How Jack Benny Became A Template For Comedians

In May 1932, with vaudeville in a death spiral due to the Great Depression, Benny turned to the growing entertainment medium of broadcast radio. It was Benny’s understanding of radio’s unique challenges—and his ingenious solutions to them—that helped him become the number one comedian in radio history, forging a template that many imitators and competitors would follow.

Bookstore Pulls Books By Junot Diaz, Sherman Alexie, David Foster Wallace From Shelves

Says Allison Krzanowski, co-owner of Quill Books & Beverage in Westbrook, Maine, “There are plenty of authors who aren’t sexually assaulting and sexually harassing people, so we make more space for them by removing the ones who are. … There have been some people who think we are banning books, and to that, I say it is our choice not to carry products. … We have a ‘safe space’ commitment, and that extends to our shelves.”

A New International Court For Art Disputes

“A new body dedicated exclusively to resolving art disputes, the Court of Arbitration for Art (CAA), will be formally launched 7 June in the Hague by the Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI) and the nonprofit Authentication in Art. Instead of being decided by judges and juries, cases will be heard by arbitrators who are seasoned lawyers familiar with industry practice and issues specific to art disputes. Scientific and provenance experts, who are often essential to proving authenticity and title to an artwork, will be appointed by the court rather than hired by the disputing parties.”