“The World According to Gayle” is Oprah Daily’s video series spotlighting all things Gayle each and every month. Our editor at large is sharing her favorites of the moment, from buzzy new albums to fantastic restaurant finds you’ll want to try. Check back each month to see the latest!
They say April showers bring May flowers, but there’s no need for gloom, because this month has me very excited about the latest releases in television, music, and comedy. And as I do every month, I try to fit in celebrations for some lesser-known, but always fun, holidays.
This month also means a great deal to me because it is when my favorite son was born (happy birthday, Will!), and it’s also the birthday of literary giant Maya Angelou, who was a mentor to me. My all-time favorite quote of hers is “People may forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This still resonates with me today, and I hope that each month, I help bring you a bit of joy.
Check out all of this month’s highlights below.
National Hug a Newsperson Day
I told you this would get fun. My CBS Mornings colleagues Tony Dokoupil, Vladimir Duthiers, and I got a head start on Hug a Newsperson Day, which is April 4, just as you’d expect: by ending our morning with a hug (even though it turned into a small shuffle). The fun didn’t stop there, though; I asked some of my friend newsers to join in, too. Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, Laura Spencer, and the team at Good Morning America brought it in for a hug and snapped a photo, plus Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin over at Today did the same.
News isn’t always easy, but our teams work at bringing you the facts and truth behind every story because it’s so important for us to be informed. No matter where you tune in, I think this is a great holiday to show some appreciation. And Nate Burleson, Hoda Kotb, George Stephanopoulos, Al Roker, and everyone else who was off that day, please gear up for next year...I think we ought to make a new April 4th tradition.
Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies
If you’ve ever wondered about the origin story of the Pink Ladies, the girl gang of Rydell High School in the Grease universe, I know of a show that unpacks it all. Paramount+ original series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is a musical prequel that lands four years before the events of the 1978 blockbuster, and is packed with new story lines and characters.
I’d like to take a quick moment to put a spotlight on one character in particular: Wally, but I know him as Maxwell Whittington-Cooper, the son of my good friend Nina. Wally is one of the cool kids at Rydell (which is not far off from how I describe Maxwell) who is a member of the football team. Let’s just say that he forges his own path on and off the field. Stream Pink Ladies on April 6.
The Restless Leg Tour with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler
Hitting the road with your best friend is always so fun (I would know!), and so is working with your bestie (I know that, too!). And yet, there is something truly special about Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s 30-year friendship—they are both hilarious! They announced that they are teaming up for their latest comedic performance, the Restless Leg Tour.
The duo will hit four cities across the United States starting on April 28. Although I don’t know what “restless leg” means, I am prepared to laugh out loud.
Smokey Robinson’s Gasms
Two of the internet’s viral moments of 2023 come from legendary singer, songwriter, and producer Smokey Robinson. The first came after he announced his latest album, Gasms, with a track list of songs like “I Fit in There” and “Roll Around.” And the second came after he was recorded dancing onstage. I had to call Mr. Robinson myself to see what was going on. (Spoiler alert: He meant for this album to make headlines.)
Our conversation wasn’t very long, but what he told me was that the album is all about “good feelings,” and when you listen to it, I couldn’t agree more. From longing ballads to smooth R&B, the songs are all uniquely him. My personal favorites are “Roll Around” and “I Wanna Know Your Body.” You can groove to the full album on April 28.
I want to hear from you! Let me know what you think of my list in the comments below. And what should I be looking forward to next month?
Gayle King is the Editor at Large at Oprah Daily and co-host of CBS Mornings. When she's not on air, Gayle is diving into all things news, trending topics, and pop culture. Yet, her favorite job is being the mom to her favorite daughter, Kirby, favorite son, Will, and grandmother, or as she prefers it, Gaia to her favorite grandson Luca. Follow her on Instagram.
