Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates a touchdown during Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Wondering what to watch this weekend? Get ready for football season, enjoy a cartoon binge, or remember a singer who was wise beyond his years.
Quarterback - Netflix
Picked by Growth Associate Keara O’Driscoll
To be honest, I have zero interest in football. However, I love a good docuseries. Quarterback takes a glimpse into the lives of three of the NFL’s top quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), Marcus Mariota (Atlanta Falcons), and Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs). Even if you, like me, are not scheduling your fall Sundays around the NFL lineup, you still might recognize Mahomes in particular, who has become a household name as he's a two-time Super Bowl winner and MVP. The series takes viewers into their lives on and off the field.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/7xlXTW5CuPY[youtube]
Loud House - Paramount+
Picked by Senior Editor Dina Ross
Here's a fun family-friendly pick if you (or your kids, nieces, nephews, grandkids, etc.) want to binge-watch some cartoons that everyone can enjoy. The Loud family, composed of mom, dad, and 11 kids (just one boy), is funny and full of love, with all of the children causing and solving mischief in each episode. The writing is quick and smart and hits at a level that parents and kids alike can appreciate. The show premiered in 2014, became a movie in 2021, and is still going strong, with season seven scheduled to begin September 11.
Sixto Rodriguez, the singer-songwriter who died on Tuesday at the age of 81, would not have been so widely remembered by U.S. news outlets had it not been for this film, which won the Oscar for best documentary in 2013. His 1970s protest songs didn't take off in the U.S., but unbeknownst to him for many years, they made Rodriguez a star in South Africa, where the socially-conscious music inspired anti-Apartheid activists. The film's popularity finally brought him fans in the U.S., including me, but I'd never got around to watching the movie. I wish it had been a few more years for this news to remind me of it.
The Chinese government brought the sitcom "Friends" back to its streaming services. However, it had instances of LGBTQ+ references left out, after the series had been banned on Chinese streaming platforms for years.
Season 13 "Shark Tank" contestant Tania Speaks secured a $400,000 deal for her Speaks Organic Skincare brand with "Shark" Mark Cuban while also being named one of the best pitches in the history of the show — all at 19 years old. Now 20, Speaks joined Cheddar News to talk about the skincare line, the clean beauty industry, and the moment that host Cuban was moved by her pitch. "I couldn't believe that he got emotional. I'm surprised I held back my tears that long," the young entrepreneur revealed. "It's just amazing for someone else to be inspired by your story, especially Mark Cuban himself."
The media giant formerly known as ViacomCBS has officially rebranded itself as Paramount Global with a focus on its streaming service, Paramount Plus. Naveen Chopra, chief financial officer at Paramount, joined Cheddar to discuss the company’s name change and streaming wars. "There are components of content licensing that we continue to do, either historical arrangements or opportunities to license content that don't really impinge on what we're trying to do with our owned and operated services and that continues to be an important ingredient in our broader financial model," he said. "But our number one priority is putting our best assets on Paramount Plus." Chopra also discussed theatrical release windows before feature films hit its service and the platform's subscription goals.
In efforts to help support black-owned brands. Ulta Beauty says it will make a commitment to not only give these brand shelf space but also help them navigate the ins and outs of growing a business. Last week, the beauty retailer announced in order to reach those goals, the company will spend $50 million on diversity and inclusion programs, including an accelerated program to mentor entrepreneurs of color. CEO of Ulta Beauty, Dave Kimbell, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
For black history month, Cheddar is highlighting black business leaders who are driving the need for representation forward. On February 10, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted an event called 'Developing the Black-Owned Business Ecosystem.' The virtual event was organized under the lobbying group's two initiatives -- the Equality of Opportunity Initiative, and the Coalition to Back Black Businesses. The event highlighted the developments needed to develop more black-owned businesses in the U.S. Dr. Anthony Wilbon, Dean of the School of Business at Howard University, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss his experience as a speaker at the event.
While Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans, it's also a time to reflect on how they can be better heard and supported.
Black Americans are still fighting for voting rights, facing more severe impacts from COVID-19, and experiencing gaps in workforce representation and pay. Alexandra Schrecengost, hybrid work expert and CEO of "Virtual With Us" and "Culture With Us,' joined Cheddar News to discuss.
