New York Times: Will the Metaverse Be Entertaining? Ask South Korea.. “In a vast studio outside Seoul, technicians huddled in front of monitors, watching cartoon K-pop singers — at least one of whom had a tail — dance in front of a psychedelic backdrop. A woman with fairy wings fluttered by. Everyone onscreen was real, sort of.”
MakeUseOf: How to Legally Download Movies to Watch Offline for Free. “Almost all of us now use streaming services to catch the hottest new movies and TV shows. However, streaming still has one major flaw… you need an internet connection. Which means they aren’t all that convenient when you’re traveling. Fortunately, many of the best streaming services now allow you to download movies to watch offline; and all for free, as part of your normal account. So, in this article, we’ll show you how to download movies to watch offline, free and legally.”
Vedomosti, and machine-translated from Russian: Movies, series and music from unfriendly countries legalized through compulsory license. “The Russian authorities have found a way to keep films, series, music and other intellectual property in the country from companies from unfriendly countries that have announced they are leaving or suspending their activities in Russia. For this, a bill is being developed that expands the effect of a compulsory license, two interlocutors familiar with the discussion of the initiative told Vedomosti.”
The Register: Feeling virtuous with a good old paperback? Well, don’t. Switching to traditional media does not improve mood. “Those attempting a digital detox might settle down with a paper book in the assumption they are nurturing their well-being. But the benefits of traditional versus new media are not as clear as received wisdom leads us to believe. This is according to researchers that found steering clear of digital media such as games and social platforms and sticking to traditional, some would say more virtuous pastimes might not offer as much of a boost to well-being as many seem to think.
Engadget: Spotify and WWE are tag-teaming on podcasts. “WWE and The Ringer (which Spotify bought last year for around $200 million to bolster its sports lineup) are building a podcast network together. The Ringer podcast The Masked Man Show has been rebranded as The Ringer Wrestling Show. More podcasts are on the way, including a narrative series produced by Bill Simmons (a self-professed lifelong WWE fan) and additional shows from WWE talent.”
CNN: The pandemic has changed TV viewing patterns, and awards shows are suffering. “The Grammys free-falled in the ratings despite a telecast that critics praised for its inventiveness and energy. But where some saw a well-produced event, others saw a desperate appeal to youth that was ill-suited for the older demos of broadcast TV. The bigger-picture problem is that a great splintering is underway — a loss of communal experiences, whether at the movies or on broadcast or, to some degree, in music.”
New York Times: Watch the Nutcracker and Listen to NASA’s Golden Record. “Here is a sampling of the week’s events and how to tune in (all times are Eastern). Note that events are subject to change after publication.”
BBC: Entertainers find new ways to pay the bills. “With many of their usual avenues closed, in the UK alone the live music industry is set to see revenues this year fall by 81%, and celebrities are turning to online to make ends meet.”
BuzzMachine: The end of applause. “The end of applause occurred to me as I watched recent events: Apple’s latest product announcement sans clapping geeks and sycophants (revealing its true aesthetic as just another infomercial); the US Open with tepid, sitcom-like clap-tracks where cheers would have been; the Democrats’ intimate and audience-free YouTube convention — which I wrote about here; and Sarah Cooper’s opener for Jimmy Kimmel’s show. I’m in awe of Cooper anyway, but watching her monologue, I marveled at the courage of a comedian telling jokes without the immediate feedback of laughter, applause, and cheers: without an audience, or at least one that could be heard. YouTubers find this normal; old farts, strange.”
WSB-TV: 12 of the Best Places to Watch Free Movies Online. “Whether you enjoy comedies, mysteries, documentaries or something else entirely, you can find a great selection of movies online for free. In this article, I’ll take a look at 12 of the best websites and resources for watching free movies. I’ve visited each of the websites listed below, and I’ve tested a few videos from each to ensure quality, check for ads and see what’s available at no charge.”
ITV: Mr Punch is back! Traditional seaside entertainment returns to Teignmouth as lockdown eases. “Mr Punch may have begun performing in the 17th Century but Dr [Tony] Lidington has updated his story for the modern age. The seaside and people’s enjoyment of it has also changed. Dr Lidington says ‘I’m interested in the way that seasides have evolved over the last 250 years for the British as a kind of playground. They were designed as somewhere that people could play and have fun. They would have exercise and fresh air but also a place of sanctuary and excitement and romance’.” Dr. Lidington has gotten funding for a digital archive.
ABC News Australia: Australian arts online guide: The best live streams and on-demand comedy, music, theatre, exhibitions and more. “Galleries started reopening last week (albeit with reduced numbers and scheduled attendance) with others to follow this month — but it’s going to be a while until we get back into theatres, and even longer until we can contemplate sweaty, shouty live music gigs. In the meantime, there is plenty of theatre, comedy, dance, writer’s talks and all that jazz to be found online.”
CNET: Free entertainment to help you survive coronavirus social distancing. “Hang in there, everyone. While the coronavirus situation seems to be getting worse, the free-entertainment situation is getting better. Nearly every day I learn of some new offering to help keep you occupied while you wait it out at home. Games, movies, comics, virtual tours, live theater, guitar lessons — all that and more, and all you need for most of it is a computer, phone, tablet or TV. I’m updating this post regularly, so bookmark it and check back often for new additions. In the meantime: Stay safe, stay healthy and stay home.”
MakeUseOf: Bored During Self-Isolation? 100+ Tips for Staying Entertained and Engaged. “Trapped inside and going stir-crazy due to quarantine? You aren’t the only one! Here are all kinds of things you can do to stay sane while self-isolating and social distancing!” Huge meta-list of pointers to MakeUseOf articles.
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