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Martin Benson, the co-founder and longtime artistic director of the Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory regional theater in Costa Mesa, California, died November 30 of a probable heart attack at his home in Huntington Beach, California. He was 87.

His death was announced by the theater’s Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Suzanne Appel. The likely cause was reported to The New York Times by his stepson Justin Krumb.

Founded in 1964 by Benson and his San Francisco State University classmate David Emmes, South Coast Rep would go on to become of the country’s leading regional theaters, launching careers and an august roster of Broadway- and Off Broadway-bound plays. Among the latter: Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Wit, Craig Lucas’ Prelude to a Kiss, Donald Margulies Sight Unseen, Richard Greenberg’s Three Days of Rain and The Violet Hour, Sam Shepard’s True West and Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel.

Whether you love him or hate him, Tom Cruise is arguably one of the biggest movie stars Hollywood has seen over the last 30 years.

Cruise was born on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York. His full name is Thomas Cruise Mapother IV. He spent much of his childhood traveling around the world before settling with his mom and stepdad in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

Tom Cruise’s father, Thomas Mapother III, was born on October 15, 1934, and died in January 1984. His mother, Mary Lee Pfeiffer, was born on September 22, 1936, and died in February 2017. The surname Mapother is pronounced similarly to “May bother,” but with a P sound instead.

Tom starred in several box office hits, including Top Gun, Rain Man, Mission: Impossible, and Jerry Maguire (Credit: Cover Images / INSTARimages)

While a student at Glen Ridge High School in New Jersey, the “War of the Worlds” star dreamed of becoming a priest but...

K-dramas offer a variety of genres, making it easy for beginners to find a series they will enjoy. Standalone seasons and long episodes are common in K-dramas, providing captivating storylines that keep audiences engaged. These recommended series are perfect for K-drama beginners, as they introduce the structure of K-dramas and provide compelling narratives.

There are plenty of K-dramas to choose from and this can be overwhelming for those just starting on their K-drama journey. Luckily, a few series perfectly ease new audiences into the world of K-dramas. These shows are known for their standalone seasons, long episodes, and a variety of genres to choose from.

K-dramas offer a wide range of genres, such as dramas or thrillers like The Glory, or romantic comedies such as What's Wrong with Secretary Kim. There's sure to be a fitting series, no matter what genre or storyline audiences are looking for. This is useful for beginners,...

Tng season 2 establishes the main characters' roles and sets up the new status quo for the rest of the series. "The Child" episode borrows ideas from old Star Trek scripts, including a story about an alien pregnancy. While the main storyline of the premiere may not be the best, it foreshadows the tone and direction of the show moving forward.

Star Trek: The Next Generation season 2 is when the show began to find its footing, as the characters and their positions aboard the USS Enterprise-d are solidified. Tng season 1 is considered the show's worst, but it had its moments and did a solid job of introducing audiences to Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of the USS Enterprise-d. Going into season 2, Tng's writers remained in flux and the 1988 WGA Strike certainly didn't help matters. Still, Tng season 2, episode 1, "The Child," goes a long way to set up the future of the show.

The Writer's Strike of 1988 affected Star Trek: The Next Generation, resulting in a shortened season 2 with only 22 episodes instead of 26, and a poorly received clip show as the finale. Despite the challenges caused by the strike, it also led to the creation of one of Tng's best episodes, "The Measure of a Man," written by Melinda M. Snodgrass, who joined the staff as a writer and script editor. "The Measure of a Man" tackles ethical issues and introduces important characters like Dr. Bruce Maddox, remaining relevant even today. It is a standout episode that explores complex themes beyond Data's storyline.

The WGA Strike of 1988 led to one great episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as one of the show's worst episodes. Following the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-d, Tng got off to a rocky start with its inconsistent first season.

We’re happy to report that after five days, all of our New Years Resolutions are still intact. Except for the one about doing 20 minutes of yoga in the morning. Impossible. And the one about not eating the entire bag of potato chips in one sitting. Yeah, nah. Oh! We also didn’t stop doomscrolling, smoking or clipping our toenails at the gym. But other than that? Perfectly on track. And while there are still two long months of awards season left to endure enjoy, the New Year has brought a bountiful crop of Don’t-Miss Indies.

The Lady Bird Diaries

When You Can Watch: Now

Where You Can Watch: Hulu

Director: Dawn Porter

Why We’re Excited: Acclaimed documentarian Dawn Porter’s moving new documentary offers a singular vantage point on of the most important administrations in US history, based on 123 hours of former First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson’s own audio diaries.