The Challenge was a reality game show on MTV.

The Challenge (TV series) The Challenge ( originally known as Road Rules : All Stars , followed by Real World/Road Rules Challenge ) is a reality game show on MTV that is spun off from the network 's two reality shows , Real World and Road Rules . It features alumni from these two shows , in addition to first-time cast members called ` Fresh Meat ' , alumni from Are You the One ? , and relatives of these cast members called ` Bloodlines ' , competing against one another for a cash prize . The Challenge is currently hosted by T. J. Lavin .  The series premiered on June 1 , 1998 . The title of the show was originally Road Rules : All Stars before it was renamed Real World/Road Rules Challenge by the show 's 2nd season , then later abridged to simply The Challenge by the show 's 19th season . The series initially used no hosts but instead a former cast member who had been kicked off his or her season , providing assignments as `` Mr. '' or `` Ms. Big '' ( David `` Puck '' Rainey , David Edwards , and Gladys Sanabria served this role ) . Later on , however , the series began using hosts : Eric Nies and Mark Long co-hosted a season , and Jonny Moseley and Dave Mirra hosted various seasons before T. J. Lavin became the show 's regular host by the 11th season .   Since the 4th season , each season has supplied the show with a unique subtitle , such as Rivals . Each season consists of a format and theme whereby the subtitle is derived . Of each season 's format and theme , 8 have been repeated or revamped through sequel seasons with shared subtitles . In chronological order , these include : Battle of the Sexes ( tied to Battle of the Sexes II , the show 's first sequel season ) ; The Inferno ( tied to The Inferno II and The Inferno III , the show 's first trilogy ) ; The Gauntlet ( tied to The Gauntlet II and The Gauntlet III ) ; The Duel ( tied to The Duel II ) ; Fresh Meat ( tied to Fresh Meat II ) , Battle of the Seasons ( tied to the second Battle of the Seasons ) ; Rivals ( tied to Rivals II and Rivals III ) ; and Battle of the Exes ( tied to Battle of the Exes II ) .   The current 29th season , entitled Invasion of the Champions , premiered on February 7 , 2017 and concluded on May 16 , 2017 .


The Walt Disney Company is in possession of the Disney Channel.

The Walt Disney Company The Walt Disney Company , commonly known as Disney , is an American diversified multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate , headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank , California . It is the world 's second largest media conglomerate in terms of revenue , after Comcast . Disney was founded on October 16 , 1923 -- by brothers Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney -- as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio , and established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into live-action film production , television , and theme parks . The company also operated under the names The Walt Disney Studio and then Walt Disney Productions . Taking on its current name in 1986 , it expanded its existing operations and also started divisions focused upon theater , radio , music , publishing , and online media .   In addition , Disney has since created corporate divisions in order to market more mature content than is typically associated with its flagship family-oriented brands . The company is best known for the products of its film studio , Walt Disney Studios , which is today one of the largest and best-known studios in American cinema . Disney 's other three main divisions are Walt Disney Parks and Resorts , Disney Media Networks , and Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media . Disney also owns and operates the ABC broadcast television network ; cable television networks such as Disney Channel , ESPN , A+E Networks , and Freeform ; publishing , merchandising , music , and theatre divisions ; and owns and licenses 14 theme parks around the world . The company has been a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average since May 6 , 1991 . Mickey Mouse , an early and well-known cartoon creation of the company , is a primary symbol and mascot for Disney .


Michael Jordan helped popularize the NHL.

Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan ( born February 17 , 1963 ) , also known by his initials , MJ , is an American retired professional basketball player , businessman , and principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets . Jordan played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards . His biography on the NBA website states : `` By acclamation , Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time . '' Jordan was one of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and was considered instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s .   Jordan played three seasons for coach Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina . As a freshman , he was a member of the Tar Heels ' national championship team in 1982 . Jordan joined the Bulls in 1984 as the third overall draft pick . He quickly emerged as a league star , entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring . His leaping ability , demonstrated by performing slam dunks from the free throw line in slam dunk contests , earned him the nicknames Air Jordan and His Airness . He also gained a reputation for being one of the best defensive players in basketball . In 1991 , he won his first NBA championship with the Bulls , and followed that achievement with titles in 1992 and 1993 , securing a `` three-peat '' . Although Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the beginning of the 1993 -- 94 NBA season to pursue a new venture in minor league baseball , he returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three additional championships in 1996 , 1997 , and 1998 , as well as a then-record 72 regular-season wins in the 1995 -- 96 NBA season . Jordan retired for a second time in January 1999 , but returned for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of the Wizards .   Jordan 's individual accolades and accomplishments include five Most Valuable Player ( MVP ) Awards , ten All-NBA First Team designations , nine All-Defensive First Team honors , fourteen NBA All-Star Game appearances , three All-Star Game MVP Awards , ten scoring titles , three steals titles , six NBA Finals MVP Awards , and the 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award . Among his numerous accomplishments , Jordan holds the NBA records for highest career regular season scoring average ( 30.12 points per game ) and highest career playoff scoring average ( 33.45 points per game ) . In 1999 , he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN , and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press 's list of athletes of the century . Jordan is a two-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame , having been enshrined in 2009 for his individual career , and again in 2010 as part of the group induction of the 1992 United States men 's Olympic basketball team ( `` The Dream Team '' ) . He became a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2015 .   Jordan is also known for his product endorsements . He fueled the success of Nike 's Air Jordan sneakers , which were introduced in 1985 and remain popular today . Jordan also starred in the 1996 feature film Space Jam as himself . In 2006 , he became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the then-Charlotte Bobcats , buying a controlling interest in 2010 . In 2015 , Jordan became the first billionaire NBA player in history as a result of the increase in value of NBA franchises . He is the third-richest African-American , behind Oprah Winfrey and Robert F. Smith .


Battle of Corinth (146 BC) The Battle of Corinth was a battle fought between the Roman Republic and the Greek city-state of Corinth and its allies in the Achaean League in 146 BC , which resulted in the complete and total destruction of Corinth . This battle marked the beginning of the period of Roman domination in Greek history .


Daddy and Them was directed by Billy Bob Thornton.

Billy Bob Thornton Billy Bob Thornton ( born August 4 , 1955 ) is an American actor , filmmaker , singer , songwriter , and musician .   Thornton had his first break when he co-wrote and starred in the 1992 thriller One False Move , and came to international attention after writing , directing , and starring in the independent drama film Sling Blade ( 1996 ) , for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor . He appeared in several major film roles in the 1990s following Sling Blade , including Oliver Stone 's neo-noir U Turn ( 1997 ) , political drama Primary Colors ( 1998 ) , science fiction disaster film Armageddon ( 1998 ) , which was the highest-grossing film of that year , and the crime drama A Simple Plan ( 1998 ) , which earned him his third Academy Awards nomination .   In the 2000s , Thornton achieved further success in starring dramas Monster 's Ball ( 2001 ) , The Man Who Was n't There ( 2001 ) , and Friday Night Lights ( 2004 ) ; comedies Bandits ( 2001 ) , Intolerable Cruelty ( 2003 ) , and Bad Santa ( 2003 ) ; and action films Eagle Eye ( 2008 ) and Faster ( 2010 ) . In 2014 , Thornton starred as Lorne Malvo in the first season of the anthology series Fargo , earning a nomination for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie at the Emmy Awards and won Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Film at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards . In 2016 , he starred in an Amazon original series , Goliath about a washed up attorney with a great new case .   Thornton has been vocal about his disrespect for celebrity culture , choosing to keep his life out of the public eye . However , the attention of the media has proven unavoidable in certain cases , his marriage to Angelina Jolie being a notable example . Thornton has appeared in at least one film per year nearly every year since 1991 . Thornton has written a variety of films , usually set in the Southern United States and mainly co-written with Tom Epperson , including A Family Thing ( 1996 ) and The Gift ( 2000 ) . After Sling Blade , he directed several other films , including Daddy and Them ( 2001 ) , All the Pretty Horses ( 2000 ) , and Jayne Mansfield 's Car ( 2012 ) .   Thornton has received the President 's Award from the Academy of Science Fiction , Fantasy & Horror Films , a Special Achievement Award from the National Board of Review , and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . He has also been nominated for an Emmy Award , four Golden Globes , and three Screen Actors Guild Awards . In addition to film work , Thornton began a career as a singer-songwriter . He has released four solo albums and is the vocalist of the blues rock band The Boxmasters .


The Big Chill's director is Lawrence Kasdan.

The Big Chill (film) The Big Chill is a 1983 American comedy-drama film directed by Lawrence Kasdan , starring Tom Berenger , Glenn Close , Jeff Goldblum , William Hurt , Kevin Kline , Mary Kay Place , Meg Tilly , and JoBeth Williams . The plot focuses on a group of baby boomer college friends who reunite after 15 years when one of their old comrades , Alex , commits suicide without warning . Kevin Costner was cast as Alex , but all scenes showing his face were cut .   The soundtrack features soul , R&B and pop-rock music from the 1960s and 70s , including tracks by Creedence Clearwater Revival , Aretha Franklin , Marvin Gaye , the Temptations , the Rolling Stones and Three Dog Night .   The Big Chill influenced the TV series thirtysomething . Earlier , however , the movie was directly adapted for television as the short-lived 1985 CBS comedy-drama series Hometown .


Luxembourg is one of the smallest sovereign states in Asia.

Luxembourg Luxembourg -LSB- ˈlətsəbuərx -RSB- Luxemburg ) , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe . It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north , Germany to the east , and France to the south . Its capital , Luxembourg City , is , together with Brussels and Strasbourg , one of the three official capitals of the European Union and the seat of the European Court of Justice , the highest juridical authority in the EU . Its culture , people and languages are highly intertwined with its neighbours , making it essentially a mixture of French and Germanic cultures . This is emphasised by the three official languages , Luxembourgish , French , and German . The repeated invasions by its neighbor countries , especially in World War II , resulted in the country 's strong will for mediation between France and Germany and , among other things , led to the foundation of the European Union .   With an area of 2,586 km2 , it is one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe , about the same size as the US state of Rhode Island or the English county of Northamptonshire . In 2016 , Luxembourg had a population of 576 249 , which makes it one of the least-populous countries in Europe , but by far the one with the highest population growth rate . As a representative democracy with a constitutional monarch , it is headed by a Grand Duke , Henri , Grand Duke of Luxembourg , and is the world 's only remaining grand duchy . Luxembourg is a developed country , with an advanced economy and the world 's highest GDP ( PPP ) per capita , according to the United Nations in 2014 . The City of Luxembourg with its old quarters and fortifications was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to the exceptional preservation of the vast fortifications and the old city .   The history of Luxembourg is considered to begin in 963 , when count Siegfried I acquired a rocky promontory and its Roman-era fortifications known as Lucilinburhuc , ′ little castle ′ , and the surrounding area from the Imperial Abbey of St. Maximin in nearby Trier .  Siegfried 's descendants increased their territory through marriage , war and vassal relations . At the end of the 13th century , the Counts of Luxembourg reigned over a considerable territory .   In 1308 , Henry VII , Count of Luxembourg became King of the Germans and Holy Roman Emperor . The House of Luxembourg produced four Holy Roman Emperors at the high time of the Middle Ages . In 1354 , Charles IV elevated the County to the Duchy of Luxembourg . Since Sigismund had no male heir , the Duchy became part of the Burgundian Circle and then one of the Seventeen Provinces of the Habsburg Netherlands .  Over the centuries , the City and Fortress of Luxembourg , of great strategic importance situated between the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg territories , was gradually built up to be one of the most reputed fortifications in Europe . After belonging to both the France of Louis XIV and the Austria of Maria Theresia , Luxembourg became part of the First French Republic and Empire under Napoleon .   The present-day state of Luxembourg first emerged at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 . The Grand-Duchy , with its powerful fortress , became an independent state under the personal possession of William I of the Netherlands with a Prussian garrison to guard the city against another invasion from France .   In 1839 , following the turmoil of the Belgian Revolution , the purely French-speaking part of Luxembourg was ceded to Belgium and the Luxembourgish-speaking part became what is the present state of Luxembourg .   The steel industry exploiting the Red Lands ' rich iron-ore grounds in the beginning of the 20th century drove the country 's industrialisation . ArcelorMittal , the world 's largest steel producer with headquarters in Luxembourg City , is still a reminder of these times . After the decline of the steel industry in the 1970s , the country focused on establishing itself as a global financial centre and developed into the banking hub it is reputed for . Since the beginning of the 21st century , its governments have focused on developing the country into a knowledge economy , with the founding of the University of Luxembourg and a national space programme , projecting the first involvement in a non-manned lunar expedition by 2020 .   Luxembourg is a founding member of the European Union , OECD , United Nations , NATO , and Benelux , reflecting its political consensus in favour of economic , political , and military integration . The city of Luxembourg , which is the country 's capital and largest city , is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the EU . Luxembourg served on the United Nations Security Council for the years 2013 and 2014 , which was a first in the country 's history . In 2016 Luxembourgish citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 172 countries and territories , ranking the Luxembourgian passport 6th in the world , tied with countries such as Canada and Switzerland .


Renaissance art involved Masaccio, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Piero della Francesca, Donatello and Michelozzo, and Florence.

Renaissance art Renaissance art is the painting , sculpture and decorative arts of that period of European history known as the Renaissance , emerging as a distinct style in Italy in about 1400 , in parallel with developments which occurred in philosophy , literature , music and science . The Renaissance art , perceived as the noblest of ancient traditions , took as its foundation the art of Classical antiquity , but transformed that tradition by absorbing recent developments in the art of Northern Europe and by applying contemporary scientific knowledge . Renaissance art , with Renaissance Humanist philosophy , spread throughout Europe , affecting both artists and their patrons with the development of new techniques and new artistic sensibilities . Renaissance art marks the transition of Europe from the medieval period to the Early Modern age .   In many parts of Europe , Early Renaissance art was created in parallel with Late Medieval art .   The influences upon the development of Renaissance men and women in the early 15th century are those that also affected Philosophy , Literature , Architecture , Theology , Science , Government and other aspects of society . The following list presents a summary , dealt with more fully in the main articles that are cited above .  Classical texts , lost to European scholars for centuries , became available . These included Philosophy , Prose , Poetry , Drama , Science , a thesis on the Arts and Early Christian Theology .  Simultaneously , Europe gained access to advanced mathematics which had its provenance in the works of Islamic scholars .  The advent of movable type printing in the 15th century meant that ideas could be disseminated easily , and an increasing number of books were written for a broad public .  The establishment of the Medici Bank and the subsequent trade it generated brought unprecedented wealth to a single Italian city , Florence .  Cosimo de ' Medici set a new standard for patronage of the arts , not associated with the church or monarchy .  Humanist philosophy meant that man 's relationship with humanity , the universe and with God was no longer the exclusive province of the Church .  A revived interest in the Classics brought about the first archaeological study of Roman remains by the architect Brunelleschi and sculptor Donatello . The revival of a style of architecture based on classical precedents inspired a corresponding classicism in painting and sculpture , which manifested itself as early as the 1420s in the paintings of Masaccio and Uccello .  The improvement of oil paint and developments in oil-painting technique by Dutch artists such as Jan van Eyck , Rogier van der Weyden and Hugo van der Goes led to its adoption in Italy from about 1475 and had ultimately lasting effects on painting practices , worldwide .  The serendipitous presence within the region of Florence in the early 15th century of certain individuals of artistic genius , most notably Masaccio , Brunelleschi , Ghiberti , Piero della Francesca , Donatello and Michelozzo formed an ethos out of which sprang the great masters of the High Renaissance , as well as supporting and encouraging many lesser artists to achieve work of extraordinary quality .  A similar heritage of artistic achievement occurred in Venice through the talented Bellini family , their influential inlaw Mantegna , Giorgione , Titian and Tintoretto .  The publication of two treatises by Leone Battista Alberti , De Pitura ( On Painting ) , 1435 , and De re aedificatoria ( Ten Books on Architecture ) , 1452 .


Dragon Ball has been made into card games.

Dragon Ball is a Japanese media franchise created by Akira Toriyama . The initial manga , written and illustrated by Toriyama , was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995 , with the 519 individual chapters collected into 42 tankōbon volumes by its publisher Shueisha . Dragon Ball was initially inspired by the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West . The series follows the adventures of the protagonist , Son Goku , from his childhood through adulthood as he trains in martial arts and explores the world in search of the seven orbs known as the Dragon Balls , which summon a wish-granting dragon when gathered . Along his journey , Goku makes several friends and battles a wide variety of villains , many of whom also seek the Dragon Balls .   The Dragon Ball manga has been adapted into two anime series produced by Toei Animation : Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z , which together were broadcast in Japan from 1986 to 1996 . Additionally , the studio has developed 19 animated feature films and three television specials , as well as two anime sequel series titled Dragon Ball GT ( 1996 -- 1997 ) and Dragon Ball Super ( 2015 -- present ) . From 2009 to 2015 , a revised , faster-paced version of Dragon Ball Z aired in Japan under the title Dragon Ball Kai , in which most of the original version 's footage not featured in the manga is removed . Several companies have developed various types of merchandising based on the series leading to a large media franchise that includes films , both animated and live-action , collectible trading card games , numerous action figures , along with several collections of soundtracks and a large number of video games . As of November 2014 , the franchise generated $ 5 billion in merchandise , making Dragon Ball one of the most merchandisable anime based media franchises of all time .   Since its release , Dragon Ball has become one of the most successful manga and anime series of all time . The manga 's 42 volumes have sold over 156 million copies in Japan and more than 240 million copies worldwide , making it the third best-selling manga series in history . Reviewers have praised the art , characterization , and humor of the story . It is widely regarded as one of the greatest manga series ever made , with many manga artists citing Dragon Ball as a source of inspiration for their own now popular works . The anime , particularly Dragon Ball Z , is also highly popular in various countries and was arguably one of the most influential in boosting the popularity of Japanese animation in Western culture .


Tom Cruise was in the science fiction psychological thriller Vanilla Sky.

Tom Cruise Thomas Cruise Mapother IV ( born July 3 , 1962 ) , known professionally as Tom Cruise , is an American actor and producer . He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and has won three Golden Globe Awards . He started his career at age 19 in the film Endless Love ( 1981 ) . After portraying supporting roles in Taps ( 1981 ) and The Outsiders ( 1983 ) , his first leading role was in the romantic comedy Risky Business , released in August 1983 . Cruise became a full-fledged movie star after starring as Pete `` Maverick '' Mitchell in the action drama Top Gun ( 1986 ) . One of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood , Cruise starred in several more successful films in the 1980s , including the dramas The Color of Money ( 1986 ) , Cocktail ( 1988 ) , Rain Man ( 1988 ) , and Born on the Fourth of July ( 1989 ) .   In the 1990s , he starred in a number of hit films , including the romance Far and Away ( 1992 ) , the drama A Few Good Men ( 1992 ) , the legal thriller The Firm ( 1993 ) , the drama horror film Interview with the Vampire ( 1994 ) , the romantic comedy-drama sports film Jerry Maguire ( 1996 ) , the erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut , and the drama Magnolia ( both 1999 ) . Since 1996 , Cruise has been well known for his role as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the Mission : Impossible film series , whose most recent film , Mission : Impossible -- Rogue Nation , was released in 2015 .   In the 2000s , Cruise starred in a number of successful films , including the science fiction thrillers Vanilla Sky ( 2001 ) and Minority Report ( 2002 ) , the epic war film The Last Samurai ( 2003 ) , the crime film Collateral ( 2004 ) , the science fiction disaster thriller War of the Worlds ( 2005 ) , and the historical thriller Valkyrie ( 2008 ) .   In the 2010s , he has starred in the action comedy Knight and Day ( 2010 ) , the thriller Jack Reacher ( 2012 ) , the post-apocalyptic science fiction film Oblivion ( 2013 ) , and the military science fiction film Edge of Tomorrow ( 2014 ) . In 2012 , Cruise was Hollywood 's highest-paid actor . 16 of his films grossed over $ 100 million domestically ; 22 have grossed in excess of $ 200 million worldwide .   He has won Golden Globe Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture in Drama in 1990 for Born on the Fourth of July ; Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture in Comedy/Musical in 1997 for Jerry Maguire ; and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in 2000 for Magnolia . In 2002 , Cruise won the Saturn Award for Best Actor for Vanilla Sky . In 2003 , he won an AFI Movie of the Year Award for The Last Samurai and an Empire Award for Best Actor for Minority Report .   Cruise is an outspoken advocate for the Church of Scientology and its associated social programs , and credits it with helping him overcome dyslexia . In the 2000s , his criticisms of psychiatry and anti-depressant drugs , particularly therapy for 9/11 rescue workers , and efforts to promote Scientology as a religion in Europe , sparked controversies , as did a leaked video interview of him promoting Scientology .


Vanilla Sky Vanilla Sky is a 2001 American science fiction psychological thriller film directed , written , and co-produced by Cameron Crowe . It is an English-language remake of Alejandro Amenábar 's 1997 Spanish film Open Your Eyes , which was written by Amenábar and Mateo Gil , with Penélope Cruz reprising her role from the original film . The film has been described as `` an odd mixture of science fiction , romance and reality warp '' .   Vanilla Sky stars Tom Cruise , Penelope Cruz , and Cameron Diaz with Jason Lee and Kurt Russell appearing in supporting roles . It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song , as well as Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe Award nominations for Cameron Diaz 's performance . The soundtrack was also critically acclaimed . Vanilla Sky was released on Blu-ray on June 30 , 2015 in North America .


The Greenland shark is also called the gray shark.

Greenland shark The Greenland shark ( Somniosus microcephalus ) , also known as the gurry shark , or grey shark , or by the Inuit name eqalussuaq , is a large shark of the family Somniosidae ( `` sleeper sharks '' ) , closely related to the Pacific and southern sleeper sharks . The distribution of this species is mostly restricted to the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and Arctic Ocean .   It has the longest known lifespan of all vertebrate species ( 392 ± 120 years ) , and is among the largest extant species of shark . As an adaptation to living at depth , it has a high concentration of trimethylamine N-oxide in its tissues , which causes the meat to be toxic . Greenland shark flesh treated to reduce toxin levels is eaten in Iceland as a delicacy known as kæstur hákarl .


Soundgarden was the first hip-hop group to sign to a major label.

Soundgarden Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle , Washington , in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell , lead guitarist Kim Thayil , and bassist Hiro Yamamoto . Matt Cameron became the band 's full-time drummer in 1986 , while bassist Ben Shepherd became a permanent replacement for Yamamoto in 1990 . Cornell remained in Soundgarden until his death in May 2017 , putting the band 's future in doubt and leaving Thayil as the only remaining original member of the band .   Soundgarden was one of the seminal bands in the creation of grunge , a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle , and was one of a number of grunge bands signed to the record label Sub Pop . Soundgarden was the first grunge band to sign to a major label ( A&M Records in 1988 ) , though the band did not achieve commercial success until they popularized the genre in the early 1990s with Seattle contemporaries Pearl Jam , Nirvana , and Alice in Chains .   Soundgarden achieved its biggest success with the 1994 album Superunknown , which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and yielded the Grammy Award-winning singles `` Black Hole Sun '' and `` Spoonman '' . In 1997 , the band broke up due to internal strife over its creative direction . After more than a decade of working on projects and other bands , Soundgarden reunited in 2010 and their sixth studio album , King Animal , was released two years later .   As of 2012 , Soundgarden sold more than 10.5 million records in the United States , and an estimated 22.5 million worldwide . VH1 ranked Soundgarden at number 14 in their special 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock .


James Blake (musician) has released work under the moniker Harmonimix.

James Blake (musician) James Blake Litherland ( born 26 September 1988 ) , known as James Blake , is an English singer , songwriter , musician and record producer from London . He first received recognition in 2010 for a trio of dubstep-influenced EPs , and the following year his self-titled debut album was released in the United Kingdom to critical praise . His second studio album Overgrown was released in 2013 and was awarded the Mercury Prize . His third studio album The Colour in Anything was released in 2016 . Blake has also released remix work under the moniker Harmonimix .   Blake received his second Grammy Award nomination at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards for Best New Artist . At the 2014 Brit Awards , Blake was nominated for the Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist .


Roman Reigns has been a United States Champion one time.

Roman Reigns Leati Joseph `` Joe '' Anoaʻi ( born May 25 , 1985 ) is an American professional wrestler , former professional Canadian football player and a member of the Anoaʻi family . He is signed to WWE , where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Roman Reigns .   After playing collegiate football for Georgia Tech , Anoaʻi started his professional football career with brief off-season stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League ( NFL ) in 2007 . He then played a full season for the Canadian Football League 's ( CFL ) Edmonton Eskimos in 2008 before his release and retirement from football .   Anoaʻi then pursued a career in professional wrestling and was signed by WWE in 2010 , reporting to their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling ( FCW ) . As Roman Reigns , he made his main roster debut in November 2012 alongside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins as The Shield . The trio teamed together until June 2014 , after which Reigns entered singles competition . Reigns is a three-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion , a one-time United States Champion , a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion ( with Rollins ) , the 2015 Royal Rumble winner and the 2014 Superstar of the Year . He also tied the WWE record for most eliminations in a Survivor Series elimination match with four in the 2013 event and set the record for most eliminations in a Royal Rumble match with 12 in the 2014 event .   Since 2014 , WWE has attempted to establish Reigns as their next `` face of the company '' . Reigns has headlined multiple major WWE pay-per-view events , including the last three WrestleManias ( 31 , 32 and 33 ) -- scoring wins over Triple H and The Undertaker . However , Reigns ' ascendancy as a world title-chasing/holding heroic underdog has been marked by critics ' disapproval and overwhelmingly negative crowd reactions . He was consequently named 2016 's `` Most Hated Wrestler of the Year '' by Pro Wrestling Illustrated , becoming the first babyface wrestler to have been recognized as such , as well as the `` Most Overrated '' by Wrestling Observer Newsletter .


Iris Murdoch Dame Jean Iris Murdoch ( -LSB- ˈmɜrdɒk -RSB- 15 July 1919 -- 8 February 1999 ) was an Anglo-Irish novelist and philosopher , best known for her novels about good and evil , sexual relationships , morality , and the power of the unconscious . Her first published novel , Under the Net , was selected in 1998 as one of Modern Library 's 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century . In 1987 , she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire . Her books include The Bell ( 1958 ) , A Severed Head ( 1961 ) , The Red and the Green ( 1965 ) , The Nice and the Good ( 1968 ) , The Black Prince ( 1973 ) , Henry and Cato ( 1976 ) , The Sea , the Sea ( 1978 , Booker Prize ) , The Philosopher 's Pupil ( 1983 ) , The Good Apprentice ( 1985 ) , The Book and the Brotherhood ( 1987 ) , The Message to the Planet ( 1989 ) , and The Green Knight ( 1993 ) . In 2008 , The Times ranked Murdoch twelfth on a list of `` The 50 greatest British writers since 1945 '' .


Estella Warren is a current synchronized swimmer.

Estella Warren Estella Dawn Warren ( born December 23 , 1978 ) is a Canadian actress , fashion model , and former synchronized swimmer . During her swimming career she was a member of the Canadian national team and won three national titles . Since 1994 she has been modeling through publications such as Sports Illustrated as well as working for campaigns for such brands as Perry Ellis and Victoria 's Secret .   She later began a career as an actress , starring in such films as Tim Burton 's 2001 re-adapted film Planet of the Apes as well as television roles in Law & Order , Law & Order : Special Victims Unit and Beauty and the Beast .


Red Headed Stranger contained the Willie Nelson song "Time of the Preacher."

Red Headed Stranger Red Headed Stranger is a 1975 album by American outlaw country singer Willie Nelson . After the wide success of his recordings with Atlantic Records , coupled with the negotiating skills of his manager , Neil Reshen , Nelson signed a contract with Columbia Records , a label that gave him total creative control over his works . The concept for the album was inspired by the `` Tale of the Red Headed Stranger '' , a song that Nelson used to play as a disk jockey on his program in Fort Worth , Texas . After signing with Columbia he decided to record the song , and arranged the details during his return to Austin , Texas , from a trip to Colorado . It was recorded at low cost at Autumn Sound Studios in Garland , Texas . The songs featured sparse arrangements , largely limited to Nelson 's guitar , piano and drums . Nelson presented the finished material to Columbia executives , who were dubious about releasing an album that they at first thought was a demo . However , Nelson had creative control , so no further production was added .   A concept album , Red Headed Stranger is about a fugitive on the run from the law after killing his wife and her lover . The content consists of songs with brief poetic lyrics and arrangements of older material such as Fred Rose 's `` Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain '' , Wolfe Gilbert 's `` Down Yonder '' and Juventino Rosas ' `` O'er the Waves '' . Despite Columbia 's doubts and the limited instrumentation , Red Headed Stranger was a blockbuster among country music and mainstream audiences . It was certified multi-platinum , and made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music . The cover of `` Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain '' , released as a single previous to the album full release became Nelson 's first number one hit . The title of the album would become a lasting nickname for Nelson . It was ranked # 183 on Rolling Stones list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time , and number one on CMT 's 40 Greatest Albums in Country Music . In 2010 it was inducted to the National Recording Registry .   In 1986 Nelson starred as the Red Headed Stranger in a movie of the same name , based on the story of the album . The album has had a strong cultural impact ; the song `` Time of the Preacher '' has been used often in the series Edge of Darkness , and its lyrics were used as well in the first issue of the comic Preacher .


Katrina Bowden failed to appear in any 30 Rock episodes owing to a contract dispute.

30 Rock 30 Rock is an American satirical television sitcom created by Tina Fey that ran on NBC from October 11 , 2006 , to January 31 , 2013 . The series , loosely based on Fey 's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live , takes place behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy show depicted as airing on NBC . The series ' name refers to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City , the address of the Comcast Building , where the NBC Studios are located and where Saturday Night Live is written , produced , and performed . This series is produced by Broadway Video and Little Stranger , Inc. , in association with NBCUniversal .   30 Rock episodes were produced in a single-camera setup ( with the exception of the two live episodes that were taped in the multiple-camera setup ) , and were filmed in New York . The pilot episode premiered on October 11 , 2006 , and seven seasons followed . The series stars Fey with a supporting cast that includes Alec Baldwin , Tracy Morgan , Jane Krakowski , Jack McBrayer , Scott Adsit , Judah Friedlander , Katrina Bowden , Keith Powell , Lonny Ross , John Lutz , Sue Galloway , Kevin Brown , Grizz Chapman , Maulik Pancholy , and Rachel Dratch .   Tonally , 30 Rock uses surreal humor to parody the complex corporate structure of NBC and its then parent company General Electric . Television critic Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club once remarked that it `` usually adopts the manic pacing of a live-action cartoon . '' The show was influential in its extensive use of smash cuts : sudden , short cuts to unrelated scenes showing something the characters are briefly discussing . 30 Rock also became known for its dedication to making these extremely elaborate , once showing a set that took three days to build for only six seconds of video .   30 Rock received critical acclaim throughout its run , winning several major awards ( including Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2007 , 2008 , and 2009 and nominations for every other year it ran ) , and appearing on many critics ' year-end `` best of '' 2006-2013 lists . On July 14 , 2009 , the series was nominated for 22 Primetime Emmy Awards , the most in a single year for a comedy series . Over the course of the series , it was nominated for 103 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 16 , in addition to numerous other nominations and wins from other awards shows . Despite the high praise , the series struggled in the ratings throughout its run , something of which Fey herself has made light .   In 2009 , Comedy Central and WGN America bought the syndication rights to the show , which began airing on both networks on September 19 , 2011 ; the series also entered into local broadcast syndication on the same day . Today , 30 Rock is regarded as a landmark series . Its series finale in particular has been named as one of the greatest in television history by several publications . In 2013 , the Writers Guild of America named 30 Rock the 21st best-written television series of all time .


The Divergent Series: Insurgent is an American film.

The Divergent Series: Insurgent The Divergent Series : Insurgent ( also known simply as Insurgent ) is a 2015 American science fiction action film directed by Robert Schwentke , based on Insurgent , the second book in the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth . It is the sequel to the 2014 film Divergent and the second installment in The Divergent Series , produced by Lucy Fisher , Pouya Shabazian and Douglas Wick , with a screenplay by Brian Duffield , Akiva Goldsman and Mark Bomback . Schwentke took over from Neil Burger as director , with Burger serving as the executive producer of the film . Along with the first film 's returning cast , led by Shailene Woodley and Theo James , the sequel features supporting actors Octavia Spencer , Naomi Watts , Suki Waterhouse , Rosa Salazar , Daniel Dae Kim , Jonny Weston , Emjay Anthony , and Keiynan Lonsdale .   The plot of Insurgent takes place five days after the previous installment and continues to follow Dauntless soldier Tris Prior ; Tris and Four , her Dauntless instructor , are on the run after evading a coup from Erudite faction leader Jeanine and the rest of her faction . The faction system in post-apocalyptic Chicago is crumbling , and everyone is desperate for power -- and answers . Filming began on May 27 , 2014 in Atlanta , Georgia , before concluding on September 6 , 2014 .   The Divergent Series : Insurgent was released on March 20 , 2015 in the United States in the IMAX 3D format as well as regular 3D and 2D . Critical reaction to the film was mixed to negative : some have considered the film to be an improvement over its predecessor , with reviewers highlighting the visual style , action sequences , and Woodley 's performance , but the film still received a significant amount of negative criticism , mainly focused on its storyline . The film was a commercial success , grossing $ 52.2 million in its opening weekend and reaching the number one spot at the box-office . During its release in theaters , the film earned over US$ 297 million worldwide .   A sequel , Allegiant , was released on March 18 , 2016 .


Kaitlin Olson stars as Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Kaitlin Olson Kaitlin Willow Olson ( born August 18 , 1975 ) is an American actress and comedian . She began her career in the Groundlings , an improvisational group in Los Angeles , California , and had minor roles in several television series before being cast as Deandra `` Sweet Dee '' Reynolds on the FX black comedy series It 's Always Sunny in Philadelphia in 2005 .   Olson has also appeared in film , with roles in Leap Year ( 2010 ) , The Heat ( 2013 ) , and also provided the voice for Destiny in Finding Dory ( 2016 ) . Beginning in 2017 , she stars as Mickey on the Fox comedy series The Mick .


Floyd Mayweather Jr. died on February 24, 1977.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr. ( born Floyd Joy Sinclair ; February 24 , 1977 ) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2015 , and currently works as a boxing promoter . Widely considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time , undefeated as a professional , and a five-division world champion , Mayweather won fifteen world titles and the lineal championship in four different weight classes ( twice at welterweight ) . As an amateur , he won a bronze medal in the featherweight division at the 1996 Olympics . Mayweather is a two-time winner of The Ring magazine 's Fighter of the Year award ( 1998 and 2007 ) , a three-time winner of the Boxing Writers Association of America ( BWAA ) Fighter of the Year award ( 2007 , 2013 , and 2015 ) , and a six-time winner of the Best Fighter ESPY Award ( 2007 -- 2010 , 2012 -- 2014 ) .   In 2016 , Mayweather was ranked by ESPN as the greatest boxer , pound for pound , of the last 25 years . In the same year , he peaked as BoxRec 's number one fighter of all time , pound for pound , as well as the greatest welterweight of all time . Many sporting news and boxing websites ranked Mayweather as the best boxer in the world , pound for pound , twice in a span of ten years ; including The Ring , Sports Illustrated , ESPN , BoxRec , Fox Sports , and Yahoo! Sports . He is also regarded as the best defensive boxer in the sport , as well as being the most accurate puncher since the existence of CompuBox , having the highest plus -- minus ratio in recorded boxing history . He finished his career with a record of 26 wins without a loss or draw in world title fights ( 10 by KO ) ; 23 wins ( 9 KOs ) in lineal title fights ; 24 wins ( 7 KOs ) against former or current world titlists ; 12 wins ( 3 KOs ) against former or current lineal champions ; and 2 wins ( 1 KO ) against International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees .   In addition to his accomplishments in the ring , Mayweather is well known for being one of the most lucrative pay-per-view ( PPV ) attractions of all time , in any sport . He topped the Forbes and Sports Illustrated lists of the 50 highest-paid athletes of 2012 and 2013 respectively , and the Forbes list again in both 2014 and 2015 , listing him as the highest paid athlete in the world . In 2007 , he founded Mayweather Promotions , his own boxing promotional firm after defecting from Bob Arum 's Top Rank . Mayweather has generated approximately 19.5 million in PPV buys and $ 1.3 billion in revenue throughout his career , surpassing the likes of former top PPV attractions including Mike Tyson , Evander Holyfield , Lennox Lewis , Oscar De La Hoya , and Manny Pacquiao .


The Weeknd The Weeknd ( born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye ; February 16 , 1990 ) is a Canadian singer , songwriter , and record producer . The Weeknd initially gained recognition after anonymously uploading several songs to YouTube in late 2010 . This allowed him to release of his debut mixtape , House of Balloons , in early 2011 . He released two further independent projects later that year , Thursday and Echoes of Silence , before signing to Republic Records in September 2012 .   The three mixtapes received widespread critical acclaim upon release , and proceeded the release of the compilation album Trilogy . In 2013 , he released his debut studio album Kiss Land , which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 . It was later confirmed to have sold over 273,000 copies in the United States .   The Weeknd released his second album , Beauty Behind the Madness , in 2015 , breaking chart records in the process . It saw him become the first ever artist to have simultaneously held the top three spots on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart , with `` Earned It '' , `` The Hills '' , and `` Ca n't Feel My Face '' . It also became his first number one album on the US Billboard 200 , and saw triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) . The album additionally oversaw his first Grammy Award win for Best Urban Contemporary Album , as well as `` Earned It '' winning Best R&B Performance . He won both awards at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in 2016 .   He released his third studio album , Starboy , in 2016 to generally positive critical reception . The album 's title track topped the chart in several countries , including the U.S. , the UK and Canada , and became The Weeknd 's third number-one single . It gave him his second consecutive number one album , which also later saw platinum certification .   Alongside his Grammy Award wins , The Weeknd has won nine Juno Awards and two American Music Awards . He has also founded the record label XO , and is a producer under both his given and stage names .


There are several national championships Paul Newman has won as a driver.

Paul Newman Paul Leonard Newman ( January 26 , 1925 -- September 26 , 2008 ) was an American actor , IndyCar driver , entrepreneur , and philanthropist . He won and was nominated for numerous awards , winning an Academy Award for his performance in the 1986 film The Color of Money , a BAFTA Award , a Screen Actors Guild Award , a Cannes Film Festival Award , an Emmy Award , and many others . Newman 's other films include The Hustler ( 1961 ) , Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ( 1969 ) as Butch Cassidy , The Sting ( 1973 ) , and The Verdict ( 1982 ) . However , he is perhaps best remembered for his role as the title character in Cool Hand Luke ( 1967 ) .   Despite being colorblind , Newman won several national championships as a driver in Sports Car Club of America road racing , and his race teams won several championships in open wheel IndyCar racing . He was a co-founder of Newman 's Own , a food company from which he donated all post-tax profits and royalties to charity . As of January 2017 , these donations have totaled over US$ 485 million . He was also a co-founder of Safe Water Network , a nonprofit that develops sustainable drinking water solutions for those in need . In 1988 , Newman founded the SeriousFun Children 's Network , a global family of summer camps and programs for children with serious illness which has served 290,076 children since its inception .


Mark Hamill Mark Richard Hamill ( born September 25 , 1951 ) is an American actor , voice actor , producer and writer . He is best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars film series . His other works include Corvette Summer ( 1978 ) and The Big Red One ( 1980 ) , among other television shows and movies . Hamill has also appeared on stage in several theater productions , primarily during the 1980s .   Hamill is a prolific voice actor who has voiced characters in many animated television shows , movies , and video games since the 1970s . He is known for his long-standing role as DC Comics ' the Joker , commencing with Batman : The Animated Series in 1992 .


Desperate Housewives is a television series from America.

Desperate Housewives Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama and mystery series created by Marc Cherry , and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions . It originally aired for eight seasons on ABC , from October 3 , 2004 to May 13 , 2012 . Executive producer Cherry served as showrunner . Other executive producers since the fourth season included Bob Daily , George W. Perkins , John Pardee , Joey Murphy , David Grossman , and Larry Shaw .   Set on Wisteria Lane , a street in the fictional town of Fairview in the fictional Eagle State , Desperate Housewives follows the lives of a group of women as seen through the eyes of their late friend and neighbor who committed suicide in the pilot episode . The storyline covers 13 years of the women 's lives over eight seasons , set between the years 2004 -- 2008 , and later 2013 -- 2017 ( the story arc includes a five-year passage of time , as well as flashbacks ranging from the 1980s to the 2020s ) . They work through domestic struggles and family life , while facing the secrets , crimes and mysteries hidden behind the doors of their -- on the surface -- beautiful and seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood .   The series features an ensemble cast , headed by Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer , Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo , Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp , and Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis . Brenda Strong narrates the series as the late Mary Alice Young , appearing sporadically in flashbacks or dream sequences .   Desperate Housewives was well received by viewers and critics alike . It won multiple Primetime Emmy , Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards . From the 2004 -- 05 through the 2008 -- 09 television seasons , its first five seasons were rated amongst the top ten most-watched series . In 2007 , it was reported to be the most popular show in its demographic worldwide , with an audience of approximately 120 million and was also reported as the third most watched television series in a study of ratings in twenty countries . In 2012 , it remained the most-watched comedy series internationally based on data from Eurodata TV Worldwide , which measured ratings across five continents ; it has held this position since 2006 . Moreover , it was the third highest revenue earning series for 2010 , with $ 2.74 million per half an hour . The show was ranked at number fifty-six on Entertainment Weekly `` New TV Classics '' list .   In 2011 , it was confirmed that Desperate Housewives would conclude after its eighth season ; the series finale aired on May 13 , 2012 . By the end of the series , it had surpassed Charmed as the longest running hour-long television series featuring all female leads by two episodes .


Paul McCartney is only a one-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney , ( born 18 June 1942 ) is an English singer-songwriter , multi-instrumentalist , and composer . He gained worldwide fame as the bass guitarist and singer for the rock band the Beatles , widely considered the most popular and influential group in the history of pop music . His songwriting partnership with John Lennon is the most celebrated of the post-war era . After the band 's break-up , he pursued a solo career and formed the band Wings with his first wife , Linda , and Denny Laine .   McCartney has been recognised as one of the most successful composers and performers of all time . More than 2,200 artists have covered his Beatles song `` Yesterday '' , making it one of the most covered songs in popular music history . Wings ' 1977 release `` Mull of Kintyre '' is one of the all-time best-selling singles in the UK . A two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ( as a member of the Beatles in 1988 , and as a solo artist in 1999 ) , and a 21-time Grammy Award winner , McCartney has written , or co-written , 32 songs that have reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 , and he has 25.5 million RIAA-certified units in the United States . McCartney , Lennon , Harrison and Starr all received The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire ( MBE ) in 1965 , and in 1997 , McCartney was knighted for services to music .   McCartney has released an extensive catalogue of songs as a solo artist and has composed classical and electronic music . He has taken part in projects to promote international charities related to such subjects as animal rights , seal hunting , land mines , vegetarianism , poverty , and music education . He has married three times and is the father of five children .


The Dodgers' 1955 World Series championship featured Jackie Robinson.

Jackie Robinson Jack Roosevelt Robinson ( January 31 , 1919 -- October 24 , 1972 ) was an American professional baseball second baseman who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball ( MLB ) in the modern era . Robinson broke the baseball color line when the Brooklyn Dodgers started him at first base on April 15 , 1947 . The Dodgers , by signing Robinson , heralded the end of racial segregation in professional baseball that had relegated black players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s . Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 .   Robinson had an exceptional 10-year baseball career . He was the recipient of the inaugural MLB Rookie of the Year Award in 1947 , was an All-Star for six consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1954 , and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949 -- the first black player so honored . Robinson played in six World Series and contributed to the Dodgers ' 1955 World Series championship .   In 1997 , MLB `` universally '' retired his uniform number , 42 , across all major league teams ; he was the first pro athlete in any sport to be so honored . MLB also adopted a new annual tradition , `` Jackie Robinson Day '' , for the first time on April 15 , 2004 , on which every player on every team wears No. 42 .   Robinson 's character , his use of nonviolence , and his unquestionable talent challenged the traditional basis of segregation which then marked many other aspects of American life . He influenced the culture of and contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement . Robinson also was the first black television analyst in MLB , and the first black vice president of a major American corporation , Chock full o'Nuts . In the 1960s , he helped establish the Freedom National Bank , an African-American-owned financial institution based in Harlem , New York . After his death in 1972 , in recognition of his achievements on and off the field , Robinson was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom .


Rupert Wyatt Rupert Wyatt ( born 26 October 1972 ) is an English screenwriter , director , and producer . He made his directorial debut with the 2008 film The Escapist , which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival . His second film was the 2011 blockbuster Rise of the Planet of the Apes .


Diego Luna Diego Luna Alexander ( -LSB- ˈdjeɣo ˈluna -RSB- ; born 29 December 1979 ) is a Mexican actor , producer and director . After starring in telenovelas early in his career , he has appeared in many films , including Y tu mamá también , Dirty Dancing : Havana Nights , Rudo y Cursi and the Star Wars anthology film Rogue One . He also provided the Spanish language narration for the National Geographic Channel documentary Great Migrations .


Kid Rock Robert James Ritchie ( born January 17 , 1971 ) , known professionally as Kid Rock , is an American singer , rapper , songwriter , musician , record producer , and actor . His 1998 album Devil Without a Cause sold 14 million copies worldwide . He is a five-time Grammy Award nominee and has sold 25 million albums in the U.S. according to Nielsen SoundScan . The RIAA certified him selling 23.5 million albums . He has sold over 35 million records worldwide and he was Soundscan 's number-one selling male solo musician of the 2000s , selling 17.6 million albums ; he was 17th overall for the decade .   Rock performed rap and hip hop with five releases between 1990 and 1997 , including a reissue and an EP . After signing a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 1998 , he gained commercial success in the rap rock genre behind the singles `` Bawitdaba '' , `` Cowboy '' and `` Only God Knows Why '' ( the latter foreshadowing his move into country rock ) . After the success of Devil Without a Cause in 2000 , he released The History of Rock , a compilation of remixed and remastered versions of songs from previous albums as well as the hit rock single , `` American Bad Ass '' .   Rock 's follow-up records became more rock - , country - , and blues-oriented , starting with 2001 's Cocky . His collaboration with Sheryl Crow on the song `` Picture '' was his first country hit and biggest pop hit in the US to date charting at No. 4 on the Hot 100 . After 2003 's Kid Rock and 2006 's Live Trucker sales declined from the previous releases , he then released Rock n Roll Jesus in 2007 . The album featured the song `` All Summer Long '' , which charted at No. 1 in eight countries across Europe and Australia . In 2010 , he released Born Free , which featured an eponymous song that became the political campaign theme of Mitt Romney , the Republican nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election .   Rock released Rebel Soul on November 19 , 2012 behind the rock hit `` Let 's Ride '' . The album was certified gold in April 2013 . Kid Rock released First Kiss on February 24 , 2015 behind the hit title track .


Quartet (2012 film) Quartet is a 2012 British comedy-drama film based on the play Quartet by Ronald Harwood , which ran in London 's West End from September 1999 until January 2000 . It was filmed late in 2011 at Hedsor House , Buckinghamshire . The film is actor Dustin Hoffman 's directorial debut .


Avatar (2009 film) Avatar ( marketed as James Cameron 's Avatar ) is a 2009 American epic science fiction film directed , written , produced , and co-edited by James Cameron , and starring Sam Worthington , Zoe Saldana , Stephen Lang , Michelle Rodriguez , and Sigourney Weaver . The film is set in the mid-22nd century , when humans are colonizing Pandora , a lush habitable moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system , in order to mine the mineral unobtanium , a room-temperature superconductor . The expansion of the mining colony threatens the continued existence of a local tribe of Na ` vi -- a humanoid species indigenous to Pandora . The film 's title refers to a genetically engineered Na ` vi body with the mind of a remotely located human that is used to interact with the natives of Pandora .   Development of Avatar began in 1994 , when Cameron wrote an 80-page treatment for the film . Filming was supposed to take place after the completion of Cameron 's 1997 film Titanic , for a planned release in 1999 , but according to Cameron , the necessary technology was not yet available to achieve his vision of the film . Work on the language of the film 's extraterrestrial beings began in 2005 , and Cameron began developing the screenplay and fictional universe in early 2006 . Avatar was officially budgeted at $ 237 million . Other estimates put the cost between $ 280 million and $ 310 million for production and at $ 150 million for promotion . The film made extensive use of new motion capture filming techniques , and was released for traditional viewing , 3D viewing ( using the RealD 3D , Dolby 3D , XpanD 3D , and IMAX 3D formats ) , and for `` 4D '' experiences in select South Korean theaters . The stereoscopic filmmaking was touted as a breakthrough in cinematic technology .   Avatar premiered in London on , 2009 , and was internationally released on and in the United States and Canada on , to positive critical reviews , with critics highly praising its groundbreaking visual effects . During its theatrical run , the film broke several box office records and became the highest-grossing film of all time , as well as in the United States and Canada , surpassing Titanic , which had held those records for twelve years ( and was also directed by Cameron ) . It also became the first film to gross more than and the best-selling film of 2010 in the United States . Avatar was nominated for nine Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Director , and won three , for Best Art Direction , Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects . Following the film 's success , Cameron signed with 20th Century Fox to produce three sequels , making Avatar the first of a planned tetralogy . On April 14 , 2016 , Cameron confirmed that there were now plans for four sequels . Avatar 2 was scheduled for release in December 2018 before being delayed , with the sequels following in December 2020 , 2022 , and 2023 , respectively . The sequels are scheduled for release in 2020 , 2021 , 2024 and 2025 .


Thenmerku Paruvakaatru was written by Seenu Ramasamy.

Thenmerku Paruvakaatru Thenmerku Paruvakatru ( Southwest Monsoon ) is a 2010 Tamil drama film written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy and produced by Shibu Issac . It stars Saranya Ponvannan , in her 100th film , Vijay Sethupathi and Vasundhra in the lead roles . It released on 24 December 2010 .   The film received mixed reviews , but was eventually featured at the 58th National Film Awards ceremony , where it was named the Best Feature Film in Tamil while Saranya Ponvannan and lyricist Vairamuthu were awarded the Best Actress and Best Lyricist prizes , respectively .


George W. Romney's son is a businessman and politician from the United States.

George W. Romney George Wilcken Romney ( July 8 , 1907 -- July 26 , 1995 ) was an American businessman and Republican Party politician . He was chairman and president of American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1962 , the 43rd Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969 , and the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1969 to 1973 . He was the father of former Governor of Massachusetts and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and the husband of former Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Lenore Romney .   Romney was born to American parents living in the Mormon colonies in Mexico ; events during the Mexican Revolution forced his family to flee back to the United States when he was a child . The family lived in several states and ended up in Salt Lake City , Utah , where they struggled during the Great Depression . Romney worked in a number of jobs , served as a Mormon missionary in the United Kingdom , and attended several colleges in the U.S. but did not graduate from any of them . In 1939 he moved to Detroit and joined the American Automobile Manufacturers Association , where he served as the chief spokesman for the automobile industry during World War II and headed a cooperative arrangement in which companies could share production improvements . He joined Nash-Kelvinator in 1948 , and became the chief executive of its successor , American Motors Corporation , in 1954 . There he turned around the struggling firm by focusing all efforts on the compact Rambler car . Romney mocked the products of the `` Big Three '' automakers as `` gas-guzzling dinosaurs '' and became one of the first high-profile , media-savvy business executives . Devoutly religious , he presided over the Detroit Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .   Having entered politics by participating in a state constitutional convention to rewrite the Michigan Constitution during 1961 -- 1962 , Romney was elected Governor of Michigan in 1962 . Re-elected by increasingly large margins in 1964 and 1966 , he worked to overhaul the state 's financial and revenue structure , greatly expanding the size of state government and introducing Michigan 's first state income tax . Romney was a strong supporter of the American Civil Rights Movement . He briefly represented moderate Republicans against conservative Republican Barry Goldwater during the 1964 U.S. presidential election . He requested the intervention of federal troops during the 1967 Detroit riot .   Initially a front runner for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 1968 election , he proved an ineffective campaigner and fell behind Richard Nixon in polls . After a mid-1967 remark that his earlier support for the Vietnam War had been due to a `` brainwashing '' by U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Vietnam , his campaign faltered even more and he withdrew from the contest in early 1968 . After Nixon 's election as president , he appointed Romney as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development . Romney 's ambitious plans for housing production increases for the poor , and for open housing to desegregate suburbs , were modestly successful but often thwarted by Nixon . Romney left the administration at the start of Nixon 's second term in 1973 . Returning to private life , he advocated volunteerism and public service , and headed the National Center for Voluntary Action and its successor organizations from 1973 through 1991 . He also served as a regional representative of the Twelve within his church .


Mitt Romney Willard Mitt Romney ( born March 12 , 1947 ) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and the Republican Party 's nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election .   Raised in Bloomfield Hills , Michigan , by his parents George and Lenore Romney , he spent 2 1/2 years in France as a Mormon missionary , starting in 1966 . He married Ann Davies in 1969 , and they have five sons . By 1971 , he had participated in the political campaigns of both parents . He earned a BA at Brigham Young University in 1971 and a joint JD -- MBA at Harvard University in 1975 .   Romney entered the management consulting industry , and in 1977 secured a position at Bain & Company . Later serving as Bain 's chief executive officer ( CEO ) , he helped lead the company out of a financial crisis . In 1984 , he co-founded and led the spin-off company Bain Capital , a highly profitable private equity investment firm that became one of the largest of its kind in the nation . Active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ( LDS Church ) , he served during his business career as the bishop of his ward ( head of his local congregation ) and then stake president in his home area near Boston .   After stepping down from Bain Capital and his local leadership role in the LDS Church , Romney ran as the Republican candidate in the 1994 Massachusetts election for U.S. Senate . Upon losing to longtime incumbent Ted Kennedy , he resumed his position at Bain Capital . Years later , a successful stint as President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics led to a relaunch of his political career .   Elected Governor of Massachusetts in 2002 , Romney helped develop and enact into law the Massachusetts health care reform legislation , the first of its kind in the nation , which provided near-universal health insurance access through state-level subsidies and individual mandates to purchase insurance . He also presided over the elimination of a projected $ 1.2 -- 1.5 billion deficit through a combination of spending cuts , increased fees , and the closure of corporate tax loopholes . He did not seek re-election in 2006 , instead focusing on his campaign for the Republican nomination in the 2008 U.S. presidential election . He won several primaries and caucuses ; however , he lost to the eventual nominee , Senator John McCain . His considerable net worth , estimated in 2012 at $ 190 -- 250 million , helped finance his political campaigns prior to 2012 .   Following his term as Governor of Massachusetts in 2007 , Romney was the Republican Party 's nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election . He won the 2012 Republican presidential nomination , becoming the first Mormon to be a major party presidential nominee . He was defeated by incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama in the November 2012 general election , losing by 332 -- 206 electoral college votes . The popular vote margin was 51 -- 47 percent in Obama 's favor . Following the election , he initially kept a low profile , and later became more visible politically .


Killer whales can be found in each of the world's oceans.

Killer whale The killer whale or orca ( Orcinus orca ) is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family , of which it is the largest member . Killer whales have a diverse diet , although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey . Some feed exclusively on fish , while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and dolphins . They have been known to attack baleen whale calves , and even adult whales . Killer whales are apex predators , as there is no animal that preys on them . Killer whales are considered a cosmopolitan species , and can be found in each of the world 's oceans in a variety of marine environments , from Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas .   Killer whales are highly social ; some populations are composed of matrilineal family groups ( pods ) which are the most stable of any animal species . Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviours , which are often specific to a particular group and passed across generations , have been described as manifestations of animal culture .   The International Union for Conservation of Nature currently assesses the orca 's conservation status as data deficient because of the likelihood that two or more killer whale types are separate species . Some local populations are considered threatened or endangered due to prey depletion , habitat loss , pollution ( by PCBs ) , capture for marine mammal parks , and conflicts with human fisheries . In late 2005 , the Southern Resident Killer Whales , the population that inhabits British Columbia and Washington state waters , were placed on the U.S. Endangered Species list .   Wild killer whales are not considered a threat to humans , but there have been cases of captive orcas killing or injuring their handlers at marine theme parks . Killer whales feature strongly in the mythologies of indigenous cultures , with their reputation ranging from being the souls of humans to merciless killers .


Conan O'Brien Conan Christopher O'Brien ( born April 18 , 1963 ) is an American television host , comedian , and television producer . He is best known for hosting several late-night talk shows ; since 2010 he has hosted Conan on the cable channel TBS . O'Brien was born in Brookline , Massachusetts , and was raised in an Irish Catholic family . He served as president of The Harvard Lampoon while attending Harvard University , and was a writer for the sketch comedy series Not Necessarily the News .   After writing for several comedy shows in Los Angeles , he joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live . O'Brien was a writer and producer for The Simpsons for two seasons until he was commissioned by NBC to take over David Letterman 's position as host of Late Night in 1993 . A virtual unknown to the public , O'Brien 's initial Late Night tenure received unfavorable reviews and remained on a multiweek renewal cycle during its early years . The show generally improved over time and was highly regarded by the time of his departure in 2009 . Afterwards , O'Brien relocated from New York to Los Angeles to host his own incarnation of The Tonight Show for seven months until network politics prompted a host change in 2010 .   Known for his spontaneous hosting style , which has been characterized as `` awkward , self-deprecating humor '' , O'Brien 's late-night programs combine the `` lewd and wacky with more elegant , narrative-driven short films ( remotes ) '' . He has hosted Conan since 2010 and has also hosted such events as the Emmy Awards and Christmas in Washington . O'Brien has been the subject of a documentary , Conan O'Brien Ca n't Stop ( 2011 ) , and has also hosted a 32-city live comedy tour .   With the retirement of David Letterman on May 20 , 2015 , O'Brien became the longest-working of all current late-night talk show hosts in the United States , at 22 years .


Zendaya Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman ( born September 1 , 1996 ) , known mononymously as Zendaya ( -LSB- zɛnˈdeɪ.ə -RSB- ) , is an American actress , singer , and dancer . From 2010 to 2013 , she starred in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up as Rocky Blue . She has starred in two films and played one of the lead roles in the film Frenemies as Halley Brandon . She voiced Fern in the Pixie Hollow Games . She appeared in Good Luck Charlie as Rocky Blue and in a Good Luck Charlie and Shake It Up crossover title Charlie Shakes It Up . She appeared on PrankStars as herself in the episode `` Walk The Prank '' and on A.N.T. Farm as Sequoia Jones in the episode `` Creative ConsultANT . ''   Zendaya signed a deal with Hollywood Records on August 8 , 2012 , and started recording songs for her debut album on August 12 , 2012 . She released a single from an independent label called `` Swag It Out '' and another single with Bella Thorne called `` Watch Me , '' which is featured on the Break It Down album . On March 20 , 2012 , Zendaya released the song `` Something to Dance For '' as promotional single from Shake It Up : Live 2 Dance soundtrack .


Nicki Minaj Onika Tanya Maraj ( born December 8 , 1982 ) , known professionally as Nicki Minaj ( -LSB- langpronnɪkɪ_mɪ ` nɑːdʒ -RSB- ) , is a Trinidadian-born American rapper , singer , songwriter and model . Born in Saint James , Trinidad and Tobago ( a district of Trinidad 's capital Port of Spain ) and raised in South Jamaica , Queens , New York , Minaj earned public attention after releasing three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009 . She has been signed to Young Money Entertainment since 2009 .   Minaj 's first and second studio albums , Pink Friday ( 2010 ) and Pink Friday : Roman Reloaded ( 2012 ) , both peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and produced the successful singles `` Super Bass '' and `` Starships '' , respectively . In 2010 , Minaj became the first female solo artist to have seven singles simultaneously charting on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 . Her third studio album , The Pinkprint ( 2014 ) , was preceded by its second single , `` Anaconda '' , which peaked at number two on the Hot 100 and is her highest-charting single in the U.S. to date . Minaj made her film debut in the 2012 animated film Ice Age : Continental Drift , followed by supporting roles in The Other Woman ( 2014 ) and Barbershop : The Next Cut ( 2016 ) . In 2013 , she was a judge on the twelfth season of American Idol .   Minaj was the first female artist included on MTV 's Annual Hottest MC List , with a New York Times editor saying that some consider her to be `` the most influential female rapper of all time '' . In 2016 , Minaj was included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world . Her rapping is distinctive for its fast flow and the use of alter egos and accents , primarily British cockney . Early in her career , Minaj was known for her colorful costumes and wigs . She has the most Billboard Hot 100 entries for a female artist in the chart 's history , while being ninth overall . Minaj has received ten Grammy nominations throughout her career , and has won six American Music Awards , eleven BET Awards , three MTV Video Music Awards , four Billboard Music Awards , and was the recipient of Billboards Women in Music 2011 Rising Star award . She has endorsed Adidas , MAC Cosmetics and Pepsi . She has sold 20 million singles as a lead artist , and 60 million singles as a featured artist worldwide .


Deadpool (film) Deadpool is a 2016 American superhero film directed by Tim Miller and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick , based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name . It is the eighth installment and a spin-off in the X-Men film series , and stars Ryan Reynolds as the titular character , as well as Morena Baccarin , Ed Skrein , T. J. Miller , Gina Carano , Leslie Uggams , Brianna Hildebrand , and Stefan Kapičić . In the film , antihero Deadpool hunts the man who nearly destroyed his life while also trying to reunite with his lost love .   Development began in February 2004 with New Line Cinema , but moved in March 2005 to 20th Century Fox who bought the film rights . In May 2009 , after Reynolds portrayed the character in X-Men Origins : Wolverine , to the general disappointment of fans , Fox lent the film to writers , and Miller was hired for his directorial debut in April 2011 . Enthusiastic acclaim for leaked CGI test footage by Miller in July 2014 led to Fox greenlighting the film in September . Additional casting began in early 2015 , and principal photography commenced in Vancouver from March to May .   Deadpool premiered in Paris on February 8 , 2016 , and was released on February 12 in the United States in IMAX , DLP , D-Box , and premium large format . Critics praised Reynolds ' performance as well as the film 's style , faithful depiction of the titular character , and action sequences , but criticized its plot as formulaic . It received various awards and nominations , including two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy and Best Actor -- Motion Picture Musical or Comedy , and a Producers Guild of America Award nomination for Best Theatrical Motion Picture . It also won two Critics ' Choice Movie Awards for Best Comedy and Best Actor in a Comedy .   The film was also a significant commercial success , grossing over $ 783million worldwide and breaking numerous box-office records , becoming the ninth highest-grossing film of 2016 , the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time when unadjusted for inflation , and the highest-grossing X-Men film . Shortly after the film 's success , Fox ordered development of a sequel scheduled to be released on June 1 , 2018 .


Tanzania Tanzania -LSB- ˌtænzəˈniːə -RSB- , officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ) , is a country in Eastern Africa within the African Great Lakes region . Parts of the country are in Southern Africa . It is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north ; Rwanda , Burundi , and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west ; Zambia , Malawi , and Mozambique to the south ; and by the Indian Ocean to the east . Mount Kilimanjaro , Africa 's highest mountain , is in northeastern Tanzania .   Tanzania 's population of 51.82 million ( 2014 ) is diverse , composed of several ethnic , linguistic , and religious groups . Tanzania is a presidential constitutional republic , and since 1996 , its official capital city has been Dodoma , where the President 's Office , the National Assembly , and some government ministries are located . Dar es Salaam , the former capital , retains most government offices and is the country 's largest city , principal port , and leading commercial centre . Tanzania is a one party dominant state with the socialist-progressive Chama Cha Mapinduzi ( CCM ) party in power . From its formation until 1992 , it was the only legally permitted party in the country . This changed on 1 July 1992 , when amendments to the Constitution and a number of laws permitting and regulating the formation and operations of more than one political party were enacted by the National Assembly . Elections for president and all National Assembly seats were last held in October 2015 . The CCM holds approximately 75 % of the seats in the assembly .   Prehistoric population migrations include Southern Cushitic speakers , who are ancestral to the Iraqw , Gorowa , and Burunge and who moved south from Ethiopia into Tanzania . Based on linguistic evidence , there may also have been two movements into Tanzania of Eastern Cushitic people at about 4,000 and 2,000 years ago , originating from north of Lake Turkana . Archaeological evidence supports the conclusion that Southern Nilotes , including the Datoog , moved south from the present-day South Sudan-Ethiopia border region into central northern Tanzania between 2,900 and 2,400 years ago . These movements took place at about the same time as the settlement of the iron-making Mashariki Bantu from West Africa in the Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika areas . They brought with them the west African planting tradition and the primary staple of yams . They subsequently migrated out of these regions across the rest of Tanzania , between 2,300 and 1,700 years ago . European colonialism began in mainland Tanzania during the late 19th century when Germany formed German East Africa , which gave way to British rule following World War I . The mainland was governed as Tanganyika , with the Zanzibar Archipelago remaining a separate colonial jurisdiction . Following their respective independence in 1961 and 1963 , the two entities merged in April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania .   Tanzania is mountainous and densely forested in the northeast , where Mount Kilimanjaro is located . Three of Africa 's Great Lakes are partly within Tanzania . To the north and west lie Lake Victoria , Africa 's largest lake , and Lake Tanganyika , the continent 's deepest lake , known for its unique species of fish . The eastern shore is hot and humid , with the Zanzibar Archipelago just offshore . The Kalambo water falls in the southwestern region of Rukwa are the second highest uninterrupted fall in Africa and are located near the southeastern shore of Lake Tanganyika on the border with Zambia . The Menai Bay Conservation Area is Zanzibar 's largest marine protected area .   Over 100 different languages are spoken in Tanzania , making it the most linguistically diverse country in East Africa . Among the languages spoken in Tanzania are all four of Africa 's language families : Bantu , Cushitic , Nilotic , and Khoisan . Swahili and English are Tanzania 's official languages . A highly multilingual country , Swahili is used in parliamentary debate , in the lower courts , and as a medium of instruction in primary school ; and English is used in foreign trade , in diplomacy , in higher courts , and as a medium of instruction in secondary and higher education , although the Tanzanian government plans to discontinue English as a language of instruction altogether . In connection with his Ujamaa social policies , President Nyerere encouraged the use of Swahili ; as a means of unifying the country 's many ethnic groups . Approximately 10 % of Tanzanians speak Swahili as a first language , and up to 90 % speak it as a second language . Most Tanzanians thus speak both Swahili and a local language ; many educated Tanzanians are trilingual ; also speaking English . The widespread use and promotion of Swahili is contributing to the decline of smaller languages in the country . Young children increasingly speak Swahili as a first language , mostly in urban areas .   Tanzania-Malawi relations have been tense because of a dispute over the countries ' Lake Nyasa ( Lake Malawi ) border . An unsuccessful mediation regarding this issue happened in March 2014 . The two countries agreed in 2013 to ask the International Court of Justice ( ICJ ) to resolve the dispute should mediation be unsuccessful . Malawi , but not Tanzania , has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ .


Thanos appears in Guardians of the Galazy.

Thanos Thanos ( -LSB- ˈθænɒs -RSB- , -LSB- ˈθænoʊs -RSB- ) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . The character is usually depicted as a Titanian mutant -- Eternal superhuman . The character first appeared in Iron Man # 55 ( February 1973 ) and was created by writer Mike Friedrich and writer-artist Jim Starlin . Debuting in the Bronze Age of Comic Books , the character has been featured in more than four decades of Marvel continuity and a self-titled series .   Thanos appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe 's various films , including The Avengers ( 2012 ) , portrayed by Damion Poitier , and Guardians of the Galaxy ( 2014 ) , Avengers : Age of Ultron ( 2015 ) , Avengers : Infinity War ( 2018 ) and its untitled sequel ( 2019 ) , portrayed by Josh Brolin . The character has appeared in other Marvel-endorsed products , including animated television series , arcade , and video games .


The Academy Honorary Award is given to celebrate motion pictures' failures.

Academy Honorary Award The Academy Honorary Award -- instituted in 1948 for the 21st Academy Awards ( previously called the Special Award , which was first presented in early 1929 ) -- is given annually by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS ) to celebrate motion picture achievements that are not covered by existing Academy Awards , although prior winners of competitive Academy Awards are not excluded from receiving the Honorary Award . Unless otherwise specified , Honorary Award recipients receive the same gold Oscar statuettes received by winners of the competitive Academy Awards . Unlike the Special Achievement Award instituted in 1972 ( and discontinued in 1995 ) , those on whom the Academy confers its Honorary Award do not have to meet `` the Academy 's eligibility year and deadline requirements . '' Like the Special Achievement Award , the Special Award and Honorary Award have been used to reward significant achievements of the year that did not fit in existing categories , subsequently leading the Academy to establish several new categories , and to honor exceptional career achievements , contributions to the motion picture industry , and service to the Academy . The Academy Honorary Award is often awarded in preference to those with noted achievements in motion pictures who have nevertheless never won an Academy Award . Thus , many of its recipients are Classic Hollywood stars , such as Lillian Gish , Barbara Stanwyck , Kirk Douglas , and Lauren Bacall .   Since 2009 the Honorary Award is presented at the annual Governors Awards rather than at the Academy Awards .


Hot (Mel B album) Hot is the debut album by British pop singer Melanie B , released on 9 October 2000 by Virgin . The album was not as successful as her albums with the Spice Girls or that of other members solo albums released around this time . It peaked at number twenty-eight in United Kingdom and sold over 60,000 copies , receiving a silver certification . The album had four singles : `` I Want You Back '' , featuring Missy Elliott , `` Tell Me '' , `` Feels So Good '' and `` Lullaby '' . The first three singles reached top 5 in United Kingdom . The single `` Word Up '' , previously released on the soundtrack of the film Austin Powers : The Spy Who Shagged Me , was included on the Japanese version . The album received mixed to negative reviews from critics .


Archie Panjabi Archana `` Archie '' Panjabi ( born 31 May 1972 ) is a British actress , best known for her role as Kalinda Sharma on The Good Wife . Her portrayal has earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2010 and an NAACP Image Award in 2012 , as well as two further Emmy nominations , one Golden Globe nomination , and three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations shared with the cast . Her other notable roles include Yasmin Husseini in Yasmin ( 2005 ) , Pinky Bhamra in Bend It Like Beckham ( 2002 ) and Asra Nomani in A Mighty Heart ( 2007 ) .


Shirley MacLaine starred in Ask Any Girl.

Shirley MacLaine Shirley MacLaine ( born Shirley MacLean Beaty ; April 24 , 1934 ) is an American film , television and theater actress , singer , dancer , activist and author . An Academy Award winner , MacLaine received the 40th AFI Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 2012 , and received the Kennedy Center Honors for her lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts in 2013 . She is known for her New Age beliefs , and has an interest in spirituality and reincarnation . She has written a series of autobiographical works that describe these beliefs , document her world travels , and describe her Hollywood career .   A six-time Academy Award nominee , MacLaine received a nomination for Best Documentary Feature for The Other Half of the Sky : A China Memoir ( 1975 ) , and Best Actress nominations for Some Came Running ( 1958 ) , The Apartment ( 1960 ) , Irma la Douce ( 1963 ) , and The Turning Point ( 1977 ) , before winning Best Actress for Terms of Endearment ( 1983 ) . She twice won the BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actress , for Ask Any Girl ( 1959 ) , and The Apartment ( 1960 ) ; and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Special for the 1976 TV special , Gypsy In My Soul . She has also won five competitive Golden Globe Awards and received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 1998 ceremony .


Rich Girl (Gwen Stefani song) was certified gold.

Rich Girl (Gwen Stefani song) `` Rich Girl '' is a song by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani from her debut solo studio album , Love . Angel . Music . Baby . ( 2004 ) . Produced by Dr. Dre , the track features American rapper Eve , and is a remake of Louchie Lou & Michie One 's 1993 song of the same name , which is in turn an adaptation of the Fiddler on the Roof song `` If I Were a Rich Man '' . Stefani says the song discusses her dreams of fame and riches from the perspective of `` when she was just an Orange County girl '' .   The last song to be included on the album , `` Rich Girl '' was released as the album 's second single in late 2004 to mixed reviews from music critics . It was a commercial success , reaching the top 10 on most of the charts it entered . In the United States , `` Rich Girl '' was certified gold , and it received a nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 47th Grammy Awards .


Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg ( -LSB- Санкт-Петербу ́рг , a = Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg , r = Sankt-Peterburg , p = ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk -RSB- ) is Russia 's second-largest city after Moscow , with five million inhabitants in 2012 , and an important Russian port on the Baltic Sea . It is politically incorporated as a federal subject ( a federal city ) . Situated on the Neva River , at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea , it was founded by Tsar Peter the Great on May . In 1914 , the name was changed from Saint Petersburg to Petrograd ( -LSB- Петрогра́д , p =p ʲɪtrɐˈgrat -RSB- ) , in 1924 to Leningrad ( -LSB- Ленингра́д , p = lʲɪnʲɪnˈgrat -RSB- ) , and in 1991 back to Saint Petersburg . Between 1713 and 1728 and in 1732 -- 1918 , Saint Petersburg was the capital of imperial Russia . In 1918 , the central government bodies moved to Moscow .   Saint Petersburg is one of the modern cities of Russia , as well as its cultural capital . The Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Saint Petersburg is home to The Hermitage , one of the largest art museums in the world .  Many foreign consulates , international corporations , banks , and businesses have offices in Saint Petersburg .


Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin ( ˈ ; born 7 October 1952 ) is the current President of the Russian Federation , holding the office since 7 May 2012 . He was Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000 , President from 2000 to 2008 , and again Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012 . During his second term as Prime Minister , he was the Chairman of the ruling United Russia Party .   Born in Leningrad ( now Saint Petersburg ) , Putin studied German in high school and speaks the language fluently . He studied Law at the Saint Petersburg State University , graduating in 1975 . Putin was a KGB Foreign Intelligence Officer for 16 years , rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring in 1991 to enter politics in Saint Petersburg . He moved to Moscow in 1996 and joined President Boris Yeltsin 's administration , rising quickly through the ranks and becoming Acting President on 31 December 1999 , when Yeltsin resigned . Putin won the subsequent 2000 Presidential election by a 53 % to 30 % margin , thus avoiding a runoff with his Communist Party of the Russian Federation opponent , Gennady Zyuganov . He was re-elected President in 2004 with 72 % of the vote .   During Putin 's first presidency , the Russian economy grew for eight straight years , and GDP measured in purchasing power increased by 72 % . The growth was a result of the 2000s commodities boom , high oil prices , and prudent economic and fiscal policies . Because of constitutionally mandated term limits , Putin was ineligible to run for a third consecutive presidential term in 2008 . The 2008 Presidential election was won by Dmitry Medvedev , who appointed Putin Prime Minister , beginning what has been called a period of `` tandemocracy '' . In September 2011 , after presidential terms were extended from four to six years , Putin announced he would seek a third term as president . He won the March 2012 presidential election with 64 % of the vote , a result which aligned with pre-election polling . Falling oil prices coupled with international sanctions imposed at the beginning of 2014 after Russia 's annexation of Crimea and military intervention in Eastern Ukraine led to GDP shrinking by 3.7 % in 2015 , though the Russian economy rebounded in 2016 with 0.3 % GDP growth and is officially out of the recession .   Under Putin 's leadership , Russia has scored poorly on both the Economist Intelligence Unit 's Democracy Index and Transparency International 's Corruption Perceptions Index . Putin has enjoyed high domestic approval ratings during his career , and received extensive international attention as one of the world 's most powerful leaders . In 2007 , he was the Time Person of the Year . In 2015 , he was # 1 on the Time 's Most Influential People List . Forbes ranked him the World 's Most Powerful Individual every year from 2013 to 2016 .


Bohemian Rhapsody `` Bohemian Rhapsody '' is a song by the British rock band Queen . It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band 's 1975 album A Night at the Opera . It is a six-minute suite , consisting of several sections without a chorus : an intro , a ballad segment , an operatic passage , a hard rock part and a reflective coda . The song is a more accessible take on the 1970s progressive rock genre . It was reportedly the most expensive single ever made at the time of its release , though the exact cost of production can not be determined .   When it was released as a single , `` Bohemian Rhapsody '' became a commercial success , staying at the top of the UK Singles Chart for nine weeks and selling more than a million copies by the end of January 1976 . It reached number one again in 1991 for another five weeks when the same version was re-released , eventually becoming the UK 's third-best-selling single of all time . It is also the only song to be Christmas number one twice by the same artist . It topped the charts in several other markets as well , including Canada , Australia , New Zealand , Ireland and The Netherlands , later becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time . In the United States the song originally peaked at number nine in 1976 . It returned to the chart at number two in 1992 following Freddie Mercury 's death in 1991 , as well as its appearance in the film Wayne 's World , which revived its American popularity .   Although critical reaction was initially mixed , `` Bohemian Rhapsody '' remains one of Queen 's most popular songs and is frequently placed on modern lists of the greatest songs of all time . The single was accompanied by a promotional video , which many scholars consider ground-breaking . Rolling Stone magazine states : `` Its influence can not be overstated , practically inventing the music video seven years before MTV went on the air . '' In 2004 , `` Bohemian Rhapsody '' was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame . In 2012 , the song topped the list on an ITV nationwide poll in the UK to find `` The Nation 's Favourite Number One '' over 60 years of music .


Mark Hamill is an American actor and writer.

Mark Hamill Mark Richard Hamill ( born September 25 , 1951 ) is an American actor , voice actor , producer and writer . He is best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars film series . His other works include Corvette Summer ( 1978 ) and The Big Red One ( 1980 ) , among other television shows and movies . Hamill has also appeared on stage in several theater productions , primarily during the 1980s .   Hamill is a prolific voice actor who has voiced characters in many animated television shows , movies , and video games since the 1970s . He is known for his long-standing role as DC Comics ' the Joker , commencing with Batman : The Animated Series in 1992 .