The political season in the U.S. goes into prime time starting in February as the countdown begins to Super Tuesday while the sports and entertainment industry celebrate the best of show including the 50th annual Super Bowl, the 58th annual Grammys, and the 88th annual Academy Awards.
Considering the lineup, it’s no surprise that “sweeps” kick off starting February 4th – March 2nd.
HOLIDAYS:
February is Black History Month in the US and given the recent controversy re: lack of diversity in Hollywood, timing is everything.
February 2nd: Groundhog Day. Not only one of my favorite Bill Murray films, but a day to see if
Punxsutawney Phil emerges from Gobbler’s Knob amidst the bright lights of the news crews to save or condemn us to six (6) more weeks of winter based on his shadow. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will miss the annual ceremony at the Staten Island Zoo to stump for Hillary Clinton in Iowa but New Yorkers know the real reason why Hizzoner is keeping his distance.
February 8th: Chinese New Year a/k/a Year of the Monkey and while I have no idea what that means, it seems appropriate for this year’s news cycle.
February 14th: Valentine’s Day. Mercifully, it falls on a Sunday this year.
February 15th: Presidents’ Day. It’s plural to represent all U.S. presidents – past and present. Wonder who will celebrate next year?
CAMPAIGN 2016
February 1st kicks off Iowa’s caucuses for both parties with the Democratic and Republican winners scoring bragging rights and momentum into the New Hampshire primary
February 3rd: CNN hosts a Democratic town hall in New Hampshire which is curious because tomorrow is pretty much more of the same.
February 4th: MSNBC just announced that it will hold a Democratic presidential debate in New Hampshire ahead of the first primary.
February 6th: GOP debate before the NH primary. At this point, it doesn’t even matter if Trump shows up to the event as he will be discussed in absentia.
February 9th: New Hampshire primary: expect to see picturesque shots of snow and local villages. Also, an important time for those lagging in the polls to impress the New England constituency.
February 11th: Democratic debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ahead of the caucus in Nevada.
February 13th: GOP debate in South Carolina and primary to follow.
February 20th: Two-fer. For the Republicans, it’s the South Carolina GOP primary – often considered a “do-or-die” event and Nevada, it’s caucus time for the Democrats and the last big election before Super Tuesday on March 1.
February 23: Now the GOP rally and caucus in Nevada.
February 25: GOP debate. Last time to knock it out of the park before Super Tuesday
February 27: South Carolina feeling the love as the Democratic primary kicks off and candidates rethink their respective strategies.
March 1: Super Tuesday. It’s go-time as twelve (12) states either have a caucus or a primary. Much like the Hunger Games, someone is go’n down.
ENTERTAINMENT/AWARD SEASON:
February 7th: 50th annual Super Bowl kicks off with the Carolina Panthers vs Denver Colts. Without the Green Bay Packers, I’ll only be watching for the ads and the halftime show starring Coldplay, Beyonce, and Bruno Mars. Estimated viewership: more than 110 million fans around the world.
February 15th: The 58th annual Grammys hosted by L.L. Cool J.and airing for the first time on a Monday in a bid to boost ratings. The “In Memoriam” segment is going to be lengthy as 2016 said goodbye to Ian Fraser Kilmister a/k/a Lemmy, David Bowie, Glenn Frey, amongst others.
February 28th: The 88th annual Academy Awards hosted by Chris Rock who zinged the Oscars on Twitter:
The #Oscars. The White BET Awards. https://t.co/8qjLR0uysI
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) January 15, 2016