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Well, ladies and gentlemen, despite the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the awards season is in full swing. On Tuesday evening, the MTV Video Music Awards took place, featuring unforgettable moments such as Shakira’s historic win of the Video Vanguard Award, a nostalgic performance of “Itty Bitty Piggy” by Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, and much more.
But there was one artist notably missing from the mainstage and the Extended Play Stage – Victoria Monét. Fans have been rallying for the industry veteran to perform her hit single “On My Mama” at the awards show, but unfortunately, it was beyond her control. Monét expressed her disappointment on Twitter, stating that her team was told it was “too early in her story” for that opportunity, but they will continue working towards it. Some fans were upset considering that newcomers like Olivia Rodrigo and Reneé Rapp have been given stage time within just one to two years of releasing their debut projects. Monét believes she deserves the same chance.
In the midst of the seemingly never-ending show, viewers were treated to filler performances and teleprompter mishaps, which may have been a distraction from the fact that there are no writers to help the show run smoothly. However, there was one moment that brought me relief – Selena Gomez’s response to Chris Brown being nominated in 2023. Now, I personally don’t think Selena should have been nominated for an Afrobeats award, but at least she hasn’t faced repeated accusations of assault like Brown has. So, I guess I can deal with it.
Despite her efforts to avoid becoming a meme, it was inevitable for Gomez, especially as she sat next to her bestie Taylor Swift, who was clearly having the time of her life. Swift, who won the Video of the Year, has been making headlines recently due to rumors of her involvement with NFL player Travis Kelce. I won’t share my thoughts on that, but I’ll let this TikTok video speak for itself. If you’re not aware of who Kelce’s ex-girlfriend is, I suggest you do a quick search. Happy Friday, happy Latinx Heritage Month, and welcome to another edition of The Culture Catchall.
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To borrow a phrase from Tyra Banks, I have to say, Drew Barrymore, we were all rooting for you! We were all so disappointed when you crossed the picket line and resumed your talk show, effectively being labeled a scab. Despite audience members getting kicked out for showing support for Hollywood workers, Barrymore stood by her choice, stating that she owns it. Earlier this year, she walked away from her duties as the MTV VMAs show host in solidarity with her fellow industry members. Now, other daytime TV shows are following suit, and it sets a dangerous precedent. (Barrymore released an apology video on Friday, but her show will continue.)
Just in time for the NFL’s 2023-2024 season, Disney and Spectrum have reached a carriage agreement deal. While major markets will have access to ESPN, FX, and ABC stations again, eight networks will be left out. Unfortunately, this means that kids, tweens, and teens may not have access to certain channels. To learn more about which networks and local broadcast outlets are impacted, check out Deadline’s article.
In a shocking exposé, NBC News internet reporter Kat Tenbarge brought attention to the allegations against “Rick and Morty” co-creator Justin Roiland, who has been accused of using his fame to pursue young fans. Eleven women and nonbinary people came forward, providing evidence of their interactions with Roiland from 2013 to 2022, many of which were explicit in nature. Some of these fans were only 16 years old when Roiland allegedly contacted them. Please use caution when reading the article, as it contains explicit language and graphic details.
Mr. Homecoming King, Hasan Minhaj, I can’t defend you anymore. In a profile by The New Yorker, the former “Daily Show” correspondent admitted to fabricating details in his stand-up bits across various comedy specials, including fake anthrax exposure scares and a contrived prom rejection story. This revelation not only undermines Minhaj’s integrity but also raises questions about his use of identity and oppression as comedic devices, especially if these traumatic events didn’t actually happen to him. It makes you wonder about other comics of color and the shadows this may cast on them. Read the article yourself to form your own opinion.
“Euphoria” producer Sam Levinson has been accused of plagiarizing the visual aesthetic of a female filmmaker and photographer. In an interview with Hungarian outlet Punkt, director Petra Collins claimed that Levinson approached her to direct the HBO series, citing her photos as inspiration. It seems like pushing women out of opportunities is a recurring pattern for Levinson. (Remember Amy Seimetz, the original creator of “The Idol”?) I’d say “I told you so,” but that would be a lie.
The notorious Gannett network is currently seeking two reporters to exclusively cover Beyoncé and Taylor Swift at USA Today and The Tennessean. Let’s make it clear that they want actual reporters, not middle-aged stans who run Timothée Chalamet fan accounts. It’s worth noting that Gannett has been cutting countless roles in local news over the past two years. The lack of job security in the news industry is always so thrilling, isn’t it? You can find more details about this on The Daily Beast.
Olivia Rodrigo at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards
That’s it for this week’s industry news and announcements. If you want to receive the complete weekly entertainment newsletter, make sure to subscribe to The Culture Catchall here.
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