title: Sanaya Irani

text: Irani's first lead role as a protagonist was in STAR One's "Miley Jab Hum Tum" (2008-2010), as the simple, studious and reclusive Gunjan. Irani briefly hosted the second season of "Zara Nachke Dikha" on STAR Plus with boyfriend Mohit Sehgal (2010). She was also seen as a panel member in "Meethi Chorii No. 1" opposite Ragini Khanna (2010).


title: Sanaya Irani

text: She portrayed the bubbly and loving Khushi Kumari Gupta, the female protagonist of "Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?" (2011-2012) opposite Barun Sobti. The show, which aired its final episode on 30 November 2012, had consistently maintained its position as one of the top ten daily dramas on Indian general entertainment channels.


title: Sanaya Irani

text: In early 2013, Irani hosted Zee TV's Valentine's Day special "Ishq Wala Love" opposite Karan Grover. She later appeared as a contestant in "Welcome - Baazi Mehmaan-Nawaazi ki" (2013), hosted by Ram Kapoor.


title: Sanaya Irani

text: She played the role of a vivacious and modern girl in "Chhan Chhan" (2013). The show was loosely based on the Hindi movie Khubsoorat. Irani then appeared in Rangrasiya (2014) as Parvati. The show was produced by Saurabh Tiwari, head of Tequila Shots Production. The story followed a border security personnel and an orphan girl who were ideologically different. It ended in September.


title: Sanaya Irani

text: Irani also participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 in 2015 which aired on Colors. Irani reprised her role of Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada again in its sequel mini series "Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?... Ek Jashan" (2015) which ended in December. In 2017, Irani participated in the dance show "Nach Baliye 8" with her husband Mohit Sehgal. During Nach Baliye Sanaya & Mohit were in a controversy as fans of Divyanka Tripathi had claimed that they are the fixed winners but she lashed at the trollers on Instagram and said this is untrue.


title: Sanaya Irani

text: In August 2013, Irani made a brief guest appearance in the dance show "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" to support her best friend Drashti Dhami. She made an appearance again in the seventh season of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" to support Ashish Sharma in June 2014. In December 2013, Irani made a special guest appearance in "Bigg Boss 7" in the grand finale along with Ashish Sharma, Preetika Rao and Harshad Arora. She also made special appearance in "Beintehaa" in March and June 2014.


title: Sanaya Irani

text: "Eastern Eye" placed her in their 50 Sexiest Asian Women list in 2012, She was again ranked 10th for the "Eastern Eye" newspaper. In 2014, she was listed in the top 10 best television actresses by "Rediff".


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The Drew Barrymore Show (often shortened to Drew) is a first-run syndicated American talk show hosted by actress Drew Barrymore. The show is distributed by CBS Media Ventures and debuted on September 14, 2020. In April 2022, the show was renewed for a third season.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: Barrymore shot a pilot for the show in New York in August 2019, aiming for a fall 2020 launch. Barrymore had previously circled a talk show deal with Warner Bros.' Telepictures in 2016, but a pilot never came to fruition, in part because of a lukewarm response from prospective station groups at the time.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: Barrymore debuted several digital series in the lead-up to her broadcast debut that included “The Making of the "Drew Barrymore Show"” and conversations with talk-show hosts who have inspired her in “The Art of the Interview.” This particular series included Barrymore's conversations with Gayle King, Andy Cohen, Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, and Sean Evans.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: Barrymore also launched “Drew's Movie Nite”, in which she would invite fans to join her in a live Twitter watch party. The series kicked off on July 30, 2020 with the Nickelodeon broadcast of the 1997 film "Good Burger". Also featured in the interview were the stars of "Good Burger", Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The next edition of “Drew's Movie Nite” was the Nickelodeon broadcast of "" from 2015 on September 3, 2020. This time, Barrymore interviewed the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, Tom Kenny and the voice of Patrick Star, Bill Fagerbakke. The third edition of “Drew's Movie Nite”, this time aired on CBS on October 25, 2020, and was the 1996 film "Scream" starring Barrymore. “Drew's Movie Nite” returned on September 5, 2021 with the CBS broadcast of "School of Rock".


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The show launched in fall 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The launch took place with a small crew at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York, with pandemic-related rules and precautions. Instead of an in-person audience, members of a virtual crowd would be beamed in via a platform called Audience From Anywhere and projected on a large display behind Barrymore. Meanwhile, guests who live on the West Coast have the option to appear via green-screen and sit across from the host.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: Barrymore also fought hard to have the show be produced live at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. According to Barrymore, she thought it would be appropriate to be doing this where she could speak to the moment rather than risk being a day or two old. Barrymore added that the type of energy when the show came out could be totally unattached. Barrymore also argued against doing a home-based show amid the pandemic.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The show was renewed for a second season on March 17, 2021. The show also announced that come its second season, it would be produced with a full-capacity audience in attendance at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: CBS Media Ventures announced on April 1, 2022, that the series had been renewed for a third season. Beginning with the 2022–23 season, the show will be reformatted into two half-hour segments that can be aired either contiguously or separately. With the new format, select CBS-owned stations will air the first segment of "Drew" as a lead-out to new half-hour local 9:00 a.m. newscasts, with the second half of "Drew" airing later in the day and/or on their duopoly stations.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The debut episode featured guest appearances by Barrymore's former co-stars Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Adam Sandler.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The September 25, 2020 episode featured Barrymore reuniting with her ex-husband Tom Green after having not spoken to each other in over 15 years. The two reminisced on their time together and years apart, which made Barrymore cry after she realized how much time had passed.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The October 12, 2020 episode featured Barrymore interviewing Chloe Fineman following Fineman's impersonation of Barrymore on the October 3, 2020 edition of "Saturday Night Live". Barrymore said to the second-year "SNL" player "I’m really nervous to meet you, I’m so excited, I’m such a fan," for which Fineman responded by saying “I’m your biggest fan, you’re gonna make me cry!" Fineman added: “I mean doing you was so exciting because you were on the cover of "InStyle" and the impression that I did this summer started because I really wanted that shirt. It was so cute.”


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: Also on October 12, Barrymore interviewed actress Jessica Alba, with whom Barrymore co-starred in the 1999 film "Never Been Kissed". Besides reminiscing about their time filming "Never Been Kissed", Barrymore and Alba danced together as they took on TikTok's "Ahi Challenge".


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: On the October 16, 2020 episode, Barrymore invited psychic Anna Raimondi to give her a reading. Raimondi said that she sensed the presence of a "judge". This revelation caused Barrymore to burst into tears, explaining that it must be David, the dead relative of her ex-husband Will Kopelman who was a judge. But according to Kopelman, that judge in question at the time of the episode's airing, was very much alive. Kopelman soon called Raimondi a “submental hack working the talk show circuit.” A representative for Barrymore later clarified, “The grandfather of Will is Frank, who was a judge and is deceased. David is…Will’s uncle, who’s alive and also a judge. That was the confusion.”


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: For the October 30, 2020 episode, Barrymore celebrated Halloween by dressing up as Glinda the Good Witch from "The Wizard of Oz". Barrymore was joined by Ross Mathews, who was costumed as the twister that carries Dorothy from Kansas to Oz, and Ashley Park, who sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The November 6, 2020 episode featured Barrymore in the "Drew's News" segment revive her teen character from "Never Been Kissed", Josie "Grossie" Geller. Sporting her satin pink prom dress, matching scrunchie and braces, Josie stepped straight out of 1988 for the bit—with no knowledge of anything that's happened since then. Josie subsequently became a recurring sketch comedy part of the series, with Barrymore interviewing the cast of "Dear Evan Hansen" in-character as Josie.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: For the November 20, 2020 episode, Barrymore teamed with Walmart+ to present a frontline nurse named Selina and a high school teacher with their dream wedding. But the show's videos posted to YouTube were soon filled with comments alleging that the couple met when she was a 17-year-old student in his physics class. Neither the show nor the couple have responded to the allegations.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The February 22, 2021 episode coincided with Barrymore's 46th birthday. For the occasion, late-night talk show icon David Letterman taped a surprise in-person appearance. Barrymore, who famously flashed Letterman on "The Late Show" in 1995, said to him "I'm so grateful that you're here." Letterman joked that the "Zoomer thing" was all his idea.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: During the "Drew's News" segment on the March 12, 2021 episode, a black bar covered Jennifer Lopez's cleavage when a photo of her iconic green Versace dress from the 2000 Grammy Awards was displayed. Rich Juzwiak of "Jezebel" said "So iconic is this dress it inspired the creation of the Google Image search. Censoring it, then, makes it seem more salacious than ever, like pointing out the inherent shamefulness of something we were all cool on as an essential piece of Americana. 'You know you’re watching a daytime show when you’ve got that going on!' Barrymore reasoned. Indeed, the standards for what’s permissible on U.S. daytime network TV are oddly strict but still, do you think anyone was going to call complaining about a 21-year-old dress that’s practically cultural wallpaper at this point?"


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: While playing the game "Drew or False" during the March 24, 2021 episode, Barrymore's "Poison Ivy" co-star Sara Gilbert made the revelation that their kiss in the 1992 erotic thriller was her "first girl kiss". Gilbert said "Now I’m not one to kiss and tell but I have to say -- look now I’m like going to blush -- Drew was the coolest person I ever met and yeah that's what happened."


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The May 6, 2021 episode featured Barrymore getting a tattoo that read ‘Home is where we are' applied to her right arm by Ryan Ashley Malarkey, who was the first female winner of the "Ink Master" competition.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: During an interview with Dylan Farrow on May 17, 2021, Barrymore when discussing with Farrow the HBO miniseries "Allen v. Farrow" and the sexual abuse allegations against Woody Allen, expressed regret over working with him for "Everyone Says I Love You".


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The CBS Television Stations group was on board to anchor the launch of "The Drew Barrymore Show", including on KCBS-TV in Los Angeles and WCBS-TV in New York City. Overall, the show had been cleared to launch on stations representing 85% of U.S. TV households.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: In Canada, Global announced on August 18, 2020, that they would pick up "The Drew Barrymore Show", before September 14. In Australia, the show aired on pay TV channel Fox Arena.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: The premiere episode on September 14, 2020 was "a real emotional roller coaster" according to "Jezebel"'s Rich Juzwiak. He added "The enthusiasm was massive, the veracity was questionable, the performance was distracting. She shifted gears in the next paragraph of her monologue to reintroduce herself, remind us that she is exactly who we think she is, and suggests that she’s so much more. With the impassioned face of a celebrity raising funds on a telethon, Barrymore said emphatically that, 'I’m also someone who is learning all the time, and I’m so excited to figure out this thing called life with you!' Wait, that’s what we’re doing here? Then she started shouting that, 'We’re gonna learn! Laugh! Cry! Cook! Heal! ALL OF IT!' Well, paint that on a piece of wood and hang it in your country kitchen. 'And I’m committed to putting all aspects of life into this show every day,' she continued. It’s only an hourlong show?" Juzwiak also said that Barrymore has been a nonstop ball of energy, which can be exhausting and endearing.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: Meanwhile, "Variety"'s Daniel D'Addario said that "The best talk show hosts are made into stars by the medium. To wit: Rosie O'Donnell was a well-known comic and actor but hardly the dynamo she eventually became when she began her daily show. She reinvented the medium that had, before her, been dominated by former local news anchor Oprah Winfrey. Both these stars did not bring to bear huge amounts of persona that was already known to the audience, so they had to work to carry across an idea of themself with each episode and segment. At their best, you walked away from their shows knowing O’Donnell and Winfrey in a way you might not otherwise have, before. Drew Barrymore, a newly-minted talk show host with her "Drew Barrymore Show" carried in daytime by CBS stations, has less of herself to introduce, and, more crucially, less apparent desire to do so."


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: D'Addario added that Barrymore was hampered in her first week by her reliance on celebrity friends, saying "Barrymore’s show is squarely in her comfort zone, and as such is in the comfort zone of any celebrity; it’s so soft and unthreatening, though, as to often make us feel we know subjects and interviewer both less well when the interview is done. We hardly need a Mike Wallace-style expose on the stars Barrymore books; that’d be weird in daytime, and it’s not what viewers look to Barrymore for. But — speaking as a Barrymore fan who was excited to see her in conversation — there is as yet untapped potential for her to dig deeper, to show us more of what she really believes or finds important."


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: William Hughes of "The A.V. Club" said that there have been two major takeaways from "The Drew Barrymore Show" after one week: "Drew Barrymore definitely has a lot of cool, famous friends, and Drew Barrymore sometimes acts in ways that are tremendously weird when asked to talk into a camera by herself. The combination has formed some of the most hypnotically, authentically strange TV the internet has had a chance to dine out on in a while, as Barrymore jumps between recreating famous movies she’s made with her buddies, to monologuing, for minutes at a time, about her love of removing stains from T-shirts."


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: Tracy Moore of "Vanity Fair" said that it's remarkable that "something so offbeat is happening on daytime at all" of the "low-key insanity" of "The Drew Barrymore Show". Moore also said of Barrymore "She cooks; she interior designs; she feels. She talks in hashtags, and casually drops quotes from Gayle King, Patti Smith, and e.e. cummings. She is, it seems, genuinely in awe of everyone and everything, a self-described 'human scrapbook of news,' a 'pop culture junkie,' a lover of people and stain removal."


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: Jessica Toomer of "Uproxx" proclaimed that 2020 was the year Drew Barrymore blew up the daytime talk show machine. Toomer added that "Drew Barrymore’s show is all of those things. The kind of mind-numbing social experiment that rivals the frenzied delirium of a Safdie Brothers crime saga but interjects just enough PBS-after-school-special cheer to quiet the shrieking happening inside your brain as you watch. It’s not pretty all the time. Sometimes, it’s not even coherent. But like a 1994-era Chloë Sevigny, it’s the kind of “It Girl” of the talk show universe that you just can’t quite define, but know you should worship anyway."


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: In September 2022, "The New Yorker" profiled the show and its host ahead of its third season premiere, expressing bewilderment that the show had been renewed given its ratings and commenting:


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: “The Drew Barrymore Show” is too chaotic and destabilizing to feel manufactured. The show’s open sentimentality—and copious shed tears—are offset by its crackle of unplanned clumsiness. Bouncing off the walls one moment and breaking down the next, Barrymore seems to be barely holding on as sentiment threatens to overtake her. She is not so much revisiting her past as dragging it along like a bindle full of lessons waiting to be discovered. If her off-the-cuff irrepressibility is an act, then it’s the best performance of her life.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: In its second week, "The Drew Barrymore Show" was down 14%, grabbing only 600,000 viewers. "Hot Bench", the show that "The Drew Barrymore Show" replaced in many markets, was steady at 1.7 million. According to an October 15, 2020 report from "OK Magazine", the show had already dropped 38% in ratings since it premiered.


title: The Drew Barrymore Show

text: According to "The Hollywood Reporter", the ratings grew by 19 percent in households and 13 percent among women 25-54 in Nielsen's metered markets between November 2020 and February 2021.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: The Kids in the Hall is a Canadian sketch comedy TV series that aired for five seasons from 1988 to 1995, and a sixth revival season in 2022, starring the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall. The troupe, consisting of comedians Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson, appeared as almost all the characters throughout the series, both male and female, and also wrote most of the sketches.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: The series debuted as a one-hour pilot special which aired on HBO and CBC Television in 1988, and began airing as a regular weekly series on both services in 1989. The regular series premiered July 21, 1989, on HBO, and September 14 on CBC. In the United States, the first three seasons were on HBO before it moved to CBS in 1993, where it stayed for two more seasons airing late Friday nights. CBC aired the show for the whole duration of its run. A sixth, revival season of the show, which includes eight episodes, was released on Amazon Prime Video on May 13, 2022. It features the entire troupe as well as numerous guest stars, and was Amazon's first Canadian original series.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: The theme song for the show is the instrumental "Having an Average Weekend" by the Canadian band Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: Despite their "SNL" connection, the show's sketches were more reminiscent of "Monty Python's Flying Circus": often quirky or surreal, frequently utilizing drag, with very few celebrity impressions or pop culture parodies; the only recurring celebrity impression was of Queen Elizabeth II, played by Scott Thompson. A recurring character was Mr. Tyzik, played by McKinney, who pretended to crush people's heads from a distance with his fingers. McKinney also played Chicken Lady, a shrill-voiced sexually excitable human-chicken hybrid. Another prominent recurring character was Cabbage Head, played by McCulloch, who was a gruff-voiced cigar-smoking misogynist who frequently used the fact that he had cabbage in place of hair as a means to generate pity in the hopes of getting women into bed. Many of the sketches featured gay characters and themes; most of these sketches were written by and starred Thompson, who is himself homosexual.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: The Kids frequently appeared as themselves rather than as characters, and some sketches dealt directly with the fact that they were a comedy troupe producing a TV show. For example, Kevin McDonald announces that if the next sketch (which he has written) is not successful, the others are considering kicking him out of the group. In another episode, Thompson declares that he is not gay anymore, which throws the other Kids into a panic, as they fear that the news will alienate the troupe's considerable gay fanbase. In yet another sketch (in which an employee, Foley, asks his boss, McDonald, for a raise) McDonald complains the setup is cliché and his character one-dimensional.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: Monologues were a staple of the show. Thompson's Buddy Cole monologues are the best known, but the other Kids performed solo pieces as well. McCulloch in particular performed monologues that consisted of him, acting as himself, telling hyperbolic stories of the struggles and day-to-day experiences in his life and/or the lives of others. Prominent examples from the other Kids include Foley describing his positive attitude toward menstruation, McKinney in character as a high-pitched recluse who is describing with intense fascination his hideously infected and bruised toe, and in a gag reminiscent of Bob Newhart, a distraught McDonald calling a best friend's young son to tell him his father died, only to have the child end up consoling him, even going so far as quoting famous philosophers on the ultimate emptiness of life.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: The show originated in Canada, and the content was at times edited slightly for U.S. broadcast tastes. Sketches mocking religion were sometimes cut down or removed, necessitating the addition of material from other episodes to round out the half-hour. Some US channels censored the occasional nudity as well, such as when Foley revealed to Thompson he had inexplicably grown breasts. Among the more controversial sketches was the final sketch of Season 1, "Dr. Seuss Bible", in which the troupe tells the story of Jesus Christ's crucifixion in the style of children's author Dr. Seuss.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: Though the show occasionally featured guest actors (notably Neve Campbell and Nicole de Boer well before they became famous), the Kids played nearly all parts, both male and female, themselves. The only known special guests to have appeared on the show were comedian Rip Taylor and musician Chris Robinson in cameo roles. In contrast to Monty Python, where the members often donned drag to portray older women but usually utilized women such as Carol Cleveland and Connie Booth to play young and attractive female characters, all the Kids regularly played both old and young women; the frequent cross-dressing became one of the show's trademarks. Female impersonation had begun during their stage show, because they found themselves writing female characters but had no female member to play them. As Thompson explained, "The way we played women ... we weren't winking at the audience ... We were never, like, going, 'Oh, look at me! I'm a guy in a dress!' Never. We would always try to be real, and that, I think, freaked people out..."


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: The CBC aired the show through its entire run. Seasons 1–3 aired on HBO. In the fall of 1992, CBS picked up the show and aired it on late-night Fridays showing repeats, while HBO aired new episodes of season three. In 1993, CBS aired new episodes starting with season four. The final season aired on Fridays after "Late Show with David Letterman". The series finale aired in November 1994. In January 1995, it was replaced with "The Late Late Show".


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: Between 1988 and 1995 there were 102 episodes of "The Kids in the Hall" produced, plus 9 compilation episodes. Some episodes had two versions, an American version and a Canadian version, often with alternate sketches. In 1996, the group followed the series with a feature film, "", and in 2010 they reunited to produce an eight episode narrative miniseries, "Death Comes to Town".


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: A&E Home Video released the entire series as a Region 1 20-disc DVD box set titled "The Kids in the Hall: Complete Series Megaset 1989–1994", on October 31, 2006. The HBO special pilot was released on DVD on August 14, 2007, through Medialink Entertainment, a VDI Entertainment Company, in a special "Headcrushing" edition. It had never been released on home video before. Medium Rare Entertainment released a Region 2 "best of" DVD on September 24, 2007. Rights to "The Kids in the Hall" are owned by Broadway Video. A tour-exclusive DVD, produced in cooperation with Crackle and released as a part of the "Live As We'll Ever Be!" tour (2008), features the 50-minute retrospective and Q&A held on January 26, 2008.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: On February 13, 2018, Mill Creek Entertainment released "The Kids in the Hall- The Complete Collection". The 12-disc set features all 102 episodes of the series, the reunion miniseries "Death Comes to Town" as well as bonus features.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: The final episode of the original run featured resolutions for several recurring characters, including Armada, Buddy Cole, and the secretaries of AT & Love. As the closing credits play, the cast is shown being buried alive, below a headstone reading "The Kids in the Hall TV Show 1989–1995" (though the pilot aired in 1988). At the episode's conclusion, guest character Paul Bellini, one of the show's writers, dances on their grave and speaks for the first time: "Thank "God" that's finally over!"


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: The series won the 1993 Rose d'Or, awarded in Montreux, Switzerland. It was nominated for the Gemini Award for Best Comedy Series every year from 1991 to 1995, winning in 1992 and 1993. The series was nominated in 1993, 1994 and 1995 for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: A number of comedy writers and performers have listed "The Kids in the Hall" among their influences, including Dan Guterman and the creators of the TV series "South Park" and "Portlandia".


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: The Chicago-based sketch comedy trio Hey You Millionaires (2004-2011) was named after the first sketch aired on the show, in which a man (McCulloch) looks out the window to see three millionaires (Foley, McDonald and Thompson) rummaging through his garbage cans out his window (a spoof on Toronto's raccoon problem), and shouts "Hey, you millionaires! Get out of that garbage!", causing the three to run away.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: In a 2000 interview, Thompson stated that the series, and the troupe, had influenced many comedians, but lamented that this had not translated into material success for the troupe, saying "We thought we were going to be Nirvana, but really, we were Sonic Youth."


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: On March 5, 2020, Amazon Prime Video announced that it had greenlit an eight-episode season of "The Kids in the Hall", with all five members returning along with Lorne Michaels as executive producer. It is the first Canadian series for Amazon Prime Video. It premiered on May 13, 2022. Kelly Makin and Aleysa Young serve as directors.


title: The Kids in the Hall (TV series)

text: In addition to the core members of the troupe, the revival includes guest appearances by Paul Bellini, Pete Davidson, Catherine O'Hara, Kenan Thompson, Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Will Forte, Catherine Reitman, Samantha Bee, Fred Armisen, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Jay Baruchel, Eddie Izzard, Tracee Ellis Ross, Mark Hamill, Colin Mochrie, Kenneth Welsh and comedy group TallBoyz II Men.


title: Srividya

text: Srividya (24 July 1953 – 19 October 2006), also known as Sreevidya, was an Indian actress best known for her work predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films, along with few Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films. In a career spanning for 40 years, she had acted in more than 800 films. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. In addition to acting, Srividya occasionally worked as a playback singer as well as carnatic singer. She was also a well trained Bharathanatyam dancer. She was best known for restraint and subtlety in portrayal of varied emotions. She used her own voice for dubbing almost in all movies in all languages. In 2006, she died of Spine cancer, aged 53.


title: Srividya

text: Srividya was born on 24 July 1953 in Madras, Tamil Nadu into a Tamil family. Tamil film comedian Krishnamurthy and Carnatic classical singer M. L. Vasanthakumari were her parents. She had a brother, Sankararaman. Her father had to stop acting in the year when she was born because of a disease which affected his facial muscles. Her family fell into financial crisis. Her mother worked long hours to meet the family's financial needs. Srividya once reportedly said that her mother didn't even have time to breastfeed her. Srividya debuted in acting at a very early age. When her parents faced problems due to financial difficulties, Srividya's youth was blighted. She got a marriage proposal from a scientist based in the U.S., but the marriage did not materialize due to financial problems faced by her family.


title: Srividya

text: Srividya started her career as a child artist in the 1967 Tamil film "Thiruvarutchelvar" alongside legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan. Later she entered Malayalam films with a dance scene in "Kumara Sambhavam" (1969), directed by P. Subramaniam and in Telugu film "Tata Manavadu" (1972) directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. However, her first major role was that of a college student falling in love with her professor in the 1971 Tamil film "Nootrukku Nooru", directed by K. Balachander. Her first film as heroine was "Delhi to Madras" (1972) in which she was paired opposite Jaishankar. In the mid-1970s, she became busy in the Tamil film industry. She acted in films such as "Velli Vizha", "Sollathaan Ninaikkiren" and "Apoorva Raagangal", all directed by K. Balachander. She was Rajinikanth's first heroine in "Apoorva Raagangal" (1975).


title: Srividya

text: She started acting in Malayalam in 1969. Her first movie was "Chattambikkavala" directed by N. Sankaran Nair, in which she acted as the heroine opposite to Sathyan. She gained public attention in "Chenda" (1973), directed by A. Vincent. Among the south Indian language movies she acted in, the maximum number of movies was in Malayalam (1969 to 2003).


title: Srividya

text: Her role as Amba mythological character from the mythological story (adapted film) from the Mahabarath, "Amba Ambika Ambalika" (1976), has been appreciated.


title: Srividya

text: Srividya was a playback singer as well. She first sang for films in the Tamil film "Amaran" and then for Malayalam film "Ayalathe Sundari". She later sang in several films, such as "Oru Painkilikkadha", Njangalude Kochu Doctor, Rathilayam and "Nakshathratharattu".


title: Srividya

text: She was an expert classical vocalist as well. She used to sing in functions such as the "Soorya Festival". She was mainly trained by her mother, who was one among the female trinity in Carnatic music, along with M. S. Subbulakshmi and D. K. Pattammal.


title: Srividya

text: Srividya has acted in many films including Annai Velankanni, Unarchigal and Apoorva Raagangal with Kamal Haasan. Srividya fell in love with Kamal Haasan, but he was courting Vani Ganapathy at that time, and was forced to abandon her love after she got to know about their marriage.


title: Srividya

text: During this period she fell in love with film director Bharathan who made many films with her as the female lead. But they couldn't continue the relationship and eventually Bharathan married KPAC Lalitha.


title: Srividya

text: Later she fell in love with George Thomas, an assistant director in her Malayalam film "Teekkanal". She married him on 19 January 1978 despite opposition from her family. As George wished, she was baptised before the marriage. She wanted to stay as a housewife, but had to return to acting, when George forced her to, citing financial issues. She soon realised that she made a wrong decision in marrying him. Her life became miserable and the marriage ended in divorce in 1980. After her divorce she continued acting in movies (mainly Malayalam). She had to fight seek legal action against George Thomas as he had snatched all her properties, even her prizes, from her. Hence, the divorce with George Thomas was followed by a prolonged legal battle to settle financial issues between the two. The case went up to the Supreme Court of India, where she won in the final verdict. After the case was closed, she left Chennai and settled in Thiruvananthapuram.


title: Srividya

text: In 2003, she underwent a biopsy test following physical problems and was diagnosed positive for spine cancer. She underwent treatment for three years. Two months before her death on 17 August 2006, Srividya had executed a will and entrusted K. B. Ganesh Kumar, cine actor and MLA, to register a charitable society to ‘start a music and dance school for efficient students who could not get ample opportunities due to lack of money or to give away scholarship to such students to continue their studies and to extend financial assistance to deserving ailing artistes.’


title: Srividya

text: "I am bequeathing all my properties except some payments mentioned elsewhere in this bill. An appropriate body with eminent persons, registered under Charitable Societies Act should be formed and the realised value of all my assets should be transferred as a nucleus fund," she said in the will entrusting Mr. Ganesh Kumar to register the society.


title: Srividya

text: She had also left five lakh rupees each to her brother's children and one lakh rupees each to her servants in the will, executed on 17 August 2006. In October 2006, she underwent chemotherapy, but cancer had already spread throughout her body, and she died at 19:45 on 19 October 2006, aged 53. She was cremated with full state honours at Brahmana Samooham crematorium in Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The Honda Civic Si is a sport compact trim of Honda's Civic. The Si (Sport Injected) trim was introduced for the third generation of Honda Civics in both Japan and North America. In Canada and elsewhere, the trim became known as the SiR for the sixth and seventh generations, and since the "Si" badge there was used for a USDM Civic EX model.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: For the Japanese and European markets, the Civic Type R was adopted as the high-performance variant of the Civic, starting with the EK9 hatch for Japan in 1996 and then with the EP3 hatch for Europe in 2001. The 2017 model year marked the first time that the Civic Type R was sold in North America, previous to this the Si trim was the highest in North America (except for Acura vehicles). While the Civic Type R has a more powerful engine, plus it available in a more track-oriented and spartan configuration including less sound deadening and amenities, by contrast the Civic Si has been positioned as more of a full-featured sport trim, featuring luxury options such as a sunroof and a seven-speaker audio system.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: Honda first adopted the Si badge for the Japanese domestic market (JDM) third-generation Civic in November 1984. Japanese and European Si's received a DOHC engine, while US and Canadian cars were powered by a , 12-valve SOHC engine. The Civic Si also appeared in New Zealand and Australia in 1987, with specifications similar to those of the American-market Si.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: Initially, the Civic Si hatchback was absent from the 1988 Civic lineup, with only the CRX Si offered this model year. In 1989, however, the Civic Si hatchback was reintroduced to the US market.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The 1992-1995 Civic Si model featured disc brakes, a power moonroof with tilt, cruise control, a dashboard clock, a 9,000 rpm tachometer with a 7,200 rpm redline, plastic wheel covers on 14-inch wheels, power side mirrors (body coloured, beginning in 1993), body-coloured door handles, and a 1.6 L single-overhead cam D16Z6 VTEC engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. It enabled the car to hit in 7.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 16.3 seconds at . VTEC activated on the intake side and not the exhaust side, which was the result of the spark plug blocking the area where the cam follower would be. In 1994, rear speakers and optional anti-lock brakes were also added.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The Honda Civic Si was not sold in the US during model years 1996-1998. It entered the market again for the 1999 and 2000 model years. After this brief hiatus, the Civic Si reappeared for 1999, available as a coupé only. With the adoption of the VTi badge in Europe and the SiR and Type R badges in Asia for the sports variants of Civics, the Si became primarily a US-specific badge, a branding trend that would continue in subsequent Civic generations. This (and the subsequent) generation of sporting Civics were sold as the Civic SiR in Canada, since that market's "Civic Si" badge was used for a USDM Civic EX.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The EP3 Civic Si of the US and EP3 Civic SiR of Canada were marketed as the North American versions of the European EP3 Honda Civic Type R, manufactured in Swindon, England. Unlike other generations of the Civic Si, it does not share a body style or interior with the regular USDM Civic (offered only in sedan and coupé forms). For the seventh generation, the "Civic Si" badge was used on a version of the Civic EX in Canada.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The eighth-generation Civic Si continued to be the sportiest Civic on offer in North America, although the badge was used on a somewhat sporting model in Europe (where the Type-R sits atop the lineup). The US model has a version of the K20 engine (K20Z3), a 6-speed manual transmission, sport seats, and different styling. The Civic Si coupe debuted a few months after the initial launch of the 2006 models, with the Civic Si sedan following for the 2007 model year. In addition to being built at Honda's Alliston, Ontario plant, the car was also manufactured at Sumaré, São Paulo, Brazil by Honda Brazil from January 2008.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The ninth generation was the first generation to use a different engine than other models of the Honda Civic. The ninth generation Civic Si is available as a Coupe and as a Sedan. Honda uses a new 2.4 L K-Series (K24Z7) which has increased displacement through longer piston stroke than the K20Z3 from the eighth-generation Civic Si, yet the K24Z7 retains the 11.0:1 compression used in the K20Z3. The K24Z7 produces and of torque. Honda retuned the exhaust system in early 2014, increasing the output to and of torque. The K24Z7 is different from the K24Z6 found in the 2012-14 Honda CR-V; the CR-V has lower compression and a different, efficiency-oriented VTEC design.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The redline of the K24Z7 is 7,000 rpm with a fuel cut at 7,200 rpm. A 6-speed manual transmission with a helical LSD (Limited Slip Differential) is still offered as the only available transmission option for the Civic Si. The wing spoilers are different from the 8th generation, and the interior of the car received slight updates with the addition of a rev limit indicator and a power meter displayed in the new i-MID (intelligent Multi-Information Display). Sway bars have been changed to front, rear, from the front, rear, in 8th generation. The chassis is more rigid, and the curb weight is slightly lower than the 8th generation.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: Announced at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas a HFP (Honda Factory Performance) version of the Civic Si Coupe was made available in a limited production of dealer installed performance parts which included:


title: Honda Civic Si

text: In Canada, the production was limited to 400 (200 Black Coupes, 200 White Coupes). In the US, the production was limited to 500 available in all of the colors Honda offered the Civic Si Coupe in. After the 2015 model year, Honda did not produce the Civic Si for 2016, citing poor sales.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The 2017 Honda Civic Si (tenth generation) was revealed in a live YouTube broadcast on 6 April 2017. It is powered by a more powerful version of the 1.5 L turbocharged four-cylinder engine used in other Civics. It went on sale during May 2017 in the United States as either a coupe or sedan. It is based on the 10th generation Honda Civic Sport Touring, both the sedan and coupe variants. A direct injected 1.5 liter turbocharged engine produces and of torque. Peak horsepower is reached at 5700 rpm, while low end maximum torque is available between 2,100 and 5,000 rpm. The suspension has been tuned and stiffened over the standard Civic.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The body includes highly upgraded chassis and drive components, including a dual-pinion adaptive electric power steering system with variable ratios, sport-tuned suspension, an adaptive damper system, a helical limited-slip differential, larger front brake rotors () and wider 235/40 R18 tires. In addition to adaptive dampers, suspension upgrades over the Civic Sport Touring include stiffer spring rates, more rigid stabilizer bars (+7 percent front, +26 percent rear), and solid front and rear compliance bushings, the latter shared with the track-focused Civic Type R.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The eleventh-generation Civic Si was unveiled in October 2021 for the 2022 model year. It is only available as a sedan with the discontinuation of the coupe bodystyle. It uses a direct injected 1.5 L turbocharged four-cylinder with variable timing control on the intake and exhaust valves, and variable valve lift on the exhaust valves. It produces slightly less power as a result of a revised powerband, and of torque. Peak horsepower is reached at 6000 rpm, while low end maximum torque is available between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: The manual transmission gains a rev-matching mode from the Type R, and has been reworked. Mechanical differences include better exhaust system flow, fixed-rate dampers and larger brake rotors.


title: Honda Civic Si

text: In Insurance Bureau of Canada's report on top 10 most stolen vehicles in 2005, 2000 Honda Civic Si 2-door, 1999 Honda Civic Si coupe, 1994 Honda Civic Si 2-door Hatchback, 1995 Honda Civic Si 2-door Hatchback are listed as ranks #1, #2, #5, #8 respectively. The sixth and seventh generation Civic Si were badged as a Civic SiR in Canada. The Honda Civic is also the most popular passenger vehicle in Canada.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Records of men who have sex with men in Japan date back to ancient times. Western scholars have identified these as evidence of homosexuality in Japan. Though these relations had existed in Japan for millennia, they became most apparent to scholars during the Tokugawa (or Edo) period. Historical practices identified by scholars as homosexual include , and .


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: The Japanese term is the Japanese reading of the same characters in Chinese, which literally mean "male colors". The character () has the added meaning of "lust" in both China and Japan. This term was widely used to refer to some kind of male-to-male sex in a pre-modern era of Japan. The term is also used, especially in older works.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: During the Meiji period "nanshoku" started to become discouraged due to the rise of sexology within Japan and the process of westernization.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Historically, the Shinto religion "had no special code of morals and seems to have regarded sex as a natural phenomenon to be enjoyed with few inhibitions." While Shinto beliefs are diverse, Japanese Shintoism doesn't condemn homosexuality. A variety of obscure literary references to same-sex love exist in ancient sources, such as Japanese mythology, but many of these are so subtle as to be unreliable; another consideration is that declarations of affection for friends of the same sex were common.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Nevertheless, references do exist, and they become more numerous in the Heian period, roughly in the 11th century. For example, in "The Tale of Genji", written in the early 11th century, men are frequently moved by the beauty of youths. In one scene the hero rejects a lady and instead sleeps with her young brother: "Genji pulled the boy down beside him ... Genji, for his part, or so one is informed, found the boy more attractive than his chilly sister". "The Tale of Genji" is a novel, but there are several Heian-era diaries that contain references to homosexual acts and practices. Some of these contain references to Emperors involved in homosexual relationships with "handsome boys retained for sexual purposes".


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: "Nanshoku" relationships inside Buddhist monasteries were typically pederastic: an age-structured relationship where the younger partner is not considered an adult. The older partner, or , would be a monk, priest or abbot, while the younger partner was assumed to be an , who would be a prepubescent or adolescent boy; the relationship would be dissolved once the boy reached adulthood (or left the monastery). Both parties were encouraged to treat the relationship seriously and conduct the affair honorably, and the "nenja" might be required to write a formal vow of fidelity. Outside of the monasteries, monks were considered to have a particular predilection for male prostitutes, which was the subject of much ribald humor.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: There is no evidence so far of religious opposition to homosexuality within Japan in non-Buddhist traditions. Tokugawa commentators felt free to illustrate kami engaging in anal sex with each other. During the Tokugawa period, some of the Shinto gods, especially Hachiman, Myoshin, Shinmei and Tenjin, "came to be seen as guardian deities of "nanshoku"" (male–male love). Tokugawa-era writer Ihara Saikaku joked that since there are no women for the first three generations in the genealogy of the gods found in the Nihon Shoki, the gods must have enjoyed homosexual relationships—which Saikaku argued was the real origin of "nanshoku". Nonetheless, during the Edo period, male-female relationships were highly valued as it ensured propagation of offspring and social status.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In contrast to the norms in religious circles, in the warrior (samurai) class it was customary for a boy in the "wakashū" age category to undergo training in the martial arts by apprenticing to a more experienced adult man. According to Furukawa, the relationship was based on the model of a typically older "nenja," paired with a typically younger "chigo".


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: This practice, along with clerical pederasty, developed into the codified system of age-structured homosexuality known as "shudō", abbreviated from "wakashūdō", the "way ("Tao") of "wakashū"". The older partner, in the role of "nenja", would teach the "chigo" martial skills, warrior etiquette, and the samurai code of honor, while his desire to be a good role model for his "chigo" would lead him to behave more honorably himself; thus a "shudō" relationship was considered to have a "mutually ennobling effect". In addition, both parties were expected to be loyal unto death, and to assist the other both in feudal duties and in honor-driven obligations such as duels and vendettas. Although sex between the couple was expected to end when the boy came of age, the relationship would, ideally, develop into a lifelong bond of friendship. At the same time, sexual activity with women was not barred (for either party), and once the boy came of age, both were free to seek other "wakashū" lovers.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Like later Edo same-sex practices, samurai "shudō" was strictly role-defined; the "nenja" was seen as the active, desiring, penetrative partner, while the younger, sexually receptive "wakashū" was considered to submit to the "nenja"'s attentions out of love, loyalty, and affection, rather than sexual desire Among the samurai class, adult men were (by definition) not permitted to take the "wakashū" role; only preadult boys (or, later, lower-class men) were considered legitimate targets of homosexual desire. In some cases, "shudō" relationships arose between boys of similar ages, but the parties were still divided into "nenja" and "wakashū" roles.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Male prostitutes ("kagema"), who were often passed off as apprentice kabuki actors and catered to a mixed male and female clientele, did a healthy trade into the mid-19th century despite increasing restrictions. Many such prostitutes, as well as many young kabuki actors, were indentured servants sold as children to the brothel or theatre, typically on a ten-year contract. Sexual relations between merchants and boys hired as shop staff or housekeepers were common enough, at least in the popular imagination, to be the subject of erotic stories and popular jokes. Young kabuki actors often worked as prostitutes off-stage, and were celebrated in much the same way as modern celebrities are, being much sought after by wealthy patrons, who would vie with each other to purchase the Kabuki actors' favors. "Onnagata" (female-role) and "wakashū-gata" (adolescent boy-role) actors in particular were the subject of much appreciation by both male and female patrons, and figured largely in "nanshoku" shunga prints and other works celebrating "nanshoku", which occasionally attained best-seller status.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Male prostitutes and actor-prostitutes serving male clientele were originally restricted to the "wakashū" age category, as adult men were not perceived as desirable or socially acceptable sexual partners for other men. During the 17th century, these men (or their employers) sought to maintain their desirability by deferring or concealing their coming-of-age and thus extending their "non-adult" status into their twenties or even thirties; this eventually led to an alternate, status-defined "shudō" relationship which allowed clients to hire "boys" who were, in reality, older than themselves. This evolution was hastened by mid-17th-century bans on the depiction of the "wakashū"'s long forelocks, their most salient age marker, in kabuki plays; intended to efface the sexual appeal of the young actors and thus reduce violent competition for their favors, this restriction eventually had the unintended effect of decoupling male sexual desirability from actual age, so long as a suitably "youthful" appearance could be maintained.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: These activities were the subject of countless literary works, most of which have yet to be translated. However, English translations are available for Ihara Saikaku who created a bisexual main character in "The Life of An Amorous Man" (1682), Jippensha Ikku who created an initial male-male relationship in the post-publication "Preface" to "Shank's Mare" (1802 et seq), and Ueda Akinari who had a homosexual Buddhist monk in "Tales of Moonlight and Rain" (1776). Likewise, many of the greatest artists of the period, such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, prided themselves in documenting such loves in their prints, known as ukiyo-e "pictures of the floating world", and where they had an erotic tone, shunga "pictures of spring."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: "Nanshoku" was not considered incompatible with heterosexuality; books of erotic prints dedicated to "nanshoku" often presented erotic images of both young women (concubines, "mekake", or prostitutes, "jōrō") as well as attractive adolescent boys ("wakashū") and cross-dressing youths ("onnagata"). Indeed, several works suggest that the most "enviable" situation would be to have both many "jōrō" and many "wakashū". Likewise, women were considered to be particularly attracted to both "wakashū" and "onnagata", and it was assumed that many of these young men would reciprocate that interest. Therefore, both many practitioners of "nanshoku" and the young men they desired would be considered bisexual in modern terminology. Men and male youths (there are examples of both) who were purely homosexual might be called "woman-haters" ("onna-girai"); this term, however, carried the connotation of aggressive distaste of women in all social contexts, rather than simply a preference for male sexual partners. Not all exclusively homosexual men were referred to with this terminology.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: "The Great Mirror of Male Love" (男色大鏡) by Ihara Saikaku was the definitive work on the subject of "male love" in Tokugawa Era Japan.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In his introduction to "The Great Mirror of Male Love", Paul Gordon Schalow writes, "In the opening chapter of Nanshoku Okagami, Saikaku employed the title in its literal sense when he stated ‘I have attempted to reflect in this great mirror all of the varied manifestations of male love."’ It was intended to be a societal reflection of all the different ways men in Tokugawa society loved other men.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: The most common narrative of male to male sex and/or love was what we would now consider a "bisexual" experience: the "connoisseur of boys" or "shojin-zuki". This term was applied not simply to men who engaged in "bisexual" behavior, but most often to men who engaged sexually and/or romantically with boys "often", but not exclusively.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: However, men who wished to only have sex/form relationships with boys (and men who filled the sociosexual role of "boy"): the exclusively "homosexual" "women haters" or "onna-girai", were not stigmatized.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In "Male Colors" by Leupp, he writes "In this brilliant, refined, and tolerant milieu, we have, not surprisingly, evidence of a self conscious sub-culture. Though the Great Mirror occasionally portrays bisexual behavior, it is noteworthy that Saikaku more often depicts devotees of male love as a class who think of themselves as exclusive in their preferences, stress this exclusiveness by calling themselves "women haters" (onna-girai) and forming a unique community—a ‘male love sect’. No other early society shows this phenomenon quite so clearly as seventeenth century Japan."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Paul Gordon Schalow references these concepts in his introduction to the full English translation of "The Great Mirror of Male Love", writing, "interestingly, Saikaku structured nanshoku okagami not around the "bisexual" ethos of the shojin-zuki, but around the exclusively "homosexual" ethos of the onna-girai."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: The poem at the beginning of "The Sword That Survived Loves Flame" references a heroic "woman hater."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In this same story, we see a character refer to himself and a friend as "woman-haters" in good humor. "What a couple of woman haters we are!" he exclaims, after they both agree that the love of "beautiful youths" is "the only thing of interest in this world"


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: There were "wakashu" who would now be considered "homosexual," "wakashu" who would now be considered "bisexual," and "wakashu" who would now be considered "heterosexual," as well as many who could not be easily sorted into these categories.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: References to "wakashu" exclusively interested in men were relatively common, as in the example of the popular actor described in the story "Winecup Overflowing", who was sent many love letters from women, but who, "ignored them completely, not out of cold heartedness, but because he was devoted to the way of male love."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: "Wakashu" who felt this way could simply transition to being the "man" partner to a "boy," or, in some circumstances (of varying social acceptability), continue his life in the sociosexual role of "boy."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: There is also much evidence of young men who engaged in this behavior out of duty, rather than love, or lust. Like in, "The Boy Who Sacrificed His Life", where Saikaku writes, "it seems that Yata Nisaburo of whom you spoke to me in private is not a believer in boy love. He was not interested in the idea of having a male lover and so, though only seventeen and in the flower of youth, has foolishly cut off his forelocks. I found his profuse apologies rather absurd but have decided to let the matter drop. Last night everyone came over and we spent the whole night laughing about it..."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Another Tokugawa author, Eijima Kiseki, who references exclusive homosexuality, writes of a character in his 1715 The "Characters of Worldly Young Men", "who had never cared for women: all his life he remained unmarried, in the grip of intense passions for one handsome boy after another."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: There is a genre of stories dedicated to debating the value of "male colors," "female colors," or the "following of both paths." "Colors" here indicating a specific way of sexual desire, with the desire coming from the adult male participant, to the receiving woman or "youth." Depending on what audience the story was written for, the answer to the preferred way of life might be that the best way is to be exclusive to women, moderately invested in both women and boys, or exclusive to boys. Although these "ways of loving" were not considered incompatible, there were people and groups who advocated the exclusive following of one way, considered them spiritually at odds, or simply only personally experienced attractions in line with one of these "ways."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Traditional expressions of male to male sexual and romantic activity were between a man who had gone through with his coming of age ceremony, and a male youth who had not.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In his introduction to "The Great Mirror of Male Love", Schallow writes, "a careful reading of nanshoku okagami makes clear that the constraint requiring that male homosexual relations be between an adult male and a "wakashu" was sometimes observed only in the form of fictive roleplaying. This meant that relations between pairs of man-boy lovers were accepted as legitimate whether or not a real man and a real boy were involved, so long as one partner took the role of ‘man’ and the other the role of ‘boy."'


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In "Two Old Cherry Tree Still in Bloom", the protagonists are two men who have been in love since they were youths. The "man" in this relationship is sixty-six, and the "boy" in this relationship is sixty-three.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In the realm of male kabuki (as opposed to "boy" kabuki), Saikaku writes, "now, since everyone wore the hairstyle of adult men, it was still possible at age 34 or 35 for youthful-looking actors to get under a man’s robe...If skill is what the audience is looking for, there should be no problem in having a 70 year old perform as a youth in long sleeved robes. So long as he can continue to find patrons willing to spend the night with him, he can then enter the new year without pawning his belongings."


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: The protagonist of Saikaku's "An Amorous Man" hires the services of a "boy" who turns out to be ten years his senior, and finds himself disappointed.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In the "Ugetsu Monogatari", written by Ueda Akinari (1734-1809), the story "Kikuka no chigiri" is commonly believed to be about a romantic relationship between two adult men, where neither obviously holds the sociosexual role of "wakashu", though they do structure it with their age difference in mind, using the "male love" terminology "older brother" versus "younger brother." In the story of Haemon and Takashima, two adult men, they also use this terminology, and Takashima additionally presents himself as a "wakashu".


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Mentions of men who openly enjoy both being the penetrating and penetrated partner are not found in these works, but are found in earlier Heian personal diaries, like in the diary of Fujiwara no Yorinaga, who writes on wanting to perform both the penetrative, and the receptive, sexual role. This is also referenced in a Muromachi era poem by the Shingon priest Socho (1448-1532). This may indicate that the mores surrounding appropriate homosexual conduct for men had changed rapidly in the course of one-to-two centuries.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: As Japan progressed into the Meiji era, same-sex practices continued, taking on new forms. However, there was a growing animosity towards same-sex practices. Despite the animosity, "nanshoku" continued, specifically the samurai version of "nanshoku", and it became the dominant expression of homosexuality during the Meiji period.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: "Nanshoku" practices became associated with the Satsuma region of Japan, the reason being that this area was deeply steeped in the "nanshoku" samurai tradition of the Tokugawa period. Also, when the Satsuma oligarchs supported the restoration of power to the emperor, they were put into positions of power, allowing "nanshoku" practices to be brought more into the spotlight during this time period. Satsuma also made up the majority of the newly created Japanese navy, thus associating the navy with "nanshoku" practices. Though during this time Japan briefly adopted anti-sodomy laws in an attempt to modernize its code (more on this below), the laws were repealed when French legalist Gustave Boissonade advised adopting a similar legal code to France's. Moreover, "nanshoku" flourished during the time of the Sino- and Russo-Japanese wars, due to the association of the warrior code of the samurai with nationalism. This led to close associations between the "Bushidō" samurai code, nationalism, and homosexuality. After the Russo-Japanese War, however, the practice of "nanshoku" began to die down and receive pushback.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Eventually Japan began to shift away from its tolerance of homosexuality, moving towards a more hostile stance toward "nanshoku" and homosexual practices more generally. For instance, the Ministry of Justice passed a sodomy law in 1873 criminalizing homosexual practices, termed the code. This code had the effect of criticizing an act of homosexuality without actually criticizing "nanshoku" culture itself, which at the time was associated with the samurai code and masculinity. The "keikan" code came to be more apparent with the rise of groups of delinquent students that would engage in so called battles. These groups would go around assaulting other students and incorporate them into their group, often engaging in homosexual activity. Newspapers became highly critical of these "bishōnen"-hunting gangs, resulting in an anti-sodomy campaign throughout the country.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Sexology, a growing field in Japan at the time, was also highly critical of homosexuality. Originating from Western thought, sexology was transferred to Japan by way of Meiji scholars, who were seeking to create a more Western Japan. Sexologists claimed that males engaging in a homosexual relationship would adopt feminine characteristics and would assume the psychic persona of a woman. They also claimed that homosexuality would degenerate into androgyny, in that the very body would come to resemble that of a woman with regard to such features such as voice timbre, growth of body hair, texture of hair and skin, muscular and skeletal structure, distribution of fatty tissues, body odor and mammary development.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: The only time homosexual sodomy (anal sex) has been banned in Japan was for short time for 8 years in 1872–1880 due to western influence.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Ming dynasty China banned homosexual sodomy (anal sex) in the Ming Code since the Jiajing emperor's reign and continued into the Qing dynasty until 1907, when western influence led to the law being repealed. The Chinese mocked and insulted Puyi and the Japanese as homosexuals and presented it as proof of their perversion and being uncivilized.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Despite the recent trends that suggest a new level of tolerance, as well as open scenes in more cosmopolitan cities (such as Tokyo and Osaka), Japanese gay men and lesbian women often conceal their sexuality, with many even marrying persons of the opposite sex.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Japan has no laws against homosexual activity and has some legal protections for gay individuals. Consensual sex between adults of the same sex is legal, but some prefectures set the age of consent for same-sex sexual activity higher than for opposite-sex sexual activity.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: While civil rights laws do not extend to protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation, some governments have enacted such laws. The government of Tokyo has passed laws that ban discrimination in employment based on sexual identity.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: The major political parties express little public support for LGBT rights. Despite recommendations from the Council for Human Rights Promotion, the National Diet has yet to take action on including sexual orientation in the country's civil rights code.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Some political figures, however, are beginning to speak publicly about they themselves being gay. Kanako Otsuji, an assemblywoman from Osaka, came out as a lesbian in 2005. She became the first elected member of the House of Councillors and of the Diet in 2013 and 2015 respectively to do so. Taiga Ishikawa was elected in 2019, becoming the first openly gay man to sit in the Diet. He was out also during his time previously as a ward councillor for Nakano.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: The current Constitution of Japan, which was written during American occupation, defines marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman. In an unconventional effort to circumvent marriage restrictions, some gay couples have resorted to using the adult adoption system, which is known as futsu, as an alternate means of becoming a family. In this method, the older partner adopts the younger partner which allows for them to be officially recognized as a family and receive some of the benefits that ordinary families receive such as common surnames and inheritance. In regards to the workplace, there are no anti-discrimination protections for LGBT employees. Employers play a visible role in reinforcing the Confucian tenets of marriage and procreation. Male employees are considered ineligible for promotions unless they marry and procreate.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: While same-sex marriage is not legalized at the national level, the Shibuya District in Tokyo passed a same-sex partnership certificate bill in 2015 to "issue certificates to same-sex couples that recognize them as partners equivalent to those married under the law." Similar partnerships are available in Setagaya District (Tokyo), Sapporo (Hokkaido), Takarazuka (Hyogo), and over 20 other localities, as well as one prefecture (Ibaraki).


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: A number of artists, nearly all male, have begun to speak publicly about being gay, appearing on various talk shows and other programs, their celebrity often focused on their sexuality; twin pop-culture critics Piko and Osugi are an example. Akihiro Miwa, a drag queen and former lover of author Yukio Mishima, is the television advertisement spokesperson for many Japanese companies ranging from beauty to financial products.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Some entertainers have used stereotypical references to homosexuality to increase their profile. Masaki Sumitani a.k.a. Hard Gay (HG), a comedian, shot to fame after he began to appear in public wearing a leather harness, hot pants, and cap. His outfit, name, and trademark pelvis thrusting and squeals earned him the adoration of fans and the scorn of many in the Japanese gay community.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: A greater number of gay characters have also begun appearing (with positive portrayals) on Japanese television, such as the highly successful "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" and "Last Friends" television series. Boys' Love drama "Ossan's Love" aired first in 2016 as a standalone TV movie and was expanded to a TV series in 2018. The programme was so successful that a movie sequel was released the following year entitled "Ossan's Love: LOVE or DEAD". In 2019 male same-sex relationships became further visible with the popular adapted drama "What Did You Eat Yesterday?".


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In 1975 twelve women became the first group of women in Japan to publicly identify as lesbians, publishing one issue of a magazine called Subarashi Onna (Wonderful Women).


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: One of famous Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's earliest movies, a documentary called "August without Him", released in 1994, follows Hirata Yutaka, the first openly gay AIDS sufferer in Japan. Filmed over a series of months, it contrasts his public life as an outspoken figure on the lecture circuit with his personal descent into illness and death.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: With the rise in visibility of the gay community and the attendant rise of media for gay audiences, the Hadaka Matsuri ("Naked Festival") has become a fantasy scenario for gay videos.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Gei-comi ("gay-comics") are gay-romance themed comics aimed at gay men. While yaoi comics often assign one partner as a "uke", or feminized receiver, gei-comi generally depict both partners as masculine and in an equal relationship. Another common term for this genre is "bara", stemming from the name of the first publication of this genre to gain popularity in Japan, "Barazoku". Yaoi works are massive in number with much of the media created by women usually for female audiences. In the west, it has quickly caught on as one of the most sought-after forms of pornography. There is certainly no disparity between yaoi as a pornographic theme, vs Yuri.


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: Lesbian-romance themed anime and manga is known as "yuri" (which means "lily"). It is used to describe female-female relationships in material and is typically marketed towards straight people, homosexuals in general, or lesbians despite significant stylistic and thematic differences between works aimed at the different audiences. Another word that has become popular in Japan as an equivalent term to Yuri is "GL" (short for "Girls' Love" in opposite to "Boys' Love"). There are a variety of yuri titles (or titles that integrate yuri content) aimed at women, such as "Revolutionary Girl Utena", "Oniisama e...", "Maria-sama ga Miteru", "Sailor Moon" (most notably the third and fifth seasons), "Strawberry Shake Sweet", "Love My Life", etc.; and there are a variety of yuri titles of anime such as "Kannazuki no Miko", "Strawberry Panic!," "Simoun", and "My-Hime". "Comic Yuri Hime" is a long-time running manga magazine in Japan that focuses solely on yuri stories, which gained merges from its other subsidiary comics and currently runs as the only Yuri Hime named magazine. Other magazines and anthologies of Yuri that have emerged throughout the early 21st century are "Mebae", "Hirari", and "Tsubomi" (the latter two ceased publication before 2014).


title: Homosexuality in Japan

text: In March 2021, the Sapporo District Court of Japan declared and announced that the 1984 law banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. However, in June 2022, the Osaka District Court released a ruling which upheld the ban as constitutional.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: Volga Bulgaria or Volga–Kama Bulgaria, was a historic Bulgar state that existed between the 7th and 13th centuries around the confluence of the Volga and Kama River, in what is now European Russia. Volga Bulgaria was a multi-ethnic state with large numbers of Turkic Bulgars, a variety of Finnic and Ugric peoples, and many East Slavs. Its strategic position of allowed it to create a monopoly between the trade of Arabs, Norse and Avars.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: The Bulgars were Turkic tribes of Oghuric origin, who settled north of the Black Sea. During their westward migration across the Eurasian steppe, they came under the overlordship of the Khazars, leading other ethnic groups, including Finnic and Iranic peoples. In about 630 they founded Old Great Bulgaria, which was destroyed by the Khazars in 668. Kubrat's son and appointed heir, Batbayan Bezmer, moved from the Azov region in about AD 665, commanded by the Kazarig Khagan Kotrag, to whom he had surrendered. They reached Idel-Ural in the eighth century, where they became the dominant population at the end of the 9th century, uniting other tribes of different origin who lived in the area. Some Bulgar tribes, however, continued westward and eventually settled along the Danube River, in what is now known as Bulgaria proper, where they created a confederation with the Slavs, adopting a South Slavic language and the Eastern Orthodox faith.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: Most scholars agree that the Volga Bulgars were initially subject to the Khazarian Khaganate. This fragmented Volga Bulgaria grew in size and power and gradually freed itself from the influence of the Khazars. Sometime in the late 9th century, unification processes started and the capital was established at Bolghar (also spelled Bulgar) city, 160 km south of modern Kazan. However, complete independence was reached after Khazaria's destruction and conquest by Sviatoslav in the late 10th century; thus, Bulgars no longer paid tribute to it.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: Volga Bulgaria adopted Islam in 922 – 66 years before the Christianization of Kievan Rus'. In 921 Almış sent an ambassador to the Caliph requesting religious instruction. Next year an embassy returned with Ibn Fadlan as secretary. A significant number of Muslims already lived in the country.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: The Volga Bulgars attempted to convert Vladimir I of Kiev to Islam; however Vladimir rejected the notion of Rus' giving up wine, which he declared was the "very joy of their lives".


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: Commanding the Volga River in its middle course, the state controlled much of trade between Europe and Asia prior to the Crusades (which made other trade routes practicable). The capital, Bolghar, was a thriving city, rivalling in size and wealth the greatest centres of the Islamic world. Trade partners of Bolghar included from Vikings, Bjarmland, Yugra and Nenets in the north to Baghdad and Constantinople in the south, from Western Europe to China in the East. Other major cities included Bilär, Suar (Suwar), Qaşan (Kashan) and Cükätaw (Juketau). Modern cities Kazan and Yelabuga were founded as Volga Bulgaria's border fortresses. Some of the Volga Bulgarian cities have still not been found, but they are mentioned in old East Slavic sources. They are: Ashli (Oshel), Tuxçin (Tukhchin), İbrahim (Bryakhimov), Taw İle. Some of them were ruined during and after the Golden Horde invasion.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: The Rus' principalities to the west posed the only tangible military threat. In the 11th century, the country was devastated by several raids by other Rus'. Then, at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries, the rulers of Vladimir (notably Andrew the Pious and Vsevolod III), anxious to defend their eastern border, systematically pillaged Volga Bulgarian cities. Under Rus' pressure from the west, the Volga Bulgars had to move their capital from Bolghar to Bilär.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: In September 1223 near Samara an advance guard of Genghis Khan's army under command of Uran, son of Subutai Bahadur, entered Volga Bulgaria but was defeated in the Battle of Samara Bend. In 1236, the Mongols returned and in five years had subjugated the whole country, which at that time was suffering from internal war . Henceforth Volga Bulgaria became a part of the Ulus Jochi, later known as the Golden Horde. It was divided into several principalities; each of them became a vassal of the Golden Horde and received some autonomy. By the 1430s, the Khanate of Kazan was established as the most important of these principalities.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: Ivan III was also called the "Prince of Bulgaria". The mention of the Bulgarian land has been present in the royal title since 1490. This refers to Volga Bulgaria.Ivan by the grace of God is the sovereign of all Russia and the Grand Duke of Vladimir, and Moscow, and Novgorod, and Pskov, and Tver, and Yugra, and Prmsk, and Bolgar and othersIt is known that the Bulgarian coat of arms figure was used to designate the Bulgarian Kingdom and in the Great Seal of Tsar John IV. The seal was a "lion walking" (which is confirmed by the seals of the Volga Bulgarians found by archaeologists). On the coats of arms and seals of the Russian tsars, the lands of Volga Bulgaria were represented on a green field by a silver walking lamb with a red banner divided by a silver cross; the shaft is gold. The erroneous perception of the beast on the Bulgarian coat of Arms in the Royal Titular as a lamb is explained by the poor quality of the reproduction of the image.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: In the "Historical Dictionary of Russian Sovereigns ..." by I. Nekhachin (ed. by A.Reshetnikov, 1793), the Bulgarian coat of arms is described as follows: "Bulgarian, in a blue field, a silver lamb wearing a red banner." Over time, the colour of the shield changed to green. In the Manifesto on the full coat of arms of the Empire (1800), the Bulgarian coat of arms is described as follows: "In a green field it has a white Lamb with a golden radiance near its head; in its right front paw it holds a Christian banner." The description of the coat of arms, approved in 1857: "The Bulgarian coat of arms: a silver lamb walking in a green field, with a scarlet banner, on which the cross is also silver; the shaft is gold."


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: A large part of the region's population included Turkic groups such as Sabirs, Esegel, Barsil, Bilars, Baranjars and part of the obscure Burtas (by ibn Rustah). Modern Chuvashes claim to descend from Sabirs, Esegel and Volga Bulgars.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: Another part comprised Volga Finnic and Magyar (Asagel and Pascatir) tribes, from which Bisermäns probably descend. Ibn Fadlan refers to Volga Bulgaria as Saqaliba, a general Arabic term for Slavic people. Other researches tie the term to the ethnic name Scythian (or Saka in Persian).


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: According to some historians, over 80% of the country's population was killed during the invasion. The remaining population mostly relocated to the northern areas (territories of modern Chuvashia and Tatarstan). Some autonomous duchies appeared in those areas.


title: Volga Bulgaria

text: Over time, the cities of Volga Bulgaria were rebuilt and became trade and craft centres of the Golden Horde. Some Volga Bulgars, primarily masters and craftsmen, were forcibly moved to Sarai and other southern cities of the Golden Horde. Volga Bulgaria remained a centre of agriculture and handicraft.


title: Vampire Academy

text: Vampire Academy is a series of six young adult paranormal romance novels by American author Richelle Mead. It tells the story of Rosemarie "Rose" Hathaway, a dhampir girl, who is training to be a guardian of her moroi best friend, Vasilisa "Lissa" Dragomir. In the process of learning how to defeat strigoi in St. Vladimir's Academy, Rose finds herself caught in a forbidden romance with her instructor, Dimitri Belikov, while having an unbreakable psychic bond with Lissa.


title: Vampire Academy

text: The first book in the series, "Vampire Academy", was published in 2007; it was followed by "Frostbite" in 2008. The third book in the series, "Shadow Kiss" was also published in 2008, and the fourth book, "Blood Promise", was published in 2009. The fifth book, "Spirit Bound", and the sixth book, "Last Sacrifice", were released in 2010. As of 2013, the series had sold 8 million copies in 35 countries.


title: Vampire Academy

text: The first book in the series was adapted into a film directed by Mark Waters, starring Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky and Dominic Sherwood, released by The Weinstein Company on February 7, 2014. The film was a financial and critical failure. A reboot television series, co-developed by Julie Plec, debuted on September 15, 2022 on Peacock.


title: Vampire Academy

text: There are six books in the original series, which is followed by a spin-off series called Bloodlines (see below). As of 2013, the series had sold over 8 million copies worldwide.


title: Vampire Academy

text: The series made its first appearance on the "New York Times" Best Seller list at #4 with the release of "Shadow Kiss". It has since made the list with each new book release, including an appearance at #1 when "Spirit Bound" was released.


title: Vampire Academy

text: A spin-off series called "Bloodlines" follows several characters from the "Vampire Academy" series and is centered around alchemist, Sydney Sage. The series includes six books.


title: Vampire Academy

text: The first book in the series "Bloodlines", was released August 23, 2011. It eventually reached the number two spot on "The New York Times" Best Seller list in March 2013. It was followed by "The Golden Lily" on June 12, 2012, which debuted at number one on "The New York Times" Best Seller list. The third book, "The Indigo Spell", was released February 12, 2013. The fourth book, "The Fiery Heart", was released on November 19, 2013. The fifth book, "Silver Shadows", was released on July 29, 2014. The sixth book, "The Ruby Circle", was released on February 10, 2015.


title: Vampire Academy

text: In June 2010, Preger Entertainment optioned the film rights to the "Vampire Academy" series. On July 6, they announced that producer Don Murphy joined them to help bring the series to the big screen.


title: Vampire Academy

text: On December 17, 2012, Daniel Waters was hired to write a script based on the first novel. On February 1, 2013, it was announced that Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, and Danila Kozlovsky were cast as Rose Hathaway, Lissa Dragomir, and Dimitri Belikov respectively. Principal photography commenced on May 28, 2013, in London, at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England and officially ended on July 20, 2013.


title: Vampire Academy

text: It was released in North America on February 7, 2014, and globally between March and July of the same year. It was distributed in the United States by The Weinstein Company. The film was a financial failure, grossing only $15.4 million worldwide against a $30 million budget, making the film a box office flop. Critically it was almost universally panned upon release.


title: Vampire Academy

text: Despite the movie financial failure, Preger Entertainment announced on August 4, 2014 that they had found investors for a sequel based on the second novel. However, to convince them that there's enough demand, they launched a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo to help fund the rest of the production cost. The campaign was launched on August, 6 2014 and Piers Ashworth was hired to write a script. The campaign failed to reach its goal, resulting in the project cancellation.


title: Vampire Academy

text: In May 2021, Peacock announced a straight-to-series order for a series based on the books, developed by Julie Plec.


title: Vampire Academy

text: A graphic novel based on the first "Vampire Academy" book was published on August 23, 2011. The graphic novel is adapted by Leigh Dragoon and illustrated by Emma Vieceli. A graphic novel for the second book in the series, "Frostbite", was also released in May 2012.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Gimli is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, appearing as a member of the Fellowship of the Ring in "The Lord of the Rings". A dwarf warrior, he is the son of Glóin, a member of Thorin's company in Tolkien's earlier book "The Hobbit". He represents the race of Dwarves as part of the Fellowship of the Ring. As such, he is one of the primary characters in the story. In the course of the adventure, Gimli aids the Ring-bearer Frodo Baggins, participates in the War of the Ring, and becomes close friends with Legolas, overcoming an ancient enmity of Dwarves and Elves.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Scholars have commented that Gimli is unlike other dwarves in being free from their characteristic greed for gold. They note, too, that he is unique in being granted the gift of Galadriel's hair, something that she had refused to Fëanor. The events recall the Norse legend "Njáls saga", where a gift of hair is refused, with fateful consequences.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Gimli was voiced by David Buck in Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated version of "The Lord of the Rings". Gimli does not appear in Rankin/Bass's 1980 animated version of "The Return of the King". In Peter Jackson's film trilogy, Gimli is played by the Welsh actor John Rhys-Davies.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Gimli was born in the Ered Luin in the Third Age, son of Glóin. Gimli had wanted to accompany his father on the quest to reclaim Erebor, but at age 62 he was deemed too young. He was a remote descendant of Durin the Deathless, chief of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves and ancestor of the Longbeards. Gimli was of the royal line, but not close to the succession; he was the third cousin once removed of Dáin II Ironfoot.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Gimli is first seen with Glóin at the Council of Elrond; they tell the Council that the Dark Lord Sauron is searching for Bilbo, and ask Elrond's advice. They learn that Frodo Baggins is now the bearer of the One Ring. The Council decides to destroy it by casting it into Mount Doom. Frodo volunteers for the task; Gimli is among those chosen to help him. There is friction between Gimli and the elf Legolas: their races bore an old grudge against each other.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: When the company is forced to enter the ancient underground Dwarf-realm, the Mines of Moria, Gimli is at first enthusiastic, hoping to find Balin there. However, Moria is still inhabited by Orcs, Cave Trolls, and a Balrog: Balin and his folk have all been killed. The Fellowship finds his tomb in the Chamber of Mazarbul; Orcs attack, and they have to fight their way out. Aragorn leads the company to Lothlórien, populated by Elves hostile to Dwarves. Gimli refuses to be blindfolded, risking a conflict, so Aragorn has the entire Fellowship blindfolded.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Gimli's opinion of Elves changes when he meets Galadriel, co-ruler of Lothlórien: her beauty, kindness, and understanding impress him so much that, when given the opportunity to ask for whatever he wishes, he responds that being able to see her and hear her gentle words is gift enough. When pressed, he admits that he desires a single strand of her golden hair, to be an heirloom of his house, but that he could not ask for such a gift. Galadriel is so moved by his bold yet courteous request that she gives him not one, but three of her hairs. Gimli and Legolas became firm friends.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: At Amon Hen, the company is divided, and Gimli joins Legolas and Aragorn in pursuing Merry and Pippin who have been captured by Orcs. After running many miles in a few days to the land of Rohan, they meet Éomer, nephew of Rohan's King Théoden, with a troop of cavalry, which has killed all the Orcs. When Éomer speaks badly of the name Galadriel, Gimli responds harshly, but Aragorn prevents a fight. Gandalf leads them to Rohan's capital, Edoras, where he rouses Théoden to war against Saruman. Gimli proves his valour in combat in the Battle of Helm's Deep. He and Legolas engage in an Orc-slaying contest (Gimli wins by one; he kills 42 to Legolas's 41). Gimli saves Éomer's life by killing two orcs and driving off two others. Later, Gimli's vivid description of the Glittering Caves of Aglarond moves Legolas to promise to visit the caves when the War was over; and eventually they make the visit together. After the battle, Gimli witnesses Gandalf casting Saruman out of the Order of Wizards; he sees through Saruman's lies with the words "This wizard's words stand on their heads".


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Gimli accompanies Aragorn on the Paths of the Dead, and the battles at Pelargir and the Pelennor Fields. He takes part in the final battle against Sauron, the Battle of the Morannon in front of the Black Gate. There he recognizes Pippin Took's feet underneath a fallen troll, saving his life.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: After the destruction of the Ring, Gimli leads many Dwarves south to Aglarond, becoming the first Lord of the Glittering Caves. They build "great works" in Rohan and Gondor, and replace the ruined gate of Minas Tirith with one made of "mithril" and steel. After Aragorn's death, Gimli (then 262 years old) sails with Legolas into the West, becoming the first Dwarf in the Undying Lands.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: The name "Gimli" first appeared in Tolkien's works in "The Tale of Tinúviel", the earliest version of the story of Beren and Lúthien Tinúviel, found in the second volume of "The Book of Lost Tales". Here, the name belongs to an aged elf, a prisoner along with Beren in the kitchens of Tevildo, Prince of Cats (forerunner of Sauron). During the writing of "The Lord of the Rings", as told in "The Return of the Shadow", Gimli's character was first named "Frar", then "Burin", and he was the son of Balin.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: The Tolkien scholar Tom Shippey writes that Tolkien has Gimli "swap grim proverbs" with Elrond. Shippey comments that dwarvish heroism is expressed in their veiled speech, as seen also with King Dáin's stubborn replies to the messenger of Mordor. He sees these examples as unified by "delight in the contrast between passionate interior and polite or rational expression; the weakness of the latter is an index of the strength of the former".


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Writing in "Mallorn", the journal of the Tolkien Society, Lilian Darvell states that Gimli's request for a gift of Galadriel's hair is to be contrasted with Fëanor's earlier request of the same gift, described in "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", in "Unfinished Tales". Galadriel rejected Fëanor's request, though he made it three times. Darvell comments that given Galadriel's ability to see into people's hearts, and the darkness she saw in Fëanor, she must have seen something better in Gimli than in "one of the greatest of the Noldor". Darvell notes that the gift of hair has echoes in both English literature, as in "Bernice and the Lock" and "The Rape of the Lock", and in Norse legend. In "Njáls saga", Gunnarr's bowstring breaks in a desperate battle; he asks his wife Hallgerðr for two hairs to use as a replacement, but she refuses because he had once struck her, and he is killed. Darvell comments that Galadriel's refusal does not kill Fëanor, but it does result in a distancing, which might have led him to refuse to send ships to rescue her from Númenor.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: The scholars of international relations Abigail Ruane and Patrick James view Gimli as an exemplar of "neoliberal institutionalists", since his "people avidly pursue gold and treasure". In their view, he and his Dwarves also illustrate the interdependence of nations through their networks of trade and allies; the varied "relationships among Dwarves, Elves, and Men provide a foundation upon which to build and [to] ally against Sauron and illustrate how complex interdependence can reduce perceptions of insecurity and create opportunities for cooperation rather than conflict."


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: The Tolkien scholar John Miller writes that like the Elves, the Dwarves have withdrawn from history and become subject to "an increased aesthetic sensibility", exemplified by Gimli's lyrical description of the Glittering Caves of Aglarond. Miller argues that as well as praising the beauty of the caves, Gimli's account "emphasizes their stillness, their abstraction from the history marching along outside". He suggests that the dwarvish love of hand-crafted workmanship could be a pre-modern aesthetic, an immature or adolescent appreciation compared to that of Elves or Men.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: The philologist Susan Robbins writes in "Žmogus ir žodis" that with the words "I say to you, Gimli son of Glóin, that your hands shall flow with gold, yet over you gold shall have no dominion", Galadriel gives Gimli, alone of all the Dwarves, immunity to the dragon-sickness. Robbins defines this as "bewilderment or confusion that makes one so greedy for ... gold that one would rather starve to death rather than give any of it up", the fate that overwhelmed the Dwarf Thorin Oakenshield and the human Master of Laketown in "The Hobbit". She notes that Tolkien stated that the dragon-sickness, the effect of the magic spells placed on Smaug's golden hoard, derived from line 3052 of "Beowulf": , "the gold of men of long ago enmeshed in enchantment".


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Gimli was voiced by David Buck in Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated version of "The Lord of the Rings". Here he is drawn as being almost as tall as the rest of the non-hobbit members of the Fellowship. Gimli does not appear in Rankin/Bass's 1980 animated version of "The Return of the King".


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: In Peter Jackson's film trilogy, Gimli is played by John Rhys-Davies, using his native Welsh accent. Gimli's more prosaic and blunt style, in contrast with the more refined Aragorn and Legolas, provides defusing comic relief, with much of the humour based on his height, along with his competitive, if friendly, feud with Legolas, where Gimli consistently finds himself out-achieved.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: Gimli was portrayed by Ross Williams in the 3-hour Toronto stage production of "The Lord of the Rings", which opened in 2006. In "The Lord of the Rings: The Musical", he was played by Sévan Stephan throughout its London run.


title: Gimli (Middle-earth)

text: The classical composer Craig H. Russell's 1995 "Middle Earth" has as its second movement "Gimli, the Dwarf"; Russell describes it as sounding "like a rugged Irish tune". The piece was originally written for string ensemble, and re-orchestrated for symphonic orchestra.


title: Demographics of Malaysia

text: The demographics of Malaysia are represented by the multiple ethnic groups that exist in the country. Malaysia's population, according to the 2010 census, is 28,334,000 including non-citizens, which makes it the 42nd most populated country in the world. Of these, 5.72 million live in East Malaysia and 22.5 million live in Peninsular Malaysia. The population distribution is uneven, with some 79% of its citizens concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia, which has an area of , constituting under 40% of the total area of Malaysia.


title: Demographics of Malaysia

text: The Malaysian population is growing at a rate of 1.94% per annum as of 2017. According to latest projection of the 2010 census, the fertility rates of the 3 largest Malaysian groups are as follows: Malay/Bumiputera: 2.4 children per woman, Chinese: 1.4 children per woman and Indian: 1.8 children per woman. Malay fertility rates are 40% higher than Malaysian Indians and 56% higher than Malaysian Chinese. Population projections in 2017 show that the Malays and Bumiputeras comprised a total of 68.8% of the total population, Chinese 23.2% and Indians 7.0%. The Chinese population has shrunk proportionally from 1957, when it was about 40% of Malaya, although in absolute numbers they have increased around threefold by 2017 in Malaysia (2.4 million in 1957 to 6.6 million in 2017, the later figure include East Malaysia) but have been dwarfed by the fivefold increase of Malays (from around 3.1 million in 1957 to 15.5 million in 2017).


title: Demographics of Malaysia

text: Censuses were taken in Malaysia in 1970, 1980, 1991, 2000 and 2010. The total population is around 28.3 million according to the 2010 census. The population distribution is highly uneven, with some 20 million residents concentrated in Peninsula Malaysia. 74.7% of the population is urban. Due to the rise in labour-intensive industries, Malaysia is estimated to have over 3 million migrant workers, which is about 10% of the Malaysian population. The exact numbers are unknown: there are a million legal foreign workers and perhaps another million unauthorised foreigners. The state of Sabah alone had nearly 25% of its 2.7 million population listed as illegal foreign workers in the last census. Sabah based NGOs estimate that out of the 3 million population, 2 million are illegal immigrants.


title: Demographics of Malaysia

text: Additionally, according to the "World Refugee Survey 2008", published by the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), Malaysia hosts a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 155,700. Of this population, approximately 70,500 refugees and asylum seekers are from the Philippines, 69,700 from Burma, and 21,800 from Indonesia. The USCRI named Malaysia as one of the ten worst places for refugees on account of the country's discriminatory practices toward them. Malaysian officials are reported to have turned deportees directly over to human smugglers in 2007, and Malaysia employs RELA, a volunteer militia, to enforce its immigration law.


title: Demographics of Malaysia

text: Structure of the population (01.07.2011) (Estimates – Data refer to projections based on the 2018 Population Census):