2017’s year of entertainment

     As an entertainment guru, I enjoy reading about musicians, celebrities, movies, TV shows… Hollywood royalty, if you will.

     At the end of every year, several entertainment media sources release their lists of top entertainment news stories. I thought I would comment on several in my column as the year comes to a close.

Rose McGowan

     This actress was credited for helping to push the #MeToo campaign on social media.

     While this is a contentious issue, political ta times, I won’t offer my thoughts on the matter, preferring to stay neutral (for once in my life). But, never the less, this campaign gave women (and some men) a stronger voice in calling out sexual harassers in the workplace: Hollywood and Washington, D.C.

     This movement has certainly made a difference as of late with those in Hollywood, Congress and in the media being fired for their alleged wrongdoings. So much so that Time Magazine declared their person of the year “The Silence Breakers,” women and men who kept silent regarding sexual allegations who are finally feeling capable of coming forward.

Gal Gadot

     Gadot is the actress who plays Wonder Woman, and whose movie “Wonder Woman” broke box office records as the highest grossing superhero movie. And, it not only starred a female superhero, but was directed by a female director, Petty Jenkins. The movie brought in a total of $821 million, surpassing all other superhero movies.

     Another interesting fact about Gadot: She was born and grew up in Israel.

Jordan Peele

     Peele is known as part of the Comedy Central duo “Key and Peele.” When she sketch comedy show came to an end, he wrote and directed his first film, “Get Out.” Just this week, his movie was nominated for a Golden Globe.

     What took little to make went on to become the second biggest R-rated horror movie ever, according to Forbes. It went on to gross $165 million, coming in just behind “Hannibal.”

     Nobody quite knows what genre to place “Get Out” in: comedy, satire, horror, thriller. Regardless, people loved it!

Kumail Nanjiani

     Nanjiani is an actor, comedian, and writer. He’s from Pakistan, a joke he plays up quite a bit in his stand-up, saying people commonly mistake him as Indian.

     This year his independent movie “The Big Sick,” based on how he and his wife met, did better than expected in theaters, making a name for Nanjiani.

     He’s also known for trolling conservative political leaders on social media, making quite a hobby out of it.

Jimmy Kimmel

     The late night host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” also made a name for himself this year by taking on political figures, using his show as a podium of sorts.

     Kimmel’s son was born with heart defects, and as Trump and Congress debated the Affordable Care Act, Kimmel did as well. He used his own experiences as a means for giving a voice to others in need of health insurance.

     He’s made an impact, too, with Congressional leaders taking aim at Kimmel on social media. They wouldn’t waste their time responding to his accusations if his comments didn’t hit a nerve.

Alec Baldwin

     Baldwin’s impression of Trump during the campaign up until now has landed him on Saturday Night Live repeatedly. It also helped him to write his newest book, a satire about the President.

     Baldwin was also the keynote speaker this month at the Iowa Democrat convention in Des Moines.