Olympics Spark Magic, Boos, and Country Music Debate

Boos and jeers erupted from the crowd of 65,000 people at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games opening ceremony on Friday when Vice President J.D. Vance appeared on the stadium's big screen, according to Time. While President Donald Trump seemed unfazed by the reaction, recent polls suggest that Vance's reception in Europe may be indicative of broader sentiments towards the U.S.

The opening ceremony, a traditionally unifying event, featured a moment that resonated with many attendees. A figure in an evening gown, accompanied by paparazzi, paid tribute to the classic Italian film "La Dolce Vita," a moment that Time described as a "witty, concise tribute." The ceremony, which was "painfully long, inevitably uneven, excessively dance-obsessed but also somehow lovable," also provided a welcome contrast to previous Olympic events that faced various challenges, including frigid temperatures, fanless affairs due to COVID, and rain.

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games opening ceremony offered a moment of spectacle and craftsmanship. The ceremony's director, Federico Fellini, was a master of glamour.

In other news, the Oscar-nominated composers for this year's films were called to score a variety of engaging scenarios, according to Variety. The composers shared a commonality: a special scene in which they could take pride, moments where music made a difference in each film.

Additionally, singer Brantley Gilbert defended TPUSA's alternative halftime show, stating that it had "been more than 20 years since a country artist has been asked to play the Super Bowl Halftime Show," as reported by Variety.