Charli D'Amelio attends the iHeartRadio Music Awards at the Dolby Theatre on Thursday, May 27, 2021, in Los Angelles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Here comes the weekend again, so it's time to relax and peruse our what-to-watch list. From TikTok's Charli and Dixie D'Amelio to Pixar's talking Dug to organized crime in minor league hockey and the classic Candyman (1992), Cheddar's digital team might have a few suggestions.
The D'Amelio Show: Season 1 - Hulu
Picked by Sr. News Editor Dina Ross
I'm not promising I'm going to watch this, but I'm also not promising I'm won't. Do I enjoy reality TV? Heck yeah. Am I a TikTok expert? Nope. But I think I'm down to see what the D'Amelios are all about. Even if I haven't set my own deepest/funniest 30-second thoughts to music and put them out for the world to enjoy, I'm certainly in awe of anyone who can do that as successfully as Charli and Dixie D'Amelio. And if this happens to become the next generation of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, at least I'll be able to say I was in on the ground floor.
Dug Days - Disney+
Picked by Copy Editor Mike Nam
Pixar's Up is widely lauded by the Internet for having a better love story in its opening minutes than most films, and now the talking pooch from the movie, Dug, and his senior citizen Carl Fredericksburg are embarking on a new relationship adventure. The series of shorts, which premiered on Wednesday, delivers a delightful surprise with iconic actor Ed Asner reprising his role as Carl. Asner sadly passed away recently at the age of 91. In the streaming series, Carl and Dug make their way to a new home in the burbs where Dug can get up to all kinds of mischief — including finally chasing a squirrel.
Untold: Crime & Penalties - Netflix
Picked by Producer Lawrence Banton
Netflix is on to something with its Untold series! My latest pick is the installment, Crime & Penalties, which examines the bad boys of the United Hockey League, the Danbury Trashers, and their ties to a convicted mobster James Galante. The story dives into the world of sports, violence, and organized crime with the team’s front office business being run by Galante’s 17-year-old son AJ as the general manager. From duffle bags full of cash to players paid under the table to targeted attacks directed at opponents on the ice, this documentary is sure to have you on the edge of your seat.
Candyman (1992) - Amazon Prime Video rental or free with Hulu
Picked by Reporter Alex Vuocolo
Despite the lack of a number or a colon in its title, the Candyman now in theaters is definitely more of a sequel than a remake, so make sure to first check out the 1992 original before buying a ticket. If you ask this lifelong horror fan, it's one of the best of that decade. Coming on the tail-end of the '80s slasher craze, the OG Candyman doesn't hold back when it comes to scares or effects, while at the same time tackling difficult themes such as racial violence, collective trauma, and urban development. It's also well put together, with striking on-location photography of Chicago (including footage of the Cabrini-Green housing development before it was demolished) and an iconic score from Philip Glass that will be stuck in your head long after the credits.
Looking for more to watch? Check out our recommendations from last week and the week before.
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.
