Overview

• Stephen King has urged the cancellation of the 97th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2, citing the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.
• King compared the situation to the legend of Nero playing music while Rome burned, criticizing the Oscars as inappropriate during such a crisis.
• The wildfires, which began over a week ago, have claimed at least 27 lives and destroyed or damaged more than 12,000 buildings in the Los Angeles area.
• The announcement of Oscar nominations, originally set for January 17, has already been postponed to January 23 due to the disaster.
• Despite the devastation, the Academy has stated that the awards ceremony will proceed as planned.