Latest news with #Kugel
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How COVID Changed TV Production Forever
Five years ago this week, the television industry rose to the challenge of keeping news, daytime and late-night talk shows and other topical series on the air during the harsh early months of the COVID pandemic. We didn't know it then, but March 2020 marked a huge inflection point for the television business. Stay-at-home orders, masks and antigen tests — it seems distant and not so distant all at once. The story of how COVID helped supercharge the streaming business — and the streaming wars — has been well documented in recent years. More from Variety Kickstarter Courts Professional Filmmakers to Drive Funding and Fan Engagement Paul Scanlan, Legion M CEO and Co-Founder, on the Success of 'My Dead Friend Zoe' 'Kugel' Marks Big Moment for Israeli Streamer Izzy But another big TV story unfolded during the early months of lockdown that hasn't gotten as much attention. The first few weeks of the pandemic spurred more seat-of-the-pants innovation to broadcast operations and engineering than had been done since the days of Sid Caesar and Milton Berle in the early 1950s. In media and entertainment, the show-must-go-on ethos is real. The last thing TV pros wanted to do was serve America dead air. Times were hard enough. By the end of 2020, the death toll from COVID in the U.S. alone had reached a staggering 400,000. Listen to the full podcast: The social distancing conditions imposed forced producers and crew members and technicans to create virtual control rooms on the fly. They had to figure out how to re-create networks for communications and video collaboration tools in a matter of days. They ordered a whole lot of digital video equipment from Amazon to assemble home bureaus in a box for anchors. Talk shows quickly moved to stack up monitors to create virtual studio audiences. I've wanted to tackle the story of the great scramble of the early COVID months for several years. I had the privilege of as Colbert returned to filming shows with live audiences at the Ed Sullivan Theater. In those interviews it became apparent how much derring-do and experimentation had been going on behind the scenes at a time when production staff was spread far and wide. I knew there were great stories there, but I didn't know how good they were until I started interviewing the 10 sources that you'll hear in this episode. They shared stories that captured this fraught period with moments of humor, moments of meltdowns involving both tech and tykes, and some moments of heartbreak. And in the end, what changes really mattered? What innovations stuck around beyond the crisis? We examine the lasting legacy of pandemic-era workarounds. My guests are: Linsey Davis – anchor of ABC News Live 'Prime' and 'World News Tonight' Sunday Vin Di Bona – executive producer of 'America's Funniest Home Videos' Chris Dinan – executive producer of ABC News' 'World News Tonight' Tony Dokoupil – anchor of 'CBS Mornings' Bill Hemmer – co-anchor of Fox News' 'America's Newsroom' Jason Kurtz – executive producer and showrunner of 'The Drew Barrymore Show' Simone Swink – executive producer of 'Good Morning America' Shawna Thomas – executive producer of 'CBS Mornings' Jon Tower – senior broadcast producer of 'CBS Mornings' Scott Wilder – executive VP of of production and operations for Fox News Media Highlights from the episode: Davis: 'I remember the night that it really became real for us, and the NBA canceled a game, and it was just a moment unlike anything I've ever … I've been reporting for about 25 years, and I just remember texting friends of mine about and they were like, 'Wait, no, that can't be happening…'' Wilder: 'It was like zone defense. We were just trying to get people [equipment] and we tried to look where people live. I have a news photographer who lives in New Jersey and an anchor who lives in New Jersey. Marry that team up together. I have a news photographer who lives on Long Island and anchor who lives on Long Island. So, that's a team. Westchester, Connecticut, and so on and so forth. And that's how we started.' Dokoupil: 'I tried to convince myself I was like Gay Talese — who I'd interviewed before — and who used to put a suit on to walk from the top floor of his brownstone down to the basement to go to work as a writer. And that was kind of like what I did. I got up, I put a suit on, and I walked from the living room down one floor to the basement and and tried to be a professional. But it was a very unfinished basement with water bugs, let's call them — we won't say cockroaches — crawling up out of the drain on a nightly basis.' Tower: 'Over the course of 15 hours, they had to set up an entire workable control room and show for the next day. And under normal conditions, you would maybe give a team like that a week, maybe two, to do that. And they had literally the night.' Thomas: 'New York City was a ghost town. It felt like one of those movies where you wake up and you're wandering through the streets, and a place that's normally bustling is is absolutely lifeless. And it was actually exactly like that.' Dinan: 'It was interesting how quickly people adapted. They just found ways to work around issues and work around problems and make something happen. I look back at that time as a very innovative time for an industry that had never operated like that. Nobody generationally had experienced anything like this. So it was completely new.' Kurtz: 'There were conversations [about postponing the launch of 'The Drew Barrymore Show'], but they were shut down very quickly. We all just collectively — the executives at CBS, myself, Drew and all the wonderful people that work here — it was just this collective feeling of we're doing this and we're focused, and maybe the world needs this bright spot right now, and hopefully we can be that. And that was sort of just collectively how we all felt. It was never really said out loud. It was never this big rah-rah mission. It just was this undertone and feeling we all had together that was — we're doing this, and we'll see everyone in September.' Swink: 'We filmed Katy Perry in her backyard singing her brand new song 'Daisies.' And I would argue it was in many ways very cool that we had been forced to innovate into that because we were seeing a very famous pop star bring us a new song in a different kind of environment. It wasn't the usual slick stage production. So in some cases the innovations forced some great television.' Di Bona: 'The poignant piece of it is that we kept people working and it was a very, very difficult time. But we had work and, hopefully, we kept America laughing. And you know, that's our job.' (Pictured: Top row — Vin Di Bona, Tony Dokoupil, Simone Swink, Shawna Thomas and Scott Wilder. Bottom row — Jon Tower, Jason Kurtz, Bill Hemmer, Chris Dinan and Linsey Davis) 'Strictly Business' is Variety's weekly podcast featuring conversations with industry leaders about the business of media and entertainment. (Please click here to subscribe to our free newsletter.) New episodes debut every Wednesday and can be downloaded at Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud and more. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
Reuters
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Josh Hubbard scores 30 as No. 24 Mississippi State beats LSU
March 1 - Josh Hubbard scored 30 points and No. 24 Mississippi State pulled away in the second half to defeat LSU 81-69 on Saturday afternoon in Southeastern Conference play at Starkville, Miss. Riley Kugel added 12 points and the Bulldogs (20-9, 8-8 SEC) outscored the Tigers (14-15, 3-13) 46-32 in the second half. Cam Carter scored 23 points and Daimion Collins added 10 to lead LSU. The score was tied four times and the lead changed hands three times during the first six minutes of the second half before Hubbard made a 3-pointer and two free throws to give MSU a 55-50 lead. Dji Bailey scored three straight points for LSU, but Kugel made a jumper and Hubbard added a 3-pointer to help the Bulldogs expand the lead to seven points midway through the half. Derek Fountain made a jumper for the Tigers, but Mississippi State pushed the lead to 65-55 on a 3-pointer by Claudell Harris Jr. Carter made a 3-pointer before the Bulldogs scored six straight points and increased the lead to 13. LSU crept within eight points with five minutes left. KeShawn Murphy answered with a jumper, but Jordan Sears' 3-pointer trimmed the lead to 73-66. Cameron Matthews made a steal and fed Kugel for a dunk that pushed the lead back to nine with 2:41 left. Carter made consecutive 3-pointers for LSU's first points and the Tigers used a 7-0 run to open up a 10-4 lead. Matthews made one of two free throws to end the run, but Carter answered with a 3-pointer for an eight-point lead. Five Bulldogs scored to help them pull even at 15. The score was tied three more times before Carter made a jumper and a dunk to help LSU take a 27-23 lead. Kugel's 3-pointer and Hubbard's jumper helped the Bulldogs get within two points. Carter's 3-pointer and Sears' jumper helped the Tigers push the lead to six, but 3-pointers by Shawn Jones Jr. and Kugel trimmed LSU's lead to 37-35 at halftime.
Reuters
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Oklahoma bumps No. 21 Mississippi St. to end 5-game skid
February 22 - Jeremiah Fears scored a game-high 27 points and dished out 10 assists as Oklahoma snapped its five-game losing streak with a 93-87 upset of No. 21 Mississippi State in the Southeastern Conference contest on Saturday in Norman, Okla. Jalon Moore scored 18 points, 15 of them in the second half. Sam Godwin had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma (17-10, 4-10 SEC). Josh Hubbard led Mississippi State with 19 points, and KeShawn Murphy added 16 off the bench. Riley Kugel and Claudell Harris Jr. each tallied 11 points for the Bulldogs (19-8, 7-7). The Sooners overcame a 37-34 halftime deficit with hot shooting in the second half, but they had to withstand a late rally by Mississippi State. Kugel's layup with 1:21 to play cut Oklahoma's lead to 88-82. The Bulldogs' press forced a turnover, but the Sooners got the ball back on a steal by Fears. Godwin split a pair of free throws on the possession. Another layup by Kugel layup trimmed the deficit to 89-84 with 50 seconds to play. Oklahoma's Duke Miles split a pair of foul shots for a six-point lead. Harris hit a corner 3-pointer to get the Bulldogs within 90-87 with 28 seconds left, but two free throws by Dayton Forsythe pushed the lead back to five. Mississippi State missed a pair of triples and a putback before Moore split a pair of free throws for the final margin. Early in the second half, Moore scored five straight points with a 3-pointer and a break-away jam to give Oklahoma a 44-41 lead with 17:37 to play. In the half's first eight minutes, Oklahoma was 9-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range en route to a 62-57 lead. The Sooners shot 68 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from beyond the arc in the half. Kobe Elvis grabbed a loose ball and hit a triple as part of a 9-0 run that put Oklahoma ahead by 10. Brycen Goodine was fouled as he hit a corner 3-pointer and converted the four-point play for an 81-69 lead with 4:50 to play. Both teams struggled from the field in the first half. Oklahoma shot 40 percent, Mississippi State was at 37.1 percent and were at 30.8 percent and 30 percent respectively from beyond the arc. But the Bulldogs turned eight Sooners turnovers into 15 points.
Al Arabiya
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Israel's forensic center says still working to identify bodies of three hostages
Israel's national forensic center said Thursday that it was still working to identify the bodies of three hostages returned earlier in the day by Hamas, after verifying the identity of a fourth. 'We have been working since this morning to provide definitive answers to the families. The staff of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine continues the identification process,' Chen Kugel, the center's director, said in a televised statement after confirming the fourth body was that of elderly peace activist Oded Lifshitz. Kugel said that Lifshitz, 83, had been murdered while in captivity more than a year ago. Hostages who returned to Israel during the first ceasefire deal in November 2023 reported being held captive with Lifshitz, a founding member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, during their first month in Gaza. While Kugel did not mention by name the three additional hostages that were still in the process of being identified, Hamas said it had returned the remains of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, also taken hostage from their home in Nir Oz. The four bodies were handed over under the first phase of a ceasefire that took effect on January 19. So far militants have freed 19 living Israeli hostages in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinian prisoners. Another six living hostages are to be released on Saturday, while four more bodies are to be handed over next week. Hamas and its allies took 251 people hostage during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Prior to Thursday's handover, there were 70 hostages in Gaza, including 35 the Israeli military says are dead. The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,211 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 48,319 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in the territory that the United Nations considers reliable.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grey/Ven Appoints Ilana Kugel as Creative Director for Womenswear
Announces NYFW Runway Show and Launch of Luxury Handbag and Accessories NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2025 /CNW/ -- Grey/Ven, the renowned purveyor of quiet luxury, proudly announces the appointment of CFDA-recognized designer Ilana Kugel as the Creative Director for its women's collection. The announcement comes as the brand prepares for its New York Fashion Week runway show in February and unveils plans for its first luxury handbag collection, alongside Kugel's inaugural collection for the brand, titled "The Journey" FW 25. Kugel is known for her work with Koral swimwear and as the first athleisure designer inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). She has helped support two collections for the brand in the past, one for resort that premiered at September's New York Fashion Week and a pre fall collection. She is excited to now present her first major collection for the brand, set to have its moment in the luxury space. "Ilana Kugel's appointment marks a significant milestone for Grey/Ven," said Scott Weissman, CEO. "As Creative Director for our women's collection, her expertise in contemporary fashion will bring a fresh perspective to our designs. I am also thrilled to have her lead the creative direction of our expanding range of luxury handbags and accessories, further shaping the future of Grey/Ven." Kugel's Grey/Ven collection "The Journey" represents a profound exploration of original style, characterized by a distinctive aesthetic inspired by the serene beauty of a desert sunset. The collection features a range of sweaters, dresses, and lightweight layering pieces that embody a sense of effortless sophistication. Each piece reflects a harmonious blend of textures and colors, including monochromatic layers softened by sheer merino wool and ethereal silk accents. The collection's design, imbued with earthy hues and a luxurious, suede-like finish, captures the mystic allure of the wanderlust spirit. "I am excited to introduce 'The Journey' with Grey/Ven," said Ilana Kugel. "This collection reflects a minimalist aesthetic designed to endure and will resonate for years to come. I am honored to collaborate with a brand so dedicated to the future of design." To debut the FW 25 line as announced in the CFDA Fashion Calendar, Grey/Ven will host a runway show during New York Fashion Week on February 7th, 2025 at Casa Cipriani. The show will also mark an exciting expansion for the brand with the introduction of Grey/Ven's first luxury leather goods collection. Each piece is designed to complement the ready-to-wear collection while standing as a testament to Grey/Ven's dedication to exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design. The Resort collection will be available to shop in stores and online in the coming weeks, while 'The Journey' FW 25 collection and luxury leather goods will launch Fall 2025. For collection updates, visit and follow @ on Instagram. MEDIA CONTACTS:Sabrina Levine CommunicationsSabrina Levine | sabrina@ | (917) 769-4434Nicole Waldman, nicole@ | (805) 404-8152 About Ilana KugelIlana was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro. Her designs are inspired by her Brazilian roots and a way of life centered around happiness, health, and wellness. She is the first athleisure designer to be inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) for playing an instrumental role in advancing aesthetics, design, and fabric technology. About Grey/VenGrey/Ven is a quiet luxury brand whose vision is to create a one-of-a-kind tonal and monochromatic wardrobe for both women and men. Their timeless and elevated essentials are designed to enhance your confidence, focusing on elegance, comfort and modernism. All their creations are meant to accompany you from day to night, from work to play, from weekdays to weekends. Their palettes incorporate sumptuous neutrals and bold seasonal colors which are treated as capsule collections to offer complete outfits for effortless styling. Grey/Ven invites you to experience everyday luxury in their clothes crafted from all-natural fabrics with a deep commitment to sustainability and ethical production. Their new showroom will be opening in NYC this summer, along with their first ever brick and mortar Flagship store in East Hampton this summer. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Grey/Ven View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
