Today: Oprah 2020? And More From the Golden Globes

Jan. 8, 2018 5 AM PT

At the Golden Globe Awards, the films “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” “Lady Bird” and “The Shape of Water” took home the big prizes, but Oprah Winfrey stole the show.

TOP STORIES

Oprah 2020? And More From the Golden Globes

The Golden Globes are usually seen as Hollywood’s night to party, but as the first big awards show to take place amid the #MeToo movement, Sunday’s show was different. It started with what Meryl Streep called the “thick black line” of attire on the red carpet, meant to show solidarity with the Time’s Up campaign to draw attention to sexual harassment. And it continued throughout the night, including a speech by Oprah Winfrey (read it here) that fueled speculation about her running for president. “It’s up to the people,” Winfrey’s longtime partner, Stedman Graham, told The Times. “She would absolutely do it.” Oprah’s response later: “Okaay!”

Oprah Winfrey with her Golden Globe Award backstage.

Video From the Golden Globes

-- Red carpet rewind: A look at the black-dress blackout and more.

-- Actor William H. Macy thinks the world would be a better place if women ran it.

-- A look back at Winfrey’s career, from morning TV host to recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award.

The Very Model of ‘Very Stable Genius’?

President Trump and the White House can’t stop talking about the bestselling book “Fire and Fury,” Michael Wolff’s unsettling depiction of the president. Trump’s tweets defending himself as “a very stable genius,” attacking former strategist Stephen K. Bannon, and praising senior advisor Stephen Miller’s combative appearance on CNN fired up some of his supporters but also fueled even more discussion of the president’s fitness. Bannon tried to mend fences Sunday, praising Donald Trump Jr. as “both a patriot and a good man.” As for the book, The Times’ Jackie Calmes writes, “Whatever the flaws…, the White House is right to fear that this book will do damage.”

More Politics

-- Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has recalled for questioning at least one participant in a meeting with a Kremlin-connected Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016 and is looking into Trump’s misleading claim that the discussion focused on adoption.

-- Trump, who has threatened to annihilate a nuclear-armed North Korea, said he would talk to that country’s leadership under certain conditions.

-- Trump’s plan to expand oil and gas leasing in the West has drawn, for the most part, a big “whatever” from the industry. What gives?

-- With their fate in the Trump administration’s hands, 260,000 Salvadoran immigrants are waiting and worrying. A decision is likely to come today.

Here Comes the Rain Again

After one of the driest starts to Southern California’s wet season ever recorded, the first significant rainstorm is hitting today, bringing wet weather across the state. Though the rain is good news in some respects, heavy downpours in burn areas from San Diego to wine country could bring floods and debris flows. The storm is particularly worrisome for Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, where the rains could be heaviest and the Thomas fire has burned more than 281,000 acres. This graphic explains how wildfires create a wax-like layer of soil that can wreak havoc.

California’s Bad Case of the Flu

This year’s flu is nothing to mess around with. Health officials said late last week that 27 people younger than 65 in California have died since October, compared with three during the same period a year earlier — and that doesn’t even count the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable. Emergency rooms have been full, and some pharmacies are running out of flu medication. What to do? Start with a flu shot, and follow these tips.

Feminism, Syrian-Style

Before northeastern Syria was overtaken by Islamic extremists, it wasn’t exactly a bastion of feminism: Most women were expected to obey men. But traditional Arab tribesmen and their families living in camps away from the battle against Islamic State are encountering some distinctly progressive ideas about women — from the Kurdish forces providing them shelter. “Our goal was … also to rebuild society into one that respects women and gives them their rights,” says one female commander who helped drive Islamic State from the city of Raqqah.

OUR MUST-READS FROM THE WEEKEND

-- Meanwhile, back at Gov. Jerry Brown’s ranch, he’s planning the next phase after his term is up.

-- Columnist Steve Lopez goes out on the water to talk about protecting California’s beaches from Trump.

-- 395: That’s the number of women who have contacted The Times with allegations of sexual harassment against James Toback.

-- Lots of enthusiastic Rams fans showed up for the team’s NFL playoff game Saturday. Unfortunately, the team didn’t. Columnist Bill Plaschke gives his take.

CALIFORNIA

-- Former Rep. Doug Ose has become the third major Republican candidate in the governor’s race, which could make it harder for GOP voters to advance one to the November general election.

-- After the sudden retirement of L.A. schools Supt. Michelle King, who announced she has cancer, Los Angeles Board of Education members face difficult decisions this week.

-- Paul Gonzales was the pride of East L.A. when he won Olympic gold. Now, he’s accused of molesting young boxers.

-- About 2,000 demonstrators in Westwood showed their support for the anti-government protests that erupted in Iran.

HOLLYWOOD AND THE ARTS

-- The film “David Bowie: The Last Five Years,” coming today to HBO, reflects on the final projects of the artist’s life.

-- Violinist Itzhak Perlman talks about the art of listening, YouTube and his friend President Obama. Perlman will be at Disney Hall this week.

CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD

Jerry Van Dyke, who died last week at age 86, got his start doing stand-up routines at his high school in Danville, Ill., and took his act with him to the Air Force. His first big break in Hollywood came playing his real-life older brother’s brother on CBS’ “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” But as TV critic Robert Lloyd writes, “it is perfectly possible that Jerry was the sibling whose work you knew or liked best.”

NATION-WORLD

-- In Palestinian territories and in Israel, there are jitters over Trump’s threat to cut aid to Palestinians.

-- Israel published a list of 20 organizations it says advocate a boycott of the country and announced that it will deny them entry.

-- A treehouse tale: Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, this Florida couple’s “getaway” must be torn down.

-- Seen the jokes about Oregonians not knowing how to pump gas? Some say it’s (shock!) way overblown on social media.

BUSINESS

-- The porn industry is looking to capitalize on virtual reality technology, but VR companies aren’t so hot on the idea.

-- Why setting up a living trust may be wise, especially in California.

SPORTS

-- Alabama faces Georgia for the College Football Playoff national championship tonight, and it will probably be a bruising battle.

-- The promising future of U.S. women’s figure skating has taken a turn, columnist Helene Elliott writes.

OPINION

-- Supportive housing for the homeless: It’s time for Los Angeles to cut the red tape already and start building.

-- Trump’s hiring surge for Border Patrol agents will please his base, but it would probably accomplish little.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- Is it because he’s tweeting or meeting? Trump is reportedly starting his official day later than before, often around 11 a.m. (Axios)

-- Media columnist Margaret Sullivan on the Trump book and why you should never assume “we’re off the record.” (Washington Post)

-- A closer look at Recy Taylor, who was mentioned in Winfrey’s Golden Globes speech, and racially motivated rape by white men in the Jim Crow South. (The Undefeated)

ONLY IN L.A.

He was a sight to behold: 6 feet 7, dressed in sandals and a white robe, with long brown hair and a beard. Did he perform miracles too? You never know, but WeHo Jesus was a man by the name of Kevin Short who was soft-spoken, not particularly religious and definitely a center of attention. Short died at age 57 last month, but he’ll always be remembered for his comforting presence.

If you like this newsletter, please share it with friends. Comments or ideas? Email us at headlines@latimes.com.