Today, March 4th is Fat Tuesday! Also known as Mardi Gras, this is the last day of the Carnival season – a period of raucous merry-making in the weeks leading up to Lent. In countries all across the world, people will traditionally celebrate with extravagant festivals, parades, and feasts. They will don costumes, dance in the streets, and binge on decadent desserts. The two most famous Mardi Gras celebrations take place in Venice, Italy and New Orleans, Louisiana. At the Carnevale di Venezia the most important event is the contest for the best mask, which is judged by a panel of international fashion designers. Most years in New Orleans, the festivities revolve around the Mardi Gras parades, which are organized by secret societies known as “krewes.” The members of these societies design the elaborate floats and ride them during the event, tossing beads to the crowd below.
Harrison Ford had to bail on the Oscar last minute. The icon was a late addition to the presenters list last week and then came down with Shingles. The 82-year-old actor is resting and recovering. Mark Hamill was added as a present right before Ford canceled the appearance.
HBO's behind-the-scenes look at football is making a huge change. Up until now, the series has followed pro football teams, but for the upcoming offseason is shifting its focus to college football and a big name. It was reported Friday that the HBO series' offseason edition will highlight NFL legend Bill Belichick in his new gig as head coach at the University of North Carolina. Last year's offseason edition of the show followed the New York Giants, and it was such a tumultuous time for the team that it's reported no other NFL team wishes to go through that, thus the shift in focus to Belichick as he takes over at the Division I college.