|
« October 2007 |
Main
| December 2007 »
Nonwriting staff members of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" became the latest casualties of the four-week Hollywood writers strike when they were laid off Friday.
NBC confirmed the layoffs at the show without providing further details. The show went into reruns when the strike began on Nov. 5 and Leno honored the picket lines.
NBC had been covering the salaries of the nonwriting staffers. Conan O'Brien has promised to cover the salaries of about 75 nonstriking "Late Night" staffers next week.
The layoffs came as the Writers Guild of America mulled a new contract offer. Negotiations were recessed until Tuesday.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said it was willing to offer $130 million in extra pay over the life of the proposed three-year deal in addition to the $1.3 billion that writers already receive each year.
The Writers Guild of America countered that the offer amounted to a "massive rollback."
-- From the Associated Press
More news on the strike
Bookmark it:  
|
|
Hollywood writers and below-the-line production staff may be suffering as the WGA strike rounds out its fourth week, but there appears to be one beneficiary of the labor stoppage: Hillary Rodham Clinton.
With the late-night talk shows forced into hiatus, the Democratic presidential candidate has been spared fresh swipes from the likes of Jay Leno and David Letterman. (Although, with their programs in reruns, viewers are getting plenty of opportunities to sample their old material.)
Clinton has been the top target of the late-night comedians among the White House hopefuls, spawning nearly as many jokes so far this year as all her Democratic rivals combined, according to a study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs.
Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 10, the New York senator was the butt of 186 jokes cracked by NBC’s Leno and Conan O’Brien, CBS’ David Letterman and Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. (The study examined just the hosts’ monologues, not the entire show.) The rest of the Democratic contenders were joked about a combined total of 197 times, with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama drawing 56 cracks, the second-largest number.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
At the end of the fourth day of renewed negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the alliance issued a statement, which is posted below. The news is that, after what was reportedly three days of little progress, the studios' side has put forward new proposals for digital revenue. The WGA has asked for time to examine the proposals, and although the alliance "strongly" wished to continue negotiating, both sides agreed to meet again beginning Dec. 4.
Here's the full statement: STATEMENT REGARDING AMPTP WGA NEGOTIATIONS
LOS ANGELES, November 29, 2007 -- "The AMPTP today unveiled a New Economic Partnership to the WGA, which includes groundbreaking moves in several areas of new media, including streaming, content made for new media and programming delivered over digital broadcast channels. The entire value of the New Economic Partnership will deliver more than $130 million in additional compensation above and beyond the more than $1.3 billion writers already receive each year. In response, the WGA has asked for time to study the proposals. While we strongly preferred to continue discussions, we respect and understand the WGA's desire to review the proposals. We look forward to resuming talks on Tuesday, December 4.
We continue to believe that there is common ground to be found between the two sides, and that our proposal for a New Economic Partnership offers the best chance to find it."
More news on the strike
-- Kate Aurthur
| Bookmark it:
|
|
The menswear challenge, like a Salem witch trial, involved hysteria, accusations and boring, conservative clothes, but it had its purpose: With Darwinian cruelty, it separated the master designers from the lesser designers. In season 2, we saw promising Nick auf'd when he tried to make a suit for Daniel and this week's first official menswear challenge ever slapped down several well-meaning designers who actually thought they could make a suit -- ha ha! -- in a couple of days. What hubris! Isn't there folklore about tailors stooping over fabric for several weeks in some sort of Geppetto-like workshop? If there isn't, there should be.
I think most of the people who watch "Project Runway" are women and women who don't watch sports, so what was with the Tiki Barber guest spot? That's the best they could do, after the triumph of Sarah Jessica Parker? Who is this Tiki Barber, anyway? He was boring in person and he wanted them, shiver, to make boring clothes. I'm not impressed that he once served as running back for the New York Giants. I'm not even sure what a running back does. Runs? Backward?
Now, we all know that men drew the short stick when it comes to fashion and let's pity them for it. We might make 85 cents to their dollar or whatever, but at least we look good while doing it. On "Project Runway," I don't want to see the designers constrained to menswear, unless they get to make something fabulous and brave. But no one got to do that. Even Kit "Pistol" was reduced to generic sportswear ideas by creating a fleece jacket.
 And Jack, the big winner, what did he do? Made some pinstriped pants and a pinstriped shirt. What a snooze.
The highlight of all this is that apparently, when pressed to make sucky clothes, designers become vicious and strange, like animals locked in a basement during a hurricane. Witness the swipes between Carmen and Ricky, who, not coincidentally, ended up on the chopping block together. There was also that weird, though somewhat endearing, shorts-sharing thing that happened with Jack and some of the others. And finally, Elisa's bizarre refusal to "intimately" fit the male model. I love Elisa, if only because I could have never predicted that she'd be the prude of the group. Handsy Isaac Mizrahi she is not.
 As for Carmen, this week's sacrifice, I saw the Grim Reaper standing behind her sewing machine weeks ago. I dig the junk-store, Madonna-circa-"Desperately Seeking Susan" look, but she just didn't have it. Better luck elsewhere, Carmen.
-- Margaret Wappler
For the record: An earlier version of this Show Tracker said that "Project Runway" has had menswear challenges in the past. Though the show's designers have made menswear items on prior seasons, this was the show's first official challenge.
(Photos courtesy Bravo)
| Bookmark it:
|
|
That’s one less strike to worry about.
The Writers Guild of America, East announced Thursday it had reached a tentative labor agreement with ABC News on behalf of 250 news writers, editors and other staff members in the news division’s New York and Washington offices who have been working without a contract for almost three years.
The two-year contract, which will be voted on by the guild members Dec. 13, grants the employees 3.5% annual raises, along with a onetime $3,700 payment to settle outstanding National Labor Relations Board charges brought against ABC by the union. . The union agreed to a reduction in payments for network radio employees and other adjustments.
“We’re pleased to secure, finally, a fair contract for our members,” Mona Mangan, executive director of the Writers Guild of America, East, said in a statement. We expect the membership to ratify this contract, and we can now continue our work of delivering quality news to the public.”
In a separate statement, ABC said it was “pleased, after three long years of negotiation, to be able to make a deal. We value our WGA-represented employees, and we look forward to a positive ratification vote that will allow both sides to put this behind them."
Earlier this month, CBS News employees working under a WGA agreement voted to authorize a strike after negotiations broke down between the network and the union. It remains to be seen whether the guild will call for a labor stoppage.
-- Matea Gold
| Bookmark it:
|
|
Funnyordie.com has posted a laser-precise parody of MTV's not-really-reality show "The Hills." The clip, apparently Judd Apatow & Co.'s contribution to the temporary genre of writers strike comedy, features Mila Kunis as Audrina Patridge, engaged in a recreated "Hills" conversation (i.e. where plenty of words are exchanged but no information) with ex-bf Justin (James Franco).
"You gotta do the uh . . . rice with the fork," Justin advises Audrina as they eat Chinese food. But soon they delve into more personal territory, such as just how to categorize their relationship. Justin is, perhaps understandably, wary of commitment.
"It's like when you make -- when you put statements . . . you'll be gone," he explains solemnly. "Like, I don't like that."
The video ends with a sort of PSA message, reminding the public: "Without writers . . . there's only reality."
--David Sarno
| Bookmark it:
|
|
With news that the season will be ending Dec. 12, we should be looking for some signs that producers are stepping up the drama. With the new council (and their degrading ways) and next week's Sophia the Sheriff episode, seems like they're trying. Considering Sophia's popularity, it should help.
The almighty journal suggested that the districts study the history of Bonanza. Many kids came to get away from school, including Colton and Taylor, so this was not an enjoyable task for cerebrally challenged Blaine and the yellow district. The sunshine squad was in  trouble.
The challenge? Pop balloons after guessing the correct answer to a trivia question on the town's history (knew it was coming). Of course, the smarties of the green district won the challenge, mostly thanks to Hunter's slingshot ability. He needs a star, and should've gotten one a couple of episodes ago.
The reward? Library vs. arcade. Hate to say it, but this was not even a choice at this point of the show. Dance Dance Revolution vs. an atlas?!? Time for Bonanza to boogie after 34 days -- all except Taylor, who was banned for inactivity. Finally she gets a real punishment, but too bad it took an arcade to force her to work.
But ... the arcade took over! Sophia commented that Bonanza was a "ghost town" as the kids spent all of their time there. So, at the town hall meeting, DK and the council recognized that the arcade was a big negative influence and decided to close it down until the pioneers finished their chores. To enforce the rule, Sophia was chosen sheriff.
 Good choice, and good choice of another green team member, Hunter, as the gold star winner. We HAD to see Hunter's dad on the phone call home -- the guy who has been mentioned so much by his son as instilling in him a great work ethic and values. Hunter should be a highlight on what's good about the show.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
The Democratic Party pulled the plug today on a CBS presidential candidate debate set to be held in Los Angeles on Dec. 10, citing the possibility of a strike by CBS News employees.
"Due to the uncertainty created by the ongoing labor dispute between CBS and the Writers Guild of America, the DNC has canceled the December 10th debate in Los Angeles,” Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Karen Finney said in a statement. “There are no plans to reschedule.”
After going 2½ years without a contract, a majority of CBS’ 500 news writers and other local and network employees represented by the Writers Guild of America voted earlier this month to authorize a strike against the network.
The union had not yet decided whether to call for a labor stoppage, but the mere prospect of a walkout alarmed network and party officials, especially after the major Democratic candidates announced they would not cross a picket line to participate in the forum.
Even if the news writers stayed on the job, the WGA could have chosen to picket the debate as part of the ongoing film and television writers strike.
In a series of back-channel meetings, CBS sought to persuade the guild to refrain from picketing the event in the name of public interest, but were unsuccessful, according to people familiar with the discussions.
“CBS News regrets not being able to offer the Democratic presidential debate scheduled for Dec. 10 in Los Angeles,” the network said in a statement. “The possibility of picket lines set up by the Writers Guild of America and the unwillingness of many candidates to cross them made it necessary to allow the candidates to make other plans.”
The debate, which was set to be carried by CSPAN and some local CBS affiliates, would have offered moderator Katie Couric a forum to demonstrate her political chops as the campaign season swings into full gear.
“There’s disappointment,” said one newsroom staffer. “It was a big thing, and we were all excited to do it.”
More news on the strike
-- Matea Gold
For the record: An earlier version of this post said that the Democratic Party, along with CBS, tried to persuade the WGA not to picket the Dec. 10 debate. Although party officials checked in with guild leaders about their plans, they did not ask the union not to picket.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
And then there were none. Well, two. Okay, actually three. The point is, the Great Race to reconfigure the diagnostics team on "House" is over and the winners are Dr. Kutner (Kal Penn), Dr. Straub (Peter Jacobson) and the mysterious Thirteen (Olivia Penn). How precisely the writers are going to keep them all busy while still throwing the old team enough work is a mystery, but one that will keep Avid Viewers like me tuned in.
In last night's episode, Dr. Lisa Cuddy finally drew herself to full administrative height and told House (Hugh Laurie) to pick two candidates and let the remaining two go. So when a punk rock musician with many addictions and few redeeming virtues pulls the typical "House" collapse -- sudden bout of coughing turns into bloody spew -- the case becomes make-or-break.
Now, the competition wasn't quite as intense as it seems, at least from the living room view. Kal Penn is a movie star, most recently seen in "The Namesake." So clearly he was staying. Jacobson has an IMDB list as long as your arm, and though some of the entries are along the lines of "man with the telephone," he was just seen in "Transformers" and did a very funny turn as the hateful ex-husband in "The Starter Wife." So smart money on him. The choice came down to the two women: the steely Amber (Anne Dudek) and the softer Thirteen (Olivia Penn). Both actors have done good work -- Dudek in high-profile shows like "Mad Men" and "Big Love," Penn in the unfortunate "Black Donnelly's" and, more successfully, "The O.C." But really there was no choice. Amber was too rough even for House, and romantic tension has been in short supply for a while, so the winner was Thirteen.
Yes, yes, there was a lot of cool medicine performed, tests and tubes and seizures, etc., and Drs. Wilson and Formen weighed in on how ridiculous House was to be caught up in his little games, but all of that was so much white noise as we waited to see why he would finally fire Amber and how he was going to keep three instead of two.
Amber revealed her near-pathological fear of losing anything, especially control, by her hatred of the druggie patient, and House finally had to concede that winning wasn't everything if fear of losing kept you hostage. Then he hired the two guys, knowing that that would never fly. Which it didn't; Cuddy told him to hire Thirteen (though why she didn't make him sacrifice one of the men is essentially what separates television from the reality of our lives).
And so the original team is nicely mirrored, two guys and a girl, though with Foreman, it's three guys and a girl. But hey, Amber's the sort who might just figure out a way to return.
Meanwhile, we can all get back to business: figuring out how to give all the old cast members a bit more screen time. I mean, they can't have colored Jennifer Morrison's hair for nothing, right?
-- Mary McNamara
(Photo courtesy Fox)
| Bookmark it:
|
|
In that it did not choose Marie Osmond as the "Dancing With the Stars" champion, America voted correctly.
However, after the tedious last dances and at least five recap/flashback montages, perhaps the most entertaining part of Tuesday's finale turned out not to be the winner, Helio Castroneves, but runner-up Melanie Brown and her partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Maybe it was because Helio's grin started getting a little Joker-ish after two hours, maybe it was Osmond's sharp edge hidden behind her manic laughter, or maybe it was Samantha Harris chortling at her own goofy deliveries, but the only sincere thing of the night seemed to be the partnership between the Spice Girl and the professional.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
NEW YORK — If the WGA strike drags on for two more weeks, it could claim another casualty: CBS News’ Dec. 10 Democratic presidential debate.
Last week, the five top candidates said they would not participate in the debate if the news division’s WGA-represented news writers and other employees walk off the job. The CBS staffers, who have worked without a contract for 2 ½ years, voted earlier this month to authorize a strike. Union officials are meeting this week to consider whether to call for a work action, which would be separate from the current WGA strike.
But even if the news writers continue working, CBS might still be forced to scrap its debate, set to be held at in Los Angeles at CBS Television City and anchored by Katie Couric.
That’s because the candidates could face the prospect of walking past WGA members marching outside in support of the ongoing television and film writers’ strike — something Democratic contenders eager for the support of organized labor are unlikely to do.
Representatives for former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois confirmed today that the candidates would not participate in the CBS debate if it is picketed. (UPDATE: Late this afternoon, a spokesman for Sen. Hillary Clinton confirmed that she too will not cross a picket line to attend the CBS debate.)
| Bookmark it:
|
|
NEW YORK (AP) -- NBC’s “Last Call with Carson Daly” is about to become the first late-night talk show to defy the writers strike and resume production.
Daly, who is not a member of the Writers Guild, will begin taping new episodes of his Burbank-based show this week for airing next week, an NBC spokesperson confirmed today. The half-hour “Last Call” airs at 1:35 a.m. EST weeknights, but whether Daly’s first new episode would air next Monday or Tuesday was initially unclear. No guests were disclosed.
A call for comment to the Writers Guild today was not immediately returned. Daly is not the first talk-show host to go back into production. Ellen DeGeneres, who is a member of the union, has continued taping her daytime syndicated talk show after shutting down on the first day of the strike. But “Last Call” becomes the first to break ranks among the late-night shows, which all had chosen to air repeats rather than tape new shows without their striking writers.
It was unclear what effect, if any, the return of “Last Call” would have on other late-night talk shows, which include NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”; CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman” and “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”; and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Comedy Central’s late-night news and commentary spoofs, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report” with Stephen Colbert, have also been in reruns. There was no immediate word on when any of those shows might follow suit and return with new episodes.
On Monday, contract talks with the studios resumed for the first time since movie and TV writers went on strike Nov. 5. The Writers Guild is seeking more money for material distributed over the Internet and via cellphones.
More news on the strike
-- Frazier Moore, AP Television Writer
| Bookmark it:
|
|
By Richard Verrier and Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
Facing mounting pressure to limit the economic havoc on the entertainment industry, negotiators for writers and major studios met Monday in an accelerated effort to end a strike now in its fourth week.
After weeks of acrimony and vitriol, the two sides got down to their first serious talks since Nov. 4 -- the day before writers walked off the job.
The hard-line positions taken by both parties have given way in recent days to the realization that they need to move quickly if they are to salvage the current and upcoming TV seasons. The strike has caused more disruption than studios had anticipated, shutting down dozens of shows and throwing thousands of people out of work.
A powerful group of top writer-producers, who dominate television's prime-time schedule, also are highly motivated to stem the bleeding, both to save their shows from cancellation and to keep their staffs employed.
Monday's eight-hour session began at 10 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. before the sides broke off and agreed to resume their talks again today. It was the first of three meetings to which the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers had previously committed. The sessions could be crucial in determining whether the parties can get a new three-year contract by year's end, people close to the negotiations said.
More news on the strike
| Bookmark it:
|
|
There were a few things that happened in this "Truth or Consequences" episode that surprised me. Or at least surprised me more than GQ girl Hayden Panettiere's crush on Angelina Jolie. Who doesn't have one on her?
 The surprises, though, all seem destined to backfire. Mohinder helps resurrect HRG, only to keep him bound as a prisoner? Not smart. Sylar kills Alejandro -- which we knew was coming -- and is not only manipulating Maya's mind, but her heart as well? That may not result in his death, but when she finds out, he'd better be ready with another brick before the black tears fall. Monica becoming a superhero was not a surprise, but her getting captured and smacked down so easily was. Niki and Micah may come to the rescue, but I think Monica might be able to figure it out.
Peter's trusting ways are getting on EVERYONE's nerves, and he's obviously going to get bitten by Adam. I'm not one who thinks he can take out Hiro easily. He fires a bolt, Hiro teleports, and slice -- off goes Peter's head. Of course, he'd give Petey a chance ... and that would be his downfall.
And Elle. Monitoring Claire from a parked car only a few yards away? Not a smart move, but confronting an unstable girl that could fry her family and friend might also be asking for trouble.
So here we are at the end.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
"Baby Jane" and "Bride of Chucky" were the terms judge Bruno Tonioli used to describe Marie Osmond's terrifying freestyle dance last night. The snarkiest blogger couldn't have put it better. Adult women dressing as little girls, let alone little-girl dolls, is creepy, even if you think it somehow is justified by her selling a line of collector dolls.
It's hard even to list the other reasons Marie should not win "Dancing With the Stars," because the image of her freestyle dance so seared the brain. But another good basis was her excuse/plea of "I'm almost 50!" The competition at this point is about dancing, not about who had the hardest time out there. If that were the case, race car driver Helio Castroneves might as well have yelled, "I have no dance experience!" each time he received his scores, or Spice Girl Mel B. should have complained after each dance that it was tough training in the midst of her group's comeback.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
This time she means it. After months of threatening to rid herself of belching wonder boy Justin Bobby, Audrina called it quits.
(Of course, we've known it's been over since last month.)
It only took him tonguing a redhead while sitting a mere 10 feet away from the hapless Audrina.
To her credit, Audrina told Lauren and her other gal pals who were witness to the smooch that she's always known Justin Bobby isn't the -- how shall we put it -- faithful type. (She told Us magazine the same thing in an October interview). It just took being witness to his other recreations for her to wake up.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
So it’s come to this. It’s unlikely that Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) and James Doakes (Erik King) are both going to come out of this little pickle alive. But do we really have to do without one of them?
Last night’s episode of “Dexter” forced audience members to suspend even more disbelief than usual. Frank Lundy (Keith Carradine) and his team informed Dexter that Doakes, his nemesis, was the prime suspect in the Bay Harbor Butcher case. Instead of taking him off the case due to a conflict of interest, the team hoped that Dexter’s antipathy towards Doakes would serve as “motivation” in analyzing the blood samples from his own trophy case.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
 When it comes to absolute insanity flying out of her mouth, Heidi Klum is no Tyra Banks. In fact, in comparison, Klum, who hosts the German version of America's Next Top Model, is quite rational with her critiques of Project Runway's denizens.
So when Klum tells you -- twice -- that your clothes look like they are "dirty, from a basement," it is not a good sign. Alas, this week we said goodbye to Marion, the rather timid-seeming Texan who operates his own "fashion and art laboratory" in Dallas. We all got what he was going for -- a sophisticated but raw boho look -- but he felt flat on his face and created a burlap sack with some fringe instead. Worst of all, he fell before the mighty fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker!
What a blow for him but what a coup for the show. SJP is probably its coolest guest ever, even if the mission statement of her clothing line, Bitten, is a little overwrought: "Fashion is not a luxury and quality is not a privilege." So serious, SJ! Does that really mean you'll never wear ultra-luxe Prada, et al, again?
Last week, a rather overzealous reader (i.e., one of my editors) suggested I make some picks for who's going to make it to the top three. It's ridiculously premature to predict, but what the hell? I'll just deny it all down the line.
Margaret's Top Three (in no particular order... c'mon, I'm not going to do that...):
1. Christian
2. Victorya
3. Kit
--Margaret Wappler
(Photo courtesy Bravo)
| Bookmark it:
|
|
Laurel voted off the council?!? Definitely uncalled for, but kids can be fickle. One kid in the green district said that she was "losing her focus." Weak excuse, and not true. Despite her steadiness and Michael's likability, I sense a backlash coming from Laurel. It came as she tried to cope with being "powerless," but it went quickly.
 In other results: Greg easily took out Anjay. Guylan gives up his seat to DK, and Blaine beats out Zach. Meet your new council, and be afraid. Sophia: "I feel like somebody just won a presidential election with no background check."
Such a smarty, but maybe she and the green district are too smart? Suddenly, the strongest district was set upon by the leaders of the other three districts for not being pro-town. We won't even talk about the stupid communication exercise that brain surgeon Blaine suggested, but suffice it to say the problems with the green group are much more due to faulty leaders in the other districts than anything the green team did.
Former leader catch up: Zach is feeling homesick. Guylan "feels like a train just got lifted off my chest." And Mike? Well, he's a bit upset that Guylan took his seat only to give it up when it got too tough.
 Taylor returns, or at least is back on camera. The council decides that if she doesn't do more work the headstrong little girl won't reap the rewards of the challenge. Ohhh . . . it doesn't seem to faze her. Greg: "She thinks she's the princess of 'Bonanza.' "
| Bookmark it:
|
|
John Edwards, who picketed with Writers Guild strikers Friday, one-upped Hillary Rodham Clinton by announcing that not only would he honor a CBS News strike -- were one to occur -- by not participating in the network's Dec. 10 Democratic debate, but he won't go on "The View" next week because that guild-represented show is continuing to tape without writers.
(Earlier, Clinton issued a statement saying that if CBS News staffers, who authorized a strike this week, actually walked out, she would not cross their picket line.)
Here's Edwards' statement about CBS News and "The View": "Elizabeth and I will honor the members of the Writers Guild of America who are on strike at 'The View' by canceling our appearance on the show next week. I call on all of my fellow candidates and their campaigns to do the same.
"In addition, we will also honor any picket lines at CBS News, up to and including the CBS presidential debate on December 10th. As I said when I walked the WGA picket line in California last Friday, these workers are making a simple request for their fair share of the huge profits being made by multinational media corporations.
"I am a strong believer in collective bargaining, and I hope that in each of these disputes, management and the union are able to agree on a just settlement. But until those settlements are reached, I will stand firmly with these workers in their fight for a better life."
More news on the strike
-- Kate Aurthur
| Bookmark it:
|
|
Hillary Clinton's campaign has issued a statement saying that if CBS News workers go on strike, she will not cross the picket line to participate in the network's televised debate. On Monday, the Writers Guild of America announced that CBS News staffers had voted to authorize a strike.
CBS' Democratic presidential debate is scheduled for Dec. 10 in Los Angeles.
Here is the statement from Clinton: “The workers at CBS News have been without a contract for close to two and a half years. It is my hope that both sides will reach an agreement that results in a secure contract for the workers at CBS News, but let me be clear:
“I will honor the picket line if the workers at CBS News decide to strike.
“America’s unions are the backbone of America’s middle class, and I will always stand with America’s working men and women in the fight to ensure that they are able to earn a fair wage.”
More news on the strike
-- Kate Aurthur
| Bookmark it:
|
|
For those of you who do vote after watching “Dancing With the Stars,” please take into serious consideration what you may be undertaking next week if you choose Marie Osmond as your champion.
You will be taking a show that already relies heavily on cheese factor and possibly encourage the producers to make it more schlocky.
Unless that’s what you want, America. Is it?
Were you a little too scandalized last night when Tom Bergeron used the D-word when mentioning Avril Lavigne’s latest album?
Were you impressed last night by the “Meet the Press” segment involving such heavies as Nancy O’Dell and Kimberly Caldwell?
Did the uncontrollable screaming and whistling during Michael Flatley’s routine seem not just realistic but well-deserved to you?
Because if so, then it makes sense that you select Marie as your queen.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
As thousands of TV and film writers marched along Hollywood Boulevard
in the third week of their strike, film officials put a price tag on
the potential economic toll of the walkout. Los Angeles' economy will
lose more than $20 million a day in direct production spending if the
writers strike extends into next month, according to FilmL.A. Inc., the
nonprofit group that handles film permits and promotes the industry.
Depending on how long it lasts, the strike could end up inflicting more
economic pain than the previous major writers walkout in 1988, which
lasted 22 weeks and cost the entertainment industry an estimated $500
million. That was the equivalent of a little more than $3 million a day. Read more
More news on the strike
--Richard Verrier and Andrea Chang
| Bookmark it:
|
|
The crowd was fairly tame until 1 p.m., when a large wave of members of other unions rounded the corner. Writers Guild of America members erupted in cheers. Among the purple-clad participants were members of the United Healthcare Workers and the Service Employees International Union.
The SEIU members got the crowd yelling “S-E-I-U, union power!” and “Justice for janitors!”
At least one helicopter was hovering. A plane circled above with a banner reading, “WGA — on the same page.”
Representatives of Creative Artists Agency walked through the crowd serving scones and hot cider.
At 1:13, Alicia Keys appeared on the makeshift stage to loud cheers and applause. After introducing herself, she said, "I'm here in support of this cause. ... I don't believe there's anything we can't do if we stand together." Then she said, to deafening cheers, "I want you to know I am a writer too." Keys sang two songs, finishing up with her latest single, "No One."
More news on the strike
-- Andrea Chang
| Bookmark it:
|
|
About 45 minutes before the "Solidarity with Writers" march is scheduled to start, several hundred people have gathered at the intersection of Hollywood and Ivar. Many of them are wearing red and carrying the familiar WGA posters. A new sign has joined the mix, showing solidarity with writers: “We are all on the same page.”
Nearby, a five-piece orchestra complete with two French horns, two trumpets and a trombone is entertaining the gathering crowd. Among their repertoire: the theme to "The Love Boat."
Milling about the crowd are Teamsters with signs saying "Teamsters support WGA."
A makeshift stage has been set up on the backs of two pickups positioned back-to-back. Alicia Keys is scheduled to perform shortly.
More news on the strike
-- Andrea Chang
| Bookmark it:
|
|
Hollywood is a town awash in hyphenates. TV is loaded with writer-producers. The movie biz is full of writer-directors. There's even a legion of actor-filmmakers like Clint Eastwood and George Clooney. But as the writers strike enters its third week, I think the future belongs to a tantalizing new hyphenate: the writer-entrepreneur.
Visiting a UCLA film class the other night, I was asked to name the most influential filmmakers of our era. The choices were pretty obvious: Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, John Lasseter, George Lucas. . . . As the names spilled out, I realized they all have something in common. They're filmmaker-entrepreneurs, artists-turned-businessmen who helped start their own companies to further their work, became financially independent and created a world that operates under a radically different set of rules from the vacuous studio assembly lines. It's telling that the current strike is about new media yet both sides seem to be following old-school models.
Writers Guild members, listen up. There is a lesson here. Just ask Tony Gilroy, the writer-director of "Michael Clayton," a nervy thriller that's won critical raves this fall. Gilroy had a script that was dead in the water until a total outsider -- a Boston real estate developer named Steve Samuels -- said if Gilroy could get a star and stick to a budget, he'd bankroll the film.
Read more
More news on the strike
--Patrick Goldstein
| Bookmark it:
|
|
Not sure if it was the crunch created by the writers strike or the creator(s) realizing that the story was moving way too slow or just the natural progression of the season, but the show has (to this viewer) begun to hit its season-one stride again. Too bad that there are only two episodes left. Enjoy 'em while you can, and even take some of the show home through the NBC auction (only a measly $1,200 for a painting). Oh yeah, and HRG is shot through the eye this episode.
 What happened?: Claire and HRG have it out, which leads her to get captured by the Company, and leads to a confrontation between West, HRG, Mohinder and Elle. Hiro is able to say goodbye to his father after he travels back to save him and finds out that Adam Monroe is the killer. Matt Parkman further explores his telepathy and forces Mrs. Petrelli to tell him about Monroe and the remaining pictured person: Victoria Pratt. Mohinder and Bob trade Claire for Elle, and HRG is shot (supposedly killed) in the exchange!
 In true comic book fashion, HRG survives. Thanks to Claire's blood, he wakes up healed in a small room. Put there by Mohinder as part of some undercover plan, perhaps? We'll see.
The whole Hiro storyline, though touching, took a bit too long. With only two episodes left, extraneous dialogue is not what'll help move the story. It seems odd that with the ups and mostly downs of the season, that "Heroes" will actually be able to wrap up the multiple storylines. But that is what's apparently going to happen.
| Bookmark it:
|
|
 A mix of about 400 writers and writers assistants united in front of 20th Century Fox Studios today for "Assistants Day" on the picket lines.
After losing their jobs as assistants on CBS' "Shark," Debbie Ezer and Kate Burns wanted a creative way to show their support for the writers. Today the friends -- who received their official termination letters from 20th Century Fox about a week ago -- set up a lemonade stand in front of the studio's main gate on Pico Boulevard.
"Fox gave us lemons," Ezer said, "so we made lemonade."
Although the drinks were free, Ezer and Burns, both aspiring writers, taped a sign to their stand that asked for donations of "8 cents (non-negotiable)." After one hour in business, the donation jar was full of money -- including a hefty contribution from one customer.
"Someone put a $100 bill in," Ezer said. "Writers are a very generous bunch."
Mehar Sethi, who lost his job as a writers assistant on ABC's "Cavemen" because of the strike, said the decision to side with the writers was "pretty cut and dried."
"These writers are making a sacrifice not only for themselves but for the future of the industry," he said.
Still, he'd like to get back to work soon.
"For assistants in particular, it's hard," he said. "I think assistants in Hollywood tend to be hand-to-mouth, paycheck-to-paycheck."
In the meantime, Sethi plans to find a temp job doing legal work. There may even be an upside.
"Non-industry jobs tend to pay more than low-level industry jobs," he said. "So I think I'll actually make more as a temp."
The picket also brought out a few actors. Ali Larter of NBC's "Heroes" appeared shortly after noon and joined the picket, carrying a Writers Guild sign with "SAG" written in blue marker.
More news on the strike
-- Andrea Chang
| Bookmark it:
|
|
NEW YORK — CBS news writers, graphic artists and other staffers who work for the network’s television and radio news operations voted by a wide margin to authorize a strike against their employer, the Writers Guild of America announced Monday.
Of the 300 employees who cast ballots in last week’s special election, 81% backed a labor stoppage to protest working for more than 2 1/2 years without a contract.
The strike authorization means the WGA East and WGA West could call for a walkout at any time, although a strike is not inevitable. Union officials hope that the vote — coming in the midst of a strike involving television and film writers who work under a separate contract — will prod CBS back to the negotiating table. The two sides last met in January.
“It’s a very powerful vote,” said Michael Winship, president of WGA East. “It proves that the CBS News folks have reached a point where they have taken this situation in their own hands and recognized that they need to get a contract, whatever needs to be done.”
The union’s CBS negotiating committee will meet after Thanksgiving to determine the next course of action, Winship said.
“We would hope that the message this vote sends will get management to realize they should come to the table and bargain,” he added.
In a statement, CBS showed no inclination to compromise.
“The offer we presented nearly a year ago was fair and reasonable, and remains on the table,” the network said. “It not only includes one of the best medical plans in the country with minimal employee contributions, but fair salary increases to all WGA employees as well.”
“We hope there is no strike,” the statement continued. “Should there be, however, CBS News, CBS Television Stations and CBS Radio remains fully prepared, and ready to continue producing the highest quality news programming for our viewers.”
The labor dispute involves more than 500 news writers, editors, desk assistants, production assistants, graphic artists, promotion writers and researchers who work for CBS in New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles. About 60% are at local television and radio stations; the rest are at the network.
The most recent contract between CBS and its WGA news employees expired April 1, 2005. Negotiations have been at a standstill since November 2006, when 99% of the employees voted to reject the network’s last offer.
Guild officials call the contract put forth by CBS unacceptable because it would mandate lower wage increases for local radio employees than for television and network radio staffers. Another major point of contention: It would allow CBS to combine union and nonunion newsrooms, a move that could threaten the union’s presence.
Noting that its members last received a pay increase in April 2004, the WGA is seeking a 3% raise for all the employees for the length of the contract, including retroactive pay since its last deal expired.
For its part, CBS said it is offering a 3% raise for television and network radio employees and a 2% hike for local radio employees. The wage increases would not be retroactive.
In a letter distributed last week to WGA East members, the network urged employees not to vote for the strike and to consider “the uncertainty of a strike in determining what is best for you and your families,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
If a labor stoppage were to occur, all-news radio stations like Los Angeles’ KNX-AM (1070) and KFWB-AM (980), Chicago’s WBBM-AM and New York’s 1010 WINS and WCBS-AM would likely be the hardest hit, as they would lose the staff that pens their news and headlines.
“CBS Evening News With Katie Couric,” which has three news writers and several graphic artists who work under the WGA contract, would also be affected. Couric does not belong to WGA, but she is a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
In the current Hollywood writer walkout, AFTRA has instructed its members not to do the work that is usually done by members of the WGA. If the CBS news employees strike, Couric could continue editing her own copy, as she does currently, but would not be able to write more of the nightly broadcast. Much of the additional work would fall to the program’s executive producer, Rick Kaplan, and his senior staff.
More news on the strike
--Matea Gold
| Bookmark it:
|
|
|
