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Which AI products are actually worth buying?
Is AI worth the additional cost?
When ChatGPT launched two months ago, it revealed advances in AI that made some people excited and others apprehensive. Microsoft is one of the most excited parties. The company is making a sizable investment in AI technology over the next few years in hopes of creating and commercializing new breakthroughs with the technology.
But what exactly is AI? How does it work? And which products currently make the most of this often controversial technology?
Does AI even really exist yet?Technically, true artificial intelligence doesn’t exist yet. Machines aren’t arriving at unpredictable conclusions. Ultron is not plotting the extinction of the human race. Everything that software (and in turn, machines) can currently do is a matter of analyzing data to recognize patterns and make decisions based on an algorithm. There is no independent thinking or thinking outside the box. At least not yet. Everything the technology currently does is better defined as machine learning. However, artificial intelligence sounds cooler, so that’s the term that caught on and is typically used.
How does AI work?What AI does is very basic. It looks at data, finds patterns and uses a predetermined set of rules to make a decision based on the patterns it finds. In simple terms, if you look up at the sky and it’s clear, you know it won’t rain. However, if you look up at the sky and see clouds, based on the type of clouds you see and your previous experience with those types of clouds, you weigh the possibility of rain and decide if you need an umbrella.
The feat that AI performs is not impressive. What makes it so valuable is the magnitude of data and speed. Typing a single word into a search engine proves AI can far outperform human abilities. Typing “dog” into Google, for instance, produces 5,440,000,000 results in 0.63 seconds. That’s where AI shines.
Why are people excited about AI?AI has the ability to simplify the world for humans so you can live your best life. For instance, without AI, your phone couldn’t recognize your face and unlock it only for you. Similarly, by using the technology to fly planes, evaluate emergencies and help diagnose medical symptoms, AI can help people stay safe and allow them to live better, longer lives.
AI can also automate machines to eradicate menial tasks from your life. One of the best day-to-day examples of this is a robotic vacuum, which employs machine learning to map out your home and plot the most strategic route for cleaning. Many models can even empty themselves so you don’t have to think about vacuuming for months at a time.
Lastly, unlike humans, AI doesn’t need to sleep. It has your back 24/7, and it never complains. If you want to turn your thermostat down after you fall asleep, a smart thermostat can do that for you. It can also turn the heat back on and take the chill out of the air shortly before you wake up again.
Why are people apprehensive about AI?Most of the reasons why people fear AI are because they don’t quite understand it. Machine learning, at this stage of its evolution, at least, does not “think outside the box.” It cannot simply decide that humans are inefficient and need to be exterminated. That has to be coded into the algorithm by a human.
However, there are some genuine concerns that the technology will take away jobs, and that has been the case throughout history. But whenever that happens, the technology creates a new type of workforce.
The most realistic aversion to AI, however, is that you can’t challenge its final decision. That, and the “thought process” is not transparent. If you change your look dramatically, your facial recognition software might not let you access your phone or laptop, no matter how much you argue and plead. If you think getting put in Facebook jail for no discernable reason is frustrating, imagine not being able to unlock your phone.
What makes a good AI product for a consumer?The best AI products are ones that make your life easier or more enjoyable without increased effort on your part. They don’t frustrate you, make you uneasy or complicate your life. The best AI products don’t even have a learning curve; you can start using them right out of the box. Here are a few top AI products we’ve picked based on user feedback.
Best AI products for the kitchen[ LG Side-by-Side Smart Refrigerator with Craft Ice and InstaView ]
Technically, this is not an AI refrigerator; it’s merely smart. But that’s plenty good enough for owners who love all the convenience this model has to offer. Many people get super excited over the “awesome” knock feature that lets you tap on the door to see what’s inside (without opening). If you like chilled beverages, one user proclaimed, “craft ice is the best!” One owner wrote, “Very easy to download controls to my smartphone to regulate temp and ice production.”
[ Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro ]
One of the hardest parts for any cooking appliance to get right is even heating. This model moves the power to where it’s needed most, so your food is always perfectly cooked. One user marveled at the oven’s ability to perform cooking tasks without heating the entire oven, while another simply gushed, “This oven has no negatives and does everything that it promises.”
Best AI products for the living room[ LG B2 Series 65-Inch Class OLED Smart TV ]
According to the manufacturer, this TV intelligently adjusts to whatever scene you’re watching to offer the optimal viewing experience. According to owners, “The smart features, including smart sounds, are amazing.” Also, “Picture quality is second to none.”
[ iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum ]
The j7+ is a remarkable device that learns a little more every day. It can map out your home, avoid undesirable messes and objects and it even empties itself. “Love that you get updates with pictures of obstacles and can tell the app if [the obstacle] is permanent or temporary,” customers note. One reviewer was so impressed, they exclaimed, “This thing is crazy smart.”
Best AI products for your car or commute[ Rexing M2 2K Front and Rear Mirror Dash Cam with Smart BSD ADAS GPS ]
Besides the typical dash cam features, this model uses machine learning to identify many common obstacles and road hazards to make driving safer. It’s like having a guardian angel along for the ride. One user wrote, “Best quality I have ever seen and owned.” Another stated, if you need some smart drive functionality for an older car, “you really can’t go wrong” with the Rexing dash cam.
Best AI games[ Square Off Pro Portable Roll-Up Chess Board Set ]
If you’re old enough, the first real-world application of AI that you probably remember was in a chess game. Back in ’77, Bobby Fischer schooled a computer with ease. The AI in Square Off Pro chess, however, is designed to teach and make playing fun, prompting users to leave favorable reviews, such as, “The AI has been challenging and it feels good working my way up the levels.”
[ The Last of Us Part II for PlayStation 4 ]
Chess isn’t the only game with AI. The hugely popular video game (and now hit TV show) “The Last of Us” incorporates the technology so you can choose to take the story wherever you want, and all the gaming elements will adapt and react accordingly. This along with other gameplay features has inspired reviews such as, “One of the greatest games ever made.”
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
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6 tips on layering clothes for a winter hike
How to layer clothes for a winter hike
Avid outdoor adventurers know that the exploration doesn’t have to stop when the mercury drops. Winter hiking provides those who venture out with a unique experience, but the proper gear can make all the difference. You’ll need to navigate cold, windy weather, plus precipitation that can range from a light, slushy mist to a sleety downpour. The following six tips for layering clothes for a winter hike will keep you dry, comfortable and safe, no matter what the weather throws at you.
This article was reviewed and approved by Judd NeSmith, the BestReviews Fitness Expert.
Tip #1: Start with the baseThe purpose of a base layer (and yes, this includes underwear) is to wick moisture away from the skin. Moisture in the form of sweat can actually make you colder as you hike, so it’s critical to move it away from the skin as quickly as possible.
The best materials for a base layer are:
These vary in thickness and can be tailored to your personal preference. Some people naturally run hotter than others, so a thinner base layer is more appropriate.
It’s best to avoid cotton, which traps moisture and can make you even colder. This includes bras and underwear.
Tip #2: Mind the middleThe job of the middle layer is insulation. It holds heated air close to your body to keep you cozy when it’s cold. The middle layer is most likely made of down, synthetic down or fleece.
In general, down is useless against heat when it’s wet, so if you’re hiking in wet weather, it’s best to go with a synthetic alternative.
Tip #3: Top it offContrary to how you might dress for a simple winter walk around the neighborhood, your outer layer is less about warmth and more about weatherproofing. An outer shell keeps your other layers dry and adds wind resistance. It should be waterproof, breathable and easy to pack. Some outer layers also have zippers at the armpits to release moisture.
You’ll need to make sure your outer layer is large enough to fit over the other layers.
Tip #4: Protect your feetExcellent hiking boots are a critical component to warm-weather safety and comfort. Both women’s winter boots and men’s winter boots should have plenty of traction on the outside and insulation on the inside.
Dry feet mean all-day comfort and warmth. Look for moisture-wicking hiking socks in the same materials as the base layers on your body.
Tip #5: Keep your hands warmWhen it gets cold, your body preserves its heat, sending it to the major organs for optimal function. This leaves your extremities out in the cold.
The gloves you choose need to maintain your dexterity while still protecting your hands and fingers from frostbite. The best gloves feature layers similar to how you dress, with a moisture wicking interlayer, insulating middle layer and waterproof outer layer.
Bonus points if you can still operate your cell phone while you’re wearing them.
Tip #6: Cover your headTop off your winter hiking clothes with the appropriate hat. The best use a material that is quick-drying, antimicrobial, durable and moisture-wicking. Merino wool and synthetic fiber all fit the bill, but merino may be a more expensive choice.
Consider also the thickness of the hat. If you choose a hat that’s too thick, not only can you not add another layer if you need to, but there’s also a chance you might feel overheated. A hat that’s thinner can be layered, but only if you plan ahead with another layer to add (or a coat with a hood).
Best clothes for layering on a winter hike[ Icebreaker Merino Women’s 200 Oasis Leggings ]
These 100% merino wool leggings are the perfect base layer for cold weather hiking. They have a brushed elastic waistband and seams that lay flat to prevent chafing. They are also available in men’s styles.
[ Outdoor Research Trailbreaker II Snow Pants ]
This outer layer pant has thermo-regulating technology that keeps you dry while still allowing moisture to escape when needed. They are waterproof below the knee and are breathable and wind-resistant from every direction. The dual snap fly and tricot-lined waistband is comfortable and secure. Also available in women’s styles.
[ Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie ]
This synthetic down mid-layer keeps you insulated and warm. It has a high-performance ripstop nylon shell and is filled with breathable, heat-efficient polyester. It dries quickly but stays warm even when wet.
[ Danish Endurance Merino Wool Hiking Socks ]
These merino wool blend socks wick moisture to keep feet warm and dry. Synthetic materials and elastane keep them in shape, and they are machine washable. They come in six colors and are available in men’s and women’s sizes.
[ Arc’teryx Beta Men’s Gore-Tex Shell ]
This Gore-Tex jacket is machine washable, waterproof, windproof and breathable. It features zippers in the armpits and a zipper closure for security in all types of wet weather. It is made waterproof without the use of harmful chemicals. Choose from six colors.
[ Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves ]
The inside is made of warm, soft fleece, and the nylon exterior sheds water for the perfect combination of layers. Silicone prints on the fingers to allow for cell phone use on the trail.
[ Sorel Men’s Caribou Waterproof Boot ]
Seam-sealed waterproof construction features a suede and ballistic nylon upper. Lug soles offer heavy-duty traction in the slickest conditions. They come in six colors.
[ Smartwool Merino 250 Cuffed Beanie ]
This unisex hat is made of moisture-wicking merino wool. It is warm enough to wear on its own but lightweight if you need another layer on your head. The rolled cuff is long enough to cover your ears and part of your neck in colder weather.
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Suzannah Kolbeck writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
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FSU RB Warrick Dunn voted into College Football Hall of Fame
By ERIC OLSON
Associated Press
Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald and FSU running back Warrick Dunn were among 19 players and three coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame class announced Monday.
Toby Gerhart of Stanford, Julius Peppers of North Carolina and Danny Woodhead of Chadron State also were elected to the Atlanta-based hall by the National Football Foundation.
Coaches elected were Frank Solich of Nebraska and Ohio, Mark Dantonio of Cincinnati and Michigan State and Danny Hale of Division II West Chester and Bloomsburg.
Moss, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018, was one of college football’s most electric performers in his two seasons at Marshall. He was an All-American as both a receiver and return man. He caught 174 passes for 3,529 yards and 54 touchdowns in his career and was the 1997 Biletnikoff Award winner. His 26 touchdown receptions that season were a Bowl Subdivision record. He played for five teams over 14 NFL seasons and was the league’s leading receiver five times.
Fitzgerald was the 2003 Heisman Trophy runner-up and Biletnikoff Award winner while playing for Pittsburgh, where he totaled 161 catches for 2,677 yards and a school-record 34 touchdowns over his two seasons. He caught a touchdown in 18 consecutive games to set an NCAA record. He was the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft and 11-time Pro Bowl selection in 17 years with the Arizona Cardinals.
Dunn, who led Florida State to the 1993 national title, became the first Seminoles player to rush for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. He finished his career in 1995 as the school’s all-time leader in career touchdowns, all-purpose yards and rushing yards.
The hard-running Gerhart won the 2009 Doak Walker Award at Stanford and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Gerhart ran for 1,871 yards and 28 touchdowns to lead the nation in his senior year.
Peppers, who played at UNC, won the 2001 Bednarik and Lombardi awards. In 2000, he led the nation with 15 sacks and a school-record 24 tackles for loss. He was the second overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft and was a first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl pick over 17 seasons with three teams.
Woodhead played at Division II Chadron State in Nebraska from 2004-07 and finished his career as college football’s all-time rushing leader for all divisions with 7,962 yards. He twice won the Harlon Hill Trophy as the top DII player. Woodhead signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and spent 10 years in the NFL with four teams.
The rest of the 2024 class includes Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State, Paul Cameron of UCLA, Tim Couch of Kentucky, Armanti Edwards of Appalachian State, Deon Figures of Colorado, Dan Hampton of Arkansas, Steve Hutchinson of Michigan, Antonio Langham of Alabama, Paul Posluszny of Penn State, Dewey Selmon of Oklahoma, Alex Smith of Utah, Kevin Smith of Texas A&M and Chris Ward of Ohio State.
The class will be inducted during the NFF’s awards dinner in Las Vegas in December.
Winderman’s view: Nikola Jovic starts, captivates in win, but perspective please
MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 120-113 victory over the Houston Rockets:
– The Niko Show tends to be a thrill ride.
– It was again on Monday night, with Nikola Jovic starting again at power forward for the Heat.
– There were ample rebounds early.
– Some playmaking.
– But also rushed 3-point shots.
– And forcing of action off his preferred bust-out dribbles.
– The skills are there.
– The motor is there.
– But so is the youth.
– Youth that can be indulged in Game 36 of an 82-game regular season.
– But likely not in moments of consequence.
– And likely to be put out of view when Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin return.
– So to his credit, Erik Spoelstra is seeing what is there now.
– Then to file it away for when needed next.
– As the 20-year-old continues to mature.
– At the moment, tempting enough to start.
– But not ready to close.
– So even with Haywood Highsmith cleared from concussion protocol after a three-game absence, Jovic started.
– The other four starters were Bam Adebayo, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry.
– It was the fourth start in the past five games for Jovic.
– Butler again was inactive with his toe injury.
– With Martin again inactive with his ankle sprain.
– In addition, RJ Hampton was not available due to a stomach illness.
– Adebayo was called for his second foul with 7:07 left in the opening period, with Kevin Love entering in his place.
– Josh Richardson followed off the Heat bench.
– Then Duncan Robinson.
– And then Highsmith.
– Adebayo’s first steal tied Bimbo Coles for ninth on the Heat all-time list.
– Jaquez said this four-game homestand comes with obvious meaning.
– “We feel like this is a crucial moment for us,” he said at the morning shootaround..
– He added, “This is a way where we can either go our separate ways or come together as a team and make something happen. I think as a collective, we’re all buying into coming together.”
– Jaquez said it was time to stop treading water at home.
– “This is something that everyone talks about,” he said, “and right now, I think it’s the most crucial moment when you talk about a team.”
– Spoelstra bypassed weekend practices to get his team refreshed after the five-game trip that ended with Friday night’s loss in Phoenix.
– “I think we all needed a couple of days to get geared up for this game,” he said.
– He added, “We felt like we were away for a decent amount of time. This is an opportunity for us to reset and just back after it.”
– Adebayo said moving forward without Butler meant no looking back.
– We don’t look at injuries as an excuse to dropping a game,” he said. “When you have that type of mindset, the doubt doesn’t creep into everybody’s mind.”
– The Heat entered with five consecutive home wins against the Rockets, tying the longest such streak against Houston in the Heat’s 36 seasons.
– The Heat also entered with six consecutive wins overall against the Rockets, two off the franchise record.
– On the day of college football’s national championship, Robinson entered wearing a “Michigan vs. Everybody” T-shirt.
Herro, Adebayo lead way as Heat again push through a Butler absence in 120-113 victory over Rockets
MIAMI — It was at Monday morning’s shootaround when center Bam Adebayo said among the reasons the Miami Heat have been able to withstand injury absences while still winning was the ability to count on contributions across the board.
So Monday night there again were no Jimmy Butler or Caleb Martin, but still enough to open a four-game homestand with a 120-113 victory over the Houston Rockets at Kaseya Center.
With Tyler Herro scoring 28 and with Adebayo going for 22 points and 12 rebounds, the Heat had enough to offset the 32 points of Fred VanVleet and 22 points and 11 rebounds of Alperen Sengun.
A primary factor in the success for Erik Spoelstra’s team was that it wasn’t just Adebayo and Herro.
“I thought we played really well just as far as sharing the ball,” Herro said.
So there also were 15 points and seven rebounds from Kevin Love, 14 points and a career-high seven assists from Duncan Robinson, as well as 14 points from Jaime Jaquez Jr. and 12 from Josh Richardson.
“Obviously Bam and Tyler led us tonight, but the X factors had major contributions,” Spoelstra said. “All those guys gave us really important moments to support Tyler and Bam.”
Adebayo agreed.
“It just shows we have depth,” Adebayo said of the Heat’s support system. “It just shows guys are on the same page, guys have the same mentality.”
The game ended with Heat point guard Kyle Lowry sidelined by what the team reported as a sprained left hand.
The homestand continues Wednesday night against the emerging Oklahoma City Thunder.
Five Degrees of Heat from Monday night’s game:
1. Closing time: The Heat led 34-27 after the first quarter, with it tied 59-59 at halftime. The Heat then went into the fourth up 91-82, after taking the game’s first double-digit lead in the third.
From there, the Heat went up 14 with 10:46 to play on a Jaquez 3-pointer and then 103-88 on a Robinson 3-pointer with 8:47 left.
A VanVleet 3-pointer with 4:20 remaining drew Houston within 110-101, with a Sengun basket cutting the Heat lead to 112-106 with 3:08 left.
But Herro immediately responded with a three-point play on the other end and later converted a 3-pointer with 1:39 left for a 118-108 Heat lead, effectively ending it.
“You’re looking at the time and score,” Herro said of his two deciding scoring plays, “and we didn’t want the comeback things that’s been going on, that went on.”
2. The Big Two: With Butler sitting for the eighth time in nine games, this time dealing with a toe injury, it again was a two-man game with the thrust of the Heat offense.
Herro stood with 22 points at the end of the third period, at a stage when no teammate had more than 14.
After a few rough shooting moments during the just-completed five-game trip, he stood 4 of 9 on 3-pointers after three quarters, with no teammate to that point with more than two.
Herro closed 10 of 20 from the field and 5 of 10 on 3-pointers.
Adebayo, who battled foul trouble, then came on late, the center of the Heat’s offense as Herro sat at the start of the fourth quarter. He closed 9 of 12 from the field.
“My teammates were looking for me in the second half,” Adebayo said. “Second half, you shake off the fouls and you go out there and perform.
“The biggest thing we got the W, protected home.”
3. One more time: Even with Haywood Highsmith available again for the Heat after missing three games in concussion protocol, Nikola Jovic made his fourth start in five games.
Jovic was active early and had to be, with Adebayo forced to the bench with his second foul with 7:07 left in the opening period.
That had Jovic playing the majority of his first-quarter minutes alongside Love, with Jovic with seven rebounds, four assists and two points in his initial 10:21 stint. Jovic closed with six points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 21:23.
“Niko in his minutes was really good,” Spoelstra said. “He’s very dynamic when you play him with Bam.”
Said Adebayo, “Niko is special in his own way.”
4. Highsmith returns: Highsmith was the last of the Heat’s five reserves to enter, just glad to be back in the mix.
“They were being cautious,” he said. “I didn’t really think I had a concussion. I had a little headache. I thought I could play, but they were just making sure.”
Spoelstra said he understood Highsmith being antsy.
“It’s good to have him back, based on what he had to go through,” Spoelstra said, “He was pretty frustrated by it, but it was the proper protocol.”
Highsmith played 15:47, closing with three points and three rebounds, closing 1 of 2 from the field.
“There’s not a (minutes) restriction,” Spoelstra said. “He gives us great versatility.”
5. Lowry leaves: Lowry went to the locker room holding his left hand, followed by the team orthopedist with 8:18 left in the third period.
Lowry appeared to be hurt while blocking a shot against former Raptors teammate VanVleet. He returned to the bench shortly after going to the locker room, but did not return to the game.
“When he ran off the court I was very concerned,” Spoelstra said. “The initial scan was clean. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
Lowry had been on the team’s injury report earlier in the day due to an illness.
Lowry had six points and one assist in 15 minutes when he went out.
Herro then took over at point guard at that stage.
The Heat are not currently with a backup point guard, with Dru Smith lost in November with a season-ending knee injury.
RJ Hampton, an option at point guard, missed Monday night’s game with a stomach illness.
Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith requested for head coach interview
Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith was expected to be a hot name in the 2024 NFL head coach hiring cycle, and Monday night, that idea came to fruition.
Smith was among nine candidates the Carolina Panthers announced Monday as requesting for permission to interview.
Smith is in his second season as Dolphins offensive coordinator. Miami, this season, finished the regular season No. 1 in total offense and No. 2 in scoring offense.
The play-calling duties for the Dolphins, however, lie on coach Mike McDaniel‘s shoulders in a similar setup to what McDaniel had in his lone year as an offensive coordinator, with the 2021 San Francisco 49ers, which had coach Kyle Shanahan call plays.
The other candidates named by Carolina were Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
Smith started earning national recognition as a possible head coaching candidate in late November. When it was mentioned to him that his name was floating around for the Panthers’ vacancy, he called it humbling.
“I remember why I got into coaching,” Smith said. “So when all this stuff comes up, it’s pretty cool. But the minute you worry about your goals and where you want to go, you forget, like for me, how lucky I am to be here today. So all that stuff’s cool, but I truly enjoy every day here and that’s the cool part. And it’s one of those where I’m a walk-on from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Every day of my life, I remember it. So those things are pretty cool.”
Smith and the Dolphins are preparing to travel to Kansas City for a Saturday night 8 p.m. kickoff in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Biden renominates Julie Su for labor secretary after Senate declined to confirm her for ten months
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House announced Monday that President Joe Biden has renominated Julie Su to serve as labor secretary as her confirmation has languished in the Senate for more than 10 months.
The decision to renominate Su, who has served as acting labor secretary since Marty Walsh vacated the role last February, was widely expected.
Su’s nomination cleared a key Senate committee in April, but with no Republicans on record supporting her, the Biden administration and her backers have scrambled to lock down 50 Democratic votes needed to confirm her. Wavering senators say that she had minimal experience in negotiations between workers and management, and point to perceptions that she’s anti-business.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., applauded Biden for sticking with Su and argued she’s more than proved her acumen since taking on the job in the acting role and earlier as deputy labor secretary earlier in the Democratic administration.
Su last year was involved in helping negotiate a labor deal between West Coast dockworkers. Su, a civil rights attorney and former head of California’s labor department, was also central to negotiations between labor and freight rail companies in 2022, working to avert an economically debilitating strike. She also has worked to broaden employee training programs and crack down on wage theft.
“Whether working to strengthen apprenticeship programs or helping to negotiate agreements in industries from rails to ports to auto companies, Julie Su is advancing workers’ rights and getting the job done,” Duckworth said in a statement.
‘King of the NRA’: Civil trial scrutinizes lavish spending by gun rights group’s longtime leader
By MICHAEL R. SISAK (Associated Press)
NEW YORK (AP) — The longtime head of National Rifle Association operated as the “King of the NRA,” spending lavishly on himself, punishing dissent and showering allies with country club memberships and no-show contracts, a lawyer for the New York attorney general’s office told jurors Monday.
Wayne LaPierre’s methods as the NRA’s executive vice president and chief executive officer allowed him to operate the powerful gun rights organization “as Wayne’s World for decades,” Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell argued in an opening statement in a civil trial scrutinizing his leadership and spending at the nonprofit.
LaPierre, who said Friday he is leaving the NRA after leading it since 1991, watched stoically from a seat along a courtroom wall as six jurors and six alternates were seated for the trial, which is expected to take six weeks. He moved to the front of the gallery as Connell spoke, her argument augmented by a slideshow showing the NRA’s leadership structure and expenses at issue in the case.
Connell said LaPierre charged the organization more than $11 million for private jet flights over the years and authorized $135 million in NRA contracts for a vendor whose owners provided him repeated access to a 108-foot (33-meter) yacht and free trips to the Bahamas, Greece, Dubai and India.
At the same time, LaPierre, 74, consolidated power and avoided scrutiny by hiring unqualified underlings who looked the other way, routing expenses through a vendor, doctoring invoices, and retaliating against board members and executives who questioned his spending, Connell said.
In one example, Connell said, the NRA’s former chief financial officer, Craig Spray, found himself unable to log into the organization’s computer system after he objected to LaPierre’s way of doing business. In a November 2020 email to organization brass, Spray took issue with the boss’ authoritarian rule, writing: “There are no ‘Wayne said’ approvals at the NRA.”
LaPierre kept quiet about gifts he received from vendors until the morning he testified in the NRA’s failed bankruptcy in Texas in 2021, Connell said. For years before that, she said, he’d been checking “no” on an internal disclosure form that asked if he’d received any gifts worth more than $300.
LaPierre’s actions and that of the “entrenched leadership” that enabled his alleged behavior “breached the trust” of the organization’s five million members, Connell said. Their conduct violated laws governing nonprofit charities and the organization’s internal policies governing travel, expenses, conflicts of interest and whistleblower protections, she said.
“They acted illegally over and over again for years,” Connell told jurors.
New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the NRA, LaPierre and three current or former executives in 2020, alleging they cost the organization tens of millions of dollars from questionable expenditures. In recent years, though, the organization has been beset by financial troubles, dwindling membership and infighting.
LaPierre is accused of setting himself up with a $17 million contract with the NRA if he were to exit the organization, and spending NRA money on travel consultants, luxury car services and five-star travel.
Defense lawyers are expected to give their opening statements Tuesday. LaPierre has defended himself in the past, testifying in another proceeding that his yacht trips were a “security retreat” because he was facing threats after mass shootings.
The other defendants, NRA general counsel John Frazer and retired CFO Wilson Phillips, have denied wrongdoing. Another ex-NRA executive turned whistleblower, Joshua Powell, settled with James’ office on Friday. He has agreed to testify at the trial, pay the NRA $100,000 and forgo further nonprofit involvement.
One private jet flight, from Washington, D.C. to Dallas, Texas, with a stop in Nebraska to pick up LaPierre’s niece, cost the NRA $59,000, Cornell said. Another, with a Nebraska pitstop on the way to Orlando, Florida, cost the organization $79,000, Cornell said. An NRA policy shown in court said the organization only reimburses for coach-class airline flights. A commercial flight on the same routes would’ve run no more than a few hundred dollars per person, listings show.
James, a Democrat, is the state’s chief law enforcement officer and has regulatory power over nonprofit organizations incorporated in the state, such as the NRA. James initially sought to shut the organization down, but a judge rejected that as a remedy.
Now, James is asking that LaPierre and the other defendants be ordered to pay the NRA back and that they be banned from serving in leadership positions of any charitable organizations conducting business in the state — such as accepting donations from New Yorkers or having state residents as members. That would effectively bar them from any NRA involvement.
The NRA trial is being held in the same Manhattan courtroom as former President Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial. Closing arguments in that case are scheduled for Thursday, forcing the NRA trial to relocate to a different courtroom for a few days.
LaPierre said he would resign at the end of the month. The NRA said he was exiting for health reasons. NRA lawyers argued in a court filing over the weekend that LaPierre’s departure is an example of “clear corrective action” taken by the organization, but state lawyers disputed that.
The NRA was chartered as a nonprofit in New York in 1871 by Union Army officers who wanted to improve marksmanship among soldiers after the Civil War. Some of the organization’s earliest meetings were at an armory about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) north of the courthouse where the trial is being held.
LaPierre is expected to testify, possibly as early as this week, along with one of his chief nemeses: former NRA board member and president Lt. Col. Oliver North.
A major signal of internal strife roiling the NRA burst onto the public scene in 2019, when North tried to oust LaPierre with damaging allegations about travel expenses and accusations that LaPierre had charged tens of thousands of dollars in wardrobe purchases to his expense account.
LaPierre complained that North had “started to interfere” with his leadership and, with allies among most of the organization’s 76 board members, won the struggle. North was ousted instead.
__
Associated Press reporter Lindsay Whitehurst in Washington, D.C. contributed to this report.
Gators will hire veteran Ron Roberts for defensive staff
GAINESVILLE — Florida is set to hire veteran coach Ron Roberts to help improve the Gators’ struggling defense, the Orlando Sentinel confirmed.
Roberts will serve as executive head coach for defense, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach while reuniting with Austin Armstrong, the team’s 30-year-old defensive coordinator.
Roberts’ hiring was first reported by On3.com’s Matt Zenitz.
The 56-year-old will complete Napier’s 10-assistant staff and fill the opening created when inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman left Dec. 21 to become Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator.
Florida coach Billy Napier shouts to players during a first-half timeout during the Gators’ 19-7 win against Charlotte on Sept. 23. (John Raoux/AP)Roberts worked with UF coach Billy Napier during his first two seasons at Louisiana (2018-19). The ’19 Ragin’ Cajuns allowed an average of 19.7 points, ranking 18th among 130 teams nationally.
Roberts spent 2023 as Auburn’s defensive coordinator after three seasons at Baylor under defensive-minded head coach Dave Aranda. The 2021 Bears led the Big 12 with 27 takeaways, including 19 interceptions, and 3 defensive touchdowns as the school won the conference title and beat Ole Miss 21-7 in the Sugar Bowl to finish 12-2.
In ’18 at Louisiana, Armstrong was a graduate assistant and considers Roberts one of the key influences during his young career.
Roberts called Armstrong “a rising star” during an interview with the Orlando Sentinel in July.
Gators defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong directs his players during the Gators’ 39-36 overtime loss to Arkansas on Nov. 4 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)The Gators rose to No. 10 nationally in total defense four games into Armstrong’s debut season but soon began to backtrack.
UF closed on a five-game losing streak as the defense yielded an average of 38.2 points. The Gators finished the season allowing 6.44 yards per play, 122nd of 133 teams, and 20 pass plays of 40 longer, more than any team but UNLV.
The Gators forced just 7 turnovers, more than only Temple, while their 22 sacks ranked 101st.
Two days after a 24-15 season-ending loss to unbeaten Florida State, UF parted ways with secondary coach Corey Raymond and defensive coach Sean Spencer. Napier hired Will Harris to replace Raymond and Gerald Chatman to replace Spencer.
Bateman’s sudden departure cleared the way for Roberts’ hiring.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Game time, date for Dolphins’ playoff game at Chiefs; plus Miami injury updates
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins will have a quick turnaround to the playoffs, playing Saturday of the NFL’s wild card weekend.
With Miami’s loss to the Bills Sunday night dropping the team to No. 6 in the AFC, the Dolphins will travel to Kansas City for a Saturday night 8 p.m. kickoff against the Chiefs. The game will air locally on NBC6, but will only be available nationally on NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service.
After beating the Dolphins to win the AFC East for the fourth consecutive season and clinching the No. 2 seed in the AFC, the Bills will host the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday at 1 p.m.
The other NFL playoff matchups are Cleveland at Houston at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Green Bay at Dallas at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Sunday at 8 p.m. and Philadelphia at Tampa Bay at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15.
Injury updatesThe Dolphins suffered more attrition to edge defenders in Sunday night’s loss to the Bills.
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel suffered a foot injury in the second half that had him exit early.
Van Ginkel went straight to the locker room instead of the injury tent on the sideline upon suffering the ailment. Originally deemed questionable to return, he was ruled out by the team shortly thereafter.
Van Ginkel was already replacing injured starter Jaelan Phillips, who tore his Achilles in late November. Opposite him, the Dolphins went to a rotation that involved Melvin Ingram, Emmanuel Ogbah and Cameron Goode for the post usually held by Bradley Chubb, who tore his ACL last week at Baltimore.
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Goode, also a key player on special teams, suffered a knee injury on the key Deonte Harty punt return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter that swung momentum the Bills’ way.
“It doesn’t appear promising,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of Goode’s knee, while stating he needed more information Monday on Van Ginkel.
“There’s definitely nobody in the locker room or on the other side of the ball that’s blinking,” said McDaniel of the attrition on the edge. “I don’t think people use that as an excuse toward their confidence. There are just different things you can feature. So it’ll be a challenge, but that is what the National Football League is. It’s a challenge.”
The Dolphins will now likely start Ingram and Ogbah opposite each other if Van Ginkel can’t play at Kansas City. Ingram can be elevated from the practice squad or be granted an active roster spot. Miami also has outside linebacker Quinton Bell on the practice squad. The team can circle back to veteran Jason Pierre-Paul, whom the Dolphins signed earlier this season but waived Dec. 19, or find another available free agent.
“It’s tough for a certain position to have a couple guys go down,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. “It’s tough, but no one is going to feel sorry for us.”
Meanwhile, Dolphins safety Jevon Holland was on a limited snap count in his second game back from MCL sprains to both knees. McDaniel said Holland was “battling” Sunday night, but he wasn’t aware of any setbacks necessarily.
Fellow safety DeShon Elliott hurt a calf in pregame warmups but muscled through the game, even intercepting a pass.
There’s good news on wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Raheem Mostert, with McDaniel saying he’s optimistic about their status for Saturday at the Chiefs after they each missed the regular-season finale and the previous week’s loss to the Ravens.
“They were pretty close, but both situations actually that would be very, very vulnerable to that being their last game if they would’ve played as vulnerable as they could have played for how long and what setbacks could incur,” McDaniel said.
This story will be updated.
20 helpful items to pack along with your ski gear this winter
Which ski gear items are best?
Ski trips can be some of the most fun you can have during the winter months, but they require plenty of equipment. Longtime skiers typically have and use their own gear rather than relying on rentals, but even long-timers can still learn new tricks. Namely, what kinds of useful extras they can pack with them on their next journey. Some you may need to make room for such as heated blankets, but others, such as hand warmers, can slip in easily.
Extras to packThere are all kinds of extras you can bring with you on a ski trip, from the inconsequential to items you’ll never be able to go without once you use them for the first time. Some of the best ones are:
Best hand warmersThis rechargeable warmer comes in several battery types that can provide heat for a varying number of hours. It also has three levels of heating so you don’t burn more battery than you need.
This rechargeable warmer has an eight- to 15-hour battery life and can fully charge in 3.5 hours. It comes in five colors and the gray one can be bought alone or as a pair.
This rechargeable hand warmer comes in five cute designs such as stripes or polygons. It also has a wrist strap so you won’t drop it while your fingers are still too cold to feel.
This refillable warmer can provide heat temperatures of 120 to 160 degrees for an entire day when fully reloaded. It has a butterfly design and comes with a storage bag.
The king of refillable lighters also offers a refillable hand warmer, and it’s just as high-quality. It can last for 12 hours on a full load and it comes in four designs, including a Harley-Davidson-branded one.
Best heated blanketsThis blanket measures 50 by 62 inches and comes in three colors. It has three heating levels and a two-hour automatic shut-off function for safety, plus a five-year limited warranty.
This blanket uses a USB plug to power it, meaning you can have heating anywhere as long as you have a charged-up power bank. It has three heat levels.
[ Perfect Fit Heated Blanket ]
This blanket comes in several sizes that match the size of your bed, or at least the bed in your cabin. It also comes in four colors and has a 10-hour automatic shut-off function.
Sitting in your cold car to and from the slopes can be miserable, but this blanket aims to fix that by running off your car’s battery. It measures 43 by 59 inches.
[ Westinghouse Heated Blanket ]
This blanket is packed with settings such as a multi-hour automatic shut-off and six heating levels so you can be at your most comfortable. It comes in five sizes and five colors.
Best robesThis plush robe is perfect for lounging in the cabin after a long day skiing. It even has a hood to keep your ears and neck warm. It comes in four sizes and 12 styles.
This robe should, when properly fitted, extend down to your ankles to keep your entire body warm from the neck down. It comes in two sizes and seven styles.
This robe has a pocket on both sides to keep a hold of your phone and other small items. It’s machine-washable, one-size-fits-all and comes in 15 styles.
This robe is thick and warm and has a little loop inside the collar, so you can easily hang it on a peg. It comes in six sizes and 51 styles, some of which include a hood.
The loops that hold the waistband on this robe are flexible, meaning you can sling the belt higher or lower on your body. It comes in seven sizes and six styles.
Best mug warmersThis warmer can go up to 131 degrees and is weight activated, so there’s no risk of you forgetting to turn it off. It comes in five colors.
This warmer is one of the precious few that let you choose your warming temperature, and it can be anywhere between 77 and 194 degrees. It has a gravity sensor that you can turn off.
[ Misby Mug Warmer ]
This warmer has a smooth, flat surface that’s easy to wipe clean if there are any spills and allows extra-large mugs to still be warmed. It comes in five colors.
This warmer has an on-and-off switch, which is unusual for mug warmers. However, it lets you pre-warm it while you prepare your drink of choice; others don’t start to warm up until you place your drink on it.
This warmer has three heat levels: 104, 131 and 149 degrees. It comes in eight styles, and its power cord is 60 inches long.
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Dressing up for a big event in 2024? Look high fashion with these affordable looks
You don’t have to spend much money to put together a stylish look for your special occasions
Finding the perfect outfit for a wedding, party or other special event is always a little daunting. You want to look good and feel comfortable enough to enjoy the celebration, which often seems impossible. And if you’re on a budget, shopping for an outfit that will get you noticed is even harder.
But if you have a big event this year, there’s no need to fret. Check out these chic, stylish looks that will help you stand out without breaking the bank.
Best affordable special occasion dresses[ R&M Richards Short Dress with Rhinestone Straps ]
This sophisticated cocktail dress features an off-the-shoulder style and asymmetrical design that makes it look more expensive than it is. It’s made of a soft jersey material that contains some spandex, letting you move easily and dance the night away. The sparkling rhinestone strap eliminates the need for much jewelry, too.
[ Ezbelle Off The Shoulder Short Sleeve Body Con Midi Dress ]
This sexy off-the-shoulder dress features a midi-length hem that’s ideal for many occasions. It’s made of a soft polyester blend with a ribbed knit, so it’s comfortable enough to wear all night. It also comes in 30 colors and patterns, including classic black.
[ 24seven Comfort Appeal Sleeveless Fit and Flare High Low Dress ]
With a sleeveless design and flattering V-neck, this fit-and-flare dress will get you noticed at plenty of special events. It has a striking high-low hem and pleating at the waist that provides a comfortable fit. The polyester/spandex fabric is also machine washable. Best of all, it has convenient side pockets for your essentials.
Best affordable special occasion suits[ WULFUL Men’s Slim Fit 3-Piece Suit ]
This three-piece suit includes a jacket, vest and pants for a sharp, sleek look that’s perfect for weddings, parties and more. It has a slim fit that gives it a modern feel and comes in over 30 colors and patterns, including black. Its cotton polyester blend is also breathable and comfortable for year-round wear.
This fully lined suit has a tailored cut that drapes well to flatter many body types. The blazer has classic notch lapels and a slight taper at the waist with a one-button closure. In addition to a vest and pants, the suit includes a tie in a random color if you need help finishing your look. It comes in 17 colors, including many bright options like pink, purple and yellow.
Best affordable special occasion tops[ JASAMBAC Sparkle Sequin Top ]
Ensure all eyes are on you with this sparkling sequin top. It has three-quarter sleeves with a cold shoulder design to expose just a bit of skin. The loose elastic waist helps it blouse a bit at the bottom to give it a flattering fit. It’s also fully lined with mesh to keep you comfortable all night. You can choose from 45 colors, including gold and silver.
[ COOFANDY Men’s Floral Tuxedo Jacket ]
This striking tuxedo jacket features a classic shawl lapel and single-breasted one-button closure, providing a chic, polished look. The jacquard floral pattern gives the jacket some shine, though, and guarantees you’ll stand out at your big event. It’s made of lightweight polyester that breathes well, so you’re comfortable all night.
Best affordable special occasion bottoms[ Dirholl A-Line Fairy Tulle Midi Skirt ]
This lovely tulle skirt has an A-line cut that’s perfect for spinning around the dance floor at parties. The multiple layers are made of breathable material and have a lining to reduce show-through. The skirt also features a pull-on elastic waist that’s comfortable and easy to get on and off. It comes in 26 designs, including solid colors and embossed patterns.
[ Allegra K Women’s Drawstring Satin Joggers ]
Look super chic and modern at special events in these satin jogger-style pants. They have a relaxed fit that makes them comfortable enough to party in all night, but they still have a tailored look that makes them ideal for dressing up. They come in 19 colors, including basic black, and even have side pockets.
[ PrettyGuide Sequin High Waist Pencil Skirt ]
This attention-grabbing pencil skirt is covered all over with sparkling sequins. It has a back closure with a concealed zipper and a knee-length hem that flatters all body types. The waist is elastic to ensure a comfortable fit, too. You can choose from 20 colors.
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Dave Hyde and Chris Perkins break down Miami Dolphins’ disappointing loss to the Buffalo Bills | VIDEO
In this video, the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Dave Hyde and Chris Perkins discuss the Miami Dolphins’ discouraging loss to the Buffalo Bills in a game where the AFC East division title and the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs where on the line.
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MIAMI GARDENS — The AFC East title was on the line Sunday night when the Buffalo Bills visited the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
The injury-shortened Dolphins put up a decent fight but it wasn’t their night and they lost, 21-14, marking their first back-to-back losses of the season, and their 13th loss to Buffalo in their past 15 games.
Miami’s offense only managed two touchdowns, continuing a disturbing trend against quality opponents.
Miami now faces the daunting task of going to Kansas City on Saturday night for a first-round playoff game. The Dolphins lost to the Chiefs, 21-14, in Germany earlier this season.
But before looking ahead, here are more top takeaways from Sunday:
Waddle, Howard seen on sidelineWide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and cornerback Xavien Howard (foot) were both seen on the bench Sunday night. Waddle, who at one point was jokingly popping a towel on the backside of a team trainer with a towel, wasn’t wearing any type of supportive device on his injured left ankle. Howard was wearing a walking boot on his injured left foot.
The hope is that both players will be back for next Saturday’s playoff game. — Chris Perkins
Baker, Holland have reduced defensive rolesLinebacker Jerome Baker (knee) and safety Jevon Holland (knees) had reduced roles in the defense Sunday. Baker, making his first appearance after spending the last four games on injured reserve, wore a big brace on his right knee. He had a huge hit on Bills running back Ty Johnson on the final play of the first half to keep him out of the end zone.
Duke Riley again started in Baker’s place.
Holland, who was downgraded to questionable on Saturday, played sparingly as Brandon Jones started in his place.
The hope is Baker and Holland will be able to play more snaps next Saturday against the Chiefs.
Injuries get worse among pass rushersLinebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (6.0 sacks) sustained a foot injury in the third quarter and didn’t return, further weakening Miami’s pass rush, which was already without Bradley Chubb (knee/11.0 sacks) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles/6.5 sacks).
There’s no word yet on Van Ginkel’s availability for next weekend.
Melvin Ingram and Emmanuel Ogbah picked up the pass-rushing slack but if Van Ginkel is out the Dolphins would likely have to sign a pass rusher.
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Neither team did much damage with big plays on offense, which was a surprise considering Miami has electric guys such as wide receiver Tyreek Hill, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and running back De’Von Achane, and Buffalo has wide receiver Stefon Diggs and quarterback Josh Allen.
Achane had a 25-yard run, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. had a 24-yard reception, and Hill had a 23-yard reception.
For Buffalo, wide receiver Khalil Shakir had receptions of 46 and 28 yards, Diggs had a 36-yard reception and tight end Dalton Kincaid had a 29-yard reception. None of those plays went for touchdowns.
Defense, special teams light up the nightWhile neither offense did much in the way of big plays both defenses had interceptions and Buffalo’s special teams had a 96-yard punt return touchdown by Deonte Hardy.
Cornerback Eli Apple and safety DeShon Elliott had interceptions in the end zone for Miami while Buffalo cornerback Christian Benford had an interception.
Allen also lost a fumble on a strip-sack by Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.
Bills ain’t scared of Miami defenseBuffalo, protecting a 21-14 lead with 4:05 left, faced a fourth-and-1 at the Miami 35-yard line. The Bills went for it and converted as Allen went over the top for a two-yard gain.
Buffalo had its mojo working at that point, having scored 14 fourth-quarter points on a 96-yard punt return and an eight-play, 74-yard touchdown drive to take the 21-14 lead.
The first down conversion was a key play in Buffalo’s ability to secure the win.
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Allen, who had a key 15-yard run on third-and-13 in the fourth quarter while the Bills were protecting a 21-14 lead, made key plays down the stretch.
He ended 29 of 37 for 350 yards passing, two touchdowns, two interceptions and a 101.6 passer rating.
Allen had 68 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Allen entered the game with a 10-2 record against Miami, including playoffs.
Allen threw two interceptions in the end zone in the first half, the first by Apple on what appeared to be a miscommunication between quarterback and receiver, and the second by Elliott when the receiver fell down.
Allen’s first touchdown pass was a deflected pass off linebacker Van Ginkel and high into the air in the end zone where Bills wide receiver Trent Sherfield, the former Dolphins, grabbed the ball near the back of the end zone and kept both feet inbounds.
Dolphins end 1-5 vs. teams with winning recordsThe Dolphins ended the regular season 1-5 against teams with a winning record.
Miami defeated Dallas and lost to Buffalo, Philadelphia, Kansas City and Baltimore.
Tua’s night was uglyQuarterback Tua Tagovaila ended 17-of-27 passing for 173 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and a 62.7 passer rating. Tagovailoa was outdueled by Allen once again.
Tagovailoa ended the regular season as the passing leader with 4,624 yards.
Tagovailoa began the game with a 1-5 record vs. Buffalo.
Tyreek 2K derailedHill ended as the league leader in receiving yards with 1,792 yards, far short of his personal goal of a NFL-record 2,000 yards.
Hill, who has been slowed by a left ankle injury since the Tennessee game, began the game with 1,717 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. But in the past few games we’ve seen Hill going to the ground immediately after a catch instead of trying to get yards after catch. We’ve also seen him pound the ground with his fist in pain after tackles, and we’ve seen him limp to the sideline after being tackled.
Dolphins grabbed a superfecta no team wantsDolphins this year have allowed a 63-yard fumble-return touchdown, a 96-yard punt-return TD, a 99-yard kickoff-return score and a 102-yard pick-six. — Steve Svekis
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NFL showed itself to care about its fans even less than its usual minimal standardWith Kansas City, forecast to have single-digit night-time temperatures (before accounting for wind chill) on Saturday night, the NFL, instead of putting that game into its one 1 p.m. slot on Sunday, or even one of the three 4:30s, put it at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Simply reckless. Drunk with power.
Dolphins’ wild coin-flip narrative maintained itselfA fascinating dichotomy continued Sunday night. The Dolphins under Mike McDaniel have won 19 of their 22 pregame coin tosses before December. However, on Sunday, they lost their ninth toss in 13 games played in December or January.
The storied playoff history between the Chiefs and DolphinsThis will be the fourth postseason game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dolphins, with each of the three previous having a major headline attached to it. The first matchup was in Missouri on Christmas Day in 1971. With 1:36 left in regulation, Bob Griese found Marv Fleming with a 5-yard touchdown pass. Garo Yepremian’s extra point made it 24-24. With 35 seconds left, Chiefs star kicker Jan Stenerud was wide right from 42 yards out. Miami dodged another bullet on the first possession of overtime (when a field goal could send a team home without possessing the ball in OT) when Nick Buoniconti blocked a 52-yard attempt by Stenerud. In a second overtime, Yepremian ended it, and Miami was on its way to its first Super Bowl. …
In January of 1991, the Dolphins trailed 16-3 when Dan Marino caught fire, the key throw a laser to the right flat that Chiefs All-Pro cornerback Albert Lewis thought he had intercepted for a 88-yard clinching pick-six. Instead, the howitzer made it all the way to Mark Clayton who danced into the end zone for the 12-yard go-ahead touchdown with 3:28 left. Down 17-16, the Chiefs’ Nick Lowery was just short on a winning 52-yard field goal attempt. …
Then, after the 1994 regular season, the Dolphins topped the Chiefs in Miami Gardens in what was Joe Montana’s final game in the NFL.
Dolphins’ kickoff coverage has sagged in the McDaniel eraThe punt return disaster will get the headlines Sunday night, but it pointed in the general direction of another Dolphins special teams woe. The one aspect of the Dolphins that has crashed the past two seasons has been their kickoff return coverage unit. Heading into the regular-season finale against Buffalo, Miami was worst in the NFL with an average opponent kickoff return of 30.5 yards. That follows a 2022 where Miami also ranked 32nd with 27.8 yards per kickoff return allowed. Those rankings are a free fall from the 2020 season’s NFL-best 15.7-yard average allowed by Miami. In 2021, the Dolphins ranked 11th at 20.7 yards.
Dolphins would be beating back a lot of history to win the Super Bowl this seasonWith the Dolphins’ humiliation in Baltimore, it got me wondering whether a team had ever lost a game by as many as 37 points and won the Lombardi. Secondarily, has any Super Bowl champ ever had three losses by at least 17 points in that title year.
Here is the list of the biggest loss by each Super Bowl champ with, if applicable, the number of 17-plus-point losses that season in parentheses. The answer is no in both cases. The biggest rout that a Super Bowl champ has taken was a 35-point pounding absorbed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 (38-3 against the Saints). The most 17-plus-point defeats for a Lombardi winner were two, from six teams (1970 Baltimore Colts, 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1988 San Francisco 49ers, 2007 New York Giants, 2012 Baltimore Ravens and 2021 Los Angeles Rams).
The final 2024 opponents are setThe Dolphins, shockingly the AFC East runners-up, will play these teams next season (apart from the home-and-home series against the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and New England Patriots): Home — Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders (second in the AFC West). Away — Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns (second in the AFC North), Green Bay Packers (second in the NFC North).
Ogbah’s inability to bring down Josh Allen unfortunately continuedEntering Sunday night Emmanuel Ogbah had one sack in 288 career snaps against the Josh Allen Bills, and he didn’t get to him in the finale.
Dolphins’ big plays dried up after Week 6The Dolphins started on an amazing streak of games to start the season with at least one play of 40 yards, hitting that number in each of the first six games, piling up 14 of them in that span (at Chargers: one; at Patriots: one; Broncos: five; at Bills: one; Giants: three; Panthers: three). From Week 7 onward, however, those plays dried up, with the Dolphins registering only a half-dozen 40-yarders in the final 11 games.
On deck: Kansas City Chiefs (wild-card playoff), Arrowhead Stadium, TBAAnother nightmare after Thanksgiving for the Dolphins looms as Miami gave away what had looked like a near-certain AFC East title and two possible home playoff games. Now, the Dolphins will be headed to what is forecast to be the coldest playoff game in franchise history. The most frigid temperature the Dolphins have endured in a postseason game was the 17 degrees at kickoff in Pittsburgh after the 2016 regular season. As of 11:30 p.m. Sunday, the forecast in Kansas City for Saturday night is 0 degrees.
Hyde10: Offense disappears, special-teams gaffe, Chiefs waiting — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ 21-14 loss to Bills
The Buffalo Bills took the AFC East title and No. 2 playoff seed, and the Miami Dolphins will have to try to find their offense before next Saturday in Kansas City.
Here are 10 thoughts on the Dolphins’ 21-14 loss to the Bills in the regular-season finale at Hard Rock Stadium:
1. Play of the Game: Buffalo’s Deonte Harty catches the punt at the 4-yard line, darts up the middle and 96 yards later ties the game at 14-14 early in the fourth quarter. The 5-foot-6 Harty shouldn’t have caught the punt that close to the Bills end zone, but more than made up for it with a play that negated a game’s worth of big defensive plays that frustrated Buffalo and injected momentum into the Bills sideline. To add to the play’s pain, the Dolphins lost their second edge rusher on the night when Cameron Goode had to be carted off the field.
2. The Dolphins are the AFC’s sixth seed and open the playoffs in Kansas City for an 8 p.m. game on Saturday night. Win there, and they’d play at Baltimore in the second round. See how much this loss meant? With a win they would have got a rematch against Buffalo in Hard Rock Stadium and the chance for two games at home (three, if Baltimore would lose). Throw in the loss of the AFC East title and this was as expensive as a loss can be.
3. The Dolphins offense went dead in the second half. Look how the possessions went: Three-and-out punt, one-first-down-and-punt, three-and-out-punt, three-and-out punt and interceptions. So after scoring 14 points and gaining 218 yards with 13 first downs in the first half, the offense was shut down by Buffalo’s fourth-ranked defense. Buffalo brought another defender into the box and went single-high-safety, a look that would play into the Dolphins passing game. But they couldn’t pass. Even when the defense got the ball back with 1:53 left at the Dolphins 37, they couldn’t get closed than the Bills’ 40 before Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw a bad interception, his second of the night. The Dolphins had 57 yards and those three first downs in the second half.
4. Play of the Game That Wasn’t: Jerome Baker stopped Buffalo’s Ty Johnson at the 1-yard as time ran out in the first half. Buffalo had no time-outs and the ball at the Dolphins’ 11-yard line with 11 seconds left in the half. Throw in the end zone and, at worst, take a field goal? Bills quarterback Josh Allen gambled with a pass over the middle to Johnson, who cut upfield to the end zone where Baker made a big stop to keep the Dolphins 14-7 lead at half.
5. The Dolphins defense gave every chance to win this game. Just look at this stat: It had three takeaways from Allen in Dolphins territory. For a player who has a 10-2 record and 109.0 career quarterback rating against the Dolphins, Sunday night was the Dolphins’ night. Allen’s opening drive went to the Dolphins 3, where Eli Apple intercepted him. On the second drive, Allen missed a wide-open Stefon Diggs for a touchdown and then threw a Hail-Mary on fourth down from the Dolphins’ 35. DeShon Elliott intercepted it in the end zone. Then, from the Dolphins 21-yard line late in the third quarter, Christian Wilkins hit the trifecta — a sack of Allen, forced fumble and fumble recovery. The game-winning score came on a 5-yard pass from Allen to Dawson Knox in the fourth quarter after a 74-yard drive. But this defense played its butts off all night despite …
6. When Andrew Van Ginkel limped off the field with a foot injury in the third quarter, the question was where this team could find an edge pass rush. Melvin Ingram provided an answer a few plays later with a sack of Allen as part of a full blitz. But moving ahead this is a real concern for a defense that already had lost Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb for the season. Emmanuel Ogbah and Goode alternated on Sunday night. The question becomes how serious.
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7. Call of the Night: Fourth-and-inches from the Buffalo 35-yard line with 4 minutes to go. Does Buffalo punt? Nope, Bills coach Sean McDermott goes for it and when you have 6-foot-5, 225-pound Allen at QB it’s not a bad call. He bulldozed ahead for 2 yards and Buffalo proceeded to run down the clock until turning the ball over on downs with 1:53 left.
8. For most of the past two decades, the draft order was the prime story out of the last day of the regular season. Now it’s barely a mention. As things stand, the NFL draft kicks off with: 1. Carolina (picks goes to Chicago due to previous trade); 2. Washington; 3. New England. Yep, the Patriots sit third as they look for a quarterback. The New York Jets are 10th. The Dolphins entered Sunday night picking 29th while Buffalo was picking 24th.
9. Quick Hits:
* Quote of the night: “Bills mafia has taken over South Florida. All that noise? Bills fans” – NBC’s Mike Tirico on the opening shot of Hard Rock Stadium;
* Tyreek Hill’s second-quarter TD tied him with Mike Evans for the NFL lead for receiving TDs;
* Safety Jevon Holland was on a snap count after being downgraded to questionable on Saturday (knees). For instance, he wasn’t on the field for Buffalo’s scoring drive to end the half.
10. Next Game: Saturday night at Kansas City. The weather forecast for next Saturday calls for a low of zero degrees and high of 14. Expect it to be the low for an 8 p.m. game. The Dolphins were beaten by the Chiefs in Germany, 21-14, in November. There will be side stories like Hill returning to Kansas City and the constant Taylor Swift Watch. But this is a game the Dolphins need to win to make it a good season.
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MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins missed out on a chance at their first AFC East title in 15 years and to be at home for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs.
The Dolphins offense came up empty in the second half against the Bills, and two fourth-quarter touchdowns led Buffalo to a 21-14 win Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami, which held a three-game lead in the division with five weeks remaining in the regular season, ends with an equal 11-6 record to the Bills. Since Buffalo swept the season series, it wins the tiebreaker.
The Bills won the division for the fourth consecutive season. They get the No. 2 seed in the AFC and host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins drop all the way to No. 6 in the conference, and that means a trip to frigid Kansas City for a date with the defending Super Bowl-champion Chiefs in the wild-card round. Kickoff from Arrowhead Stadium will be at 8 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s very frustrating to all parties involved that care about the Dolphins, whether you’re a Dolphins player, support staff, coaches, fans,” coach Mike McDaniel said as Miami finished with three losses in its past five games. “But the season hasn’t ended. Right now, we’re 100 percent moving forward to the next game, which we did earn.”
The Dolphins are spending little time sulking, and they have little time before the playoffs. After Sunday night’s late finish, they prepare for a short week with travel to Kansas City leading them to a Saturday night wild-card game.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen showed his worst early and best late. He took over the game toward the end and finished 30 of 38 for 359 yards, two touchdowns and 69 huge rushing yards. His negative actions also kept Miami in the game, with two interceptions and a fumble lost.
Behind Allen and his knack for sustaining drives, Miami was outgained, 473-275, while losing time of possession, 38:07-21:53.
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“I think he made his money on keeping the offense out on the field and earning long drives with some third-down plays,” McDaniel said. “There are not many people that do some of the things he does. He played like he usually plays.”
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was intercepted by Bills safety Taylor Rapp on Miami’s final chance. It was one of two interceptions for him, as he finished 17 of 27 for 173 yards.
“Any time we lose it’s never a good feeling,” Tagovailoa said. “The stakes are high every time we play, so we understand what was at stake tonight and we just didn’t come through and it started with me.”
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, in a tumultuous week where his home caught fire, finished with seven receptions for 82 yards and caught Tagovailoa’s touchdown pass.
Running back De’Von Achane had a 25-yard rushing touchdown among his 56 rushing yards. He and Jeff Wilson Jr. combined for 101 rushing yards, but 94 of those came in the first half. The Bills devoted an extra defender in the box in the second half, and with the run game neutralized, Miami had three three-and-outs in the second half. The team finished 4 of 10 on third downs.
The Dolphins led by a score to start the fourth quarter, but punt returner Deonte Harty’s 96-yard touchdown after fielding a punt at his own 4-yard line turned momentum Buffalo’s way.
“That was a huge momentum swing that hurt us,” McDaniel said. “Points were at premium at that point in the game, so it was a gut punch for sure.”
As Miami went three-and-out on three of its first four drives of the second half with just one first down on those series, the Bills then scored again to take the lead. They went 74 yards in eight plays, capping the drive with a 5-yard touchdown from Allen to tight end Dawson Knox.
“Just weren’t able to get first downs and sustain drives to get more plays, more reps, more opportunities,” Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead said.
Protecting the 21-14 advantage deep into the fourth quarter, Bills coach Sean McDermott opted to sneak Allen up the middle to convert a fourth-and-1 from Buffalo’s own 35-yard line and run more clock. Allen then rumbled to scramble for a first down on third-and-13 to further extend the drive, but Miami got the ball back with 1:53 remaining at its own 37-yard line needing a touchdown as Tagovailoa threw the final interception looking for wide receiver Chase Claypool in double coverage.
“They played two-man. Tried to anticipate the throw and throw and that was the result,” Tagovailoa said.
Miami took the 14-7 lead with 1:43 left in the first half as Tagovailoa found Hill at the pylon, winning on a simple out move against Bills cornerback Christian Benford.
The Bills were driving to finish the first half, but like the way their 2022 visit to Hard Rock Stadium ended, they ran out of time with an Allen passing to running back Ty Johnson in the middle of the field. He was stopped cold by linebacker Jerome Baker at the 1-yard line, and Buffalo had no timeouts to stop the clock.
The Bills were on the move again later in the third quarter, but defensive tackle Christian Wilkins had an impressive strip-sack on Allen where he came up with the football in one motion.
Buffalo had drives of 6:45, 5:04 and 7:30 that came up empty Sunday, plus the missed attempt right before half.
The Dolphins struck first after a scoreless opening period. Achane took a pitch to the right, cut upfield off a seal block by tight end Durham Smythe and juked safety Jordan Poyer as Armstead was up the field for the last block he needed for a 25-yard touchdown.
The Bills answered later in the second quarter. An Allen pass that was tipped by the goal line by outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel ended up in the hands of Trent Sherfield, a Dolphin last season, in the back of the end zone.
The Bills’ first two drives ended in Allen interceptions in the end zone, although they were very different from one another.
His first interception spoiled a 12-play, 79-yard drive where there appeared to be a miscommunication on a route between he and wide receiver Gabe Davis. It resulted in Allen throwing a pass right to cornerback Eli Apple, who dove for it in the end zone and decided to take it out of the end zone when he had better field position accepting the touchback.
On Buffalo’s second series, Allen threw to the end zone on a fourth-and-2 at the Miami 35-yard line, and safety DeShon Elliott, playing through a calf injury sustained in pregame warmups intercepted it in the end zone. The Dolphins sacrificed field position there, too, 15 yards by not knocking down the fourth-down pass.
Miami’s first possession also resulted in an interception. Tagovailoa took a deep shot on third-and-7 near midfield, and Benford came over from the other side of the field to pick it off, working similar to a punt for the Dolphins.
The Dolphins, already thin on the edge, lost Van Ginkel during the game to a foot injury. Cameron Goode, another outside linebacker, exited on the Harty punt return touchdown to a knee injury.
That left Miami, with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips out for season, with Melvin Ingram and Emmanuel Ogbah as edge rushers for the remainder of the game. Ingram had a sack on Allen earlier in the game and split another sack with defensive tackle Zach Sieler.
Instant Analysis: Buffalo Bills 21, Miami Dolphins 14
Quick thoughts from South Florida Sun Sentinel staffers on the Miami Dolphins’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in the regular-season finale on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium:
Chris Perkins, Dolphins ColumnistThe Dolphins offense didn’t show up again, producing just two touchdowns. But that’s no surprise. It rarely shows up in big games. The backbreaker on Sunday though was the 96-yard punt return touchdown. Now Miami goes to Kansas City, where it’ll have a tough time winning. Sheesh.
David Furones, Dolphins WriterOffense completely absent in second half with three three-and-outs while Bills built momentum. Punt return touchdown was the backbreaker. Dolphins also face a lot of injury concerns on the edge with Andrew Van Ginkel and Cameron Goode going down. It will be tough to win in cold Kansas City.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports EditorA huge special-teams breakdown and a bunch of questions about their quarterback leave the Dolphins, almost inconceivably, as the sixth seed, off to play in the coldest playoff game in franchise history.
Steve Svekis, Sports Senior Content EditorThe Dolphins, as spirited as they played Sunday night, still end up with another end-of-regular-season collapse, going 2-3 to close it out, and now go to Kansas City to play in near-zero night-time temperatures. Two straight 8-3 starts that have fallen apart.
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By Jake Coyle, Associated Press
Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic “Oppenheimer” dominated the 81st Golden Globes, winning five awards including best drama, while Yorgos Lanthimos’ Frankenstein riff “Poor Things” pulled off an upset victor over “Barbie” to triumph in the best comedy or musical category.
If awards season has been building toward a second match-up of Barbenheimer, this round went to “Oppenheimer.” The film also won best director for Nolan, best drama actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and for Ludwig Göransson’s score.
“I don’t think it was a no-brainer by any stretch of the imagination to make a three-hour talky movie — R-rated by the way — about one of the darkest developments in our history,” said producer Emma Thomas accepting the night’s final award and thanking Universal chief Donna Langley.
Along with best comedy or musical, “Poor Things” also won for Emma Stone’s performance as Bella, a Victorian woman experiencing a surreal life and sexual awakening.
“I see this as a rom-com,” said Stone. “But in the sense that Bella falls in love with life itself, rather than a person. She accepts the good and the bad in equal measure, and that really made me look at life differently.”
Tom Benitez / Orlando SentinelThis image released by CBS shows Emma Stone accepting the award for best female actor in a motion picture for her role in “Poor Things” during the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Sonja Flemming/CBS via AP)Lily Gladstone won best actress in a dramatic film for Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Gladstone, who began her speech speaking the language of her native tribe, Blackfeet Nation, is the first Indigenous winner in the category.
“This is a historic win,” said Gladstone. “It doesn’t just belong to me.”
The Globes were in their 81st year but facing a new and uncertain chapter. After a tumultuous few years and heaps of scandals, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association was dissolved, leaving a new Globes, on a new network (CBS), to try to regain its perch as the third biggest award show of the year, after the Oscars and Grammys. Even the menu (sushi from Nobu) was flipped.
“Golden Globes journalists, thank you for changing your game, therefore changing your name,” said Downey in his acceptance speech.
It got off to a rocky start. Host Jo Koy took the stage at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom in Beverly Hills, California . The Filipino American stand-up hit on some expected topics: Ozempic, Meryl Streep’s knack for winning awards and the long-running “Oppenheimer.” (“I needed another hour.”)
After one joke flubbed, Koy, who was named host after some bigger names reportedly passed, also noted how fast he was thrust into the job.
“Yo, I got the gig 10 days ago. You want a perfect monologue?” said Koy. “I wrote some of these and they’re the ones you’re laughing at.”
HI, BARBIEDowney’s win, his third Globe, denied one to Kenergy. Ryan Gosling had been seen as his stiffest competition, just one of the many head-to-head contests between “Oppenheimer” and Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” The filmmakers faced each other in the best director category, where Nolan triumphed.
It was two hours before “Barbie,” the year’s biggest hit with more than $1.4 billion in ticket sales, won an award. Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” took best song, and swiftly after, “Barbie” took the Globes’ new honor for “cinematic and box office achievement.” Some thought that award might go to Taylor Swift, whose “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” also set box-office records.
Margot Robbie, star and producer of “Barbie,” accepted the award in a pink gown modeled after 1977’s Superstar Barbie.
“We’d like to dedicate this to every single person on the planet who dressed up and went to the greatest place on Earth: the movie theaters,” said Robbie.
“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” two blockbusters brought together by a common release date, also faced off in the best screenplay category. But in an upset, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari won for the script to the French courtroom drama “Anatomy of a Fall.” Later, Triet’s film picked up best international film, too.
Though the Globes have no direct correlation with the Academy Awards, they can boost campaigns at a crucial juncture. Oscar nomination voting starts Thursday, and the twin sensations of Barbenheimer remain frontrunners.
Other contenders loom, though, like “Poor Things” and “The Holdovers.”
Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph both won for Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers.” Giamatti, reuniting with Payne two decades after “Sideways,” won best actor and Randolph won for her supporting performance as a grieving woman in the 1970s-set boarding school drama.
“Oh, Mary you have changed my life,” Randolph said of her character. “You have made me feel seen in so many ways that I have never imagined.”
Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” won best animated film, an upset over “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”
‘SUCCESSION’ AND ‘THE BEAR’ LEAD TV WINNERSThe final season of “Succession” cleaned up on the television side. It won best drama series for the third time, a mark that ties a record set by “Mad Men” and “The X-Files.” Three stars from the HBO series also won: Matt Macfadyen, Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin.
“It is bittersweet, but things like this make it rather sweeter,” said “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong.
Hulu’s “The Bear” also came away with a trio of awards, including best comedy series. Jeremy Allen White won for the second time, but this time he had company. Ayo Edebiri won her first Globe for her leading performance in the Hulu show’s second season. She thanked the assistants of her agents and managers.
“To the people who answer my emails, you’re the real ones,” said Edebiri.
Ted Fitzgerald / Associated PressAyo Edebiri poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actress in a television series, musical or comedy for “The Bear” at the 81st Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)“Beef” won three awards: best limited series as well as acting awards for Ali Wong and Steven Yeun.
The Globes also added a new stand-up special award. That went, surprisingly, to Ricky Gervais, who didn’t attend the show he so often hosted. Some expected Chris Rock to win for “Selective Outrage,” his stand-up response to the Will Smith slap.
THE GLOBES COMEBACKA few years ago, the Golden Globes were on the cusp of collapse. After The Los Angeles Times reported that the HFPA had no Black members, Hollywood boycotted the organization. The 2022 Globes were all but canceled and taken off TV. After reforms, the Globes returned to NBC last year in a one-year deal, but the show was booted to Tuesday evening. With Jerrod Carmichael hosting, the telecast attracted 6.3 million viewers, a new low on NBC and a far cry from the 20 million that once tuned in.
The Golden Globes were acquired by Eldridge Industries and Dick Clark Productions, which Penske Media owns, and turned into a for-profit venture. The HFPA (which typically numbered around 90 voters) was dissolved and a new group of some 300 entertainment journalists from around the world now vote for the awards.
Questions still remain about the Globes’ long-term future, but their value to Hollywood studios remains providing a marketing boost to awards contenders. (The Oscars won’t be held until March 10.) This year, because of the actors and writers strikes, the Globes are airing ahead of the Emmys, which were postponed to Jan. 15.
With movie ticket sales still 20% off the pre-pandemic pace and the industry facing a potentially perilous 2024 at the box office, Hollywood needed the Golden Globes as much as it ever has.
2024 Golden Globe Awards: List of winners
Here are the winners at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards, presented Sunday, Jan. 7:
MOVIESMotion picture, drama: “Oppenheimer”
Motion picture, musical or comedy: “Poor Things”
Cinematic and box office achievement: “Barbie”
Motion picture, animated: “The Boy and the Heron”
Motion picture, non-English language: “Anatomy of a Fall”
Female actor, motion picture, drama: Lily Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Male actor, motion picture, drama: Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”
Female actor, motion picture, TV or comedy: Emma Stone, “Poor Things”
Male actor, motion picture, musical or comedy: Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers”
Female supporting actor, motion picture: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers”
Male supporting actor, motion picture: Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer”
Director, motion picture: Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer”
Screenplay, motion picture: Justine Triet, Arthur Harari, “Anatomy of a Fall”
Original score: Ludwig Göransson, “Oppenheimer”
Original song: “What Was I Made For?” Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell, “Barbie”
TELEVISIONTV series, drama: “Succession”
TV series, musical or comedy: “The Bear”
Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television: “Beef”
Female actor, TV series, drama: Sarah Snook, “Succession”
Male actor, TV series, drama: Kieran Culkin, “Succession”
Female actor, TV series, musical or comedy: Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
Male actor, TV series, musical or comedy: Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
Female supporting actor, television: Elizabeth Debicki, “The Crown”
Male supporting actor, television: Matthew Macfadyen, “Succession”
Female actor in a limited series, anthology series, or a motion picture made for television: Ali Wong, “Beef”
Male actor in a limited series, anthology series, or a motion picture made for television: Steven Yeun, “Beef”
Performance in stand-up comedy on television: Ricky Gervais, “Armageddon”
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