Chalk it up to good holiday spirit, but this week we’ve got more chuckles and cheers (and Star Wars…) than judgment and jeers in this week’s news roundup. But let’s get the hard stuff out of the way first…

This week in sexual harassment, misconduct and assault
The conversations continue to swirl about who did what when in which industry and whether there should be some sort of severity continuum in discussing perpetrators and their projected punishments. And whenever someone speaks on this issue, it’s complicated. Rose McGowan took Meryl Streep to task, saying she must have known about Harvey Weinstein’s abuse of women in Hollywood, but ignored it, in a tweet that has since been deleted but read in part, “YOUR SILENCE is THE problem.” Meryl shot back with a statement that included, “I am truly sorry she sees me as an adversary, because we are both, together with all the women in our business, standing in defiance of the same implacable foe: a status quo that wants so badly to return to the bad old days, the old ways where women were used, abused and refused entry into the decision-making, top levels of the industry. That’s where the cover-ups convene. Those rooms must be disinfected, and integrated, before anything even begins to change.” (Huffington Post)

Actor and comedian T.J. Miller was accused of sexual assault, and – commenting on what she thinks might be an acceptable form of accountability for assault in the comedy community – comedian and writer Jamie Loftus suggested that “It’s a complicated issue that I think we will have to grapple with in the coming years with predators who are finally being held accountable. Today, right now, I still think we should make them fucking leave.” (Paste Magazine)

On The View, comedian Tig Notaro said that “it’s a huge relief” that Louis C.K. was removed from comedy. She’s been publicly trying to distance herself for two years from Louis,  she said, and recently addressed sexual harassment in her show, “One Mississippi,” in an episode written months before the recent burgeoning of conversations on sexual harassment, misconduct and assault.

Things at the Weekly What are getting weird and quirky from here, so hang on, Grokites…

Are feminists putting a hex on Trump?
Witches and feminists: who can really tell the difference these days? Or at least that’s what writer Charlie Nash told Alex Marlow, Breitbart editor-in-chief, that feminism and witchcraft have become “increasingly entwined,” according to Right Wing Watch. Nash also claimed that witches were putting a hex on Trump because it’s about being part of a community of women that like to make Christians uncomfortable: “They have these other women which they can kind of get together and have a weird time with. Secondly, I think it scares religious people. Obviously, a lot of these people are atheistic. They like to wind up the Christians. And thirdly, I think they also have a kind of—they feel like they have a connection to the persecuted women of the Salem witch trials. They look at these women and see them as kind of as victims of patriarchy, almost.” Related question: Are there any Trump-hexing covens in Los Angeles? #askingforafriend (via RawStory; audio below from Right Wing Watch)

We love Kelly Marie Tran – here’s why!

We love Star Wars and we love Rey and of course we love Leia, but one of our new favorite females is Rose Tico, played by Kelly Marie Tran, who is increasingly more adorable with every passing day. Check out her instagramming of the moment when, in a pub, she overhears a nearby group talking about The Last Jedi, and about how Rose is their favorite. (And right after this, she went over and introduced herself.)

A few days ago, I was at a pub eating pie with a friend, when this DELIGHTFUL group of people came in. They sat down at the table next to me and started discussing The Last Jedi — in minute detail. My friend started filming as I listened, and she captured my reaction as they discussed Rose. 😭🌹 After lots of creepy listening — and eating 🥧😬 — I awkwardly walked over to introduce myself. They couldn’t be more lovely. What an incredible moment in a string of incredible moments I’ve been experiencing lately. ❤️ In my 8 years as a struggling actor, I came to the realization that the hardest thing to obtain from another human being is their genuine interest. Sometimes, getting someone to listen to your story — your idea — is really hard. It’s pretty impossible for a movie to get made, and there are many stories that don’t make it into a book or a film or a television show. I know how lucky I am to be a part of something that people love, to be able to act and tell stories at all. And one of my greatest joys has been creepily listening to conversations about TLJ when I’m out and about. 😬🤓 Regardless of opinion or preference, it’s still a topic of discussion. And no matter who we are, no matter where we’re from, if we can really listen and have a conversation about something — anything — it can really open up a door. It can open us up to new ideas and new understanding. So thanks, wonderful people, for watching and dissecting and discussing. It makes me happy to know that we made something that’s starting a dialogue. My heart is so full, and my goals are so clear. Let’s tell more stories. Let’s have more conversations. Let’s get to know lives and worlds different from our own. And most of all — let’s open our hearts and accept our differences. More love, less hate. Also, more pies, because THEY ARE AMAZING. 🥧❤️💁🏻🙃 PS @catmahoney87 — thanks for not thinking it was creepy when I went through my insta tags to find this photo so I could write about this moment. 😂❤️

A post shared by Kelly Marie Tran (@kellymarietran) on Dec 18, 2017 at 8:13am PST

Kevin Smith is all of us (who are Star Wars fans…)
Writer/director Kevin Smith is a huge fan of pop culture and especially of Star Wars – he has seen the movie twice and the second time he took pages of notes that he is incorporating into a review of the film that is about half as long as the film itself. (Seriously, it’s 90 minutes.) So if you’re interested in a deep dive by an ardent fan who uses the f-word a lot – or into Kevin Smith crying because he found something in the film so moving – check it out.

The Force is with you! Here’s your Star Wars scrolling bonus…

Lost and The Leftovers creator Damon Lindelof has been photoshopping the Lanai (The Last Jedi’s “fish nuns”) into things. They’re all funny, but we are partial to this one.

#NotShopped

A post shared by Damon (@damonlindelof) on Dec 19, 2017 at 11:10pm PST

Coming soon to a theater near you…

This week two big movie trailers dropped – Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again, which for some reason someone thought was necessary (but which also stars Cher, so that could be interesting), and Ocean’s 8, the all-women reboot of the Ocean’s 11 series featuring amazing women like Sandra Bullock, Mindy Kaling, Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulson. Now we know what you’re thinking: why do women get 8 and the men got 11, 12, and ultimately, 13? There are a few answers. Firstly, obviously with women making 79 cents for every dollar a man earns, Hollywood felt compelled to carry this tradition on, giving Sandra and her ladies about 72% of the criminal cohorts that Clooney & co. had. But we prefer the *real* answer: that women are more efficient and don’t need all that extra manpower. (Also, this cast is potentially a secret coven capable of hexing presidents, see story above.)

Bits O’ Bloom
We’re big fans of Rachel Bloom and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” – and she blessed the internet with two things this week, so we’re sharing them both!

Blam! Here’s Your Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 2 Gag Reel
A special treat from Rachel Bloom and colleagues, especially Mr. Pete Gardner (Darryl) trying to say “little tiny mouse voice box,” which proves to be harder than anyone could have predicted, and a “Never Have Problems Again” dance party.

Bloom’s Got Balls
Lots of them. Literally.

We have turned part of our basement into a ball pit and I have never been happier.

A post shared by Rachel Bloom (@racheldoesstuff) on Dec 16, 2017 at 6:19pm PST

What’d we miss? (We know, the tax bill passing, we’re just not ready to dissect it yet…) What else did we miss? What are you talking about this week? Let us know and keep the conversation going in the comments section…

Whether you celebrated Hanukkah last week, are looking forward to Christmas this weekend, are celebrating Kwanzaa next week, enjoyed yesterday’s Winter Solstice or are otherwise involved in celebrating holidays, friends or family – may this be a season of light and optimism, looking forward to a new year of health and happiness!