Essential California

January 6, 2020

Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Monday, Jan. 6, and here’s a quick look at the week ahead: The Harvey Weinstein trial will begin on Monday in New York City. This marks the first criminal case against the disgraced movie mogul. Meanwhile, law enforcement sources say that the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has escalated its review into Weinstein and is considering filing criminal charges against him. The Los Angeles and Beverly Hills police departments launched sexual assault investigations into the filmmaker more than two years ago. The state Legislature reconvenes for the year on Monday, and California lawmakers will probably be met by hundreds of protesters when they return to the Capitol. Anti-vaccine activists are reportedly planning to show up to voice opposition to a new policy that tightened medical exemptions for vaccines. Also Monday: Nominations for the 2020 Writers Guild of America awards will be announced. Directors Guild of America television, commercial and documentary award nominees will be announced Monday, with the DGA film nominees announced Tuesday. British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) nominations and the remaining Producers Guild Awards nominations will also be announced Tuesday. On Thursday there will be a presidential wreath-laying ceremony at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda to mark the late former President Richard Nixon’s 107th birthday. Friday is the deadline for 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to qualify for seventh debate. And now, here’s what’s happening across California: Acclaimed artist John Baldessari died in his sleep Thursday at 88. Arguably the most influential Conceptual artist of his era, Baldessari also shaped a generation of talent while teaching at UCLA and ArtCenter. Los Angeles Times Gavin Newsom’s ambitious and uneven first year as California governor: As his first year draws to a close, the Democrat can point to a string of high-profile victories in service of a progressive agenda and fortifying California’s political resistance to President Trump. But those achievements are only part of the story. Less known outside Sacramento is that Newsom has struggled with what some critics believe is an undisciplined and impatient governing style. Los Angeles Times The Golden Globes — an awards show decided on by about 90 little-known foreign journalists, and viewed by millions — took place on Sunday night. Here are some highlights: Awkwafina became the first woman of Asian descent to win a Globe for lead actress in a movie comedy/musical for her performance in “The Farewell.” Los Angeles Times Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” also made Golden Globes history as the first Korean film winner. The thriller won the Golden Globe for best foreign-language film. Los Angeles Times Forget the filet mignon, the goat cheese and all that sea bass. A-list celebrities and guests at the 77th Golden Globes received a 100% vegan meal this year. (Aside from the fact that the Academy Awards are voted on by thousands of members, the other big thing distinguishing the Golden Globes is that they serve dinner during the ceremony.) Los Angeles Times Plus, the complete list of 2020 Golden Globes winners and nominees. The big TV winners included HBO’s “Succession” and “Chernobyl,” and Amazon’s comedy series “Fleabag,” while Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” picked up multiple trophies in the film categories. Los Angeles Times