@FeliciaDay is known best for her web series The Guild and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Some might also know her from playing Vi in the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dr. Holly Marten in Eureka. She also had a recurring role as Charlie Bradbury on Supernatural and in Mystery Science Theater 3000. Besides TV work, Felicia has also written two bestselling books over the years.

Her latest audio book, Third Eye, which is only available on Audible, was released in October of 2023 and features a full cast including herself, Neil Gaiman, Christopher Judge, Carolyn Seymour, Laraine Newman, Wil Wheaton, Danny Pudi, Sean Astin, LilyPichu, London Hughes, Alan Tudyk, Janet Varney, Amy Okuda, Phil LaMarr, Steve Agee, Kate Miccuci, Jeff Lewis, Troy Baker, Harvey Guillen and Weird Al Yankovic to name a few.

Media Mikes had a chance to speak with Felicia about this new audio book and what fans can expect ranging from Easter Eggs to bending genres between science-fiction, fantasy and comedy!

Official Premise of Third Eye: Once upon a time, in the magical land of San Francisco, there lived a not-so-ordinary girl named Laurel Pettigrew. She was supposed to be the Chosen One. The plan was simple: She would vanquish the great evil Tybus in an epic battle. But destiny had other ideas, and Laurel’s performance in the whole heroics department was a colossal flop.

Now, instead of being a legendary hero, Laurel’s the resident pariah of the magic realm. And what’s worse, the dark wizard Tybus swooped in, took over the realm, and forced all supernatural creatures to live under his tyrannical rule. He’s even stripped away the magical powers of those who refused to join his wicked cause. Yeah, everyone hates her. Well, everyone except her two roomies—Sybil, the sassiest diva of a fairy, who could throw shade with the flick of a wing. And Frank, the vampire who rocks a bald spot and a serious paunch. They are the real MVPs, the ride-or-die buddies who have her back, no matter how many colossal fails she racks up.

And it’s all about to get even weirder. Along comes Kate, a Normie who somehow knows more about Laurel than Laurel knows about herself. Turns out, she’s got some secrets up her sleeve that might just give Laurel a shot at redemption and a chance to rewrite her destiny.

Third Eye is a side-splitting adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Laurel and her ragtag team of misfits must embark on a wild journey to take down Tybus. It’s a treacherous path, but they’ll have to put their differences aside and work together. Get ready to laugh, gasp, and cheer as they stumble their way toward an epic showdown.

NICKELODEON ORDERS THIRD SEASON OF AVATAR: BRAVING THE ELEMENTS

All-New Firebending Season of Fan-Favorite Podcast Slated to Debut January 2024

Nickelodeon has announced the renewal for a third season of Avatar: Braving the Elements, the official companion podcast for Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra. Hosts Janet Varney (the voice of Korra) and Dante Basco (the voice of Prince Zuko) announced the news by a special video message to fans during the “Water, Earth, Fire, Air: Continuing the Avatar Legacy” panel at New York Comic Con 2023. Produced by Nickelodeon, the third season of Avatar: Braving the Elements will debut in Jan. 2024 and be available wherever podcasts are heard.

In season three (40 episodes), Varney and Basco re-watch Book 3 of the classic animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, offering fans an intimate look inside the popular story where they will break down key themes, notable battles, and share behind-the-scenes stories and trivia. The all-new season will rollout weekly and feature multiplatform elements, including video shorts and corresponding YouTube content.

Award-winning Avatar: Braving the Elements extends the Avatarverse for loyal fans who grew up with the beloved franchise. In this weekly podcast, hosts Janet Varney and Dante Basco continue to re-watch every episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Special guests from cast members to producers to superfans drop in to explore elements of Book 3 and reveal secrets behind the making of the series. Fans can binge the first two seasons now to catch up on the podcast.

About Avatar: The Last Airbender
Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender emerged from its three-season run (61 episodes), from February 2005 to July 2008, as one of the most beloved animated properties in history. Honored with a Peabody Award and Primetime Emmy, along with multiple Annie Awards and Genesis Awards, the series follows the adventures of the main protagonist Aang and his friends, who must defeat Fire Lord Ozai and end the Hundred Year War to restore balance to the Four Nations.

In addition to the series’ success, the property has also been translated into several bestselling book series, which continue to roll out new original stories. The graphic novel series most recently spent two months on the New York Times Graphic Books Bestseller list in 2020, and the young adult novels have spent 24 total weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and have close to 700,000 copies in print. The DVD and Blu-rays are also incredibly successful, with the “Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Complete Series” generating nearly $38MM in retail sales since its 2015 release.

Executive produced by showrunner Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead Universe), the hit horror anthology, series, Creepshow, returns to Shudder, AMC+ and AMC on Friday, October 13th, with a six-episode binge premiere on Shudder and AMC+ and new episodes airing weekly at 10:00 pm ET/9c on AMC linear.

Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Greg to discuss the new season of Creepshow and what fans can expect from this season!

Based on George A. Romero’s iconic 1982 horror-comedy classic, Creepshow is still the most fun you’ll ever have being scared. A comic book comes to life in a series of vignettes, exploring terrors ranging from murder, creatures, monsters, and delusions to the supernatural and unexplainable. You never know what will be on the next page…

AMC NETWORKS RETURNS TO NEW YORK COMIC CON WITH
PANELS, SPECIAL SCREENINGS AND A LOOK AT WHAT’S AHEAD

Exclusive Early Screening of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season Finale
Followed by Executive Producer Q&A to Take Place Thursday, October 12

HIDIVE Hosts World Dub Premiere and Q&A for
The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes on Thursday, October 12

Shudder Presents V/H/S All Stars Panel Featuring Directors From Each Installment of the Popular Horror Franchise on Friday, October 13

AMC Networks Debuts New Scenes and Teasers from 2024 Series, Including
Orphan Black: Echoes, The Walking Dead: The One Who Live and Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire Season 2, Ahead of Daryl Dixon Screening

AMC Networks announced today its lineup at this year’s New York Comic Con, which runs from October 12 to October 15 at the Javits Center, including panels, special screenings and Q&As, along with an exclusive look at some of its most anticipated series in 2024.

A comprehensive schedule is below:

Thursday, October 12 from 4:15pm – 6:15pm; Empire Stage
NYCC attendees will be the first to see The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season finale ahead of its airing on Sunday, October 15 at 9pm ET/8c on AMC and AMC+, followed by a Q&A with Chief Content Officer of the Walking Dead Universe Scott M. Gimple, Showrunner David Zabel and Executive Producer Greg Nicotero and moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Dalton Ross.

Ahead of the episode screening, attendees will get an exclusive first look at new scenes and teasers from Orphan Black: Echoes, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live and Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire Season Two.

Thursday, October 12 from 7:30pm – 9:30pm, Room 405
Fans can join HIDIVE for the World Premiere of the English dub of The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes followed by a Q&A hosted by Jacki Jing and featuring stars of the English dub, including voice actors Gabriel Regojo (voice of Karou) and Patricia Duran (voice of Anzu). The Annecy Award-winning film opens in U.S. theaters on November 3.

Friday, October 13 from 4:30-5:30pm; Main Stage
In celebration of the return of the popular V/H/S franchise – V/H/S/85 begins streaming on October 6 – Shudder brings together directors from each installment of the horror phenomenon to talk about their respective films, the horror genre today, the evolution of the franchise and what’s to come. The panel, moderated by Shudder’s VP of Programming Samuel Zimmerman, will feature David Bruckner (V/H/S/1), Chloe Okuno (V/H/S/94), Natasha Kermani (V/H/S/85), Jason Eisener (V/H/S/2), and Tyler McIntyre (V/H/S/99), among others.

James “Murr” Murray is known for his role in truTV’s Impractical Jokers, which is currently in it’s tenth season. James is currently touring with his comedy stand up tour, hitting over 30 cities this Fall. He is also releasing a new book “Area 51 Interns: Time Chasers”, more about that you can visit area51novel.com. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with James again to discuss his tour, the new book and everything else in between!

Eduardo Sanchez is known best for his work directing “The Blair Witch Project”, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary next year. Eduardo recently directed a new segment “The Vampire” from the new anthology film “Satanic Hispanics”. Besides horror, Eduardo has been directing tons of new TV shows including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Media Mikes had a chance to chat about his new film “Satanic Hispanics”, his TV work and the upcoming 25th anniversary plans for “The Blair Witch Project”.

CRUNCHYROLL HOSTS WORLD PREMIERE SCREENING OF
“MY HERO ACADEMIA” SEASON 6 ORIGINAL EPISODE:
“UA HEROES BATTLE” AT NEW YORK COMIC CON 2023
World Premiere Screening to Take Place on October 13 at NYCC

© K. Horikoshi / Shueisha, My Hero Academia Project

Join Crunchyroll at New York Comic Con this fall for the world premiere of an all-new original episode from My Hero Academia Season 6 entitled “UA HEROES BATTLE”. The screening will take place on Friday, October 13 at 5:00 PM ET at the Empire Stage for all badge holders attending NYCC.

This early, exclusive world preview will feature the English dub and will be available to NYCC attendees before it is screened in Japan. Get ready for some card-game action that will showcase your favorite heroes like never before! Also in celebration of this premiere, Crunchyroll will be giving away limited edition character cards at the screening provided by UVS Games that are based on the new original episode and playable with the My Hero Academia Collectible Card Game. Attendees can also receive these special My Hero Academia cards as a gift with a purchase at Crunchyroll’s merch booth on the show floor.

“UA HEROES BATTLE” is animated by BONES (Mob Psycho 100; Bungo Stray Dogs), based on the popular manga series My Hero Academia written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi.

My Hero Academia Season 6 original episode “UA HEROES BATTLE” Official Synopsis:
The third year, Mirio Togata, pays a visit to the students of Class 1-A, who are bored because they are not allowed to go outside. He brings them a card game called U.A. Heroes Battle that the support course made. This game, where players can use cards of various U.A. students, is tough, just like U.A. itself. Who will win the card battle?!

About My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is a TV anime based on the popular comics by Kohei Horikoshi serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump (Shueisha) and over 85 million copies sold. It is set in a world where about eighty percent of the population has a superpowered Quirk. Heroes protect people and society from accidents, disasters, and villains—criminals who use their Quirks for evil. The story of Izuku Midoriya and his classmates at U.A. High School and their growth, fights, and friendship unfolds as they aim to become such heroes.

My Hero Academia garnered a nomination from the Hollywood Creative Alliance this year for Best Animated Series at the HCA TV Awards.

My Hero Academia on Crunchyroll: www.crunchyroll.com/my-hero-academia
Official English Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyHeroAcademia
Official English Twitter: www.twitter.com/mhaofficial
Official English Instagram: www.instagram.com/plusultra/

Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small (despite some technical connection issues) chats with us about the new Dethalbum IV, the new movie Army of the Doomstar and Dethklok’s upcoming tour!

NATIONAL TOUR KICKS OFF RETURN OF ADULT SWIM’S “METALOCALYPSE,”
ALL-NEW FILM, SOUNDTRACK, AND “DETHALBUM IV” RELEASES FORTHCOMING

The long-awaited return of Adult Swim’s favorite heavy metal adventure “Metalocalypse” arrives with a nationwide tour of the series’ on-screen band DETHKLOK. A full-length original film, written and directed by Brendon Small, “Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar”, a companion soundtrack and “Dethalbum IV” will also arrive this year.

DETHKLOK will kick off their twenty-nine date national tour on August 30 with Japanese kawaii metal pioneers BABYMETAL as co-headliners and virtuoso guitarist Jason Richardson as support.

“It’s very surreal having so much new ‘Metalocalypse’ & DETHKLOK this year with the trifecta of the tour, movie and album,” said Small. “I’m so excited to get on the road with the powerful BABYMETAL, and to celebrate all the hard work that team ‘Metalocalypse’ & DETHKLOK put in over the last two years and beyond!”

The “BABYKLOK” tour will also include appearances at Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton, VA (Sep 10), Louder Than Life in Louisville, KY (Sep 23) and Aftershock in Sacramento, CA (Oct 7).

Wed-Aug-30-23 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
Thu-Aug-31-23 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
Sat-Sep-02-23 – Orlando, FL – Orlando Amphitheater
Sun-Sep-03-23 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
Tue-Sep-05-23 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Wed-Sep-06-23 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
Fri-Sep-08-23 – Pittsburgh, PA – UPMC Events Center
Sat-Sep-09-23 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre
Sun-Sep-10-23 – Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Festival
Tue-Sep-12-23 – Philadelphia, PA – The Mann Center
Thu-Sep-14-23 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Fri-Sep-15-23 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
Sun-Sep-17-23 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
Mon-Sep-18-23 – Toronto, ONT – RBC Echo Beach
Wed-Sep-20-23 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe
Thu-Sep-21-23 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Sat-Sep-23-23 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life Festival
Sun-Sep-24-23 – Milwaukee, MN – The Rave/Eagles Club
Mon-Sep-25-23 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
Wed-Sep-27-23 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park
Thu-Sep-28-23 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
Sat-Sep-30-23 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
Sun-Oct-01-23 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
Tue-Oct-03-23 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum
Wed-Oct-04-23 – Seattle, WA – WaMu Theater
Sat-Oct-07-23 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival
Sun-Oct-08-23 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort
Tue-Oct-10-23 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theater
Wed-Oct-11-23 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theater

Ticket information and VIP packages can be found at thebabykloktour.com.

Also coming later in 2023 is “Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar,” an original full-length movie written and directed by Brendon Small (“Metalocalypse”) and produced by Titmouse, Adult Swim and Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment. The film stars Small, Tommy Blacha, Victor Brandt (“Metalocalypse”), Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (Grammy® Award Winning Musician), King Diamond (KING DIAMOND; MERCYFUL FATE), Mark Hamill (“Batman: The Animated Series”; “The Machine”), Kirk Hammett (METALLICA), Jon Hamm (“Confess. Fletch”; “Top Gun: Maverick”), Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), Amy Lee (EVANESCENCE), Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange”), Juliet Mills (“Passions”), Laraine Newman (“Saturday Night Live”), Raya Yarbrough (“Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem – a Klok Opera”), and Livia Zita (2022 Winner – Society of Voice Arts and Sciences Award).

The all-new animated movie begins after the heroic rescue of Toki Wartooth; DETHKLOK frontman Nathan Explosion finds himself traumatized in a BRUTAL professional and romantic flat-spin, all while he is tasked with fulfilling the prophecy and confronting the ultimate songwriting challenge to save the planet. Can Nathan Explosion look beyond his brutally damaged ego to save his band, stop the Metalocalypse, and finally face the ultimate evil: Salacia?

As a special highlight, fans can also anticipate the release of two full-length albums this year. WaterTower Music will release both the film soundtrack, “Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” as well as “Dethalbum IV” around the launch of the film. Meanwhile, fans can summon DETHKLOK by streaming the Metalocalypse: Dethklok Complete Collection playlists.

“Metalocalypse” originally premiered in 2006 on Adult Swim and was created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha.

Nancy Travis talks about her new TV series on Hallmark Channel, RIDE!

Nancy Travis (Last Man Standing, The Kominsky Method), Tiera Skovbye (Riverdale, Nurses), Beau Mirchoff (Good Trouble, Hidden Gems), Sara Garcia (The Flash, Reign), Jake Foy (Designated Survivor, A Little Daytime Drama) and Tyler Jacob Moore (Barry, Shameless) star in the new, multigenerational family ensemble following the lives of the McMurrays, part of a rodeo dynasty going back a generation, as they struggle to keep their beloved ranch afloat. After a tragic loss, each character embarks on an empowering journey of transformation and self-discovery while also uncovering a twisted web of secrets, threatening to tear the family and their small Colorado town apart at the seams.

The first of the ten-episode season premieres on Hallmark Channel on Sunday, March 26th and can be watched on demand the next day on all platforms where Hallmark is available.

Lilah Fitzgerald talks about her role of Ghoulia in “Monster High: The Movie”, its upcoming sequel on Paramount+, her new TV series “Lucky Hank” with Bob Odenkirk and her new debut novel, “Stars & Swashbucklers”!

MONSTER HIGH : THE MOVIE, and based on the popular fashion toy line, was such a staggering success on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon it’s spawned a sequel. The Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada native reprises her role as Ghoulia in the upcoming film.  In addition to resurrecting ‘Ghoulia’ in 2023 and her role in “LUCKY HANK”, starring “BETTER CALL SAUL” fave Bob Odenkirk, which premieres this month on AMC, Lilah is also known for her role in The CW’s “HELLCATS”, her Leo Award winning performance in “MY NEW BEST FRIEND”, “SEVENTH SON” opposite Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore, “EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE” co-starring alongside Rachel McAdams and James Franco, and 2021’s “HONEY GIRLS” for Sony Pictures.  ‘Stars & Swashbucklers’ is Lilah’s debut novel, and the first installment in ‘The Last Montmorency Saga’. The April 4 release goes like this : Far in the future, earth has split apart into thousands of islands dangling between the stars. Privateers search for relics, artifacts, and manuscripts that were lost when the earth split, ships sail the stars like they once sailed oceans, and banished Olde Beings lurk in the Mysts between the islands.  Welcome to the broken world.  Stuck in steerage on the maiden voyage of the luxury airship the Halthow, sixteen-year-old Anya Marcox is determined to make her brother happy by accepting the fate their dead father used to recite to her like a prayer: average lives for average girls.But when an encounter with a dashing stranger lands Anya in the middle of a cutthroat race to find a relic that could change the fate of the islands, average is no longer an option.  Compelled by the whispering of the stars that have always promised her something more, Anya finds herself secretly working as a privateer—and falling for her partner in crime. But her treasure hunt through the stars soon turns deadly: the nightmares are getting worse . . . and Anya is beginning to wonder if they’re more than just dreams.

Sadie Laflamme-Snow plays the role of Alice Dhawan in Hallmark Channel’s The Way Home opposite Andie MacDowell and Chyler Leigh. The new hit show, which was already greenlit for a second season. Media Mikes had a chance to chat about the first season, plans for season 2 and even Sadie’s upcoming projects including Shudder’s “Slasher: Ripper” & Netflix’s “Unicorn Academy”.

The Way Home tells the story of three generations of women – Kat Landry (Chyler Leigh), her teen Alice (Sadie Laflamme-Snow) and Kat’s mother Del (Andie MacDowell) – who are all strong, willful and independent. More than 20 years prior, life-changing events prompted Kat to move away from her small, Canadian farm town and she remains estranged from Del to this day. At a crossroads in her life, Kat moves back with Alice to her family’s farm though the reunion isn’t what Kat envisioned. When Alice and Kat unwittingly discover the ability to travel between the past and present, mother and daughter are determined to unearth the truth around the earlier tragedies as they try to change the course of events. Kat’s childhood friend Elliot (Evan Williams) is there for them in both eras as they navigate their journeys across time, helping the three women find their way back to each other.

Long before Media Mikes was created – we just cerlebrated our 13th Anniversaryl – I have been a huge supporter of the amazing Planet Comicon Kansas City.

That being said, I’m happy to announce that we have once again teamed up with our KCPC friends and are giving five lucky readers (2) passes to the event.  

The best show in the Midwest, hands down, this years celebrity guests include William Shatner, Richard Dreyfuss, Jeffrey Kramer, Jonathan Frakes, William Daniels and Giancarlo Espisito.

All you have to do is comment below and let us know who you would like to see at a future show.  It’s that simple.

Fi ve random comments will be chosen and those picked will receive (2) passes to this year’s show.

This contest runs through midnight on Wednesday, March 15th.  Winners will be notified by email.  GOOD LUCK!

Take a few minutes to see this great highlight video from last years show HERE

Includes ALL 138 Episodes from the Epic Series, Plus the First Theatrical Film, and All the Enhanced Content in a 20-Disc DVD Set!

Hey Aqua Teen Fam! Everyone’s favorite fast-food trio from Adult Swim creators Dave Willis (“Squidbillies,” “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”) and Matt Maiellaro (“Space Ghost Coast to Coast,” “12 oz. Mouse”) are coming together for the first time on DVD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment with a complete collection including all 138 episodes from the hit series 11 season run, as well as the first theatrical film titled Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters, plus hours over 30 hours of bonus content.

SYNOPSIS:

Three unique detectives, the Aqua Teen Hunger Force, share a rental house in New Jersey. This mystery-solving trio is comprised of human-sized food products: Master Shake, the big-mouthed, self-appointed team leader with a short attention span and no work ethic; Frylock, the only reasonable member of the group, who happens to be a box of French-fried potatoes–spuds with power; and Meatwad, a talented round mound of meat who can take the shape of a hot dog or an igloo. Together, this triple threat tackles unusual cases from the luxury of a neighbor’s swimming pool–unless they’re confronted by danger. Then, of course, the three run like hell.

BASICS:

Release Date: September 20, 2022

Audio: English (5.1)

Subtitles: Eng SDH, French, Spanish

Rated: TV-14 (DLSV)

DVD Price: $112.99 SRP ($129.99 in Canada)

About Warner Bros. Discovery 

Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, WB Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com. 

About Adult Swim

Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is WarnerMedia’s #1 brand for young adults offering original and acquired animated and live-action series. Airing nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT) on its linear channel, and also available through HBO Max, Adult Swim is basic cable’s #1 network with persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 94 million U.S. homes, reaching over 40 million viewers via HBO Max.

Well, thank God that’s over. The final film award ceremony of 2021 is over, and not a minute too soon.

Viewers who tuned in to the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony (guilty, but I have a website. What’s your excuse?) were treated to un-enthusiastic presenters, amazingly long speeches (I’m guessing Questlove wasn’t told he could play people off) and an “In Memoriam” segment that looks like it was thrown together at the last minute. And can someone tell me how a show with no host, opening monologue and zero musical numbers – unless you count the embarrassing “Oscar Music Trivia” game that featured Glenn Close shaking her ass to E.U.’s “Da Butt” – ran almost 3 1/2 hours??

On a positive note, there were some great achievements rewarded. A woman of color (Chloe Zhao) was named Best Director, only the second time a woman has won that Award. Think about that. Out of 465 nominees only SEVEN women have been nominated: Lina Wertmuller, Jane Campion, Sophia Coppola, Kathryn Bigelow (who won), Greta Gerwig, Ms. Zhao and Emerald Fennell, who with Ms. Zhao was nominated this year. Which means such female directors, like Penny Marshall and Barbra Streisand, have been totally ignored, even though in the past they had directed films nominated for Best Picture!

Daniel Kaluuya and Youn Yuh-jing took home the Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards, respectively, putting a slight dent into the #OscarSoWhite reputation.

Frances McDormand became the second actress to receive (3) Best Actress awards when her name was announced last night, putting her right behind the immortal Katherine Hepburn, who won (4). Meryl Streep does have (3) Oscars, but one was for Best Supporting Actress. Ms. McDormand picked up a 4th Oscar as one of the producers of the evening’s Best Picture, “Nomadland.” And whose idea was it to give the Best Picture award out early? Normally it’s the last award of the night, but on this night it was awarded before Best Actress and Actor were named. My hunch is that the producers assumed the late Chadwick Boseman, who was nominated for his final performance in the film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” would win, which would have made for a nice emotional way to end the evening. Instead, Joaquin Phoenix sheepishly announced Anthony Hopkins as the winner of the Best Actor award, and that was a wrap!

My beef with the “In Memoriam” segment was that, for some reason, the Academy figured if you were watching you knew who everyone was and what they did. An introduction that took u 1/3 of the segment, no film clips and, while known talents like Christopher Plummer, George Segal and Wilford Brimley got a few seconds of screen time each, others – among them Marge Champion (a great dancer), Shirley Knight (a fine actress), Kelly Preston (same) and Michael Chapman (an amazing cinematographer whose credits include “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” and “The Fugitive”) whizzed by in a blink.

The fact that only nominees and presenters were allowed to be in the venue also made for dull television. Smatterings of applause signaled that the guests in the theatre were apparently as bored as the ones at my house.

Blame it on COVID. Blame it on the fact that none of the films nominated were “NAME” films – no “Titanic,” “Avatar” or “Lord of the Rings” in the bunch. Blame it on bad television. There’s plenty of blame to go around.

For those of you who went to bed early, here is a list of the winners:

Best Picture – Nomadland 

Best Actor in a Leading Role– Anthony Hopkins (The Father)

Best Actress in a Leading Role – Frances McDormand (Nomadland)

Best Director – Chloé Zhao (Nomadland)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Youn Yuh-jung (Minari)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah)

Best Adapted Screenplay – The Father, Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller

Best Original Screenplay – Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell

Best Animated Feature Film – Soul 

Best International Feature Film – Another Round (Denmark)

Best Sound – Sound of Metal, Phillip Bladh, Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés, Carolina Santana

Best Costume Design – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Ann Roth

Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Matiki Anoff, Mia Neal, Larry M. Cherry

Best Live Action Short Film – Two Distant Strangers

Best Animated Short Film – If Anything Happens I Love You 

Best Documentary Feature – My Octopus Teacher 

Best Documentary Short Subject – Colette 

Best Original Song – ‘Fight for You,’ (Judas and the Black Messiah)

Best Visual Effects – Tenet, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Lockley, Scott R. Fisher, Mike Chambers

Best Cinematography – Mank, Erik Messerschmidt

Best Production Design – Mank, Donald Graham Burt, Jan Pascale

Best Film Editing – Sound of Metal, Mikkel E.G. Nielsen

Best Original Score – Mank, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross