguilera and an appearance by Nicki Minaj — her first fashion show since a very public altercation with fellow rapper Cardi B.

The event, called “The Gift of Showz,” was created by Sasha Velour, the drag performer who last year won Season 9 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and starred Velour and a number of other prominent drag performers.

The performers wore items from Opening Ceremony’s latest collection as they took the stage at a West Village cabaret, Le Poisson Rouge, to model or to lip sync, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd that included Minaj in the front row. The rapper was attending her first show since Friday’s altercation with Cardi B at a Fashion Week party that made headlines.

As the performers did their numbers, a running joke emerged that Aguilera was there, but at first, it turned out only to be a cutout figure of her, and then it was an imitator. At the end, though, the kidding was over, and the real Aguilera turned up to delight the crowd with a song of her own.

Over the years, Opening Ceremony’s founders, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, have found a series of inventive ways to present their clothes at Fashion Week. They once had an edible wall of oozing chocolate. Another time, it was a martial arts display. Last year, they gave a 40-minute dance performance.

Leon wrote in a program note that growing up gay in a traditional Chinese family in Los Angeles, he discovered an all-ages club that featured drag shows, teaching him about “a community I didn’t know I had been longing for.”

“What drew me to drag shows as a teenager is the same thing that propelled Carol and me to start Opening Ceremony,” he said. “A celebration of individuality, freedom of expression, and the idea that realizing your dreams is only a fabulous outfit away.”

Performers included Hungry, who is based in Berlin and is singer Bjork’s makeup artist, and the American drag artist Lypsinka, along with a number of other artists.

 
…

Scaling Emmy heights is tough in the era of so-called peak TV, with the volume of shows matched by lofty expectations from academy voters.

Good isn’t enough for comedies and dramas, which need to resonate with the current political and social zeitgeist. Actors who also pull off the high-wire act of writing and directing collect more respect and trophies.

Talent aside, a lavish marketing campaign helps in a crowded field: With as many as seven or eight nominees in some key categories, about 14 percent of the TV academy vote can determine who gets a trophy, according to awards website Gold Derby.

So is it “Game of Thrones” (with a leading 22 nods, but the majority technical ones) or “The Handmaid’s Tale” for best drama? Will Donald Glover repeat as best comedy actor for “Atlanta” or could Bill Hader of freshman “Barry” be an upset winner?

The comedy arena is the big unknown: It’s wide open with two-time winner “Veep” and its star, six-time comedy actress champ Julia Louis-Dreyfus, sitting this one out.

Despite such daunting wild-card factors, we’re still game to predict who will win, and who should, at the ceremony airing on NBC at 8 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 17. It’s hosted by “Saturday Night Live” players Michael Che and Colin Jost.

Here’s AP Television Writer Lynn Elber and Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy’s guesses in the glamour categories.

DRAMA SERIES

ELBER:

Should win: “The Handmaid’s Tale.” It remains true to its unsparing vision of a poisoned society, daring us to watch or choose blind ignorance. No other show matches its demands with equal rewards.

Will win: “The Handmaid’s Tale.” For many viewers and voters, it’s got that zeitgeist thing down pat.

KENNEDY:

Should win: “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Even though the second season was more brutal than the first, it went beyond the source material brilliantly. “Game of Thrones” may have returned to claim its crown with a visually stunning season, but the zeitgeist is indeed firmly in Gilead.

Will win: “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

COMEDY SERIES

ELBER:

Should win: “Atlanta.” Auteur TV at its best, with star Donald Glover the series’ creator as well as creative force, winning Emmys last year for acting and directing. But does it include enough punchlines per dramatic moments for voters?

Will win: “Atlanta.” While worthy freshman competitor “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” offers a female-empowerment vibe and more wisecracks, the series set in the 1950s can’t compete with the contemporary edge of “Atlanta.”

KENNEDY:

Should win: “Atlanta.” The show, led by Glover’s Hall of Fame abilities, has added audiences and nominations in its second season and has given many Americans a view into a world they hadn’t known.

Will win: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” This is safer, sad to say.

ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES

ELBER:

Should win: Matthew Rhys, “The Americans.” Rhys’ somber, conflicted depiction of Soviet spy Mischa, aka American family man Philip Jennings, grounded the now-ended series. Time to honor him, comrades.

Will win: Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us.” Brown was the only network drama series cast member to win last year, with cable and streaming gobbling all the other awards. And his tender-hearted family man is as affecting as ever.

KENNEDY:

Should win: Remember when Jon Hamm of “Mad Men” finally won his Emmy on his eighth and last attempt? How he crawled onto the stage to accept his trophy, out of relief and exhaustion? Maybe Rhys will do the same this time. He deserves to after six brilliant seasons of “The Americans.”

Will win: Brown. Emmy voters like to ride a winner — hello, Julia Louis-Dreyfus! — and Brown’s perpetually unsure brother-dad-son on “This Is Us” is a portrait both lovingly comedic and dramatically empathetic.

ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES

ELBER:

Should win: Sandra Oh, “Killing Eve.” The five-time Emmy nominee for “Grey’s Anatomy” gives an intense, visceral performance in this female version of a mano a mano spy thriller and shines anew.

Will win: Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Moss won the trophy last year for her portrayal of an unbroken victim, and her steeliness remains magnetic.

KENNEDY:

Should win: Keri Russell. No disrespect to Moss, but she has her Emmy. This is the last chance for Russell, who played a ferocious Russian mole as well as a tender wife and mother on “The Americans.”

Will win: Moss. In her second season as Offred, there seemed less dialogue but her eyes managed to convey horror, red-hot anger and resignation, all at once.

ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES

ELBER:

Should win: William H. Macy, “Shameless.” Must Macy’s damaged, erratic patriarch Frank Gallagher clean up his act or die for Macy to get the award he so richly deserves, and has been denied him four times? Is that a rhetorical question?

Will win: Donald Glover, “Atlanta.” He’s a master of performance as well as seriocomic storytelling, bringing his searching young character to life with nuance and without cliche. Give the man a second Emmy.

KENNEDY:

Should win: Agreed. Glover. Macy’s a worthy competitor but Bill Hader is too much of a dark horse.

Will win: Glover. Totally.

ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES

ELBER:

Should win: Rachel Brosnahan is dazzling as a betrayed wife who finds her voice in witty and cathartic stand-up rants. Brosnahan is the right interpreter for creator Amy Sherman-Palladino’s post-“Gilmore Girls” realism.

Will win: Brosnahan. A breakout charmer in the right vehicle.

KENNEDY:

Should win: No Louis-Dreyfus this time, so the Emmys will crown a new comedy queen for the first time in six years. TV moms Tracee Ellis Ross and Allison Janney have been patient. But Pamela Adlon in “Better Things” is a raw, unflinching, loving portrait of a modern, messy middle-aged one.

Will win: Brosnahan, who delivers a mannered, winning performance — as a mom, naturally.

LIMITED SERIES

ELBER:

Should win: “Patrick Melrose.” Actor-producer Benedict Cumberbatch’s passion project (based on Edward St Aubyn’s semi-autobiographical novels) is a flawlessly executed exploration of a tormented man and his past.

Will win: “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.” Producer Ryan Murphy knows how to work the big canvas, as he proved with Emmy-lavished “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”

KENNEDY:

Should win: “The Looming Tower.” Mixing fact and fiction to trace the messy U.S. response to the rise of al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden, the series bites off a lot but delivers deftly.

Will win: “Gianni Versace.” The “American Crime Story” franchise, like Murphy’s horror anthology series, is just too hard to beat, being equal parts lurid and fascinating.
…

CBS Corp said on Monday it will pay up to $120 million to former Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves if an internal investigation into allegations of harassment fails to provide grounds for his dismissal.

Moonves, who turned CBS from an aging radio and TV broadcaster into a successful provider of shows to digital platforms, had been expected to reap an estimated $100 million in severance.

CBS said it and Moonves will donate $20 million of Moonves’ severance to organizations supporting the #MeToo movement.

Moonves, the top executive at CBS since 2006 and a major figure at the broadcast network and media company for more than two decades, resigned on Sunday amid a new wave of allegations against him of sexual assault and harassment.

CBS shares were down 2.5 percent at $54.63 in early trade.

Under terms, CBS said in a filing that the settlement of $120 million would be put in a trust within 30 days and Moonves could end up with nothing if the result of the investigation goes against him.

The board will decide on the course of action before Jan. 31 and its determination will be subject to binding arbitration.

Separately, CBS and its controlling shareholder National Amusements Inc (NAI) will also end litigation for control of the company.

NAI has agreed to withdraw its proposal to merge CBS and with Viacom for two years unless it gets a vote of two-thirds of directors not affiliated with the controlling shareholder.

Shari Redstone-controlled NAI will also consider in good faith any other deal suggested by those unaffiliated directors.

Chief Operating Officer Joe Ianniello will take over as interim CEO as the board searches for a replacement of Moonves.

“We view Ianniello’s elevation to temporary CEO as the best choice for CBS and its shareholders,” Cowen analyst Doug Creutz wrote in a client note. “Ianniello has worked for the company since 1997 and thus is very familiar with the assets.”
…

The first woman to win the Miss America crown without having to don a swimsuit says she’s glad she didn’t have to.

Nia Imani Franklin, who won the title Sunday night in Atlantic City while competing as Miss New York, said the changes in the 98-year-old are a welcome modernization.

Meeting reporters soon after winning the crown, Franklin said she’s glad there was no swimsuit competition because it enabled her to eat a little more.

“These changes, I think, will be great for our organization,” she said. “I’ve already seen so many young women reaching out to me personally as Miss New York asking how they can get involved because I think they feel more empowered that they don’t have to do things such as walk in a swimsuit for a scholarship.”

“And I’m happy that I didn’t have to do so to win this title tonight because I’m more than just that,” Franklin said. “And all these women onstage are more than just that.”

Her victory Sunday night resurrected a string of successes the Empire State has had in the pageant in recent years. Mallory Hagan, Nina Davuluri and Kira Kazantsev won the title from 2013 to 2015 competing as Miss New York.

A classical vocalist whose pageant platform is “advocating for the arts,” Franklin sang an operatic selection from the opera La Boheme on Sunday night.

She wrote her first song at age 5. It went “Love, love, love, love, is the only thing that matters to me, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.” At the prompting of an Associated Press reporter, she sang the song at her post-victory press conference as audience members snapped their fingers.

Franklin won a $50,000 scholarship along with the crown in the first Miss America pageant to be held without a swimsuit competition.

She said during her onstage interview that she was one of only a small number of minority students in school growing up, but used her love for music and the arts to grow and fit in.

The fourth runner up was Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras; third runner up was Miss Florida Taylor Tyson; second runner up was Miss Louisiana Holli’ Conway, and the first runner up was Miss Connecticut Bridget Oei.

The judges narrowed the field of 51 candidates during the pageant Sunday night from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

The decision to drop the swimsuit competition created a good deal of controversy and criticism of current Miss America leadership. Minutes before the nationally televised broadcast began, a comedian warming up the crowd mentioned that there would be no swimsuit competition this year, and was met with loud boos in the hall.

The swimsuits were replaced by onstage interviews, which have generated attention-grabbing remarks from contestants regarding President Trump, and NFL player protests, among other topics. 

Behind the scenes, a revolt is underway among most of the Miss America state organizations who demand that national chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper resign. 

The former Miss America, Cara Mund, says the two have bullied and silenced her, claims that the women deny. 

Upon taking over at the helm of the Miss America Organization last winter following an email scandal in which former top leaders denigrated the appearance, intellect and sex lives of former Miss Americas, Carlson and Hopper set out to transform the organization, dubbing it “Miss America 2.0.” 

Unhappy with how the swimsuit decision was reached, as well as with other aspects of Carlson and Hopper’s performance, 46 of the 51 state pageant organizations (the District of Columbia is included) have called on the two to resign. 

Mund only appeared at the very end of the pageant before the next winner was crowned. She was not allowed to speak live; instead a 30-second taped segment of her speaking was broadcast. 
…

The U.S. Open final suddenly appeared to be slipping away from Novak Djokovic. He dropped three consecutive games. He was angered by a crowd roaring for his popular opponent, Juan Martin del Potro. He was, in short, out of sorts.

And then came Sunday’s pivotal game, a 20-minute, 22-point epic. Three times, del Potro was a point from breaking and earning the right to serve to make it a set apiece. Three times, Djokovic steeled himself. Eventually, he seized that game — and del Potro’s best chance to make a match of it.

A year after missing the U.S. Open because of an injured right elbow that would require surgery, Djokovic showed that he is unquestionably back at his best and back at the top of tennis. His returns and defense-to-offense skills as impeccable as ever, Djokovic collected his 14th Grand Slam title and second in a row by getting through every crucial moment for a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory over 2009 champion del Potro at Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic was better than del Potro on their many lengthy exchanges, using his trademark body-twisting, limb-splaying court coverage to get to nearly every ball, sneakers squeaking around the blue court in Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the roof was closed because of rain.

This was Djokovic’s third championship in New York, along with those in 2011 and 2015. Add in the trophies he has earned at six Australian Opens, one French Open and four Wimbledons, most recently in July, and the 31-year-old Serb pulled even with Pete Sampras for the third-most majors among men, trailing only Roger Federer’s 20 and Rafael Nadal’s 17.

Federer lost in the fourth round in New York, while Nadal retired from his semifinal against del Potro because of a bad right knee. That put the 29-year-old Argentine back in a Grand Slam final for the first time since his breakthrough nine years ago, a comeback for a guy who had four wrist operations in the interim.

Del Potro spoke this week about the low point, in 2015, when he considered quitting the sport. But supported by a dozen or so friends from back home, whose “Ole!” choruses rang around the arena, he climbed up the rankings to a career-high No. 3 by thundering his 100 mph (160 kph) forehands and 135 mph (215 kph) serves.

Those produce free points against so many foes. Not against Djokovic, who always seemed to have all the answers.

Never was that more apparent than the game that stood out on this evening: with Djokovic serving while down 4-3 in the second set. They went back and forth, through eight deuces and all those break opportunities for del Potro, until he slapped one forehand into the net, and another sailed wide.

The game went so long that when it ended, with Djokovic holding to 4-all, spectators began leaving their seats, perhaps thinking it was time for a changeover, even though it wasn’t. That prompted to chair umpire Alison Hughes to chastise them.

It was a brief request, though, unlike her many other pleas for quiet, mainly as fans were shouting and chanting and clapping in support of del Potro. It all bothered Djokovic, who started yelling and gesturing toward the seats. At one moment, he pressed his right index finger to his lips, as if to say, “Shhhhhhh!” Later, after winning a point, Djokovic put that finger to his ear, as if to say, “Who are you cheering for now?!”

When it ended, thanks to a three-game closing run by Djokovic, he flung his racket away and landed on his back, arms and legs spread wide. Moments later, del Potro was in his sideline seat, crying.
…

The 2018 football season quietly kicked off across the U.S. Sunday without the widespread player protests over alleged police brutality against African-Americans.

Only two players  both on the Miami Dolphins  protested police violence by kneeling during the national anthem.

Another Dolphins player raised his fist in defiance while a member of the San Francisco 49rs did the same. Two players with the Jacksonville Jaguars chose to stay in the locker room.

A number of players knelt or held their fists in the air throughout last season, prompting President Donald Trump to demand team owners fire players who, in his words, “disrespect our flag.”

The players say the protests had nothing to do with the flag. They said they wanted to draw attention to what they say is the large number of young black males shot, beaten, arrested, or harassed by police, sometimes minor infractions or even when they hadn’t committed a crime.

In a tweet, Trump said the low television ratings of an early-season Thursday game last week was because of the protests.

NFL owners attempted to set a policy requiring players to stand for the anthem or stay off the field. But they dropped the rule after the players union objected.

Former San Francisco player Colin Kaepernick, who began the protests in 2016, is suing the NFL for alleged collusion. He claims owners have conspired to keep him off all the teams.

Kaepernick is now the subject of a new advertising campaign by sports clothing company Nike, whose slogan is “Just Do It.” The ads feature a picture of Kaepernick with a caption reading “Believe in something. Even if it costs you everything.”

Nike reports a large jump in sales since it started running the ads.
…

Six women are making new sexual misconduct allegations against CBS chief Leslie Moonves, whose reign as one of the most powerful executives in Hollywood appeared to be nearing an end on Sunday.

The New Yorker magazine reported the women’s new accusations, which included Moonves forcing them to perform oral sex and retaliating when advances were turned away. Moonves acknowledged relations with three of the women but said they were consensual, and that he had never used his position to hurt the careers of women.

Six other women accused Moonves of misconduct in another New Yorker article published last month. Even before the new allegations came to light on Sunday, CBS’ board was reportedly discussing terms of Moonves’ exit. A spokesman for the board did not immediately return requests for comment.

Moonves joined CBS as head of entertainment in 1995, and has been CEO of CBS Corp. since 2006, leading the CBS network, Showtime and other entities. CBS has spent much of his tenure as the nation’s most popular broadcast network, with hits like “The Big Bang Theory” and “NCIS,” and its success has made Moonves one of the highest-paid and most powerful executives in the business.

He remained on the job despite the earlier allegations, and there were earlier reports that he was negotiating a buyout from his contract.

One of the women, Phyllis Golden-Gottlieb, reported her accusations to Los Angeles police last year, but they weren’t pursued because of the statute of limitations. She said that Moonves, while an executive at the Lorimar production studio in the late 1980s, pushed her head into his lap and forced her to perform oral sex.

At another time, she said an angry Moonves pushed her hard against a wall. When she resisted later advances, she began to be frozen out at the company, she said.

“He absolutely ruined my career,” she told the magazine.

Another woman, Jessica Pallingston, said Moonves had forced her to perform oral sex on her first day working as his assistant at Warner Bros. productions. Other women told the magazine of unwanted touching or advances by Moonves.

In a statement to the magazine, Moonves said the “appalling accusations” are untrue, but he acknowledged consensual relations with three of the women before he started working at CBS.

“I have never used my position to hinder the advancement or careers of women,” he said. “In my 40 years of work, I have never before heard of such disturbing accusations. I can only surmise they are surfacing now for the first time, decades later, as part of a concerted effort by others to destroy my name, my reputation and my career. Anyone who knows me knows that the person described in this article is not me.”

CBS, in a statement Sunday, said it takes the allegations “very seriously” and is conducting an investigation. The network is also investigating Jeff Fager, former CBS News chairman and executive producer of “60 Minutes,” on charges that he condoned a hostile atmosphere to women.

The organization Time’s Up, which fights accusations of sexual misconduct, said the women had made “bone-chilling” accusations against Moonves. “We believe them,” Times’ Up said in a statement on Sunday.

Time’s Up said the CBS board has a responsibility to rid the company of a toxic culture toward women.

“Remember that the world is watching,” the statement said. “We will accept nothing less than full transparency of the investigation’s findings, a commitment to real change across all levels of CBS management and no reward for Les Moonves.”

A likely successor to Moonves, at least on an interim basis, is Chief Operating Officer Joseph Ianniello, analysts said. Ianniello, who has held his current position since 2013, has steered top projects such as the CBS All Access and Showtime streaming services.
…

The U.S. Tennis Association fined 2018 U.S. Open runner-up Serena Williams $17,000 Sunday for violations during the women’s final the day before.

Williams will pay for three violations made during the extremely controversial match with 20-year-old Naomi Osaka, who claimed her first grand slam title.

Williams’ first violation for allegedly receiving coaching during a game cost her a warning and $3,000. A second violation, slamming her racket and breaking it, led to a point penalty and a fine of $4,000. The third violation, what umpire Carlos Ramos called verbal abuse when Williams’ called him a “thief” for the point penalty, resulted in her losing a game to penalty and an additional fine of $10,000.

The penalties drew criticism from fans of Williams and many in the tennis world, where a game penalty is extremely rare.

“When a woman is emotional, she’s “hysterical” and she’s penalized for it. When a man does the same, he’s “outspoken” & and there are no repercussions,” Billie Jean King, former World No. 1 professional tennis player and a long-time advocate of women athlete’s rights and equality wrote on Twitter Saturday. “Thank you, @serenawilliams, for calling out this double standard. More voices are needed to do the same.”

​

With her 6-2, 6-4 victory Sunday, Osaka won Japan’s first tennis Grand Slam title.

Williams’ defeat cost her tying for Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles.
…

The swimsuits are gone, but there has been plenty of controversy surrounding this year’s Miss America competition that could keep viewers tuning in.

       The next Miss America will be crowned around 11 p.m. Sunday on a nationally televised broadcast on ABC from Atlantic City.

       This year marks the first time the broadcast will not include a swimsuit competition.

       It has been replaced by onstage interviews, which have generated attention-grabbing remarks from contestants regarding President Trump, and NFL player protests, among other topics.

       And behind the scenes, a revolt is underway among most of the Miss America state organizations who demand that national chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper resign.

       The outgoing Miss America, Cara Mund, says the two have bullied and silenced her, claims that the women deny.

       Through it all, the 51 young women vying for the crown and a $50,000 scholarship have tried to remain focused.

       “I am just having the time of my life,” said Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras, who won Friday’s onstage interview preliminary with comments on how Americans traveling abroad should let people from other nation’s know that America supports and wants to help them. “I don’t know what will happen; I just really shared myself as much as I could.”

       The 98th Miss America competition will be held at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in the city where it started nearly a century ago as a bathing beauty contest designed to extend the summer tourism season for another week after Labor Day.

       Upon taking over at the helm of the Miss America Organization last winter following an email scandal in which former top leaders denigrated the appearance, intellect and sex lives of former Miss Americas, Carlson and Hopper set out to transform the organization, dubbing it “Miss America 2.0.”

       The most consequential decision was to drop the swimsuit competition and give the candidates more time to talk onstage about themselves, their platforms and how they would do the job of Miss America. Supporters welcomed it as a long-overdue attempt to make Miss America more relevant to contemporary society, while others mourn the loss of what they consider an integral part of what made Miss America an enduring part of Americana.

       Unhappy with how the decision was reached, as well as with other aspects of Carlson and Hopper’s performance, 46 of the 51 state pageant organizations (the District of Columbia is included) have called on the two to resign.

       Adding to the intrigue was a remarkable letter released by Mund, the outgoing Miss America, who said Carlson and Hopper had bullied, silenced and marginalized her. They deny doing any of that, saying they have been working tirelessly to move the organization into the future. It remains unknown if Carlson will speak or appear during the broadcast finale.

       Onstage interview comments have raised some eyebrows during three nights of non-televised preliminary competition. On Friday, Miss West Virginia Madeline Collins was asked what she feels is the most serious issue facing the nation.

       She replied, “Donald Trump is the biggest issue our country faces. Unfortunately he has caused a lot of division in our country.”

       A day earlier, Miss Virginia Emili McPhail was asked what advice she would give to NFL players about whether to stand or kneel for the national anthem.

       She said not standing during the anthem “is a right you have. But it’s also not about kneeling; it is absolutely about police brutality.”

       Wednesday night’s preliminary winners were Miss Florida Taylor Tyson for talent, and Miss Wisconsin Tianna Vanderhei for onstage interview. Thursday night, McPhail won the interview preliminary and Miss Louisiana Holli’ Conway won for talent. Friday, Taveras won for onstage interview and Miss Indiana Lydia Tremaine won for talent. 
…

Tiffany Haddish led an African-American sweep of Emmy Awards for TV series guest actors, a milestone in the entertainment industry’s effort to reflect a diverse society.

       Haddish was honored at Saturday’s creative arts Emmys for hosting “Saturday Night Live,” while Katt Williams won the guest comedy actor award for “Atlanta.”

       Ron Cephas Jones of “This Is Us” and Samira Wiley of “The Handmaid’s Tale” accepted guest acting honors in the drama series categories.

       Cephas, who plays a father who reconnects with his son (series star Sterling K. Brown) after a difficult life of drug addiction and loss, was asked backstage if his character would have been on TV in the past.

       “No. Not in this incarnation. … Not that the audience wasn’t ready for it. But maybe the executives, or people that have a say in the writing, probably wouldn’t have been ready for this kind of thing. But now we are. We’re moving forward and moving ahead.”

       In another step forward Saturday, Shauna Duggins became the first woman to win an Emmy for stunt coordination for a comedy or variety series for “GLOW,” about women’s wrestling in the 1980s.

       The creative arts Emmys set the table for NBC’s Sept. 17 main ceremony, which could also advance inclusivity on-screen and off. Donald Glover, the star and creator of “Atlanta,” won trophies last year for acting and directing and is a multiple nominee again, with his show a top contender for best comedy.

       Tracee Ellis Ross of “black-ish” and Issa Rae of “Insecure” are competing for comedy series acting honors. On the drama side, Brown could repeat as best actor for “This Is Us,” while “Killing Eve” star Sandra Oh could become the first actress of Asian descent to win the top award.

       Haddish, a hot property since her breakout performance in the movie “Girls Trip,” has been an Oscar presenter and MTV Movie & TV Awards host. She co-stars in the sitcom “The Last O.G.”

       She was a no-show at the Emmys, but presenter Tichina Arnold had fun accepting for her.

       “Tiffany couldn’t be here tonight. But, guess what, Tiffany! I’ve got your award, girl!” Arnold said, holding up the statuette triumphantly.

       “I think you’re going to have to give that back,” presenter Gerald McRaney (“This Is Us”) teased her.

       The “Star Trek” television franchise received the Governors Award. William Shatner, star of the original 1960s series, and Sonequa Martin-Green of 2018’s “Star Trek: Discovery” accepted the award, along with other actors with “Star Trek” credentials including Walter Koenig, Jeri Ryan and Levar Burton.

       'Star Trek' has endured because it represents an ideal that is greater than the sum of our parts," Shatner said. "The hope ofStar Trek’ is not just that it shows us what we can be tomorrow. But the real hope is how it’s been embraced and watched and reached to see the best version of ourselves.”

       An edited version of the two-part creative arts ceremony, held Saturday and Sunday, will be telecast on FXX at 8 p.m. EDT Saturday, Sept. 15.

       Among other awards presented Saturday:

       * Character voice-over performance: Alex Borstein, “Family Guy.”

       * Animated program: “Rick and Morty.”

       * Short-form animated program: “Robot Chicken.”

       * Short-form comedy or drama series: “James Corden’s Next James Corden.”

       * Actor in a short-form comedy or drama series: James Corden.

       * Actress in a short-form comedy or drama series: Christina Pickles, “Break A Hip.”

       * Television movie: “USS Callister (Black Mirror).”

       * Commercial: “The  Talk,” P&G.

       * Music composition for a series (original dramatic score): Ramin Djawadi, “Game of Thrones: The Dragon and the Wolf.”

       * Music composition for a limited series, movie or special (original dramatic score): Cyrille Aufort, “March Of The Penguins 2: The Next Step.”
…

The Democratic Republic of Congo is known across the continent for its high-energy dance culture. The contemporary local pop dances that feature winding waist movements and stiff leg kicks have become famous. But some dance artists are focused on older styles of dance. Ballet Grand Danseurs is a Kinshasa-based group formed in 2011 to preserve the traditional dances of the Congo’s ethnic groups. Chika Oduah has this story from Kinshasa.
…