The Sporting Life: January Edition

Derrick Henry

Periodically I like to check in with you loyal readers to fill you in on things that some of you might have missed. This month, I wanted to make sure you know what’s going on with a major movie, a play, and the playoffs.

The Cher Show is coming to TPAC next weekend for two nights, Friday and Saturday, January 19 and 20. Superstars come and go. Cher is forever. For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture — breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries, and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. The Cher Show is the Tony Award®-winning musical of her story, 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy®, an Oscar®, an Emmy® and enough Tony Award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical that will have you dancing in the aisles. Please note that Cher does not appear in the production of The Cher Show.

In the NFL, the Titans knocked the Jaguars out of the playoffs Sunday, with Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill auditioning superbly for their next teams. This weekend, the Texans host the Browns (3:30, NBC, Peacock) and the Chiefs host the Dolphins on Saturday (7:00, Peacock only – don’t ask!); Sunday, the Bills host the Steelers (Noon, CBS), the Cowboys host the Packers (3:30 FOX), and the Lions host the Rams (7:00,NBC, Peacock); Monday night, the Buccaneers host the Eagles (7:00, ABC, ESPN).

Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in OPPENHEIMER.

Fresh off dominating the Golden Globes with five awards, the most of any movie, including the prize for Best Motion Picture Drama. Oppenheimer is returning in IMAX 70mm Film. Experience Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece the way it was intended beginning Friday, January 12. Regal Opry Mills & IMAX in Nashville is one of the only 13 select IMAX theatres in the US, The UK, Canada, and Australia to have it, and it will only be there through Wednesday, January 17. Cillian Murphy won Best Actor in a Drama, Robert Downey Jr. Best Supporting Actor, Christopher Nolan Best Director, and Best Original Score went to Ludwig Göransson.

Remember last year when the TV and Film Writers and actors went on strike and messed up a whole lotta stuff? One of those was the Emmy Awards, which should have been in September. Well, anyway, they are this month, with the 75th Creative Arts Emmys having happened on January 6 and 7, and the Ceremony being telecast this Saturday, January 13 on FOX at 7:00 pm. Good news for those of us without Peacock LOL.

Congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines for completing an undefeated season culminating in winning the National Championship of college football Monday night.

Metro report highlights affordability gap for African Americans in Nashville

A new Metro Social Services report finds African Americans in Nashville face higher poverty, housing cost burdens, and shorter life expectancy despite the city’s strong

Trump’s mail-in voting executive order faces legal challenges

Civil rights groups, state leaders, and attorneys general are suing to block Trump’s mail-in voting executive order, arguing it threatens voter access and state election

Black Press continues legacy of advocacy and truth-telling as it nears 200 years

As the Black Press nears 200 years, Black-owned newspapers still champion truth-telling, advocacy, and community storytelling from Freedom’s Journal to today’s Black Press Sunday.

“Earthrise,” “Earth Day” and “Earthset”

From Apollo 8’s iconic “Earthrise” to Artemis II’s new “Earthset,” this Earth Day reflections piece links space images, climate change, and Nashville Earth Day 2026.

What to do when inheriting a house that is paid off

Inheriting a house that is paid off gives you instant equity, but your next steps—legal transfer, repairs, and whether to sell, keep, or rent—determine its