Argo: The prisoner swap that sealed the Iran Nuclear deal came down to the wire when Iran tried to hold on to the wife and mother of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian. The two were being held in a room at Tehran’s airport while a US negotiator jawboned for their release. In a deal with theatrical tension, the US negotiator refused to leave, or take three other prisoners, without Rezaian’s family. They were all allowed to leave.

Hollywood and Vine: Actor/director Spike Lee and actress Jada Pinkett Smith announced that they will not attend this year’s Oscars because for the second year in a row none of the 20 nominated actors are black. Pinkett’s husband Will Smith was stiffed for a Best Actor nomination for his part in “Concussion.” Lee’s “Chi-Raq” and the film “Straight Outta Compton” also were passed over.

Chris Rock is this year’s host. It could be punishing.

The Market: US stock futures are up this morning, partly on news that the Chinese economy last year grew at is slowest pace in 25 years. Why the US market is up because of that, we can’t explain.

Cancelled: The Republican National Committee cancelled its scheduled commitment to have its late February debate covered by NBC and moved it to CNN. The Republicans are still smoldering over the tenor of the third Republican debate presented by CNBC in October. It’s their party and they can cry if they want to.

CNBC’s performance was undistinguished that night, but Republicans are battering the press a little more than usual this election cycle. To applause at Liberty University yesterday, Donald Trump said, “The press, and I have to say this, is very, very dishonest. Now, not all of it, but most of it.”

The Obit Page: Glenn Frey, the co-founder of The Eagles who sang “Take It Easy” and co-wrote with Don Henley the hits “Hotel California” and “Life in the Fast Lane,” died Monday in New York of several conditions, including pneumonia. He was 67.

The band had a string of hits in the 70s. Frey also was lead singer for “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” ”Already Gone” and “New Kid in Town.” Frey and Henley were estranged at times over the years, and had solo careers, until the Eagles regrouped and made hits again. Henley said in a statement. “Glenn was the one who started it all. He was the spark plug, the man with the plan.”

Naming Rights: After a corporate battle that the National Park Service lost, Yosemite’s famed Ahwhanee Hotel and Curry Village are getting new names. They’ll be called the “Magestic Yosemite Hotel” and “Half Dome Village.”

Delaware North, the company that owns the trademark to the names, lost its $2 billion contract and demanded $50 million to release the names. The Park Service didn’t pay. But that’s not all. Delaware North also claims it owns the rights to “Yosemite National Park.”

Bad Behavior: Former underwear model Stephanie Seymour was arrested for driving while intoxicated; One time Olympic skier Picabo Street was arrested and accused of pushing her father down the stairs; “American Pie” singer Don Mclean, 70 … “ Drove my Chevy to the levee” … has been accused of domestic violence against his wife.

He Said This: Donald Trump; “When I’m president we’re going to have ‘Merry Christmas’ in the department stores again.”

-30-