As EW trudges toward the end of awards season with this weekend’s Oscars, I’m very ready for a nap. But I’m also excited that we can all gather to celebrate the films that made us feel things over the past year. With literal and figurative fires creating chaos all around us in recent months, it’s a good reminder that — at its best — art is healing, enlightening, and a necessary escape. (And for those of you following my sartorial journey: My Amazon purchase did not work out this time, so yes, that was me you saw mad-dashing around the Century City mall last Friday ahead of the SAGs.)  —Patrick Gomez, Editor-in-Chief

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The 97th Academy Awards

Will Anora, Conclave, or maybe another movie shock with the Best Picture win? Will Mikey Madison or Demi Moore take home Best Actress? And can Timothée Chalamet follow up his Best Actor SAG Award win with his first Oscar? We’ll know on Sunday when Conan O’Brien hits the Dolby stage for the first time as host. And if you were upset about there being no performances of the Best Song nominees, at least we get Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as well as Queen Latifah, Doja Cat, Lisa of Blackpink, and Raye. —Gerrad Hall, Editorial Director

Everyone performing at the Oscars this weekend

“Running Point”

Kate Hudson takes over the family business in this sports comedy co-created by Mindy Kaling and inspired by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Jeanie Buss. The Netflix series has heart, laughter, and an all-star supporting cast (Brenda Song! Justin Theroux! Jay Ellis!) — the winning plays of a Kaling production. —Jessica Wang, Staff Writer

“Survivor”

The season 48 cast is full of huge personalities playing the game at warp speed with alliances forming left and right. My favorite so far? The tender father-daughter connection between Joe and Eva. Team Joeva all the way! —Dalton Ross, Editorial Director

Meet the cast of Survivor 48

“Back After This”

NPR host Linda Holmes returns with her third novel, a rom-com steeped in her own world of podcasting: Producer Cecily Foster finally gets the chance to host her own show. The catch? She must chronicle her dating life guided by an influencer. —Maureen Lee Lenker, Senior Writer

“Star Wars: The Mask of Fear”

The first book in Alexander Freed’s new Reign of the Empire trilogy follows early Rebellion heroes Mon Mothma, Saw Gerrera, and Bail Organa in the aftermath of Palpatine’s Republic takeover, and features some of the best page-turning political intrigue in franchise novel history. —D.R.