NOW ENTERTAINMENT March 00 15 -- 21, Month 00, 2026 2023
Your Weekly TV Entertainment Brought To You By Olean Times Herald & The Bradford Era
Conan O’Brien (“Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) returns to host the 98th Academy Awards, airing Sunday, March 15, on ABC. Conan O’Brien hosts the 98th Academy Awards
Cover Story Hollywood stars and ‘Sinners’: O’Brien returns to host 98th Academy Awards By Dana Simpson At last year’s Academy Awards ceremony, host Conan O’Brien (“Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) used his platform to call out the seemingly “self-indulgent and superfluous” nature of awards shows in the face of “wildfires and divisive politics.” While highlighting the absurd choice to honor wealthy figures amid global trauma, suffering and pain, O’Brien also drew attention to the reason the Oscars are important, noting that “for almost a century, we have paused every spring to elevate and celebrate an art form that has the power, at its very best, to unite us.” This spring we unite on Sunday, March 15, for the 98th Academy Awards, airing on ABC. Whether you gather with friends for a fancy Oscars party or choose to partake quietly at home, the decision to celebrate cinema and those who create it can be a radical act of love in a world otherwise divided.
Despite O’Brien joking that he would not attend the 98th awards due to plans to “[leave] Hollywood to run a bed and breakfast in Orlando,” the comedian and former late-night pundit returns as host, once again bridging the gap between the film industry elite and their audience — some grateful for art that provides levity, others grateful for art that confronts atrocity. (Bonus points to the rare few films that successfully do both.) Of course, the talk of Tinsel Town this awards season is 2025’s “Sinners,” the horror film written and directed by Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther,” 2018) that set a new academy record with a whopping 16 nominations. For reference, “All About Eve” (1950), “Titanic” (1997) and “La La Land” (2016) were all previously tied for the honor of “most-nominated film,” each boasting 14 nods at their respective ceremonies.
In Focus “Daredevil: Born Again” - Season 2 (Disney+ — March 24, Season Premiere) Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York.
“Sinners” also set the record for the most Black individuals ever nominated for a single film with 10 nominations. “Sinners” tells the story of Sammie “Preacher Boy” Moore (played by newcomer Miles Caton), a young sharecropper and blues guitarist in the Mississippi Delta during the 1930s. When Sammie’s smooth-talking twin cousins Smoke and Stack (both played by Creed franchise star Michael B. Jordan) return home from a job under Al Capone in Chicago, they open a juke joint where locals can blow off steam after a long day of work in the crushing heat. But when a trio of mysterious strangers shows up outside the venue, Smoke, Stack, Sammie and friends are engaged in a fight against sinister forces. Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow south and featuring elements of folk horror, religion, superstition and preternatural evil, “Sinners”
places music at the heart of a Black community facing immense oppression and horror in their daily lives. Hoping to give “Sinners” a run for its money this year is Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolution-forward action thriller “One Battle After Another,” with 13 nominations. Holding nine nominations apiece are Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” the table tennis dramedy “Marty Supreme” and the multi-language family drama “Sentimental Value.” Chloe Zhao’s Shakespeare biopic “Hamnet” is also highly lauded, boasting eight nominations. Additional multiple-award nominees include “Bugonia,” “Train Dreams,” “F1,” “The Secret Agent,” “KPop Demon Hunters,” “Blue Moon,” “It Was Just an Accident,” “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Sirat.” Don’t miss Conan O’Brien returning to host the 98th Academy Awards Sunday, March 15, on ABC.
In Focus
The Refund Advance The Advance LoanRefund is sooooo back. The Advance LoanRefund is sooooo back. You is could get up to Loan sooooo back.
$4,000 $4,000 $4,000 You could get up to You could get up to
within minutes of filing. within minutes of filing. within minutes of filing.
Apply Jan. 2 – Mar. 15 Apply 2 – Mar. 487Jan. N Union St 15 Apply Jan. 2| –716-373-2008 Mar. 15 Olean, NY487 14760 N Union St E MAIN ST Olean, NY807 14760 | 716-373-2008
BRADFORD, PA 16701 | 814-368-7993 This is an optional tax refund-related loan from Pathward®, N.A.; it is not your tax refund. Loans are offered in amounts of $250, $500, $750, $1,250, $2,500, or $4,000. Approval and loan amount based on expected refund amount, eligibility This is anand optional tax refund-related loanfunds from will Pathward®, N.A.; itasis directed not your tax Loans in amounts of criteria, underwriting. If approved, be disbursed to arefund. prepaid cardare or offered checking account at $250, $1,250, $2,500, or $4,000. Approval and loan on expected refund Pathward. The$750, loantax amount will be deducted your tax refund, andyour anybased remaining balance willoffered beamount, sent toeligibility you. Tax This is $500, an optional refund-related loan fromfrom Pathward®, N.A.; it isamount not tax refund. Loans are in amounts of criteria, and be underwriting. If$2,500, approved, funds will be disbursed asamount directed toproducts a on prepaid or checking account at returns may e-filed without applying for this loan. Fees forloan other optional or card product features may apply. $250, $500, $750, $1,250, or $4,000. Approval and based expected refund amount, eligibility Pathward. The loanatamount be deducted from your tax refund, andOnline any remaining balance willchecking be sent to you. Tax Limited time offer participating locations. Not available in H&R Block or Tax Software. Block Maine License criteria, and underwriting. Ifwill approved, funds will be disbursed as directed to a prepaid cardH&R or account at returns may be e-filed without applying for this loan. Fees for other optional products or product features may apply. No. 2649367. Pathward. TheOBTP#13696-BR. loan amount will be deducted from your tax refund, and any remaining balance will be sent to you. Tax Limited at participating locations. in H&R Blockoptional Online orproducts Tax Software. H&R Block Maine returns time may offer be e-filed without applying forNot thisavailable loan. Fees for other or product features mayLicense apply. No. 2649367. OBTP#13696-BR. Limited time offer at participating locations. Not available in H&R Block Online or Tax Software. H&R Block Maine License
V210081
V210081
“Bait” - Season 1 (Prime Video — March 25, Series Premiere) From Riz Ahmed, this new comedy follows Shah Latif (Ahmed), a struggling actor, coming face-to-face with his last chance to hit it big in the form of an audition of a lifetime. Over the course of four wild days, Latif’s life spirals out of control and his family, ex-lover and the entire world weigh in on whether he is the right man for the job.