Paradise Recap: Fun With Dick and Jane

Okay, so last week’s episode left me totally on the edge of my seat! Xavier’s really in a tough spot, trying to save Teri from what Mailman Gary describes as some dangerous folks on a train. But honestly, we know Gary is the real threat – the guy actually killed his best friend because of his obsession with Teri! Xavier’s already a little wary of Gary, especially since he confessed to being in love with Teri, but is now pretending he just wants to help her get back to her family. It’s a really tense situation, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Finally, an Oscars for People Who Actually Bother to Watch Movies

The Oscars broadcast included fun nods to popular movies from the year, but more importantly, it signaled a welcome shift in attitude. Not long ago, the Oscars were seen as struggling to stay relevant, an awards show desperately trying to appeal to broader audiences to survive. There was constant debate about how to “fix” the show – cutting awards, over-explaining movies, ditching the host, or trying to emulate the Grammys, even though they weren’t doing so well either. For a long time, the Oscars focused too much on attracting viewers who didn’t see the films, instead of rewarding those who did. (We shouldn’t forget the ill-conceived Best Cheer Moment and Fan Favorite awards.) So, it was refreshing to see the show casually reveal movie endings last night, without worrying about those who hadn’t watched. It felt like an Oscars designed for people who actually watch the films.

Jane Fonda Accepts No Merger

Jane Fonda also opposes a potential deal where Paramount might buy Warner Bros. Discovery. She previously disliked the idea of Netflix—whose co-CEO is a friend of hers, Ted Sarandos—acquiring WB, and feels even stronger about Paramount because the Ellison family, who run Paramount, are close to Donald Trump. Fonda pointed to comments made by Pete Hegseth, who said he believed it would be good if David Ellison gained control of CNN (which is owned by WB). Fonda has a personal connection to CNN, as she was married to its founder, Ted Turner, for ten years. She jokingly mentioned she even ‘slept’ with the man who created the network, and still has a commemorative pin to prove their history.