News: Daily Skimm: Oh, Saturday Sun, I met someone

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Daily Skimm: Oh, Saturday Sun, I met someone

We heard your weekends were getting a little lonely without us. So we'll be coming to you every Saturday to break down the biggest talker of the week and give you the context you need to be part of the conversation. Plus, our recs to get the most out of your downtime.

What's Happening

…in your AirPods: Calls of the wild, aka a natural remedy for doomscrolling.

...in your kitchen: Jell-O salads and poop swoops. Or maybe they're just cake?

...in your family group chat: How many families had TVs in the 1950s. And other fun facts. Worth the 72-year wait.

Rolling Up the Red Carpet

And the Award for Most Irrelevant Goes To…Awards shows. For the first time in years, the Oscars had everyone talking. But not for the right reasons.

The Story

Awards shows like the Oscars and Grammys used to be among TV's biggest nights of the year. Not anymore. Streaming services, the pandemic, and scandals (see: #GrammysSoMale, Harvey Weinstein, #OscarsSoWhite) have sunk viewership and ratings.

But wait, I thought the Oscars had high ratings this year?

Not really. They were at an all-time low in 2021 — and this year wasn't looking better. That is, until Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage. The moment set the internet aflame. Overall, viewership went up 58% from last year. But that was still the second-lowest audience ever. And this isn't just an Oscars problem. The Golden Globes didn't even get airtime this year. Interest in the Grammys has also been on the decline. And the downward trend doesn't seem to be going away.

Why?

For a number of reasons. Some blame streaming and other ways new generations are consuming content (think: a little more TikTok, a little less movie-going). Some think the awards themselves have lost their spark(le) and have become industry machines, rather than a recognition of art. And some are pointing the blame at the industries' larger problems — like complicity towards sexual predators, extravagant freebies for judges, and lack of diversity both in Hollywood and in the music industry.

theSkimm
From pandemic woes to onstage foes, this awards season's been through the ringer. TBD if it'll close out that way. Or if drama and controversies can finally stop overshadowing genuine talent. Because if outbursts are all that awards shows have going for them for relevance, that's not a strong position to be in.

PS: 'The Slap' didn't come out of nowhere. Check out our latest episode of "Pop Cultured" for what led to that moment. And what's in store for tomorrow's Grammys.

Bookmark'd

The weekend means more time to do the things you love. For many of us, that's reading. But we can't Skimm it all for you. So instead, we're giving you a look at the reads we've saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…

The True Crime-Obsessed Philanthropists Paying to Catch Killers…when cases go cold, these deep-pocketed donors help police stay on the trail.

How an Ivy League School Turned Against a Student…an in-depth look at the clash between UPenn and Mackenzie Fierceton, a student whose complicated past raised big questions.

What Is Type II Fun?…yes, there are different kinds of fun. And, no, you're probably not getting enough of it.

In Bloom

Together with

Happy spring, Skimm'rs. Aka happy fresh herbs season. If you're looking for a project this weekend, we've got an idea for you: growing your own from home.

A few tips to get you started: Basil, chives, and parsley are great go-tos that'll thrive under your (green) thumb. They'll all benefit from being placed near a warm, sunny window. And when the time comes to pluck (and add liberally to your fave meals), be sure to harvest from the top down.

Another hot tip? You can get all the seeds you need – plus the rest of your spring essentials – delivered free† and fast with a Walmart+ membership. You better be-leaf it.

†$35 order minimum. Restrictions apply.

Downtime

Boeuf Bourguignon. Quiche Lorraine. French Onion Soup. All dishes adored by Julia Child. Nearly 20 years after the cultural and culinary icon's death, she's back in the spotlight thanks to a small-screen renaissance. Think: the documentary "Julia," the cooking competition "The Julia Child Challenge," and a new HBO Max drama, "Julia," which premiered this week.

Oh, and if you want to take your cooking to another level, try whipping up one of her glorious dishes. (See: Any of the above. Or, another fave, Julia's cheese soufflé.) Bon appétit.

Eyes On

Next week, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the Supreme Court is up for a Sen. Judiciary Committee vote (April 4). Then there's a series of procedural votes, and finally a confirmation vote (which could happen late next week). KBJ's likely to get full support from Democrats. But one big question remains: How many Republicans will vote "aye?"

Skimm Picks

Need recs? You're in luck. We've rounded up stuff that can make life easier, aaand save you time and money.

1. A makeup remover pad you can use up to 200 times. Yes, really. Just add water and this super soft cleansing cloud will wipe your face clean. It's easy on your skin, your wallet, and Mother Earth. Do it to it.

2. An onion chopping tool that can save you some tears. And make meal prep easier. With this magical device, you can cut and measure in one swoop. Plus, it's dishwasher safe. Get cooking.

3. Bleach-free bathroom spray that'll do the hard work for you. Say 'bye' to scrubbing and 'why hello there' to a spotless sink, shower, or tub with this scum-fighter. Just apply once a week, and let it do its thing. So fresh and so clean, clean.

Skimm More

More Skimm, less problems. Here's what else to check out…

4 Skimm HQ'rs share how they celebrate Ramadan
This TikTok trend claims to help with anxiety
Here's how to spot fake news in your feed
This "Bridgerton" behind-the-scenes tea is piping hot

Save the Date

Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...

64th Grammy Awards. FWIW: Trevor Noah will host. Drake will likely ghost. And Olivia Rodrigo might have reason to boast.

March Madness Championship games for women's and men's basketball, respectively. Prepare for the hoop-la.

MLB Opening Day. Sure to be a home run.

PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games are going down. Download it here.

theSkimm Loyalty Program

Psst…have you heard? We launched our new Loyalty Program and you're invited to join. Engage with our content, earn points, and use those points to unlock rewards. Think: swag, exclusive content, sweepstakes, and more. Start earning and get in on it here.

Skimm'd by Rasheeda Campbell, Xian Chiang-Waren, Melissa Goldberg, and Clem Robineau