Community Community ‘Compulsory Kumar Sanu, Breakfast’, Bollywood P6an initiative P16 melody by Birla Public king and playback singer, School completes captivates audience in a its one year of concert at Qatar National introduction. Convention Centre.

Monday, December 31, 2018 Rabia II 24, 1440 AH

Doha today: 200 - 230

A DUD: Christiani Pitts and King Kong — the forgettable new Broadway musical based on the classic 1933 Hollywood film.

COVER The flip side STORY Newsday’s critics on the worst of the worst in TV, movies, pop music and theatre this year. P4-5

BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD

Khans magic failed in Was this the year experimental 2018. that TV broke TV? Page 14 Page 15 2 GULF TIMES Monday, December 31, 2018 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.57am Shorooq (sunrise) 6.19am Zuhr (noon) 11.37am Asr (afternoon) 2.35pm Maghreb (sunset) 4.56pm Isha (night) 6.26pm

USEFUL NUMBERS Between Worlds suff ocating. Her daughter is dying when Joe helps the mother DIRECTION: Maria Pulera spiritually contact the daughter and save her. Unfortunately, the CAST: Nicolas Cage, Penelope Mitchell, Franka Potente spirit in the daughter’s body is now that of Joe’s dead wife. SYNOPSIS: Joe meets a mother who can contact spirits when THEATRE: The Mall

Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Qatar Airways 40253374 Thomas and Friends across fi ve continents seeing sights he has never seen before. DIRECTION: David Stoten Thomas and his friends travel to the mainland to save James and CAST: Dona Adwera, Peter Andre, Richie Campbell show that friendship is more important than being the favourite SYNOPSIS: Thomas leaves Sodor to fulfi l his dream of engine. Can Thomas and the new experimental engines save seeing the world. This heroic quest takes Thomas across deserts, James and help bring him back to the Island of Sodor? through jungles and over dangerous mountains as he travels THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall ote Unquo Qu te “Some are Pretham 2 (Malayalam) The Mall Cinema (1): Pretham 3pm; Jack Em Popoy: The born great, some achieve 2 (Malayalam) 2pm; Aquaman Puliscredibles (Tagalog) 6pm; greatness, and some have (2D) 4:30pm; Jack Em Popoy: Simmba (Hindi) 8pm; Simmba Pretham 2 (Malayalam) 8:30pm; greatness thrust upon them.” The Puliscredibles (Tagalog) (Hindi) 11pm. Pretham 2 (Malayalam) 11pm. 7pm; Pretham 2 (Malayalam) Landmark Cinema (1): Royal Plaza Cinema Palace — William 9pm; Pretham 2 (Malayalam) Simmba (Hindi) 2:30pm; (1):Simmba (Hindi) 2:30pm; Shakespeare 11:30pm. Aquaman (2D) 5:30pm; Simmba Aquaman (2D) 5:30pm; Simmba The Mall Cinema (2): Thomas (Hindi) 8pm; Simmba (Hindi) (Hindi) 8pm; Simmba (Hindi) And Friends: Big Wolrd! Big 11pm. 11pm. Adventure! The Movie (2D) Landmark Cinema (2): Royal Plaza Cinema Palace 2:30pm; Mary Poppins Returns Thomas And Friends: Big Wolrd! (2):Pretham 2 (Malayalam) Community Editor (2D) 4:15pm; Mary Poppins Big Adventure! The Movie (2D) 2:30pm; Jack Em Popoy: Returns (2D) 6:45pm; Aquaman 3pm; Mary Poppins Returns The Puliscredibles (Tagalog) Kamran Rehmat (2D) 9pm; Aquaman (2D) (2D) 5pm; Mary Poppins 5pm; Jack Em Popoy: The e-mail: [email protected] 11:30pm. Returns (2D) 8pm; Aquaman Puliscredibles (Tagalog) 7pm; Telephone: 44466405 The Mall Cinema (3): Simmba (2D) 10:30pm. Pretham 2 (Malayalam) 9pm; Fax: 44350474 (Hindi) 2pm; Zero (Hindi) 5pm; Landmark Cinema (3): Aquaman (2D) 11:30pm. Monday, December 31, 2018 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

with Qatar Sports For All Federation, invites individuals and open for both adults and kids all cyclists, runners and walkers to train under aged between 13-15 years old. Also, a kids’ the fl oodlights of Losail International Circuit duathlon was introduced this year for two age every Wednesdays. groups 7-9 and 10-12 years old to allow all family members to enjoy the event.

Heritage Library’s Permanent Exhibition WHERE: Qatar National Library WHEN: Ongoing till tomorrow TIME: 9am – 8pm The exhibition displays around 400 items from the QNL Heritage Library collection that illustrate the spread and evolution of ideas throughout the Arab and Islamic world, Arabic Calligraphy Workshop as well as document interactions between WHEN: Saturday – Wednesday Arabs and the West over the past several TIME: 6pm centuries. The exhibition features books, Arabic Calligraphy workshop is back. manuscripts, historical photographs maps, Come and learn the artistic practice of Arabic globes and travellers’ instruments that tell handwriting and calligraphy at Music and the story of Qatar, along with the history Arts Atelier. of science, literature, writing, travel in the The lessons will take place every Saturday, EVENTS It will be a fun chance for them to delve deep region, and much more. Monday and Wednesday at 6pm. For into the world of robotics and explore how more information, contact registration@ Pakistan Music Fest computer programming and robot design can atelierqatar.com WHERE: QNCC solve all kinds of problems. WHEN: January 9 TIME: 7pm – 10pm Children’s Library Winter Book Swap Strings are about to rock Doha with WHERE: Qatar National Library their nostalgic gigs and all the latest hits. WHEN: January 1- January 5 Quratulain Balouch and Ali Sethi will be TIME: 4pm – 7pm joining the pop band at Qatar National Bring in the books you do not want any Convention Centre. more to the Children’s Library. They can be in any language and type. Books must be Archives Exhibition culturally appropriate and only gently used. WHERE: Qatar National Library Workbooks will not be accepted. WHEN: Ongoing till January 31 TIME: 8am – 8pm The exhibition explores the history of Qatar The Colour Run through several family collections. It presents WHERE: QNCC selected items from previously unseen private WHEN: January 26 archives of photos, artefacts and documents TIME: 8:30am to show the role that individuals within a Celebrate the hero in you in a realm After School Activities community can play in building its identity where nothing is impossible and you are WHERE: Atelier and preserving its heritage and history. unstoppable. Soar to new heights in the WHEN: Ongoing all-new Super Zone and suit up in gear fi t for Music and arts Activities for students only the most super of heroes as you collect taking place after they fi nish their day in your medal at the Finish Line! 2019 will school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- also include the Foam Zone. Gates will open hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama at 7am on January 26, with our fi rst Color Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 Katara Beach - School Students Runners setting off at 8.30am. years old after school hours. WHERE: Katara WHEN: Ongoing Hobby Classes TIME: 9am – 12pm WHERE: Mystic Arts Centre behind Al By participating in the programme of ‘Our Hilal Focus Medical Centre culture is a school’, Katara Beach emphasises WHEN:Wednesday – Monday the Qatari marine tradition and introduces Mystic Art Centre, is a holistic performing to students the meaning of Dasha, Al Qafal arts institution and a one stop solution for and various type of pearls. The students adults as well as children looking to explore Robotics Junior Course will discover all details of the Fath Al-Khair their talents in various art forms. We off er WHERE: Recreation Centre journey. classes in Carnatic Music, Hindustani Music, WHEN: January 19 Karate, Yoga, Zumba, Classical Dance, Salsa, TIME: 1pm – 3pm Ballet Lessons Hip Hop, contemporary and Bollywood dance Children are invited to build their own WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier forms. For details, call 33897609. robot and make it move however they want. WHEN: Ongoing Doha Triathlon 2019 TIME: 4pm – 8pm WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art Dance and Instrument Classes For more info e-mail at registration@ WHEN: February 8 WHERE: TCA Campus, Behind Gulf Times atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839. Doha Triathlon has opened registration Building for its third edition. Those wishing to WHEN: Wednesday – Monday Cycling: Losail Circuit Sports Club participate in the event can visit www. Learn the movements of dance styles in WHERE: Losail Circuit doha-triathlon.com to register in either the Bollywood, Hip Hop and also the musical WHEN: Ongoing Olympic or Sprint which off ers registration instruments such as Piano, Guitar, Keyboard TIME: 5pm for both individuals and team relays. Another for adults as well kids and move in the world Losail Circuit Sports Club, in association choice is the Super Sprint which is only for of music. For details, contact 66523871.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Monday, December 31, 2018 COMMUNITY COVER STORY The worst of 2018 Newsday’s critics Verne Gay, Rafer Guzmán, Glenn Gamboa and Barbara Schuler pick the duds

NOSEDIVE: A talented, hard-nosed interviewer, Megyn Kelly seemed to abandon that and lost her job while the industry and the few viewers were left thinking — what was NBC thinking!

he year ending has seen hard-nosed at the worst possible moments that demand viewer MOVIES heart attacks? This partisan its share of turkeys, moment about the worst possible engagement as opposed to ones 1. Gotti John Travolta plays John piñata-party, from writer-director which these critics had issue: Blackface. In defence of that that are organically built and which Gotti, narrating from the dead, Adam McKay, is exactly what we to endure. Fortunately, which is indefensible, she lost her breathe on their own and ultimately in this abysmal biopic based on need less of right now. they survived and they job while the industry and the few succeed on their own.” In a word (or a memoir by the mobster’s son. Tcan now report back on the worst viewers were left thinking — what two), this stage drama was stagy. The acting is desperately bad, 4. Mamma Mia! Here We Go of the worst in TV, movies, pop was NBC thinking? the writing wretched (Google Again More YouTube-calibre music and theatre. 4. The First (Hulu). Visually Travolta’s “fi ve boroughs” speech) dancing and singing to Abba tunes. 2. Here and Now (HBO). This compelling with a nicely pensive and the whole movie looks like it Total domestic gross: $120 million. TV maddening series was stuff ed music score — courtesy of Colin cost about 10 bucks. Patchogue’s If this is all it takes to make a hit, 1. Megyn Kelly Today (NBC). with fashionable “-isms,” New Stetson of Arcade Fire and Bon Kevin Connolly tries to direct, but why does anyone bother with No show — scripted, news, or Age platitudes and magical Iver — The First’s first season was not even Francis Ford Coppola anything? otherwise — was more misguided mystery detours but like Matthew otherwise plodding, padded, dull, could have saved this thing. than this one, no host more Weiner’s The Romanovs, was listless, weary and Mars-less. 5. Venom Tom Hardy plays miscast. Along with a salary that condemned mostly for what it For a series that was supposed to 2. The Happytime Murders The a journalist who ingests an could feed whole nations, Kelly wasn’t rather than for what it be about the thrill of discovery combination of Melissa McCarthy alien parasite and becomes a arrived with baggage that had been was. What it wasn’t was much and the beckoning of the Red and a cast of debauched puppets schizophrenic superhero. It’s carefully packed at her former “good,” and because it was created Planet, The First mostly seemed sounds like comedy gold, but even worse than it sounds, but employer, Fox News. Viewers of by one of HBO’s most successful like an afternoon spent at the director Brian Henson (son of thanks to Hardy’s whacked-out Fox weren’t about to forgive her showrunners, Alan Ball, that made laundromat. Muppet maestro Jim Henson) goes performance, “Venom” is never for her betrayal of Fox; viewers of its failure all the more baffl ing. for the lowest-hanging jokes — sex boring. It’s almost so bad it’s good. NBC weren’t about to embrace 5. LA to Vegas (Fox). Memories stuff , mostly, but also profanity — RAFER GUZMAN her either. She was left to forge 3. Rise (NBC). Speaking of which, are funny — or perhaps memories and violence. It’s awful. a middle-course, as a morning this limited series from Jason are selective of this sitcom about 3. Vice Christian Bale’s POP MUSIC happy talker with a glib approach Katims (Friday Night Lights) about a budget airline — but I remember transformation into Dick Cheney is 1. 6ix9ine, Dummy Boy to issues, other than #MeToo, an English teacher in a Rust Belt very little of this. The few remnant impressive, but the actor is trapped (Scumgang): When historians look in which she cast herself in a Pennsylvania town who takes over shards do hint at something that in a biopic that utterly despises its back on the craziness of 2018, the leading role. A talented, hard- the theatre programme at Stanton was pretty awful. I do believe the subject. Cheney certainly isn’t Mr ridiculous success of controversial nosed interviewer, Kelly seemed High (from my review) “plods along shards are accurate. Warm-and-Fuzzy, but was it really Brooklyn rapper 6ix9ine will be a to abandon that, but then was as a collection of prefabricated — VERNE GAY necessary to mock his multiple prime example. His album hit No 2 Monday, December 31, 2018 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

FORGETTABLE: Forget John Travolta, not even Francis Ford Coppola could have saved the film. CONTROVERSY’S CHILD: Dummy Boy’s album hit No 2 while he was in federal custody! while he was in federal custody on mess, to paraphrase some of the racketeering and fi rearms charges singer’s most famous lyrics. The and on probation for posting a biographical musical, which closes sex tape of a 13-year-old girl. Yet on Dec 30 after universally vicious somehow this notoriety helped him reviews, had all the late Queen of land A-list collaborators, including Disco’s best songs, but the story Kanye West and Nicki Minaj, for his got muddled by confusing time mediocre rhymes about thug life. jumps and odd characterisations. And the show virtually dismissed 2. Lil Xan, Total Xanarchy major events like her abuse by a (Columbia): Maybe now that he has pastor and her confl ict with the gay gone to rehab Lil Xan will realise community. how bad this album is. He wasted the major-label deal and big- 2. Escape to Margaritaville All budget collaborators like 2 Chainz the margaritas in the world (and and Rae Sremmurd for terrible there were plenty on sale in the rhymes like “I got tick tock, tick lobby) couldn’t save this jukebox tock. I got Gucci fl ip-fl ops.” musical. Again, all the Jimmy Buff ett hits were there, but working 3. Iggy Azalea, Survive the Cheeseburger in Paradise and the Summer (Island): It takes a special like into a coherent plot worthy of artist to cram so many annoying Broadway didn’t cut it. The show elements into a song that’s not even closed in July after 29 previews and three minutes long. Iggy manages 124 regular performances. to accomplish that feat six times in a row, using a variety of terrible 3. Gettin’ the Band Back hip-hop styles. Together Blink and you missed it. The play about a middle-aged New 4. Justin Timberlake, Man of the Jersey man trying to resurrect his Woods (RCA): Even a rollout that high school band started previews included the Super Bowl halftime in July, opened on August 13 and show could not convince people closed on September 16. In an that this album was interesting. unusually candid blog post, lead Or that the talented Timberlake producer Ken Davenport blamed actually believed his own interest in the slow ticket sales on tough country music. reviews, most of which agreed the show lacked anything truly 5. Thirty Seconds to Mars, memorable. America (Interscope): That multitalented Jared Leto is 4. King Kong Your eyes do not somehow responsible for this deceive you. Yes, this was on “the derivative rock — think Imagine best” list for the amazing spectacle Dragons with their passion replaced of the massive animatronic puppet. by empty sloganeering — is one of As for the story and songs in the the year’s biggest mysteries. multimillion-dollar production, — GLENN GAMBOA well, if it’s on this list, you can THEATRE probably fi gure it out. 1. Summer: The Donna — BARBARA SCHULER Summer Musical This was a hot MESS: Summer: The Donna Summer Musical was a hot mess, to paraphrase some of the singer’s most famous lyrics. —Newsday/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Monday, December 31, 2018 COMMUNITY ‘Compulsory Breakfast’ completes a year at BPS

‘Compulsory Breakfast’, an initiative by Birla Public School (BPS), completes its one year of leading to severe health problems. Keeping this in mind ‘Compulsory Breakfast’ programme was introduction. The parents of the students have appreciated the programme for its contribution introduced.” in improvement of academic and scholastic activities. For the implementation of the programme, an orientation session was also organised for the While talking on the occasion, Principal of BPS said, “There’s a scientific reason for introducing faculty members of BPS. Initially the programme was introduced for the students of pre-primary this programme. The students start their day early in the morning and if they’re sitting empty and primary classes, but later was made compulsory for all the students of BPS. ‘Compulsory stomach in the classrooms, from where will their brain get the energy? To fulfil this need of Breakfast’ session, in the supervision of the faculty members, takes place after the morning energy, the brain starts absorbing it from the arteries and as a result arteries are weakened prayers for the students to take their breakfast.

Delegate from QatarDebate visits five universities

A delegation from QatarDebate recently visited five universities, including University of Utah, role in spreading the Arabic language internationally through educating the art of debate”. He said University of Western Kentucky, University of Chicago, Harvard University, and New York University that some universities expressed their wish to organise a debate competition in Arabic with the to discuss the forms of co-operation with QatarDebate due to the growing demand of Arabic support of QatarDebate Centre, whereby QatarDebate will support the academic institutions with debates among students. trainers, educational materials and arbitrators. It was also agreed with multiple universities to sign Abdulrahman al-Subaie, Head of Outreach at QatarDebate, said, “QatarDebate Centre plays a leading memorandums of understanding with the aim to strengthen ties with QatarDebate.

VFQ organises second season of volleyball matches

Volley Friends Qatar (VFQ), an expatriate sports organisation, recently organised the second season of volleyball matches at Wakrah. The tournament featured players from Indian expatriate community. The jersey launching ceremony was also conducted. On behalf of the participating teams, the team captains received their team jerseys from the sponsor representatives present on the occasion. The event was attended by the representatives of the sponsors of the tournament, including Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co (AAB), Transind Tama Trading and Safari Hyper Market. It was highlighted during the event that sports tournaments are a part of AAB’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Faisal, Haris and Fasjar from Transind Tama Trading also spoke on the occasion. The event also featured a musical performance by local singers, including Mohammed Ali Vadakara, Cochin Sameer and Noushad Kummamkode. Monday, December 31, 2018 GULF TIMES 7 ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY Bacteria could be key to protect saff ron harvests from fungi Saff ron farmers in northern India have for years fought against sinking yields due to fungal infection. Indian and German researchers are working together to find ways to protect the valuable plant. By Wyona Schuette

RESEARCHER: Barbara Reinhold-Hurek, German microbiologist, is HARVEST: Women pluck saff ron in a field in India. For years, farmers there have had to fight against a fungal infection researching with her team the causes behind fungal infections that are leading to lower yields. aff ecting saff ron.

n Indo-German tasting food seasoning, fabric dye, research collaboration perfume ingredient or medicine. may have found a way A lot remains to be learned about to combat a fungal saff ron, says Stephan Clemens, a infestation that has professor in the plant physiology Acaused a signifi cant drop in the department at the University production of saff ron, the world’s of Bayreuth in Germany, noting costliest spice, in the northern that “there’s much more detailed Indian areas. knowledge about many other The researchers say they have plants.” identifi ed a number of bacteria The reason is that Crocus sativus, showing promise in protecting the as the plant is scientifi cally known, saff ron crocus, the fl owering plant is demanding on researchers as well that’s the source of saff ron, from as farmers. To study a plant, all that fungi that causes corm rot. A corm you normally have to do is to order is the bulb-like underground stem the appropriate seeds, raise the base in plants such as crocuses. plant and start your experiments, “The problem is particularly acute Clemens says. Not with the saff ron in northern India, although farmers crocus though, which is unknown in in Italy and Iran are presumably the wild and doesn’t produce viable having problems as well,” says seeds. microbiologist Barbara Reinhold- To propagate it, the corms must Hurek, head of a research group on be dug up, divided and replanted, microbe-plant interactions at the BY HAND: Dried saff ron is seen in a bowl. The costly, beautiful spice must be harvested by hand. generating new corms, and from University of Bremen in Germany. them, new saff ron crocuses, after Iran accounts for about 90 colleagues immediately realised that Whether or to what extent they harvesting saff ron crocuses, which quite a long while. percent of world saff ron production. “scientifi cally, we speak the same will in fact help small farmers can’t - along with the small amount of “Experiments are possible only Since 2017, Reinhold-Hurek and language.” be ascertained in the laboratory, saff ron per plant is why the spice after several years,” Clemens says. her team have been collaborating Reinhold-Hurek’s research team since factors such as climate and is so expensive. “Production is “The saff ron crocus isn’t a plant with scientists from the University normally studies bacteria that foster soil conditions play key roles. exclusively by hand,” he says. “And you’d want to write your doctoral of Jammu on learning how the the growth of rice plants. Using However, initial fi eld experiments for a kilogram of saff ron, you need dissertation about.” Experiments to fungi act and fi nding an agent that bioinformatics, mutations and gene have been encouraging, according up to 300,000 fl owers.” date suggest that saff ron might even protects against them. During sequencing, she and her team try to Reinhold-Hurek, who hopes the Saff ron is actually only the be helpful in treating nerve diseases. their work, they identifi ed one of to determine the mechanisms with farmers will be able in a few years stigma, the pollen-germinating “Animal models have indicated the fungi responsible. “You can which the bacteria do this. Similar to sprinkle saff ron crocus corms part, of the purple fl owers. Each that substances in saff ron could look at what the fungus does to experiments are conducted with with a protective bacterial powder fl ower has three red, fi lament-like have benefi cial eff ects,” Clemens the plant, and whether there are saff ron crocuses when the Indian before planting. Fortunately for stigmas. Once the stigmas have points out, adding that the precise bacteria that get the pest under researchers come to Bremen. Jean-Frederic Waldmeyer, one of the been separated from the fl owers, nature of these eff ects and whether control, either by damaging the The joint research group has few saff ron producers in Germany, sometimes still attached to the pale they’re also applicable to humans pest itself or by strengthening the managed to fi nd some bacterial fungi are no problem on his fi elds yellow styles that join them to the hasn’t been studied yet. “Pursuing plant’s resistance,” Reinhold-Hurek strains that are likely suited to in Bavaria. But he’s constantly fl owers’ base, they’re dried for later this further will be very interesting.” says, adding she and her Indian combat the fungal infestation. confronted with the diffi culty of use as a sweet-smelling, bitter- – DPA 8 GULF TIMES Monday, December 31, 2018 COMMUNITY BOOK R Learning from 10 memoirs It has never been easier to know everything about a star, to catch u see baby pictures. And these carefully-crafted online personas n

ur fake friendships start of baby boomers. Millions of online for an imagined future. I knew the An angry kitten on a bright yellow characters on screen. Faris says she with the imaginary kind followers have made New York advice: Find a new job; let him go. background? I’ll read that. Samantha has “penchant for digging into other as lonely children. Then Times best-sellers out of Gabrielle But how? I didn’t want an echo Irby is a sassy blogger, but for those people’s personal lives.” Same, girl. we start obsessively Union, Sally Field and Busy Phillips. chamber. I wanted to hear from other of you who don’t know this foul- However, Unqualifi ed published planning a wedding to Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming women with whom I felt kinship, yet mouthed wordsmith, look no further soon after she and husband Chris Oour mop-headed celebrity crush. is the best-selling book of the detached. I could apply their stories than her fi rst essay. In an application Pratt announced their separation. Then, as women, we befriend every year. Adult nonfi ction sales grew to my life while being entertained. for The Bachelorette, she admits to The book, part memoir, part advice, famous lady who seems like us. in 2017, and Obama will ensure I turned to Anna. And Sally. And spying on her teen crush while eating reads like a love letter to her perfect It has never been easier to know 2018 continues the trend. I was Busy. Women empower other women a loaf of bread in her car outside marriage, and it’s up to us to look everything about a star, to catch up determined to read 30 books for my by sharing experiences. One of many his parents’ house. “I am deeply beyond the 42-year-old’s cheerful with Reese and Mindy on Twitter GoodReads app challenge this year things the #MeToo movement has troubled,” she writes. Life lesson: charade. and Instagram, talk TV binges, see and knew memoirs would be an easy shown is the power of collective You can be both confi dent and Life lesson: Take advice with a baby pictures. And these carefully- way to reach my goal. Plus, I’d get to bravery. Union and Field used their insecure. Irby writes with so much side of scepticism. When we share crafted online personas now have a indulge two passions: girl talk and memoirs to publicly expose their self-awareness and humour that relationship problems with friends, major money-making outlet. pop culture. own abuse and rape. Whether her self-deprecation shows bravery. the storyteller picks what to tell, even Cue the memoirs. Over the last Little did I know my own life it’s sexual harassment, or just the Her stories are unapologetically if that means glossing over things or few years, just about every woman would be remarkably changing by common joy of trashy TV, we’re uncomfortable. I’ll call myself fat, adding dollops of lies. I love to give with a brand has gotten a book deal, year’s end. Since fi fth grade, I loved not alone. Call them my lady gang, but in no way as an insult. Know relationship advice, but I do that a trend that started with Mindy journalism. I kept ‘spy journals,’ girl squad or whatever is trending. who you are and what you want. as a single woman who has made Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out recording the goings-on of my They’ve been my support system, And if you don’t want to go camping many missteps in love, like Faris. Without Me? in 2012 and Tina Fey’s unsuspecting family. I thought I’d be inspiring me to take new career and because the outdoors is a sticky I’ve fabricated parts in my journal to Bossypants in 2013. It has led us here, a reporter, but when I was introduced relationship paths. So let’s see what hellscape, don’t go camping. make my sort-of relationship sound to this holiday’s crush of reading to page design, I had a glass slipper my friends are up to. Maybe they’ll better than it was. Faris chose to material from everyone from Tina moment. This is what I was meant to even teach us a thing or two about Unqualifi ed by Anna Faris write this book as her relationship Turner to Chrissy Metz. do. But the last few years have left me life. Really, the goofy Scary Movie was imploding. Maybe she thought it Millennials are the age group uninspired, unchallenged and stuck. actress is giving me advice? Anna would end diff erently. I did, too. most likely to have read a book in On top of that, my relationship We Are Never Meeting In Real Faris hosts a podcast of the same any format, Pew research shows, was going nowhere. I was the one Life by Samantha Irby name, and she’s much more This Is Me: Loving The Person 80 percent compared to 67 percent putting in the eff ort, torturing myself It was the cover that got me. introspective and poignant than her You Are Today by Chrissy Metz Monday, December 31, 2018 GULF TIMES 9 REVIEW COMMUNITY s by famous women in 2018 up with Reese and Mindy on Twitter and Instagram, talk TV binges, now have a major money-making outlet, writes Brittany Volk

Chrissy Metz, star of NBC’s geese. Her eccentricity sends us talented writer and her comedic This Will Only Hurt A Little by defi ne you. This is her complete tearjerker This Is Us, is a natural on a frustrating narrative, but it detail stood out on this list. The title Busy Philipps memoir, starting from her humble motivational speaker. She’s isn’t a Hollywood origin story or a refers to one of her best essays, the With her acting career not where Nutbush, Tenn., beginnings, to compassionate and charming, sympathetic self-help book time in sixth grade she befriended she wanted to be, Busy Philipps took her rise with Ike, and her record- complete with her own brutal life backyard squirrels after too many to social media to conjure a career. shattering second act. stories. After each personal chapter I’m Fine ... And Other Lies by “Dances With Wolves” viewings. Naturally, a memoir came next, just comes a few paragraphs helping Whitney Cummings Comedians constantly lean on self- as the E! network launched her late- In Pieces by Sally Field readers be mindful/believe in Speaking of fi ne, how many deprecation, but this 38-year-old night talk show Busy Tonight. Is it possible to like Sally Field themselves/learn to fl y. Once you times a day do we say, “I’m fi ne”? takes genuine pride in her quirks. Life lesson: Failure is constant. more? With a career spanning get over the cutesy self-help jargon, Comedian Whitney Cummings Life lesson: Talent isn’t But so is laughter. She recounts many generations, Field’s literary memoir Metz wins with heart and biting approaches her brazen memoir everything; hard work pays off . I times Hollywood brushing her off . chronicles her 71 years with tender humour. as a way to inform readers about read this book while waiting for a job wisdom. It’s a timid tribute to a Life lesson: Forgiveness isn’t mental illness. The comedian’s off er. Would I be turned down, yet My Love Story by Tina Turner happy maternal upbringing that black or white. battle with darkness is a tale as old again? Kemper’s isn’t an underdog We know how the story began. also taught her to repress her needs as time. Humour comes from pain, story, but a journey made of more Tina Turner triumphed, emerging to those of men. An early depiction You’re on an Airplane: A Self- and Cummings has her share of it; smart choices than dumb ones. from a most brutal situation, of child abuse permeates the story, Mythologising Memoir by Parker suff ering from an eating disorder, chronicled in her fi rst memoir, I, as Field recognises her personality Posey love addiction and codependency. Everything’s Trash, But It’s Tina, and the movie What’s Love fragment as her Hollywood career Parker Posey, a standout in all I’m Fine documents her journey to Okay by Phoebe Robinson Got To Do With It. But in My Love soared. This was before #MeToo; those Christopher Guest movies, fi ne. Phoebe Robinson, co-host of Story, Turner, with help from two before women would openly gives us a look inside her odd- Life lesson: Lose the mental podcast 2 Dope Queens and author professional writers, shows us her recognise the problem wasn’t bird brain, complete with peculiar health stigma. of two books of essays, is the queen life of peace and contentment with necessarily their fault. artwork scattered among each of relatable content. In Everything’s love Edwin Bach in Switzerland. Life lesson: It doesn’t matter chapter. Her memoir is full of My Squirrel Days by Ellie Trash, Pheebs demands we don’t Her adoration toward her fans is if you’re liked. Her famous Oscar big names, some, but nothing is Kemper shame our ‘trash tendencies,’ such something I wish more stars would speech is often misquoted, but it gossipy. She loves being famous, This “carefree, happy-go-lucky as watching reality shows. By adopt. And amid a serious health often leads us to think of Field as but not too much to lose her sweetie” had a boring but lucky life, laughing at her mistakes, we’re really scare recently, Turner reminds us, just another celebrity starving for absurdity. which does not a compelling memoir absolving our own. Be warned it is yet again, of her inspiring strength. attention. Life lesson: Be a duck among make. However, Ellie Kemper is a full of her dope dialect. Life lesson: The bad doesn’t – Tampa Bay Times/TNS 10 GULF TIMES Monday, December 31, 2018 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Monday, December 31, 2018 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Work wear essentials for winters

he winter season brings knits with a delicate texture in various top. They are mostly made of leather with itself fashion woes for colours. This is a great way to add and are also available in suede. Pair daily offi ce goers. Acing edginess to your outfi t while keeping up these boots with a pullover and a your style game in winter it offi ce appropriate. You can further formal skirt to jazz up your work wear. can be tricky, especially accentuate your look by layering z Ankle boots are the most whenT it comes to work-wear. these with structured jackets / coats, commonly worn fashion boots and are However, it does not mean you have cardigans, shrugs and much more. usually paired with trousers. These are to give up on your personal style to Trench coats: Trench coats are available for both men and women. adjust to the temperamental climate ‘it’ this winter season. After being These boots are a perfect combination and swap them for unappealing all the rage in western countries, the of style and comfort, and can easily be alternatives. trench coat trend has also appeared in paired with dresses, skirts, jackets and To clear the confusion, Ayushi the Indian wardrobes. Their timeless blazers. Gudwani, Founder and CEO of appeal makes them one of the most z Oxford shoe is a lace up shoe that FableStreet, a professional wear brand sought after winter friendly garment has the bottom of lacing section sewn for women, and Carl Virk, Director, for offi ce goers. Trench coats not only closed and one that also has the eyelet Carlton London share their pick of add form and structure to your attire facings stitched underneath the vamp work wear essentials (apparel and but also are eff ortlessly stylish. (front section of the shoe). These footwear) for this winter season. Wool blend lowers: Layered shoes are extremely popular amongst leggings may sound like fun in both men and women and are always A do-it-all stole: Multi- winters, but they hardly qualify as recommended to pair up with a formal functional pieces are a sigh of relief formal wear in most offi ces. To reduce set of outfi t for your work place. amidst the bulky winter clothing that your distress of wearing regular z Pumps are the most preferred takes up major space in your closet. A lowers during the winter months, you shoe style amongst the working warm stole that can double as a neck can indulge in wool blend trousers women. These shoes are available in warmer and cardigan is your best bet and skirts that keep you warm. Select both wedges and heels which perfectly this season. Invest in a neutral piece pieces in deep colours such as grey, go with any outfi t. Pumps are also that can be paired with the comforting burgundy, navy, etcetera and pair known as Court shoes, a shoe with palette of winter clothing and is warm them with classic knits, silk shirts and low-cut front line with either quilted enough to keep you cozy. blazers. silk or plain leather mostly trimmed Solid knits: Knitted pullovers z Knee-high boots, the classics with braid at the opening. Pumps can in solid colours are a must in your that never go out of style rise to the be paired with skirts, dresses, trousers wardrobe as they are versatile in knee, or slightly there under. They and are perfect for work meetings, nature and compliment a variety of are generally tighter around the leg weekend brunches or Saturday nights. looks, if paired appropriately. Choose shaft and ankle and fi t easily at the — IANS

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

It may be hard to resolve anything today, Aries. It could be that there’s Intense emotions are apt to dominate the scene today, Taurus. Don’t There’s an overwhelming intensity about the day that might make it an overwhelming resistance making it diff icult to act according to do anything halfway. It’s time to give it your all or nothing. You have diff icult for you to maintain the peace, Gemini. Strong opinions and plan. Today isn’t a good day to fight. If things don’t seem to be going the power to cut to the heart of the issue. Don’t hesitate. If you meet courageous emotions are clashing in a climactic fashion. You might your way, don’t push it. Trying to strong-arm the situation will only opposition, stay strong. There’s a valuable lesson to be learned. If find yourself in the middle of conflicting forces if you aren’t careful. aggravate things and make them worse. You may need to make some you’re being true to yourself, you should have no trouble overcoming Make sure you take care of yourself and your needs before you try to compromises in order to maintain the peace. any obstacle that stands in your path. patch up things for everybody else. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

You may feel extra self-confident today, Cancer, making you more able You might find that others’ strong opinions dictate today’s actions, Create your own reality, Virgo. It could be that you have the puppet to say and do the things you might normally keep inside. Be warned, Leo. The atmosphere is quite intense, so you might want to lay low strings in your hands, but you’re too afraid to use them. Don’t shy however, that you’re apt to run into some powerful, unexpected and let others have their way. Don’t try to put up a fight. Unexpected away from responsibility. Take your time and don’t lose sight of your opposition. The genius in you wants to come out and show others opposition may come out of nowhere and take control. There’s a goals. The stakes are extra high today, and you will find that the what you’re made of, but other people may have reason to find fault. powerful force at work asking you to do things with more passion slightest movement is magnified several times over. Be careful how Don’t let others’ disapproval hinder your progress. than usual. you use your words. They won’t be taken lightly. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Things that you thought were obvious may not seem quite as clear Other people may tend to snap under the emotional pressure of the There’s a need for decisive action today, Sagittarius, and you’re the as you’d like them to be, Libra. Be aware that there may be some day, Scorpio, but you’re well suited to soar through with flying colours. one fit for the job. Strong wills and forceful opinions will win out. intense opposition to your plans. Take care of other people and their You’re ruled by your emotions and you have no problem navigating Others aren’t likely to be easily manipulated. Everyone has a voice and emotions. You will find that a wall might suddenly go up, putting a rough waters. Other people may look to you for strength and support. they won’t be afraid to use it. Make sure that you speak up on your harsh barrier between you and your goals. Consider your heart as well Trust yourself and try not to get lured off course by conflicting behalf or your best interests may be lost. Stand up for yourself. It’s as your head. opinions that don’t seem to sit right with you. now or never. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

There may be tension and opposition today, Capricorn, so be What ails you now can be eliminated if you’re willing to stand up and It takes two to tango, Pisces. Remember that life isn’t a one-way street. prepared. It could seem like everyone wants to rattle your cage. Stand say exactly what needs to be said, Aquarius. Going with the flow may There needs to be a bit of give and take if you expect others to treat strong. There are forceful opinions crying out to be heard. The more be an easy route to follow, but it might not always take you down you the way you want to be treated. Don’t let people take control stubborn you are, the harder it will be for important information to a path that leads to the fulfilment of your dreams. Be a bit more when it comes to taking charge of your own life. Others may be flow freely. Protect your interests by standing your ground, but make aggressive about your position today and outwardly project yourself emotional and stubborn. Don’t waste your breath with useless drivel. sure you don’t step on other people’s toes in the process. as the true master of your destiny. Say something meaningful. 12 GULF TIMES Monday, December 31, 2018 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Garden Flowers Pooch Cafe

ALYSSUM GLADIOLUS PETUNIA BEGONIA HOLLYHOCK PRIMROSE CAMOMILE HYACINTH PYRETHRUM CANNA IRIS STOCK CROCUS LILY TULIP DAHLIA LOBELIA VERBENA FOXGLOVE MARIGOLD VIOLET FUCHSIA NASTURTIUM WALLFLOWER GERANIUM PANSY ZINNIA

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Monday, December 31, 2018 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1. Frames top sporting trophy 1. Mark left behind Jack’s (6) amulet (6) 5. Soften wax (6) 2. Strong wine-container (4) 8. Let a pupil down (5) 3. Where it’s said rain-storm will 9. Dan, for one, takes a bow (6) appear (8) 10. Having become hardened, I 4. Quick as a footballer? (5,3,7) run over a chap (6) 5. Tangles the strands (6) 11. A rich man takes the plunge 6. Knocked back too much (5) French wine (4) 14. Give ring to a girl in a 7. Colour left Kelly when upset handkerchief (8) (6) 16. Anger observed about 12. Put off by modern day record being overturned (6) French way (7) 18. Paid many hands to 13. Object when a student heads transport the old friends the assembly (7) (5,3,7) 15. Not out following a trail (5) 20. Lovesuit (6) 17. Force otherwise represented Answers 22. No reason to stay in, in a as ‘the old Bill’(5) temper (8) 19. An ambiguous response Wordsearch Codeword 25. Compare a figure with Donne, say, aroused (3,3,2) President North (5) 20. He’s the husband of that 27. People don’t get any younger women over there (6) in this household (6) 21. Pick out the Spanish faction 28. It’s crazy to go back and (6) enquire for this material (6) 23. Delivery made by the 29. Standard type (5) Archbishop to the Queen (6) 30. Rod’s back to pick up a bit of 24. Arms laid back, appearing silver (6) nice and comfortable (4) 31. One beginning to discover a 26. Secure a covered wagon (4) writer in past poetic style (6)

Yesterday’s Solutions

Across: 1 Scrap paper 6 Coop Down: 1 Sepia 2 Real thing 3 10 Prairie 11 Itemise 12 Attribute Parting present 4 Avenues 5 13 Since 14 Sling 15 Satinwood Evident 7 Onion 8 Pretender 17 Regarding 20 Loser 21 Nicks 9 Personal letter 14 Springers 23 Preferred 25 Extends 26 16 Observant 18 Impasse 19 Attract 27 Saps 28 Celebrated. Grenade 22 Cut up 24 Dated. 14 GULF TIMES Monday, December 31, 2018 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD Khans magic failed in experimental 2018

“There is an audience for every By Radhika Bhirani kind of fi lm, so long as your story is correct. Where will one classify a Padmaavat, or Sanju or Raazi – are ontent is king, not the they star driven fi lms or content Khans – the year 2018 driven fi lms ? When you have proved this with the correct content, and you have a star, success of fresh and the fi lm implodes and explodes,” high concept fi lms like Sarkar said. CStree, Badhaai Ho and AndhaDhun, Singh said the year established embraced by the audience over that the viewers like content which the Khans-led Race 3, Thugs of has relatability, likeability and Hindostan and Zero, which had set virality. But high ticket prices, in high expectations but fell fl at at the Johar’s view, are turning out to be box offi ce. deterrents for the audience to visit Sanju, Padmaavat, 2.0 (Hindi theatres. version), Baaghi, Raazi, Gold, Raid A movie viewing experience for and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety are a family of four at a multiplex can some of the other titles that did cost anything between Rs3,000 good business, and high hopes to Rs5,000 including food and are pinned on the just-released beverages. Simmba, which is likely to draw the Also, With stiff competition mass audience. from regional fi lms, Hollywood and “The landscape is changing,” especially the vast variety of digital Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios, content, Bollywood needs to step said how the star-led industry is up its game with scripts being the transforming. “Content is evolving focal point, and by allotting the at a huge rate. Filmmakers are right budget. investing more and more time “It’s a norm nowadays to say in developing scripts. This year ‘movies don’t fail, budgets do’,” truly belonged to great concepts Singh said, adding that fi lm and and scripts and audiences have OTT will co-exist and will result in showered their love wholeheartedly. a larger pool of writers, directors, “It is all about a narrating a actors and technical talent. powerful story in an engaging way. WAVE OF CHANGE: Content is king, not the Khans in 2018 Bollywood. However, Sarkar said OTT Star power remains important but platforms, which are bringing can only help open a fi lm – fi nally Overall, it has been a good year to the year-round business by 10 something extraordinary to draw international content closer to it’s all about a great script and a for the industry after a couple of per cent as compared to last year. them into theatres,” Johar said. Indians, will continue to consume brilliant fi lm,” Singh said. disappointing years. He estimates a business of around There were also movies like more and more audience time. That explains the reception to Film and trade business Rs3,500 crore this year. Mukkabaaz, October, Hichki and “I will not be surprised if in a a Badhaai Ho – about a 50-plus expert Girish Johar pointed out “The Khan starrers drew a Pad Man that were appreciated. medium to long term, fi lms are pregnant woman’s emotional that 2018 has witnessed the fantastic response on Day 1, but Day According to Shibashish Sarkar, made straight for digital. Who struggle, to AndhaDhun – a quirky maximum entertainers – around 3 onwards, they fell fl at. People are Chief Operating Offi cer, Reliance would have thought Mowgli thriller, to Stree – a horror comedy, 15 – to surpass the Rs100 crore outrightly rejecting mediocre, half- Entertainment, it is important to launching on Netfl ix a few years or a Raazi – about a woman spy. benchmark, which has given a fi llip baked movies, and we have to make cater stories to the right audience. back?” – IANS

Richa Chadha-starrer Cabaret “We are thrilled about premiering it on hectic schedule for Bharat. Katrina’s offi cial to premiere next month a digital platform, ZEE5, and are sure that spokesperson on Saturday shared the update their phenomenal reach will take Cabaret on the project with a statement. Actress Richa Chadha’s delayed fi lm to a much larger audience who are seeking “Katrina Kaif had to opt out of Remo Cabaret will fi nally premiere on January 9 cutting edge content on the go,” she said. D’souza’s upcoming dance fi lm owing to next year on a digital platform. Directed by Kaustav Narayan Niyogi, her hectic schedule for ‘Bharat’. Katrina has “The movie (Cabaret) celebrates dance Cabaret is a musical, unique love story and always been a thorough professional. She and love in the most unique way possible,” thriller starring Richa, Gulshan Devaiah, decided to step out of the fi lm as her dates Pooja Bhatt, producer, Cabaret, said in a S. Sreesanth and Gulshan Grover, among were clashing with Bharat, which she is statement. others. currently shooting for. She wishes the team Richa said Cabaret has been one of her all the best,” read the statement. most challenging roles to date. Touted to be India’s biggest dance fi lm, it She had earlier said that Cabaret is her also stars choreographer-actor-fi lmmaker “fi rst typical commercial outing and I did Prabhudheva besides Dharmesh Yelande, it for the love of song and dance and as an Raghav Juyal and Punit Pathak. experiment”. BUSY: Katrina Kaif had to opt out of the At the moment, Katrina has put all her The fi lm features songs by veteran singer project owing to her hectic schedule. focus on Bharat, which stars superstar Usha Uthup, as well as Sunidhi Chauhan and Salman Khan. She joined the project after Neeti Mohan. Katrina opts out of Varun Priyanka Chopra’s exit. Manish Aggarwal, Business Head, ZEE5 Dhawan’s dance fi lm Being helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Bharat is India, said: ‘Cabaret is an exceptional love an offi cial adaptation of a 2014 South Korean story with an equal mix of thrill. It is the type Actress Katrina Kaif has opted out of fi lm Ode To My Father. It is produced by Atul CHALLENGED: Richa Chadha says the movie of content that our audiences across India Remo D’souza’s upcoming dance fi lm, which Agnihotri’s Reel Life Production Pvt Ltd and has been one of her most challenging roles and the world will appreciate and watch.” – also features Varun Dhawan. Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series. It is slated for an todate. IANS She had to let go of the project due to the Eid release in 2019. – IANS Monday, December 31, 2018 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY Was this the year that TV broke TV?

By Lorraine Ali RESPECT: Usher says the love and respect between the two will remain. he fl at screen on your living room Usher fi les for divorce wall, the cable box below it and from Grace Miguel the digital program guide that help you fi nd your way through an Singer-songwriter Usher has fi led for increasingly congested universe of divorce from wife Grace Miguel after shoppingT networks, reality show repeats and three years of marriage. the eight channels you actually watch might In a court document obtained by as well have been inhabitants of a dying star people.com, the singer, 40, fi led for in 2018. divorce on Friday in Georgia. His fi ling Television, already bursting at the seams comes nine months after they announced with peak programming and lots of fi ller, their separation in March. fi nally blew apart this year, fragmenting The pair previously confi rmed the into a dizzying constellation of nearly 500 break-up with a joint statement. new original series and destinations we’ve “After much thought and yet to explore (the forthcoming launch of consideration, we have mutually decided subscription streaming services from Apple, to separate as a couple. We remain Warner Media, Disney and, yes, Costco and deeply connected, loving friends who Walmart), plus a whole lot of space debris that will continue supporting each other includes Terrence Howard’s Fright Club, a Fox through the next phases of our lives,” the Nation cooking show and 98 percent of the statement read. off erings on YouTube TV. “The enormous amount of love and A record 495 original scripted series respect that we have for each other will dropped this year, and for the fi rst time, only increase as we move forward.” streaming platforms such as Hulu and They were last photographed together Amazon Prime delivered more original series in late June during a dinner outing in Los programming than broadcast and cable Angeles. – IANS networks. NEW TREND: Streaming platforms delivered more original series programming than broadcast Forget arguments about when and how peak and cable networks in 2018. Oscar-winning composer TV will peak. Judging from the last 12 months, Norman Gimbel no more it doesn’t appear we’re anywhere close to the combined powers and stamina of Jessica too much television. It was replaced by the summit. More interesting is what’s been Jones, Daenerys Targaryen and Ruth Bader a solider-like duty to consume as many Oscar and Grammy-winning composer happening below those lofty heights. After Ginsburg. premium shows as possible or risk being Norman Gimbel has died. He was 91. a decade or more of seismic shifts across the And when it came time to honour TV’s top- called out by one’s peers: Have you watched Gimbel, an Oscar and Grammy- industry, 2018 became the year that television shelf entertainment at the Emmy Awards, the The Little Drummer Girl yet? How about winning composer whose lyrics graced hit broke TV. The very structure of the medium usual recipients faced some fi rsts of their own. Succession? Not even The Great British Baking songs such as Roberta Flack’s Killing me morphed and changed so rapidly over the last It was Netfl ix, not NBC or FX, that tied HBO Show?! Oh, the shame of taking time out for softly with his song and Jim Croce’s I got year that we still haven’t wrapped our heads for the most wins, ending a winning streak for career, family, grooming and sleep. We’ll have a name, passed away on December 19 at — or attention spans — around exactly what it the cable network that dated back nearly two to work on that in 2019. his longtime home in Montecito, reports is we’re watching. decades to the golden age of The Sopranos. We have an excuse, though. Half of the year variety.com. Was the YouTube live stream of Beyonce’s was spent trying to fi nd all those weird little His death was confi rmed by BMI, performance at the Coachella Valley Music The year ahead networks and services — Ovation, Britbox, which paid tribute on its website, noting: and Arts Festival a TV event or something 2019 is already shaping up to be a battle Acorn — and the search required at least three “BMI was greatly saddened to learn of the else? And, what about the wonderfully bizarre between media giants for control of wherever remotes and three failed password-recovery passing of renowned songwriter Norman formatting of Atlanta’s second season? It was it is that we’re heading. Apple will compete attempts. Sorry, you’ve been locked out. Gimbel, a truly prolifi c and gifted writer shown on FX, but the series’ self-contained with Netfl ix by spending way more than it Network telecasts still boast the highest who will be greatly missed by his many episodes resembled nothing else on TV. should on originals by big-name producers ratings, according to Nielsen, and football friends and fans here.” Cord cutters and more such as J.J. Abrams and top-tier stars like was at the top of 2018’s most-watched list, The Brooklyn native wrote the words to The fragmentation of America’s most Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. followed by the short-lived Roseanne reboot. both The girl from Ipanema and the Happy popular medium seemed to fi t the popular Netfl ix has a plan of its own and it involves But that’s likely the next convention to be days theme, earning an Academy Award mood — excitement and confusion as the pricey production deals with Ryan Murphy, broken by the great fragmentation, especially with David Shire for Jennifer Warnes’ It usual order lapsed into unprecedented chaos. Shonda Rhimes and the former leading couple given that this was the year that an estimated goes like it goes, the Best Original Song A record number of viewers became cord of the free world, Michelle and Barack Obama. 147.5 million people in the US watched Netfl ix winner for 1979’s Norma rae. cutters in 2018. From July to September, 1.1 CBS All Access, which already has half at least once a month, followed by Amazon Gimbel is survived by his sons Tony million subscribers opted to sever ties with a dozen original series, including The Prime Video (88.7 million), Hulu (55 million) and Peter and daughters Nelly and their longtime cable and satellite TV providers Good Fight and Star Trek: Discovery on and HBO Now (17.1 million). Hannah. – IANS for the cheaper subscription models off ered the streaming platform, is going big in Netfl ix hopes to kill off that old ratings by Netfl ix, Apple TV, Sling TV and many 2019 with a Twilight Zone reboot executive standard by introducing more and more more. It was one more way in which viewing produced by Oscar winner Jordan Peele, original series and fi lms, an approach that habits and industry norms were up-ended who will also narrate and host. A big budget, Saturday Night Live recently satirised in a fake in such a dramatic fashion that it made the live-action Star Wars series starring Diego ad for the streaming service. The breathless premium cable revolution of the early 2000s Luna is expected to launch Disney+ into the “commercial” promised a new year with even look quaint. stratosphere. more content to choose from. The fl ood of fresh content and platforms in And we haven’t even began sorting through “That’s right, we’re spending billions of 2018 didn’t necessarily equal a drop in quality, what’s on the books for the networks and dollars and making every show in the world. though it arrived with the usual complaints services we’re already watching. Expect Our goal is the endless scroll. By the time you that this year could never top the one before lots of reality show reboots, the return of reach the bottom of our menu, there’s new it: Killing Eve is no match for The Handmaid’s water cooler shows like Game of Thrones and shows at the top. And then singularity will be Tale’s fi rst season. There were so many must- Stranger Things and the pros-pect of never achieved.” see shows that it was physically impossible feeling caught up with what TV has to off er. A joke that makes perfect sense in the VETERAN Norman Gimbel. to watch them all and live a life outside the At least 2018 did away with any residual fragmented universe of post-everything TV. confi nes of pajamas, unless you possessed guilt that may have existed about watching – Los Angeles Times/TNS 16 GULF TIMES Monday, December 31, 2018 COMMUNITY Revisiting ’90s with Kumar Sanu

ON SONG: Bollywood singer Kumar Sanu during the performance at the QNCC. Photos Supplied

and enjoying to the most. Though By Mudassir Raja the songs are from ’90s era, the community enjoyed listening to the evergreen soundtracks live by the umar Sanu, Bollywood singer himself. I am very happy to melody king and have had revisited the ’90s with this playback singer, in a concert. I believe many people had recent concert at Qatar a kind of nostalgia while listening National Convention to Sanu again. The auditorium was KCentre (QNCC) captivated a fantastic. The seats were really big gathering, mainly Indian comfortable and the ambience was expatriates, with his melodious amazing.” voice and a gripping conversation. Sanu has won numerous fi lm Kedarnath Bhattacharya, better awards and other recognition for known as Kumar Sanu entertained his illustrious career as a singer. the audience with his evergreen He was awarded the Filmfare Best soundtracks of the 1990s. During Male Playback Singer Award for his performance, people of all ages fi ve consecutive years. In 2009, kept dancing on the euphonious the Government of India awarded lyrics of their choice. The concert him the Padma Shri, India’s started at 7:30pm and continued till fourth-highest civilian honour, in 11:00pm with a break of 15 minutes recognition of his achievements. in between. Sanu notably holds the Guinness The concert was attended by World Record for most songs Indian ambassador P Kumaran and recorded by a singer in 24 hours with prominent community fi gures. 28 songs. Sanu had a strong stage presence. APPRECIATION: Indian ambassador P Kumaran praising the veteran singer. The concert was a part of the Well, strong enough to keep the ongoing Shop Qatar Festival’s audience dancing and waving their the audience in Doha much more of the songs and can relate to it, even in the coming months. We have been third edition. Organised by Qatar hands in the air for constant three loving and appreciative towards my today.” trying to fi nalise the list of activities National Tourism Council, the hours. music and soundtracks. I have sung The ambassador presented a with Qatar Museum and Katara for festival’s other activities off er He not only sang the most about 20, 000 songs. If you will ask bouquet to the 61-year-old singer. 2019 and I request to all of you to be special off ers for the bargain-hunter, cherished songs for the audience me, I will certainly sing all for you Kumaran said, “We all are privileged patient and wait until we release the the style-savvy and the fashion- but also grabbed their attention here,” the singer said as people kept to have Sanu amongst us in Doha fi nal list of the upcoming events.” forward. Shop Qatar, the country’s with witty comments. Sanu took the shouting ‘once more!’ after every today. We all have grown up Talking to Community, only nation-wide shopping festival, stage for a number of our favourites, performance. listening to his songs during 1980s’, Subramanya Hebbagelu, former brings a host of new features for the including Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen, “Wherever I go, I see people ’90s and beyond. It is wonderful Vice President of Karnataka residents and the visitors to enjoy Ek Ladki Ko Dekha, Sochenge Tumhe loving romantic songs from the ’90s to listen to him live today. I want to Sangha Qatar (KSQ), a community until January 20. Payar, Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hey, era and after all these years it makes thank the organisers for their eff orts organisation affi liated with the Besides off ering discounts and and Dheere Dheere Se Meri. me believe that only worthy music in making this possible. We need a Indian Cultural Centre, said, “It promotions, the festival’s 14 retail “This is my second time in can last this long and forever. I am brilliant start to India-Qatar Year was a wonderful musical night for partners will also host exclusive Doha and I love to be in Qatar. I happy to see the younger generation of Culture 2019. We look forward to the Indian expatriates. There were entertainment and roaming mall have performed in UAE but I fi nd also enjoying the melody and poetry many more wonderful performances families and children, all dancing shows for families and children.