The spotlight is on Hollywood as awards season kicks into full gear

Welcome back to our Saturday edition! One luxury travel planner, who crafts itineraries for her clients, forgot her own golden rules when booking her family’s 12-day trip through Europe. Here are her must-dos to avoid travel snafus.

On the agenda:

• Everyone is talking about ranches right now. Here’s why.

• A Texas local went to four Michelin-starred barbecue joints. One restaurant ended up being her favorite.

But first: Hi, awards season.

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This week’s dispatch

Lights, Camera, Awards

As the saying goes, the show must go on. Even with a city reeling from the devastating aftermath of wildfires, Los Angeles is taking center stage with awards season officially in full swing.

For the average fan, it’s a good time to escape the news from the boardroom or the White House and reflect on the projects that made us laugh, cry, or feel our feelings — whatever they may be.

For Hollywood, the implications are much larger. The economic impact of hosting several awards shows is a huge financial boon to the region. And while estimates are hard to quantify, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos wrote that events like these are “a hugely important source of income for a vast network of professionals” in California.

While the Golden Globes came and went with a splash, LA is now preparing for the Grammys. On February 2, comedian Trevor Noah will return to host music’s biggest night from inside LA’s Crypto.com Arena. BI’s music team says it’ll be a big year for Beyoncé, Chappell Roan, and Kendrick Lamar.

“All eyes will be on Beyoncé, who’s already the most-awarded artist in the show’s history — but hoping to win album of the year for the first time in her career with the country-inspired opus ‘Cowboy Carter,'” senior music reporter Callie Ahlgrim told me.

“Meanwhile, expect Kendrick Lamar to sweep the rap categories with ‘Not Like Us’ and Chappell Roan to win big in general-field races like best new artist and record of the year, thanks to her massive breakout hit ‘Good Luck Babe!'” she added.

The Oscars cap off awards season. The nominations were announced earlier this week, and “Emilia Pérez,” “Wicked,” and “The Brutalist” were the most recognized. Still, until March 2, it can be anybody’s trophy.

BI’s entertainment correspondent Jason Guerrasio said it may be a big night for an iconic movie star. “For the first time in years, Oscars night is wide open,” Guerrasio said, “but I think when the dust settles, ‘Wicked’ and Demi Moore will be walking away with hardware.”

Home sweet ranch

Beyoncé released “Cowboy Carter,” “Yellowstone” pulled 11.4 million viewers, and Western-inspired fashion trends are on runways. Our love affair with cowboy culture seems to be back in full swing.

The cowboy craze has also extended to the real-estate market, with ranches seeing more demand, brokers told BI. While owning a ranch comes with its own challenges, they offer something for everyone — from living off the land to enjoying more privacy.

Why people are loving ranches right now.

So long, faux-zempic

GLP-1 drugs are at the center of a weight-loss revolution. For some Americans, the Ozempic gold rush helped deliver a weight-loss solution into their hands.

The drugs became so popular that manufacturers started running out. When the FDA added GLP-1s to its shortage list, it allowed drug compounders to get in on the action — making cheaper, knock-off versions more accessible to patients. Now that supply has caught up to demand, and the FDA is poised to declare the shortage over.

It’s going to get a lot harder to get knock-off Ozempic.

Bet on the Shooting Star

Shooting Star in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has been ranked a top golf course in the US. Still, few get to see it — membership requires an invitation, and there’s a long waitlist.

BI’s Joey Hadden went inside the 1,300-acre property and toured the clubhouse, 18-hole course, barn, and residences. It oozed Western charm, and its natural beauty made it look like a painting.

Take a peek.

Michelin-starred BBQ

When it comes to barbecue, Texas might rank supreme. Barbecue restaurants in Texas feel as abundant as Starbucks locations.

It’s no wonder why the Michelin Guide awarded stars to four barbecue spots when it expanded to Texas in 2024. A local visited La Barbecue, Interstellar BBQ, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, and Corkscrew BBQ to see if they lived up to the hype.

One ended up being her favorite.

What we’re watching this weekend

• “The Night Agent“: Netflix’s popular political thriller series is back for season two, focusing on Peter Sutherland’s new job as a night agent.

• “Gladiator II“: Ridley Scott’s epic sequel to the 2000 movie “Gladiator” is streaming on Paramount+ following a theatrical release.

• “Blink Twice“: Channing Tatum plays a sinister tech billionaire named Slater King in Zoë Kravitz’s 2024 directorial debut. The psychological thriller is now streaming on Prime Video.

See the full list

What to shop

• Affordable loungewear: We love Spanx’s AirEssentials sets, so we had to test this affordable alternative from Amazon that went viral on social media. The Amazon bestseller had us impressed with its luxe feel and comfortable fit.

• For the dog parents: No toy is truly indestructible, but these come pretty close. We submitted these products to our dogs’ strong jaws, plus forks, knives, and dishwashers, to find the best dog toys for aggressive chewers.

• Underwear that won’t let you down: Boxer briefs should offer ample support, coverage, and comfort — but not all are created equal. That’s why we’ve spent years testing the best boxer briefs for men.

More of this week’s top reads:

The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.

Read the original article on Business Insider