ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

Music

‘Treasure of Love’ Mayer visits soft rock with squishy results

By Mark Kennedy ob Rock,” John Mayer (Columbia Records) ‘S You can thank the pandemic for John Mayer’s eighth studio album. He has said he wrote the songs to wrap listeners in the sonic comforter of soft rock. If you don’t like soft rock, you can blame the pandemic for one more thing. Mayer kicks off the 10-track “Sob Rock” with a gem: “Last Train Home,” a throwback guitar-and- synth rocker with Maren Morris on background vocals that sounds like it could have been on Eric Clapton’s 1986 album “August.” (Extra credit for the great line “I’m not a fallen angel/I just fell behind.”) Other bright spots include “New Light,” which fi nds Mayer suffering unrequited love, or, as he says “pushing 40 in the friend zone.” It has a funky vibe and a Santana-ish solo. And his “Wild Blue” has a cool Dire Straits feel. If you’re getting a mel- ancholy and retro feel here, you’re not wrong. Unrushed, This video grab provided by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences shows the nominees for outstanding lead actress in a drama series during the 73rd Emmy comfortably in the singer- Awards Nominations Announcement on Tuesday, July 13. (AP) Mayer songwriter pocket — if slightly beige — is the tone here, under the helm of iconic producer Don Was. It straddles the line between ‘80s parody and hom- Emmys age, which the cover also does, reaching for a “Miami Vice” and peak Richard Marx vibe. The guitar work is Mayer at his best, throwing out gorgeous understated fi reworks, but too many of their vehicles are unim- pressive. “Sob Rock” often sounds like warmed-over Harry, Meghan interview receives nomination yacht rock. For every “Guess I Just Feel Like” — with shim- mering, B.B. King-inspired blues axe work — there’s the lazy “Why You No Love Me,” which sounds like ‘Crown,’ ‘Mandalorian’ top Emmy noms a lounge act gone awry. “Carry Me Away” is as sub- stantial as a summer breeze, and “All I Want Is To LOS ANGELES, July 14, (AP): “The which launched in late 2019, was im- are: “The Queen’s Gambit”; “I May Be With You” reeks of faux moody depth, a U2 song Crown” tied with “The Mandalorian” pressive, but the triumph of streaming Destroy You”; “Mare of Easttown”; without conviction. for the most Emmy nominations Tues- was predictable, said Eric Deggans, “The Underground Railroad”; “Wan- Fans of Mayer looking for clues into his private life day with 24 apiece, but the Marvel TV critic for National Public Radio. daVision.” will fi nd little specifi c, apart from the intriguing line universe also got bragging rights with “Disney+ came out of nowhere and Father-and-daughter actors Ron in “Shot in the Dark:” “I’ve loved seven other women runner-up “WandaVision.” got the third-most nominations of any Cephas Jones (“This Is Us”) and Jas- and they all were you.” And he has a great retort for The bounty reinforced the rapid rise platform at 71. ... We’re at a point now mine Cephas Jones (“Blindspotting”) why he hasn’t settled down yet in “Til the Right One of streaming, with most of the top- where this is this is increasingly becom- and TV Academy head Frank Scherma Comes:” “I know people broke down and defeated/ nominated scripted shows on services ing a streamers’ game and the Emmy announced the nominees. There were Lost what they needed in some miserable war/ So for- that emerged in the past two years. nominations refl ect it,” Deggans said. awkward moments when some nomi- give me if I might look around for a minute.” In the top three categories — drama, Streaming nees’ names were mispronounced, A fi ne effort, then, to try to resurrect the much-ma- comedy and limited series — broad- including a reference to Anya Taylor- ligned genre of ‘80s soft rock. But it often feels like cast networks scored only two nomi- HBO and newcomer streaming ser- Joy as “Anna.” Mayer just fell behind. Sarina Farhadi, (left), and director As- nations, for the NBC drama “This Is vice HBO Max edged into the lead The Sept. 19 ceremony, which last ❑ ❑ ❑ ghar Farhadi pose for photographers Us” and the ABC comedy “black-ish.” with 130 total nominations, with Net- year was held virtually because of the upon arrival at the premiere of the fi lm During an oppressive pandemic in fl ix close on its heels with 129. COVID-19 pandemic, will air live on The Flatlanders “Treasure of Love” (Rack’em Re- ‘A Hero’ at the 74th international fi lm which housebound Americans relied The frontrunner on the comedy CBS from a theater and include a lim- cords/Thirty Tigers) festival, Cannes, southern France, more than ever on television for dis- side is the good-hearted “Ted Lasso,” ited in-person audience of nominees Never has the tremulous twang that is unmistakably Tuesday, July 13. (AP) traction, TV academy voters recog- about a middling American football and guests. Cedric the Entertainer is Jimmie Dale Gilmore been more welcome than after nized a varied mix of storytelling and coach imported to England to handle the host. a year and a half of pandemic strangeness. a diverse group of actors and creators. a soccer team. The Apple TV+ series Partial list of nominees for the an- Listening to The Flatlanders’ “Treasure of Love” is One example: Mj Rodriguez of received 20 nominations, including for nual prime-time Emmy Awards: like strolling into a corner honky-tonk and discovering Variety “Pose” is the fi rst trans performer to top comedy, star Jason Sudeikis and ■ Comedy Series: “black-ish”; “Co- an old friend on the next barstool. Maybe a little griz- be nominated in a lead acting category. six cast members. bra Kai”; “Emily in Paris”; “The Flight zled, telling the same stories, but who cares? You’re The show also earned a best drama se- “Hacks,” starring Jean Smart as a Attendant”; “Hacks”; “The Kominsky together again. LOS ANGELES: Charlie Robinson, the ries nod. stand-up comedian who resists getting Method”; “PEN15”; “Ted Lasso.” Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock fi rst hooked up versatile and prolifi c actor whose many “The moment my name was an- aged out of Las Vegas and life, was ■ Actor, Comedy Series: Anthony almost 50 years ago. They’ve since performed together credits ranged from stage productions of nounced, I just screamed and I broke,” next with 15 nods, including a lead ac- Anderson, “black-ish”; Michael Doug- and separately, but The Flatlanders haven’t made an “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Fences” to such Rodriguez said. “My mom grabbed tor award for Smart and a supporting las, “The Kominsky Method”; Wil- album in more than a decade. Somehow this one man- fi lms as “Secret Santa” and “Miss Lettie me. She kind of fl ung me around. ... I bid for Hannah Einbinder. liam H. Macy, “Shameless”; Jason ages to sound fresh and relevant, even if the 15 tracks and Me” to his long-running role as the remember falling into my boyfriend’s Smart, who some have said is enjoy- Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso”; Kenan Thomp- are mostly familiar. Recorded during the pandemic, the court clerk Mac Robinson in the sitcom arms and just crying tears of joy, tears ing a career “Jeanaissance,” earned a son, “Kenan.” selections include tunes made famous by Johnny Cash, “Night Court,” has died. He was 75. second nomination for her supporting ■ Robinson died Sunday at the Ronald of happiness. I felt so seen.” Actress, Comedy Series: Ka- Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan and others, but the trio Of the 96 acting nods for drama, com- role in “Mare of Easttown.” The lim- ley Cuoco, “The Flight Attendant”; gives them all their signature Texas sound. Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los ited series received 16 nods, including Angeles, according to his manager, Lisa edy and miniseries, nearly 44% — a total Allison Janney, “Mom”; Tracee El- Gilmore takes the lead on the title track, lending of 42 nominations — went to people of star Kate Winslet. lis Ross, “black-ish”; Jean Smart, a roadhouse whine to the George Jones classic. The DiSante-Frank. The cause was cardiac arrest Among the others who doubled with multisystem organ failures due to septic color. That included 34 nods for Black “Hacks”; Aidy Bryant, “Shrill.” tone changes to boot-scooting playful on Hancock’s down on nominations: “Saturday Night ■ “Mama Do the Kangaroo.” Another Hancock original, shock, and metastatic adenocarcinoma. actors, one fewer than last year. Drama series: “The Boys”; Netfl ix’s “The Crown” received its Live” stars Kenan Thompson and Aidy “Bridgerton”; “The Crown”; “The “Moanin’ of the Midnight Train,” features Ely belting “Charlie Robinson, was the love of Bryant, who received supporting act- out a bittersweet ode to the woman he misses ’’every my life, husband, father, grandfather, and fourth nomination for best series, and Handmaid’s Tale”; “Lovecraft Coun- great grandfather,” his wife and fellow ing bids for the variety show as well try”; “The Mandalorian”; “Pose”; night or two.” is likely the veteran streaming ser- as lead comedy series acting nods for, actor Dolorita Noonan-Robinson said in vice’s best chance to win its fi rst-ever “This Is Us.” A smattering of Flatlander friends including guitar a statement. “He was truly the working ac- respectively, “”Kenan” and “Shrill.” ■ wizard Robbie Gjersoe and Lloyd Maines on pedal top series trophy. The British royal Other top nominees include previ- Actor, Drama Series: Sterling K. tor’s actor, and of all his passions, his craft drama moved closer to contemporary Brown, “This Is Us”; Jonathan Majors, steel fi ll out the sound. took center stage, with his family being the ous best drama series winner “The They close the album with a rollicking version of events with its version of the courtship Handmaid’s Tale,” with 21 nods, tied “Lovecraft Country”; Josh O’Connor, wind beneath his wings, so he could soar and rocky marriage of Prince Charles “The Crown”; Regé-Jean Page, “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” taking turns on vocals to unbelievable heights! On behalf of my with “Saturday Night Live”; “The and Hancock’s expressive harmonica adding fl air. It’s husband and family, I thank you for being a and Diana Spencer, played by Josh Queen’s Gambit,” 18; the period-dra- “Bridgerton”; Billy Porter, “Pose”; O’Connor and Emma Corrin. Matthew Rhys, “Perry Mason.” a tune that gets the crowd going at the group’s live part of the audience.” ma romp “Bridgerton” and “Hamil- ■ gigs. Something, perhaps, to look forward to. Charlie Robinson was a Houston native O’Connor and Corrin received lead ton,” with 12 each. Actress, Drama Series: Emma ❑ ❑ ❑ who in his teens sang with a local group that drama acting nods, as did the series’ “Lovecraft Country,” a horror-in- Corrin, “The Crown”; Elisabeth Moss, later became known nationally, Archie Bell Olivia Colman for her portrayal of fused drama set in 1950s segregated “The Handmaid’s Tale”; Uzo Aduba, Chris Thile, “Laysongs” (Nonesuch) and the Drells. His acting career started in Queen Elizabeth II, with a supporting America, earned an impressive 18 “In Treatment”; Olivia Colman, “The On his new solo album, Chris Thile contemplates the late 1960s when he joined the Houston- bid to Gillian Anderson for her role as nominations — but was canceled by Crown”; Mj Rodriguez, “Pose”; Jurn- being alone. based school Studio 7. He made his fi lm Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. ee Smollett, “Lovecraft Country.” HBO after one season. ■ The theme is God, as Thile — armed only with debut with a brief role in “Drive, He Said,” Oprah Winfrey’s headline-making “The Flight Attendant” earned nine Limited Series: “The Queen’s his mighty mandolin and his experience as a lapsed a 1971 release directed by Jack Nicholson, interview with Harry — Charles and nominations, including a best comedy Gambit”; “I May Destroy You,”; fundamentalist — takes on the topics of faith, doubt, and worked steadily over the next 50 years. the late Diana’s son — and his wife “Mare of Easttown,”; “The Under- Besides “Night Court,” which ran from 1984- actress nod for Kaley Cuoco and a sup- community and isolation. Meghan earned a nomination for best porting actress bid for Rosie Perez — ground Railroad,”; “WandaVision.” Thile has long pushed musical boundaries as a 1992, he also appeared in the acclaimed, but hosted nonfi ction series or special. ■ Actor, Limited Series or TV short-lived “Buffalo Bill”; “Home Improve- who becomes the third Latina nominated member of Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers, and in The showings by “The Mandalorian,” in the category, after Sofi a Vergara for movie: Paul Bettany, “WandaVision”; projects with such fellow virtuosos as Yo-Yo Ma and ment”; “The Game” and “Hart of Dixie” an extension of the “Star Wars” fran- Hugh Grant, “The Undoing”; Ewan among other series. “Modern Family” and Liz Torres for jazz pianist Brad Mehldau. But “Laysongs” falls into chise, and the inventive “WandaVision” “The John Larroquette Show.” McGregor, “Halston”; Lin-Manuel a different category. Recent credits include the teleplay “Some Old Black Man” and the stage play featuring the Marvel characters Wanda There were surprises, as usual. Miranda, “Hamilton”; Leslie Odom Thile grew up in a Christian household, once wrote and Vision, put the series in the ranks of Nicole Kidman failed to receive a Jr., “Hamilton.” “The Last Romance,” in which he appeared ■ a song titled “Doubting Thomas” and now describes with Michael Learned. (AP) past sci-fi and fantasy Emmy favorites nomination for limited series “The Actress, Limited Series or TV himself as a weak agnostic. On the album cover he ❑ ❑ ❑ “Game of Thrones” and “Lost.” Undoing,” while co-star Hugh Grant movie: Michaela Coel, “I May Destroy stands with his back to a church sanctuary, looking “The Boys,” Amazon’s comedy- was recognized. But the critically ac- You”; Cynthia Erivo, “Genius: Aretha”; over his shoulder. PHILADELPHIA: The lead prosecutor in tinged take on superheroes, earned a claimed miniseries “I May Destroy Elizabeth Olsen, “WandaVision”; Anya And so he sings about death, the devil, music as Bill Cosby’s sex assault case believes the best drama nod. You” and its star and creator, Michaela Taylor-Joy, “The Queen’s Gambit”; medicine and the human struggle with belief. His Pennsylvania Supreme Court overstepped “I would never have thought in a Coel, grabbed nine Emmy nods after Kate Winslet, “Mare of Easttown.” lyrics defy gravity — Thile rhymes “Dionysus” with its power in reversing the comedian’s con- million years that playing a witch in being snubbed by the Golden Globes. ■ Variety Talk Series: “Conan”; “purple kisses” — and as he considers what’s sacred, viction and added “fuel on the fi re” when a Marvel show would lead to this. It’s “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah”; the chief justice gave a weekend television One blast from the past getting new he occasionally turns profane. like a dream,” said “WandaVision” respect: “Cobra Kai,” set 30 years af- “Jimmy Kimmel Live”; “Last Week The mostly original music isn’t gospel, spiritual or interview — and appeared to misstate the key issue in the appeal. co-star Kathryn Hahn. She received a ter the events of the “Karate Kid” fi lm, Tonight with John Oliver”; “The Late contemporary Christian 7-11 songs (the kind that re- supporting actress bid, but found the earned a best comedy nod and four Show with Stephen Colbert.” peat the same seven words 11 times), but rather a wild Chief Justice Max Baer accused pros- ■ ecutors of a “reprehensible bait and switch” show’s total of 23 nominations espe- nominations in all. Supporting Actor, Comedy Se- blend of jazz, folk and classical elements, from Hazel in arresting Cosby in 2015 despite what he cially sweet. The other nominees for best drama ries: Carl Clemons-Hopkins, “Hacks”; Dickens to Bartók. Tempos and meters shift, and then called the certain existence of a 2005 non- “I’m so moved that the whole of it series are “The Handmaid’s Tale” and Kenan Thompson, “Saturday Night there’s no beat at all. As always, Thile’s playing is prosecution agreement. has been recognized,” Hahn said. “It “Lovecraft Country.” Live”; Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night an unpredictable delight, ranging from furious strum- “There was no controversy whatsoever was incredibly diffi cult. It was a hard, Other comedy series nominees are Live”; Brett Goldstein, “Ted Lasso”; ming to pointillistic fusillades, and at times his eight- that the deal was made. It was memorial- hard shoot. But ... the experience of “Emily in Paris”; “The Flight Atten- Brendan Hunt, “Ted Lasso”; “ Nick string rings like a church bell. ized in emails, it was memorialized in news making this meant so much to me and dant”; “The Kominsky Method” and Mohammed, “Ted Lasso”; Jeremy It’s the sound of someone wrestling with riddles conferences,” Baer told WHTM-TV in it was so unexpectedly deep.” “PEN15.” Swift, “Ted Lasso”; Paul Reiser, “The that even his enormous talents can’t solve. Harrisburg. The nominations haul by Disney+, The nominees for best miniseries Kominsky Method.” However, the existence of the agreement Also: has been hotly debated, both before and LOS ANGELES: Dylan is back, the younger one at after the two criminal trials that ended with least. Jakob Dylan is bringing back his band the Cosby’s conviction in 2018. And there was Wallfl owers for their fi rst new album since 2012’s no mention of it in writing until 2015. state’s high court revisited the facts of the conducted, we found no credible evidence “Glad All Over.” The new 10-track bright collection, The ex-prosecutor who said he made the case, which he called the job of the trial that Castor had given Cosby immunity,” called “Exit Wounds” and out July 9, includes the promise in 2005, Bruce Castor, waited un- judge. The appellate courts are tasked with Steele said in a statement issued late Sun- singles “Who’s That Man Walking ’Round My Gar- til the case was reopened a decade later to reviewing legal rulings. day, in response to Baer’s unusual televi- tell the victim or anyone in his offi ce about One potential path is to seek review at sion comments about the decision. den” and “Roots and Wings.” Dylan has explained the the US Supreme Court, although that is “There has been a tremendous amount album’s title refers to personal baggage: “Wherever it, according to their testimony. By then, the defense lawyer to whom Castor said he often a long shot. Cosby, who turned 84 on of misinformation about what actually took you’re headed, even if it’s to a better place, you leave made the promise had died. Monday, served nearly three years in prison place in this criminal prosecution. Throw- people and things behind, and you think about those Montgomery County District Attorney before his release. Sex assault victims, ing further fuel on the fi re was a televised people and those things and you carry them with you. Kevin Steele said this week he is review- and many Cosby accusers, have sharply interview airing this weekend by now Those are your exit wounds.” (AP) ing the Supreme Court decision to see criticized the June 30 decision. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice if he might challenge it. He believes the “Despite the extensive investigation we Cosby Robinson Baer,” Steele said. (AP)