ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13 People & Places Television Artists offer civics lessons H.E.R. educating kids on civics thru music NEW YORK, July 6, (AP): In addition to making great music, H.E.R. wants to be an active citizen who empowers young people with information. The Grammy- and Oscar-winning recording artist gets to do both in the new animated Netfl ix series, “We the People.” Created by Chris Nee and produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, the 10-part series provides a range of civics lessons through three-minute music videos on topics that include the Bill of Rights, immigration, and the courts. It features award-winning artists Lin- Manuel Miranda, Brandi Carlisle, Bebe Rexha, and others. H.E.R. took on the “Active Citizenship” episode, writing and performing the song, “Change.” It deals with teaching young people to get involved with issues in the community by volunteering, writing letters to elected offi - cials, and peaceful protest. The animated segment was directed by Oscar-winner Peter Ramsey, known for “Spider- Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” H.E.R. admits the idea to make music and educate seemed daunting at fi rst. “I was like thinking about H.E.R. all these topics and how can I make this, like, cool? And, you know, it just started off with just saying exactly what it is: ‘Wrote a letter to the mayor can you hear me out.’ Like how would Raffaella Carra’ blows a kiss in this May 14, 2011 photo. Italian Rai state TV says Raffaella Carra’, for decades one of Rai’s most popular entertainers, has died. (AP) we really have a conversation about this with some- body who doesn’t necessarily understand,” she said. That made the process fun, while at the same time gratifying — she was educating the viewer with im- Obituaries portant information. The 23-year-old believes the importance of the subject matter lies in the lack of understanding many citizens have when it comes to the rights and duties of citizenship. A natural born storyteller “I feel like sometimes things aren’t taught on pur- pose,” the recording artist said. H.E.R. cited the power of artists like Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye when it comes to writing music ‘Superman’ director Donner dies about social justice. Learn NEW YORK, July 6, (AP): Filmmaker Richard Donner, who helped create the ”(They) are saying things so simply. But we digest- modern superhero blockbuster with ed them, and we really thought about the way that we 1978’s “Superman” and mastered the Italian TV: Beloved entertainer live our lives based on this music,” she said. buddy comedy with the “Lethal Weap- And it’s because music is a language that everyone on” franchise, has died. He was 91. understands. Donner died Monday in Los Ange- Raffaella Carra’ dead aged 78 “It’s something that makes us feel good, makes les, his family said through a spokes- us want to fall in love and makes us sad or makes us person. ROME, July 6, (AP): Raffaella Car- ality.” In a post on Facebook, Ber- learn. And so, what better way to teach, especially ra’, for decades one of Italian televi- lusconi said with her TV programs, Richard Donner arrives at the Ameri- Donner gained fame with his fi rst people at a young age or of all ages,” she said. feature, 1976’s “The Omen.” A then- sion’s most beloved entertainers, a “she knew how to speak to various She hopes the collection of music videos in “We the can Film Institute’s 41st Lifetime woman affectionately nicknamed different generations, having the Achievement Gala on June 6, 2013, unheard-of offer followed: $1 million People” will “share the knowledge, that hasn’t always to direct 1978’s “Superman.” Donner the “queen of Italian TV,” died Mon- ability to always remain current in Los Angeles. The fi lmmaker, who day at 78, Italian state TV quoted with the times and without ever de- been shared” when it comes to rights, privileges, and helped create the modern superhero channeled his love of the character into responsibilities. her family as saying. scending into vulgarity.” blockbuster with 1978’s ‘Superman’ making the fi lm, repeatedly facing off Rai state TV read a statement from “She was the lady of Italian televi- “It’s up to us to make these changes and to empower and mastered the buddy comedy with with producers over the need for spe- the youth. So, as we grow, as we learn, we teach. And the star’s family, announcing that she sion,” Culture Minister Dario Franc- the ‘Lethal Weapon’ franchise, has cial effects that would convince the died in Rome after a long illness. No eschini said. President Sergio Mat- in that, I think will make a huge difference,” she said. died. (AP) audience that a superhero could really further details were released. tarella recalled Carra’ as the “face “We the People” premiered Sunday on Netfl ix. fl y. In the title role, Donner cast Chris- ❑ ❑ ❑ With her energetic presence and of television par excellence — she topher Reeve, who was associated with strong, almost husky singing voice, transmitted, with her talent and her They arrive every year in their snazzy black and “Superman” for the rest of his life. the trim Carra’ was a wildly popular likeability, a message of elegance, white tuxedos, causing traffi c jams and clamoring for Variety By the 21st century, the genre was staple in the early heyday decades kindness and optimism.” quality real estate. dominating the box offi ce in the US of Rai, especially when it was the In one of her last interviews, Endangered African penguins have long been a and thriving overseas. The heads of only nationwide TV broadcaster. Carra’ told an Italian magazine that source of delight to visitors of the South African com- NASHVILLE, Tenn: “The Voice” coaches Marvel Studios and DC Entertainment- With often sexy costumes — “Italian women found me greatly munity of Simon’s Town, mixing with humans as they Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton cel- producers of most of today’s superhero daring by state TV standards in a likable because I am not a man- go about their penguin tasks, which includes the im- ebrated their nuptials over the Fourth of fare- both worked for Donner when country where the Vatican wields eater — you can have sex appeal portant one of fi nding a nest and breeding. July holiday during a weekend wedding in they were starting out in Hollywood. considerable infl uence — Carra’ together with sweetness and irony.” Now these critters are the stars of a new eight-part Oklahoma. Steven Spielberg, who produced also was credited with helping Ital- She scandalized conservative series on Netfl ix called “Penguin Town,” which fol- The pop star and the country star posted “The Goonies,” wrote in a statement ian women be more confi dent with TV viewers with a 1971 hit song, photos on Monday of their wedding includ- that, “Dick had such a powerful com- their bodies and their sexuality, “Tuca, Tuca” a playful corruption lows several of the birds and reveals their personali- once even baring her belly button of the Italian words “touch, touch,” ties, from a middle-aged pair nicknamed “the poster ing an image of the couple posing under a mand of his movies, and was so gifted twilight sky. A representative for Shelton across so many genres. Being in his during a TV performance. But she which she sang while moving her penguins for monogamy” to a young bachelor looking said they married in his home state of Okla- could also be devastatingly classy hands up and down various men’s for his fi rst mate. circle was akin to hanging out with homa and the No Doubt singer tagged the your favorite coach, smartest profes- in her dress and manners. bodies. She performed the number “It became very clear very quickly that this was wedding photos with Saturday’s date. The La Repubblica newspaper many times with different stars, in- like watching a reality show like ‘Love Island’ or ‘Big sor, fi ercest motivator, most endearing In one photo, Shelton was dressed in friend, staunchest ally, and — of course wrote that she managed to pull off cluding one classic version with co- Brother,’” said Cayley Christos, a fi eld producer on jeans and driving a golf cart decorated with being provocative but still familiar median Alberto Sordi. “Penguin Town” and co-owner at production compa- white tulle, while Stefani showed off her — the greatest Goonie of all. He was and reassuring to millions of TV A 1980s TV show she starred in, ny Red Rock Films. white boots under her wedding dress and all kid. All heart. All the time. I can’t viewers. She also was considered “Fantastico,” drew 25 million view- “I know people don’t love anthropomorphizing all held up a bouquet of white fl owers. believe he’s gone, but his husky, hearty an icon for gay fans due to her joy- ers, nearly a half of what was then the time, but it’s hard not to do when they so clearly The two singers announced their engage- laugh will stay with me always.” ful performances. Italy’s population. have these personalities,” she added. “And so we didn’t ment in October. The two stars met as Tributes Her trademark bouncy, blond hair- But it was the 1970s TV variety really have a choice but to make it really personal.” judges on the singing competition show cut and bangs — dubbed the helmet program “Canzonissima” — rough- The show is narrated by comedian Patton Oswalt, years ago.