Nov. 10 News Quiz: Have the Hollywood Strikes Finally Ended?

During the historic 2023 strike, SAG-AFTRA sought significant increases in minimum wages to match the rising cost of living. They also sought AI protections ensuring that their digital doubles wouldn’t steal the show without compensation, and streaming participation bonuses recognizing that binge-watching isn’t just a hobby; it’s an economic frontier. The strike, which paused the industry since July 14, officially ended on November 9, 2023. The deal, described as “historic” by Union President Fran Drescher, is set to bring about the biggest contract-on-contract gains in the union’s history.

Rashida Tlaib, the trailblazing Michigan congresswoman and sole Palestinian American in Congress, has recently made waves with a video accusing President Joe Biden of backing what she termed the “genocide of the Palestinian people,” a statement as subtle as a sledgehammer and as well-received. This political firecracker was dropped on social media on Nov. 3, 2023. With her pointed phrase “from the river to the sea,” Tlaib has united Democrats and Republicans, though not in the way one might hope—both sides are equally annoyed.

The Cenotaph in Whitehall stands as a silent sentinel in the heart of London, solemnly honoring those who laid down their lives in the Great War and subsequent conflicts. During the Armistice weekend in Nov. 2023, a pro-Palestinian march was rerouted to avoid this iconic memorial, which, after a political tango involving the Prime Minister and the Metropolitan Police, agreed to a route that respected the sanctity of the remembrance events.

Jeff Bezos, the mastermind behind Amazon and space exploration company Blue Origin, has decided to trade Seattle’s evergreen embrace for Miami’s sun-kissed shores. This move, announced via Instagram on Nov. 3, 2023, is a strategic play to be closer to his family, his partner, and the rocket-fueled dreams taking off from Cape Canaveral. Plus, let’s not forget the financial cherry on top: Florida’s lack of state capital gains taxes surely sweetens the deal for a billionaire’s bank account.

Donald Trump has two daughters, Ivanka and Tiffany. Ivanka, often in the spotlight, is a central figure in the Trump Organization and her father’s political ventures. Tiffany, less in the public eye, is the only child from Donald Trump’s marriage to Marla Maples. Ivanka Trump testified on Nov. 8, 2023, at her father’s New York civil fraud trial. She was questioned about her involvement in the Trump Organization’s business dealings.

In a historic turn at the 2023 CMAs, Tracy Chapman’s 1988 hit “Fast Car,” given a new lease on life with Luke Combs’ cover, sped past the competition to win Song of the Year. This made Chapman the first Black songwriter ever to snag the award. This win came 35 years after the song’s debut. The CMAs aired on ABC on Nov. 8, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Chapman was not present at the ceremony but sent a prepared statement that presenter Sara Evans read.

Barbra Streisand, the multi-talented diva who conquered Broadway, Hollywood, and the music charts, reveals in her memoir “My Name Is Barbra” that she has been shadowboxing with stage fright. Her book hit the shelves in November 2023 after a decade-long gestation period.

Britney Spears’ memoir, “The Woman in Me,” which delves into her journey from pop stardom to conservatorship, was written by the pop icon with the help of three accomplished writers: Ada Calhoun, who initiated the first draft; Sam Lansky, a former Time magazine editor, who came in after Spears felt the writing was not in her voice; and Luke Dempsey, who has worked with Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley in the past. Lauren Spiegel, an editor at Gallery Publishing, was also a constant collaborator.

Rocky Balboa, the underdog boxer with a heart of gold, catapulted Sylvester Stallone to stardom in the 1976 classic “Rocky.” The Netflix documentary “Sly” premiered on Nov. 3, 2023, and delves into the actor’s rise to fame, including the pivotal moments of the “Rocky” series.

Fun Fact: The character’s softer side, highlighted by his love interest and less “thuggish” demeanor, resulted from Stallone’s rewrite after a friend’s critique.

Robbie Williams shot to fame as the young, cheeky member of Take That, the boyband that ruled the UK charts in the ’90s. A 2023 Netflix documentary dives into Robbie’s rollercoaster life, from his Take That days to his solo stardom. It also covers his not-so-smooth attempt to charm the US.

Fun Fact: The doc was narrated by Williams himself, sometimes from the comfort of his bed.

Besides Marvel’s Ant-Man franchise, Paul Rudd stars in the 2023 installment of the Ghostbusters franchise, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” a chilly sequel to the warm reception of 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” In this frosty follow-up, Rudd and the gang return to the iconic New York City firehouse, where the original Ghostbusters have been cooking up some top-secret ghost-busting tech. Set to hit theaters on March 29, this movie promises to bring a whole new meaning to the term ‘cold open.’