Eric Deggans

Tv and Media Critic for the Saint Petersburg Times

Eric Deggans appears in the following:

Cher, An Elephant, And The Power Of Celebrity

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

When the pop star got involved in saving an elephant in an Islamabad zoo, detailed in a new documentary, she also had to fight an uncomfortable feeling: "I kept saying, "'I'm just an entertainer.'"

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AT&T To Spin Off, Merge With Discovery To Compete With Streaming Giants

Monday, May 17, 2021

AT&T announced it's spinning off WarnerMedia, just five years after acquiring Time Warner. It will create a new media company with Discovery in an attempt to better compete with Netflix and Disney.

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'Underground Railroad' Is A Hard But Beautiful Reflection On Black Pain

Friday, May 14, 2021

Barry Jenkins' adaptation of Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad reaches us at a time when we are most prepared for its message, but severely challenged by its delivery system.

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Ellen DeGeneres' Talk Show Ending After 19 Seasons

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

After 19 seasons — and some damaging reporting that revealed a toxic workplace environment — talk show host Ellen DeGeneres' show will end.

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Elon Musk Takes An Awkward Turn As 'Saturday Night Live' Host

Sunday, May 09, 2021

The Tesla CEO got to cement his image as a celebrity with pop culture cachet, appearing with the SNL cast in silly sketches that promoted his pet projects and dressing up as a video game character.

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In The Mood To Binge? Here Are 4 Shows To Watch Now

Friday, May 07, 2021

From HBO's two-part documentary on the opioid epidemic to a Star Wars spin-off, here are four shows that represent some of the best 2021 has to offer so far.

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A Look At Tyler Perry's Complicated Legacy

Friday, April 30, 2021

Tyler Perry's acceptance of a special Oscar for humanitarian work reveals his complicated legacy as a filmmaker, who is credited for uplifting Black people while stereotyping and profiting from them.

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Did Last Night's Oscars Work As A TV Show?

Monday, April 26, 2021

We've talked about the ratings and who won what — but did the Oscars telecast work as good TV? Oscars producers made some unusual choices this year. We break down the good, the bad and the ugly.

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What To Watch For At The Oscars

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Tonight's ceremony closes out the longest and most unconventional awards season in Hollywood history. Several presenters and nominees will appear in person, and there's even a red carpet of sorts.

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'The Falcon And The Winter Soldier' Finale Makes A Poignant Reveal

Friday, April 23, 2021

The final episode of the first season of Marvel's Disney+ series dropped Friday — along with a timely surprise.

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Coverage Of Chauvin Verdict Seems As Divided As Nation's Politics

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Broadcast and cable news networks showed different approaches to coverage of the Chauvin verdict.

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With Audience In Mind, Media Offers Varied Treatment Of Chauvin Trial

Saturday, April 10, 2021

As the second week of the Derek Chauvin trial wraps up, how are various media outlets covering it?

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Filmmakers Call Out PBS For A Lack Of Diversity, Over-Reliance On Ken Burns

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

A group of documentarians have signed a letter to PBS expressing concerns that white stars like Ken Burns get too much airtime and resources, while filmmakers of color struggle to build careers.

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Tina Turner's Life Explored In New Documentary

Saturday, March 27, 2021

HBO's documentary on Tina Turner is presented as the 81-year-old singer's final word on her expansive life and career — a history she finds difficult to talk about.

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Streaming Services Decide Whether To Put Advisories On Content That Hasn't Aged Well

Friday, March 19, 2021

As streaming services reckon with their film libraries, companies have to consider whether to place advisories on content that hasn't aged well.

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Aretha Franklin Shines In, And Despite, The New Miniseries, 'Genius: Aretha'

Friday, March 19, 2021

Debuting this Sunday on National Geographic, Genius: Aretha looks at the Queen of Soul's life through the lens of a television biopic.

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'Justice League' Fans Finally Get Access To Zack Snyder Cut Of Film On HBO Max

Friday, March 19, 2021

After years of campaigning on social media, fans can now stream the 4-hour Zack Snyder's Justice League. What does that say about the relationship between fandoms and movie studios?

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Here At Long (Really Long) Last, 'Zack Snyder's Justice League' Is ... Not Bad?

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Zach Snyder's Justice League drops on HBO Max on Thursday; despite being an eye-popping four hours long, it's a stronger film than the 2017 version finished by Joss Whedon after Snyder stepped away.

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The Bachelor Finale Brings To Light Systemic Issues Within The Show

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Following the finale of The Bachelor, a look at what the season amounted to and issues that need to be addressed by the show.

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The Bachelor's Cluelessness About Race Comes To A Head In Season Finale

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Matt James — the first Black bachelor in the franchise's history — broke things off with winner Rachael Kirkconnell after photos of her at an antebellum South-themed party surfaced on social media.

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