NY's tax credit program revamped
Empire State Development execs are hoping to salvage New York's depleted Empire State Film Production Tax Credit program by floating a number of options, including scaling back the dollar value of the incentives offered to bring film and TV productions to the state.
No Doubt guesting on GOSSIP GIRL
On the heels of the announcement that Orange County's finest are reuniting for a summer 2009 tour, their first in five years, comes news of the band's appearance on teen-soap GOSSIP GIRL. That they'll perform 1981 classic "Stand and Deliver" by Adam and the Ants, and that it will be the show's finale, airing May 11.
WGA Strike One Year Later: WGAW Executive Director David Young Speaks
"Our current contract was the result of a months-long effort to negotiate in good faith with the companies, who unfortunately forced us into a 100-day strike. The struggle was marked by a high degree of unity among writers — television and screen, broadcast and cable, blockbusters and indie film. Thousands of you marched, picketed and blogged, and won the solidarity and support of union members, fans and the general public, in the US and around the world.
We didn’t achieve everything we wanted – we never do – but we achieved our most important objectives, something we hadn’t done for decades. Over the past 20-plus years the companies have tried to use every important development in the industry – be it distribution technology or reuse method – to weaken our strategic and financial position. A difficult strike in 1985 led to a rollback on home video. This has never been corrected and has cost writers about $1.5 billion in lost residual income. We could not get global jurisdiction of scripted programming on basic cable, and to this day we are still fighting with the companies to cover many cable shows. Genres like reality and animation, where the WGA lacks coverage, have grown into a large portion of the worldwide market and are now significant areas of non-Guild production."
GENERATIONS: Morokas are like family now
South Africa’s longest-running soap opera, GENERATIONS, turned 15 recently. To celebrate, fans were treated to an hour of interviews with Mfundi Vundla, the mastermind behind the popular series, and some of the stars, and snippets from the first episodes.
Connie Ferguson, who plays Karabo, was hostess at the event on Thursday at the Westcliff hotel in Johannesburg — no one knows the show better than this leading lady who has been on GENERATIONS from episode one.
INTERVIEW: DANTE'S COVE's Charlie David (Toby)
David appeared on "Robert Reid Live" on Thursday.
Showing posts with label Writer's Strike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writer's Strike. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
News Round-up
Teens expect more integration says KATEMODERN team
The makers of hugely successful online dramas KATEMODERNand LONELY GIRL 15 have called on production companies to wake up to cross-platform content in order to keep young people watching. Miles Beckett, co-founder and CEO of Eqal, the content company formed by the team behind the web dramas, urged traditional production firms to integrate online with TV during the commissioning process.
"TV producers need to get used to cross-platform content," he said. "Younger audiences expect it now; this is how they want their content."
Lee Hardman, head of Conker Media, a specialist in cross-platform content, agreed that while the trend was growing it doesn't signal the end of TV among young viewers.
"There's still a place for TV in young people's lives," he said. "HOLLYOAKS gets 2m viewers, but 40% of the TV audience also engage with the show online."
HOLLYOAKS' Hannah and Justin to become an item
HOLLYOAKS characters Hannah Ashworth and Justin Burton heading for romance. Actor Chris Fountain, who plays Justin, and Emma Rigby, who portrays Hannah, have revealed they're about to become a couple on the show.
Rigby said: "You can just see the spark between them now. Justin's the character everyone fancies, so all my mates used to say to me 'why can't you get together with him?'"
CORRIE star Alison King has baby girl
The CORONATION STREET actress (who plays troublemaker Carla Connor) and her partner Adam Huckett, a sound technician who works on the set of the soap, welcomed their new arrival today.
A CORRIE spokeswoman said: "Coronation Street actress Alison King has given birth today to a baby girl. She weighed in at 6lbs 7oz. No name has been decided on yet but mum and baby are doing well."
WGA strike: One year later
One year later, the evidence is clear: The WGA strike crippled the film and TV biz at a time when the industry was already caught in the buzzsaw of a radically changing marketplace for Hollywood's wares.
The damage for California from the strike has been estimated at $2.1 billion in lost economic activity, according to a report issued in June by the Milken Institute; according to Jack Kyser, chief economist with the L.A. County Economic Development Corp., there was an estimated $2.5 billion in lost wages for workers in Los Angeles County alone.
Cady McClain pitched Dixie's return story last year
"I actually pitched AMC a story line when they asked me to come back as a ghost. They liked it and went with the first half of what I wrote, which was really great. Here it is in it’s entirety. Hopefully I won’t be pissing anyone off by sharing it! You know, Dixie’s DEAD by PEANUT BUTTER AND BANANA PANCAKES, for crying out loud. What ELSE could they do to me??"
90210: Aimee Teegarden reacts to Rhonda putting the moves on Ethan
"It was surprising. I read that they kiss and thought, ‘What are they talking about?’ It was a little weird. I don’t know. I think kissing is totally weird on stage or in front of cameras. I wasn’t quite expecting it so fast. Like, dang, Rhonda gets down to business! She gets the come-hither look in her eyes. It was kind of shocking originally, but then I kind of enjoyed the fact that she becomes so upfront about it, more so than I would be."
Jason Priestley in Brit sci-fi show
Jason Priestley is joining an all-star British cast in a new BBC production of THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS. The Beverly Hills 90210 veteran will appear in the two-parter, adapted from John Wyndham's best-selling post-apocalyptic novel, alongside Joely Richardson, her mother Vanessa Redgrave, Dougray Scott, Brian Cox and Eddie Izzard.
Eric and Tami Taylor: Most romantic couple ever
"The most inspiring and romantic couple ever to grace prime time is the married duo Coach Eric and Tami Taylor on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS These two should be required study for relationship counselors worldwide. They’re sexy, trusting, loyal and true. What’s not to love?"
Mala Bhattacharjee on Cedars Hospital
"GUIDING LIGHT's Phillip carried Coop into Cedars yelling for Rick. Yes, Dr. Death, Rick Bauer. But viewers needn't have feared Phillip's old pal delivering Coop's death blow, the rest of the staff is so inattentive we're surprised Coop didn't die from neglect!"
Y&R's Tonya Lee Williams on her return as Olivia last year
The actress says she is thrilled to be back on the long-running program. “It’s wonderful to be back on the show, the time away has revitalized my passion for the character and I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for Olivia over the coming year”
The makers of hugely successful online dramas KATEMODERNand LONELY GIRL 15 have called on production companies to wake up to cross-platform content in order to keep young people watching. Miles Beckett, co-founder and CEO of Eqal, the content company formed by the team behind the web dramas, urged traditional production firms to integrate online with TV during the commissioning process.
"TV producers need to get used to cross-platform content," he said. "Younger audiences expect it now; this is how they want their content."
Lee Hardman, head of Conker Media, a specialist in cross-platform content, agreed that while the trend was growing it doesn't signal the end of TV among young viewers.
"There's still a place for TV in young people's lives," he said. "HOLLYOAKS gets 2m viewers, but 40% of the TV audience also engage with the show online."
HOLLYOAKS' Hannah and Justin to become an item
HOLLYOAKS characters Hannah Ashworth and Justin Burton heading for romance. Actor Chris Fountain, who plays Justin, and Emma Rigby, who portrays Hannah, have revealed they're about to become a couple on the show.
Rigby said: "You can just see the spark between them now. Justin's the character everyone fancies, so all my mates used to say to me 'why can't you get together with him?'"
CORRIE star Alison King has baby girl
The CORONATION STREET actress (who plays troublemaker Carla Connor) and her partner Adam Huckett, a sound technician who works on the set of the soap, welcomed their new arrival today.
A CORRIE spokeswoman said: "Coronation Street actress Alison King has given birth today to a baby girl. She weighed in at 6lbs 7oz. No name has been decided on yet but mum and baby are doing well."
WGA strike: One year later
One year later, the evidence is clear: The WGA strike crippled the film and TV biz at a time when the industry was already caught in the buzzsaw of a radically changing marketplace for Hollywood's wares.
The damage for California from the strike has been estimated at $2.1 billion in lost economic activity, according to a report issued in June by the Milken Institute; according to Jack Kyser, chief economist with the L.A. County Economic Development Corp., there was an estimated $2.5 billion in lost wages for workers in Los Angeles County alone.
Cady McClain pitched Dixie's return story last year
"I actually pitched AMC a story line when they asked me to come back as a ghost. They liked it and went with the first half of what I wrote, which was really great. Here it is in it’s entirety. Hopefully I won’t be pissing anyone off by sharing it! You know, Dixie’s DEAD by PEANUT BUTTER AND BANANA PANCAKES, for crying out loud. What ELSE could they do to me??"
90210: Aimee Teegarden reacts to Rhonda putting the moves on Ethan
"It was surprising. I read that they kiss and thought, ‘What are they talking about?’ It was a little weird. I don’t know. I think kissing is totally weird on stage or in front of cameras. I wasn’t quite expecting it so fast. Like, dang, Rhonda gets down to business! She gets the come-hither look in her eyes. It was kind of shocking originally, but then I kind of enjoyed the fact that she becomes so upfront about it, more so than I would be."
Jason Priestley in Brit sci-fi show
Jason Priestley is joining an all-star British cast in a new BBC production of THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS. The Beverly Hills 90210 veteran will appear in the two-parter, adapted from John Wyndham's best-selling post-apocalyptic novel, alongside Joely Richardson, her mother Vanessa Redgrave, Dougray Scott, Brian Cox and Eddie Izzard.
Eric and Tami Taylor: Most romantic couple ever
"The most inspiring and romantic couple ever to grace prime time is the married duo Coach Eric and Tami Taylor on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS These two should be required study for relationship counselors worldwide. They’re sexy, trusting, loyal and true. What’s not to love?"
Mala Bhattacharjee on Cedars Hospital
"GUIDING LIGHT's Phillip carried Coop into Cedars yelling for Rick. Yes, Dr. Death, Rick Bauer. But viewers needn't have feared Phillip's old pal delivering Coop's death blow, the rest of the staff is so inattentive we're surprised Coop didn't die from neglect!"
Y&R's Tonya Lee Williams on her return as Olivia last year
The actress says she is thrilled to be back on the long-running program. “It’s wonderful to be back on the show, the time away has revitalized my passion for the character and I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for Olivia over the coming year”
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
News Brief
Write Move? Wrong Move? Illegal Move?
Few issues divided the WGA more than the leadership's post-strike publication on April 18th of the names of its 28 members who went fi-core during the strike. It turns out that the AMPTP took advantage of the discord and filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, which has now sided with the Hollywood CEO negotiating clique against the WGA.
It's Grant Showtime on PRIVATE PRACTICE ... and MELROSE 2.0?
Grant Show talks about his guest appearance on PRIVATE PRACTICE ("I come into town because I miss Addison") and a possible return to MELROSE PLACE:
"I play golf with one of the executives at the CW, and I was on the 18th green and he was on the 9th. He goes, 'Hey! Do you want to come on MELROSE PLACE?' I said, 'Hey, do you have $150,000 an episode?' He said no, so I go, 'There's your answer!'"
In the Heights' Merediz to guest on ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Olga Merediz, a 2008 Tony nominee for her performance as Abuela Claudia in the Tony-winning "In the Heights," will will play Sister Mary Claire on the Nov. 26 broadcast of the long-running serial.
E4's HOLLYOAKS spinoff starts with 743,000 viewers
Spinoff show HOLLYOAKS LATER had a decent start for E4 last night (Monday), drawing 743k (4.8%) to the channel in the 10pm hour. The five part series, which follows Craig Dean (Guy Burnet) and sister Steph (Carley Stenson) on a remote holiday in Scotland, is being stripped every night this week on the digital channel. A further 166k (2%) watched an hour later on E4+1.
REVIEW: HOLLYOAKS LATER
"Don't get me wrong, this was monumental dross, like a towering and teetering pile of dog-shit waiting to topple over into various gaping mouths... but it was kinda fun. I need a shower."
SAG Strike Could Spell Disaster for TV
While its effect would not be as far-reaching as this year's strike by the Writers Guild of America -- a SAG walkout would only affect scripted prime-time fare -- it would derail the broadcast season for a second straight year, this time in the midst of a severe economic crisis.
Few issues divided the WGA more than the leadership's post-strike publication on April 18th of the names of its 28 members who went fi-core during the strike. It turns out that the AMPTP took advantage of the discord and filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, which has now sided with the Hollywood CEO negotiating clique against the WGA.
It's Grant Showtime on PRIVATE PRACTICE ... and MELROSE 2.0?
Grant Show talks about his guest appearance on PRIVATE PRACTICE ("I come into town because I miss Addison") and a possible return to MELROSE PLACE:
"I play golf with one of the executives at the CW, and I was on the 18th green and he was on the 9th. He goes, 'Hey! Do you want to come on MELROSE PLACE?' I said, 'Hey, do you have $150,000 an episode?' He said no, so I go, 'There's your answer!'"
In the Heights' Merediz to guest on ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Olga Merediz, a 2008 Tony nominee for her performance as Abuela Claudia in the Tony-winning "In the Heights," will will play Sister Mary Claire on the Nov. 26 broadcast of the long-running serial.
E4's HOLLYOAKS spinoff starts with 743,000 viewersSpinoff show HOLLYOAKS LATER had a decent start for E4 last night (Monday), drawing 743k (4.8%) to the channel in the 10pm hour. The five part series, which follows Craig Dean (Guy Burnet) and sister Steph (Carley Stenson) on a remote holiday in Scotland, is being stripped every night this week on the digital channel. A further 166k (2%) watched an hour later on E4+1.
REVIEW: HOLLYOAKS LATER
"Don't get me wrong, this was monumental dross, like a towering and teetering pile of dog-shit waiting to topple over into various gaping mouths... but it was kinda fun. I need a shower."
SAG Strike Could Spell Disaster for TV
While its effect would not be as far-reaching as this year's strike by the Writers Guild of America -- a SAG walkout would only affect scripted prime-time fare -- it would derail the broadcast season for a second straight year, this time in the midst of a severe economic crisis.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
News Brief
INTERVIEW: OLTL's Kassie DePaiva"I dont want life to be tame for her (Blaire). I like the excitement, although it does get a little exhausting in real life and on the soap opera. But it’s all good."
Kassie hints that more trouble is brewing than viewers originally thought. "Blair is gonna have her hands full with the turn of events in the next month. Once you think things have settled in, something else happens. Starr is giving the baby up, and there’s a lot of things that are going to come out with the birth of that baby."
Kassie also has her own take on Todd’s outrageous plan for his daughter’s baby. "I think he truly believes that he’s got this clean slate now with Marty, and if he can get her to believe that he is the good person that he is and not the bad person that he was, then he’ll absolve himself. People who are that narcissistic truly believe that. I think he truly believes that he can pull this off and that everything will be perfect."
GL stars in Philly todayCenter City-bred Stephanie Gatschet and three of her former GUIDING LIGHT costars - Caitlin Van Zandt (Ashlee Wolfe), Bonnie Dennison (Daisy Lemay), and Lawrence Saint-Victor (Remy Boudreau) - will be on the Parkway today for the third annual "Free to Breathe" 5K. Gatschet (who played Tammy Winslow till earlier this year) organized this in honor of her mother, Nancy Gatschet, a lung-cancer survivor and local volunteer chair.
Gay characters increasing on TV
"Naturally, we want to see ourselves represented and have our stories told," says GLAAD president Neil G. Giuliano. "But this (broadening representation) is also important because we know that images on TV and in the movies have a lot of power and influence. They can go a long way toward helping others embrace the LGBT community with love and acceptance."
To that end, Giuliano is pleased to not only see more gay characters on the small screen, but more "fully developed" characters with "substantial depth" to them. In other words, characters who don't serve simply as gimmicks or window dressing or the butt of jokes as many gay depictions have done in the past.
A new low for McCain
The Presidential election gets compared to a soap opera in hundreds of newspapers every day, but I had to laugh at a quote from today's Winnipeg Sun: "Let's be honest: DAYS OF OUR LIVES has more believable plot lines than the ones being peddled by the McCain camp."
GAWKER: Four Soap Operas The CW Needs to Develop
"Midday soaps like DAYS OF OUR LIVES and GENERAL HOSPITAL may not last much longer, so it's even more crucial that the CW bring back a few of our favorites and soap us up."
TOM CASIELLO: One year ago today..."One year ago today, I was in California.
I laid out a DAYS OF OUR LIVES episode where a hospitalized John sees Sami, believes she's Colleen, and tries to strangle her. I sat on a back porch with my head writer, gave a 'Welcome' embrace to my new co-head writer, had productive meetings with both my executive producer and Corday Productions, and headed back on a red-eye to finish my episode before the Monday morning 'Pencils Down' strike clock started ticking, saying a silent prayer that cool heads would prevail and the strike wouldn't last any longer than it had to."
HOLLYOAKS baddie returns to Chester
If you thought you'd seen the last of HOLLYOAKS villain Niall Rafferty, guess again. The psychotic hairdresser will be appearing in the late night version of the Channel 4 soap at the end of November. While little is known about the storyline surrounding his return to Chester, it can be confirmed that Barry Sloane finished filming the scenes on location in Wales last month.
In response to the NIGHT SHIFT photo controversy, Lynda Hirsch recounts a B&B prop story
"Props are a very important part of a soap set. Once when I was on the set of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, a photo of a character who had been replaced was set up on the Forrester family mantle. The picture shown was of the previous actor. One of the other actors on the set spotted the mistake and took the photo off the mantle. A union member said he was not allowed to do that. After a 10-minute fight, a union stagehand had to put up the old photo. Then he put up the picture of the new actor. Sometimes the mistakes of a prop department can be tragic."
Hero Report: ALL MY CHILDREN's J.R. MartinezOn April 5, 2003, J.R. (recently cast as Brot Monroe on AMC) was the driver of military vehicle with three other soldiers in the city of Kabala. Martinez, who was serving in Iraq with the elite 101st Airborne, drove his Humvee over a land mine and was severely wounded. The vehicle was thrown into the air approximately 20 feet, ejecting the other three soldiers, and leaving Martinez engulfed in flames inside the vehicle.
The next thing Martinez remembers was being out on the ground, his sergeant cradling him in his arms, the skin on his face, arms and hands melting away. Then he passed out. He was transported to Kuwait, then to Germany and finally to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. When he woke up three weeks later, his mother was at his side. He had spent a good part of the three weeks in surgery. Parts of his ears were removed because they were so badly burned. His internal organs had been severely damaged when he inhaled the heat and smoke while trying to stay alive inside the burning Humvee. But, he was alive.
Martinez was battered, but he refused to be beaten. Even though he has undergone more than 30 surgeries, Martinez has an incredibly optimistic outlook on life. He is committed to supporting and assisting wounded soldiers and their families with their transition from military service to civilian life. He has dedicated his life to getting the message out that these men and women need help. He travels to hospital wards, telling his story, to comfort, inspire and encourage others in need.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
News Brief
Judging fi-core writers
Bernard Lechowick is a two-time winner of the Writers Guild Award and a veteran television staff writer, show runner and series creator. He teaches writing at USC. During the recent strike he lost his job as a creative consultant to the CBS serial THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. He wrote an interesting Op-Ed piece for the Los Angeles Times: "The Writers Guild has an obligation to judge the actions of members who worked during the strike."
Soap stars lining up for Britis Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards will be shown on ITV1 on Wednesday, May 7 at 8pm. BBC One's EASTENDERS and Channel 4 serial HOLLYOAKS are the front-runners. It's neck-and-neck when it comes to the categories voted for by the viewers though, as CORONATION STREET, EASTENDERS, EMMERDALE, DOCTORS and HOLLYOAKS have three nominations each for Sexiest Male, Sexiest Female, Villain of the Year, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Soap, The remaining 11 gongs are voted for by the panel. The awards include Best Dramatic Performance, Best Exit, Best Single Episode and Best Storyline.
PHOTOS: ATWT Fan Club Luncheon
Photos from the annual AS THE WORLD TURNS Fan Club Luncheon event held on April 26th.
Michael Park to perform in "Pure Country" workshop
Producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi announced casting for the current workshop presentation of Pure Country, the new Broadway-bound musical based on the movie of the same name. Its world premiere will be in the 2008-09 Broadway season. Principal workshop casting includes Broadway veterans Michael Park (AS THE WORLD TURNS.) as leading character Rusty, a country singer who reassesses his life..
EVENT: Dusay at 81st Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
GUIDING LIGHT actress Marj Dusay will join the stars of the 81st Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival later this week. Dusay will serve as the Ambassador from the Nations at the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah Designate Jaqui Rice, according to a press release from the festival organizers.
AMC's Budig to attend the Mint Jubilee Gala
ALL MY CHILDREN star Rebecca Budig will attend the Mint Jubilee Gala Fundraiser on Kentucky Derby Eve at the Galt House Hotel & Suites in Louisville.
Budig also appears in a CSI rerun tonight
To fill the 10pm ET slot tonight, CBS is running a rerun of CSI where Rebecca Budig plays an exotic dancer named Candy.
Bernard Lechowick is a two-time winner of the Writers Guild Award and a veteran television staff writer, show runner and series creator. He teaches writing at USC. During the recent strike he lost his job as a creative consultant to the CBS serial THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. He wrote an interesting Op-Ed piece for the Los Angeles Times: "The Writers Guild has an obligation to judge the actions of members who worked during the strike."
Soap stars lining up for Britis Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards will be shown on ITV1 on Wednesday, May 7 at 8pm. BBC One's EASTENDERS and Channel 4 serial HOLLYOAKS are the front-runners. It's neck-and-neck when it comes to the categories voted for by the viewers though, as CORONATION STREET, EASTENDERS, EMMERDALE, DOCTORS and HOLLYOAKS have three nominations each for Sexiest Male, Sexiest Female, Villain of the Year, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Soap, The remaining 11 gongs are voted for by the panel. The awards include Best Dramatic Performance, Best Exit, Best Single Episode and Best Storyline.
PHOTOS: ATWT Fan Club Luncheon
Photos from the annual AS THE WORLD TURNS Fan Club Luncheon event held on April 26th.
Michael Park to perform in "Pure Country" workshop
Producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi announced casting for the current workshop presentation of Pure Country, the new Broadway-bound musical based on the movie of the same name. Its world premiere will be in the 2008-09 Broadway season. Principal workshop casting includes Broadway veterans Michael Park (AS THE WORLD TURNS.) as leading character Rusty, a country singer who reassesses his life..
EVENT: Dusay at 81st Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
GUIDING LIGHT actress Marj Dusay will join the stars of the 81st Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival later this week. Dusay will serve as the Ambassador from the Nations at the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah Designate Jaqui Rice, according to a press release from the festival organizers.
AMC's Budig to attend the Mint Jubilee Gala
ALL MY CHILDREN star Rebecca Budig will attend the Mint Jubilee Gala Fundraiser on Kentucky Derby Eve at the Galt House Hotel & Suites in Louisville.
Budig also appears in a CSI rerun tonight
To fill the 10pm ET slot tonight, CBS is running a rerun of CSI where Rebecca Budig plays an exotic dancer named Candy.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
News Brief
WGA: 28 writers quit during strike
In a post-strike missive, WGA leaders on both coasts sent out a joint letter Friday to its membership revealing the names of 28 members who resigned from the union during the 100-day strike.
"In the face of enormous personal and financial hardship on the part of many, you sacrificed in the knowledge that your refusal to work would reap benefits not only for yourselves but countless others in the creative community, now and in the future," WGAW president Patric Verrone and his counterpart in the east, Michael Winship, said in a statement. "Yet among the many there were a puny few who chose to do otherwise, who consciously and selfishly decided to place their own narrow interests over the greater good."
The 28 writers elected to file for financial core status, in which writers resign from the union, but still pay a percentage of the dues but do not face fines from the WGA for working during the strike. Covered under the National Labor Relations Act, the WGA must still represent fi-core writers in bargaining and the writers do not lose any rights under their contract.
Members who Elected Financial Core During the Strike:
Barbara J. Esensten - ALL MY CHILDREN
Jeanne M. Grunwell - Ex-AS THE WORLD TURNS/DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Hogan Sheffer - Ex-DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Dena Higley - DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Mark Christopher Higley - DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Meg Kelly - DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Garin Wolf - GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gary Tomlin - ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Michelle Poteet Lisanti - ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Shawn Morrison - PASSIONS
James E. Reilly - PASSIONS
Darrell R. Thomas Jr. - PASSIONS
Marlene Poulter Clark - PASSIONS
Clem Egan - PASSIONS
John F. Smith - THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Paula F. Cwikly - THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Maria Arena - THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
John Ridley
John F. Cosgrove
Terry A. Meurer
AMC recasts Colby
Colby Chandler of ALL MY CHILDREN is getting a makeover ... sort of. Ambyr Childers, who's played Adam's (David Canary) once-spoiled-now-saintly daughter since 2006, is leaving, and Colby's been recast. Starting May 7, Colby's going to look like 25-year-old newcomer Brianne Moncrief. A graduate of Fordham University's performing-arts program, Brianne has a lot of stage credits and a "Sopranos" episode to her name. So, what's up with the recast? An "AMC" spokesperson says storyline dictated the change. Wonder if that means Colby's growing crush on med student Frankie (Cornelius Smith Jr.) will be needing a crash cart?
Hollywood hunk and DAYS star, Brazilian Marcio Rosario pays his dues
He encourages young Latinos to reach for the stars and stay out of trouble while visiting schools on behalf of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.
EASTENDERS halts filming as Samantha Janus breaks shoulder in stair fall
EASTENDERS star Samantha Janus had to be rushed to hospital after she plunged down stairs and fractured her shoulder. The 35-year-old, who plays Ronnie Mitchell, is now recuperating at home but the accident had thrown the soap into chaos. Sam, who has two children, was rushing to work when she tripped and fell.
VIDEO: EASTENDERS gay kiss between Christian Clark & Steven Beale
Casiello blogs on the end of Breakdown Writers and the future
Emmy-winning former ATWT, OLTL, Y&R and DAYS writer Tom Casiello writes: "I've just learned of two more soaps that no longer employ breakdown writers. I believe that out of eight soaps currently in production, we are now down to THREE soap operas that use breakdown writers.
Which means that the head writers now write long story AND breakdowns on 80% of the shows.
What does this mean for me? It means my job position has all but been eliminated, and what I thought might be a temporary hiatus from daytime while all of this post-strike stuff gets worked out could possibly turn into something more permanent. And many of the most talented writers I know could be facing early retirement."
In a post-strike missive, WGA leaders on both coasts sent out a joint letter Friday to its membership revealing the names of 28 members who resigned from the union during the 100-day strike.
"In the face of enormous personal and financial hardship on the part of many, you sacrificed in the knowledge that your refusal to work would reap benefits not only for yourselves but countless others in the creative community, now and in the future," WGAW president Patric Verrone and his counterpart in the east, Michael Winship, said in a statement. "Yet among the many there were a puny few who chose to do otherwise, who consciously and selfishly decided to place their own narrow interests over the greater good."
The 28 writers elected to file for financial core status, in which writers resign from the union, but still pay a percentage of the dues but do not face fines from the WGA for working during the strike. Covered under the National Labor Relations Act, the WGA must still represent fi-core writers in bargaining and the writers do not lose any rights under their contract.
Members who Elected Financial Core During the Strike:
Barbara J. Esensten - ALL MY CHILDREN
Jeanne M. Grunwell - Ex-AS THE WORLD TURNS/DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Hogan Sheffer - Ex-DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Dena Higley - DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Mark Christopher Higley - DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Meg Kelly - DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Garin Wolf - GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gary Tomlin - ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Michelle Poteet Lisanti - ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Shawn Morrison - PASSIONS
James E. Reilly - PASSIONS
Darrell R. Thomas Jr. - PASSIONS
Marlene Poulter Clark - PASSIONS
Clem Egan - PASSIONS
John F. Smith - THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Paula F. Cwikly - THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Maria Arena - THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
John Ridley
John F. Cosgrove
Terry A. Meurer
AMC recasts ColbyColby Chandler of ALL MY CHILDREN is getting a makeover ... sort of. Ambyr Childers, who's played Adam's (David Canary) once-spoiled-now-saintly daughter since 2006, is leaving, and Colby's been recast. Starting May 7, Colby's going to look like 25-year-old newcomer Brianne Moncrief. A graduate of Fordham University's performing-arts program, Brianne has a lot of stage credits and a "Sopranos" episode to her name. So, what's up with the recast? An "AMC" spokesperson says storyline dictated the change. Wonder if that means Colby's growing crush on med student Frankie (Cornelius Smith Jr.) will be needing a crash cart?
Hollywood hunk and DAYS star, Brazilian Marcio Rosario pays his dues
He encourages young Latinos to reach for the stars and stay out of trouble while visiting schools on behalf of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.
EASTENDERS halts filming as Samantha Janus breaks shoulder in stair fall
EASTENDERS star Samantha Janus had to be rushed to hospital after she plunged down stairs and fractured her shoulder. The 35-year-old, who plays Ronnie Mitchell, is now recuperating at home but the accident had thrown the soap into chaos. Sam, who has two children, was rushing to work when she tripped and fell.
VIDEO: EASTENDERS gay kiss between Christian Clark & Steven Beale
Casiello blogs on the end of Breakdown Writers and the future
Emmy-winning former ATWT, OLTL, Y&R and DAYS writer Tom Casiello writes: "I've just learned of two more soaps that no longer employ breakdown writers. I believe that out of eight soaps currently in production, we are now down to THREE soap operas that use breakdown writers.
Which means that the head writers now write long story AND breakdowns on 80% of the shows.
What does this mean for me? It means my job position has all but been eliminated, and what I thought might be a temporary hiatus from daytime while all of this post-strike stuff gets worked out could possibly turn into something more permanent. And many of the most talented writers I know could be facing early retirement."
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
WGA East Files Arbitration Over Soap Replacement Writers
The Writers Guild of America, East, has filed separate arbitration cases against ABC and Corday Productions for allegedly violating the guild’s strike termination agreement by retaining writers hired during the writers strike earlier this year.
The WGAE alleges that Corday Productions, which produces DAYS OF OUR LIVES and ABC, which produces ALL MY CHILDREN, hired replacement writers during the 100-day WGA strike and has not terminated these employees. Instead, the replacement writers are preventing striking guild writers from returning to their positions, the WGAE said.
“The strike termination agreement does not allow the retention of replacement writers in lieu of allowing striking writers to return to their jobs. ABC and Corday Productions are clearly violating this agreement,” said Ira Cure, senior counsel for the Writers Guild of America, East. “They have left us no other option but to file arbitrations to ensure our members will be afforded their rights outlined under this agreement.”
The companies have 10 days to respond to the cases.
The Writers Guild of America went on strike Nov. 5 over issues including residual payments for online distribution of content. A lack of writers forced numerous shows out of production and cost the Los Angeles economy an estimated $2.1 billion. The strike was resolved in mid-February.
Representatives of Corday were not available for immediate comment. NBC, which airs DAYS OF OUR LIVES, had no comment.
"We are in full compliance with our contract and the allegation is untrue," ABC said.
A network source familiar with the situation said the WGAE was grandstanding because it subverted direct discussion in favor of announcing arbitration straight to the press.
Source: TV Week
The WGAE alleges that Corday Productions, which produces DAYS OF OUR LIVES and ABC, which produces ALL MY CHILDREN, hired replacement writers during the 100-day WGA strike and has not terminated these employees. Instead, the replacement writers are preventing striking guild writers from returning to their positions, the WGAE said.
“The strike termination agreement does not allow the retention of replacement writers in lieu of allowing striking writers to return to their jobs. ABC and Corday Productions are clearly violating this agreement,” said Ira Cure, senior counsel for the Writers Guild of America, East. “They have left us no other option but to file arbitrations to ensure our members will be afforded their rights outlined under this agreement.”
The companies have 10 days to respond to the cases.
The Writers Guild of America went on strike Nov. 5 over issues including residual payments for online distribution of content. A lack of writers forced numerous shows out of production and cost the Los Angeles economy an estimated $2.1 billion. The strike was resolved in mid-February.
Representatives of Corday were not available for immediate comment. NBC, which airs DAYS OF OUR LIVES, had no comment.
"We are in full compliance with our contract and the allegation is untrue," ABC said.
A network source familiar with the situation said the WGAE was grandstanding because it subverted direct discussion in favor of announcing arbitration straight to the press.
Source: TV Week
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Evening News
Marlena De Lacroix: Marlena to ONE LIFE TO LIVE: “I Hate Todd”
NBC 11: Television productions have been criticized for allowing many things to delay filming, but could an abuse of self-tanner be the latest excuse? LIPSTICK JUNGLE guest star and NYC party-circuit regular Leven Rambin told reporters that the show's star, Brooke Shields, so inappropriately lathered on the liquid sunshine she slowed down the production. "Brooke was self-tanning every day to get ready for some sex scenes," said Rambin, who is also an ALL MY CHILDREN regular.
"This is totally not true," said Shield's rep. "I don't think Brooke has ever even used self-tanner, much less allowed herself to turn orange from it. Please."
CBS: A staple on GUIDING LIGHT for the past twenty-five years, Michael O'Leary's Dr. Rick Bauer has seen it all, literally, drug addiction, weddings, birth, near death just to name a few. In an interview from a recent location shoot in Peapack, NJ, Michael discusses Rick's current state of mind, his trouble with Harley and what he does in his free time. "I think Rick is going to the dark side a little. To summarize where he's at, I think if you look at the fact that his father is gone, his sister is gone, his best friend is in an insane asylum somewhere, Mindy is gone, he's been kicked out of his house, he has a heart condition and now he's in danger of losing his high school sweetheart and his baby. So I think this is turning him into, as Beth would say, Alanesqe behavior. I think he's at the point where being a nice guy is not getting him anywhere so he's ready to take some prisoners."
All American Patriots: ABC Daytime continues a decade-long relationship with The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. ABC Daytime has joined forces with The National Campaign to tell the story of ONE LIFE TO LIVE's 16-year-old character Starr Manning's (Kristen Alderson) first sexual experience. The National Campaign stands as a leader in efforts to educate teens and adults alike on the subject of preventing teen pregnancy.
What's On TV: EMMERDALE star Charley Webb has apparently confessed it makes her feel 'a little bit sick' that people see her brother, HOLLYOAKS' Jamie Lomas, as a sex symbol. "It does make me feel a little bit sick to hear people talk about my brother like that," she told OK! Magazine. "Urgh, even now I feel a little bit unwell."
TV Guide: Was the WGA Strike Good for Soaps?
CTV.ca: Rumor mill: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES to become musical? The hit drama - centering on the quirky lives of the residents of Wisteria Lane - could be turned into a Broadway show after the show's creator Mark Cherry recently dropped hints to the cast.
MyDamnChannel: VIDEO: Episode #5 of the twisted new soap HORRIBLE PEOPLE.
Buzzyworthy Radio: Former Soap Opera Weekly Editor-in-Chief Mimi Torchin will be interviewed and offer commentary tonight at 10 PM ET.
CBS: VIDEO: Go behind the scenes with THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Joshua Morrow (Nick) as he introduces fans to newcomers Raya Meddine (Sabrina) and Chris Engen (Adam, aka Victor Jr.) at a recent CBS photo shoot.
NBC 11: Television productions have been criticized for allowing many things to delay filming, but could an abuse of self-tanner be the latest excuse? LIPSTICK JUNGLE guest star and NYC party-circuit regular Leven Rambin told reporters that the show's star, Brooke Shields, so inappropriately lathered on the liquid sunshine she slowed down the production. "Brooke was self-tanning every day to get ready for some sex scenes," said Rambin, who is also an ALL MY CHILDREN regular.
"This is totally not true," said Shield's rep. "I don't think Brooke has ever even used self-tanner, much less allowed herself to turn orange from it. Please."
CBS: A staple on GUIDING LIGHT for the past twenty-five years, Michael O'Leary's Dr. Rick Bauer has seen it all, literally, drug addiction, weddings, birth, near death just to name a few. In an interview from a recent location shoot in Peapack, NJ, Michael discusses Rick's current state of mind, his trouble with Harley and what he does in his free time. "I think Rick is going to the dark side a little. To summarize where he's at, I think if you look at the fact that his father is gone, his sister is gone, his best friend is in an insane asylum somewhere, Mindy is gone, he's been kicked out of his house, he has a heart condition and now he's in danger of losing his high school sweetheart and his baby. So I think this is turning him into, as Beth would say, Alanesqe behavior. I think he's at the point where being a nice guy is not getting him anywhere so he's ready to take some prisoners."
All American Patriots: ABC Daytime continues a decade-long relationship with The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. ABC Daytime has joined forces with The National Campaign to tell the story of ONE LIFE TO LIVE's 16-year-old character Starr Manning's (Kristen Alderson) first sexual experience. The National Campaign stands as a leader in efforts to educate teens and adults alike on the subject of preventing teen pregnancy.
What's On TV: EMMERDALE star Charley Webb has apparently confessed it makes her feel 'a little bit sick' that people see her brother, HOLLYOAKS' Jamie Lomas, as a sex symbol. "It does make me feel a little bit sick to hear people talk about my brother like that," she told OK! Magazine. "Urgh, even now I feel a little bit unwell."
TV Guide: Was the WGA Strike Good for Soaps?
CTV.ca: Rumor mill: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES to become musical? The hit drama - centering on the quirky lives of the residents of Wisteria Lane - could be turned into a Broadway show after the show's creator Mark Cherry recently dropped hints to the cast.
MyDamnChannel: VIDEO: Episode #5 of the twisted new soap HORRIBLE PEOPLE.
Buzzyworthy Radio: Former Soap Opera Weekly Editor-in-Chief Mimi Torchin will be interviewed and offer commentary tonight at 10 PM ET.
CBS: VIDEO: Go behind the scenes with THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Joshua Morrow (Nick) as he introduces fans to newcomers Raya Meddine (Sabrina) and Chris Engen (Adam, aka Victor Jr.) at a recent CBS photo shoot.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
News Brief
CBS: Jon Prescott will take over the role of Mike Kasnoff on AS THE WORLD TURNS. Mark Collier previously played the part. Mike returns to Oakdale with a new business venture and the hopes of reuniting with Katie. Look for Prescott, 26, to appear in March.
PGP Blog: AS THE WORLD TURNS Luke and Noah spoiler picture preview.
Rocky Mountain News: Mark Schlereth's (Roc Hoover, GUIDING LIGHT) son armed for baseball success.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette: EVENT: DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Drake Hogestyn will appear at the 47th annual Advance Auto Parts World of Wheels Show at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh on Saturday 4-9pm..
Portsmouth Herald News: Actor David Cummins, formerly of Portsmouth, landed his first speaking lines February 18 and 19 on "All My Children," doing a major scene with Susan Lucci and Mario Van Peebles.
UCLA Daily Bruin: Marina Alburger had to leave her job as a writer on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS to go on strike. Once the strike was lifted, Alburger was asked not to come back as a member of the writing staff for the daytime soap opera. “It was a surprise,” Alburger said. “I’m still unclear to how they were allowed to have done that.”
Miami Herald: Victoria Rowell, author, actress, dancer, enthusiast of fab hats, breezed into town Wednesday to lecture on the importance of giving back to the community and to champion the foster-care system as part of Royal Caribbean Cruises' Black History Month programming.
Eurweb: "I auditioned and came back for a screen test," Christel Khalil of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS said about the process that lead to her appearing on the legendary daytime series. "I've been there for six years…since I was 14… Kristoff St. John, who plays my father, was great to work with. I love being on the show."
Press Association: Actor Todd Carty has left hospital after a health scare which saw him collapse on stage. Carty, 44, who played Mark Fowler in EASTENDERS and PC Gabriel Kent in THE BILL, passed out in the middle of a performance at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, on Saturday.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Evening News
Marlena De Lacroix: DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ Glorious Sweeps Event.
AfterElton: Liveblogging AS THE WORLD TURNS: When you don't care enough to send the very best.
What's On TV: PHOTOS: HOLLYOAKS' Darren Osborne ends up fighting for his life after being gunned down in the street outside his family's pub.
National Ledger: Soaps Report: Writer's Strike Fallout, Remembering Shell Kepler.
New York Magazine: Former ANOTHER WORLD child star Lindsay Lohan as Marilyn Monroe in "The Last Sitting".
AfterElton: Liveblogging AS THE WORLD TURNS: When you don't care enough to send the very best.
What's On TV: PHOTOS: HOLLYOAKS' Darren Osborne ends up fighting for his life after being gunned down in the street outside his family's pub.National Ledger: Soaps Report: Writer's Strike Fallout, Remembering Shell Kepler.
New York Magazine: Former ANOTHER WORLD child star Lindsay Lohan as Marilyn Monroe in "The Last Sitting".
Friday, February 15, 2008
News Brief
AfterElton: Best Gay Week Ever. "Fans of Nuke definitely didn't get the Valentine's gift they were hoping to receive from AS THE WORLD TURNS. In fact, judging from the comments on Brian's liveblog of Thursday's episode, viewers feel they were handed a big bouquet of cow puckey. And I can't say I entirely blame them."
Televisionista: It was Valentine's Day on CBS' Procter & Gamble-sponsored and increasingly insulting daytime soap AS THE WORLD TURNS and although kisses were abound, the iconic gay teen couple got to do the only thing they appear to be allowed to - hug. Last time I checked it was 2008, not 1988. But I suppose time has stopped for an old-skewing CBS and an obsolete Procter & Gamble. How utterly embarrassing for them.
LukeVanFan (YouTube): VIDEO: Luke & Noah get shafted again.
New York Daily News: SPOILER ALERT: Stephanie barges into Eric and Donna's love nest today on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, which causes Eric to scramble - right out the window.
MSNBC: VIDEO: Meet the new KNIGHT RIDER star, former ALL MY CHILDREN hunk Justin Bruening.
Augusta Chronicle: Winners of the 39th annual NAACP Image Awards:
Actor in a daytime drama series: Kristoff St. John, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Actress in a daytime drama series: Christel Khalil, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Directing in a dramatic series: Seith Mann, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: "Are You Ready For Friday Night?"
Actress in a comedy series: America Ferrera, UGLY BETTY
Supporting actress in a comedy series: Vanessa L. Williams, UGLY BETTY
SABC News: ISIDINGO star Ashley Callie has died in a Johannesburg hospital after being injured in a car crash in Linden last weekend. She underwent surgery to relieve pressure on her brain, but never recovered.
Cherry Hill Courier Post: David Groh, who played DL Block on GENERAL HOSPITAL in the 80s, died at age 68.
New York Daily News: ONE LIFE TO LIVE writers Elizabeth Page: "Soap opera writers - or 'daytime' writers as we're called in the biz - get paid once a week. Unlike screenwriters, we're "paycheck" writers, living from week to week."
Televisionista: It was Valentine's Day on CBS' Procter & Gamble-sponsored and increasingly insulting daytime soap AS THE WORLD TURNS and although kisses were abound, the iconic gay teen couple got to do the only thing they appear to be allowed to - hug. Last time I checked it was 2008, not 1988. But I suppose time has stopped for an old-skewing CBS and an obsolete Procter & Gamble. How utterly embarrassing for them.
LukeVanFan (YouTube): VIDEO: Luke & Noah get shafted again.
New York Daily News: SPOILER ALERT: Stephanie barges into Eric and Donna's love nest today on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, which causes Eric to scramble - right out the window.
MSNBC: VIDEO: Meet the new KNIGHT RIDER star, former ALL MY CHILDREN hunk Justin Bruening.
Augusta Chronicle: Winners of the 39th annual NAACP Image Awards:
Actor in a daytime drama series: Kristoff St. John, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Actress in a daytime drama series: Christel Khalil, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Directing in a dramatic series: Seith Mann, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: "Are You Ready For Friday Night?"
Actress in a comedy series: America Ferrera, UGLY BETTY
Supporting actress in a comedy series: Vanessa L. Williams, UGLY BETTY
SABC News: ISIDINGO star Ashley Callie has died in a Johannesburg hospital after being injured in a car crash in Linden last weekend. She underwent surgery to relieve pressure on her brain, but never recovered.
Cherry Hill Courier Post: David Groh, who played DL Block on GENERAL HOSPITAL in the 80s, died at age 68.
New York Daily News: ONE LIFE TO LIVE writers Elizabeth Page: "Soap opera writers - or 'daytime' writers as we're called in the biz - get paid once a week. Unlike screenwriters, we're "paycheck" writers, living from week to week."
Thursday, February 14, 2008
News Brief
Soap Opera Network: Executive Producer and Head Writer Lynn Marie Latham has been fired from CBS' THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS effective immediately. Latham's husband, Bernard Lechowick, who served as a Creative Consultant and Writer, has also been let go. Other writers exiting the show are Marina Alburger and Lynsey Dufour. More writers from Latham's team are expected to follow.
Marlena De Lacroix: Patrick Erwin writes: "For Valentine’s Day, 5 Soap Couples Who Were Really Super"
Ithaca Journal,: John Fackler couldn't resist an invitation to e-mail a wedding proposal to SOAPnet, a cable channel he and his girlfriend, Amanda Meeks, watch regularly. After all, the couple met online through Yahoo! Chat about three years ago, said Fackler, 31, of Watkins Glen. They've been together ever since, he said. “It was love at first sight,” Meeks said.Fackler's online risk paid off. “I cried,” said Meeks, 19, of Penn Yan who accepted Fackler's proposal. “I never dreamed in a million years he would propose that way.”
Bay Area Reporter: Isn't it romantic? Gay love on a classic soaper AS THE WORLD TURNS.
Art Info: Photographer Ken Heyman: "Years before, I had gone to a party, and at the table I was sitting at was the woman who would later become my wife. She was a soap opera star—she had the lead in AS THE WORLD TURNS—and Andy was sitting there, just thrilled, asking her questions about what was going to happen on the show the next week. The next day, the woman who had thrown the party called me and asked if I had “any work for that strange starving artist at your table.” I said, “Why don’t you send him over?”"
Jeff Branson Fan Club: Jeff Branson, who has confirmed he is leaving ALL MY CHILDREN in the spring, is making a public appearance at a Valentine's Weekend Event in Clearwater/St. Pete, FL to benefit Light House of Pinellas. Tickets are $65.00 per person. For more information or questions please email the event coordinators, Patti and Barbie at designers.image@hotmail.com
Soap Opera Network: A list of daytime soap “Fi-Core” writers.
Liverpool Echo: Nude HOLLYOAKS star Chris Fountain melts ice, and some hearts too!
Soap Opera Digest: The Writers Guild of America has sent their members back to work. "Thank God, it's over," said one soap insider. We've been following ATWT Script Editor Courtney Simon — who was a strike captain on daytime day — throughout the 100-day work stoppage. She wasn't sure exactly how long it would take for the writers' work to get to your screens again, suggesting that it would likely be different for every show. "I don't know if they waited before they got a team in place to write. If they waited and then started, then took time off at Christmas, then went back in January, there might not be that many shows ready to go on the air. It's been like a tomb. I have no information at all, but I'm expecting the phone to ring on Wednesday morning," said Simon before the writers officially voted to end the strike. "I've been watching the show, and to my eye, what's on the air right now is still playing out. Stories that had already begun when we left so there were no gigantic surprises, story-wise, but there may well be in the upcoming 3 to 4 weeks of air shows." As for what she's expecting when she reports back to work, Simon was positive. "I know that there aren't going to be any hard feelings on the writers part. We did what our union asked us to do and I'm hoping that everybody there will understand that. A labor action is a labor action; it's not like we got together as one small group and decided to run off until we got a certain list of demands. This was a huge action that we believed in. All I have to go on is what happened after the 88 strike. And in that instance, when we returned to work we were welcomed with open arms. Everybody was very glad to see us and we were glad to see them and so glad to be back doing what we love.
PGP Blog: ESPN Radio co-hosts Mike Greensburg and Mike Golic will appear as two brothers who go head-to-head with GUIDING LIGHT's Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Josh (Robert Newman) on Wednesday, February 20.
Marlena De Lacroix: Patrick Erwin writes: "For Valentine’s Day, 5 Soap Couples Who Were Really Super"
Ithaca Journal,: John Fackler couldn't resist an invitation to e-mail a wedding proposal to SOAPnet, a cable channel he and his girlfriend, Amanda Meeks, watch regularly. After all, the couple met online through Yahoo! Chat about three years ago, said Fackler, 31, of Watkins Glen. They've been together ever since, he said. “It was love at first sight,” Meeks said.Fackler's online risk paid off. “I cried,” said Meeks, 19, of Penn Yan who accepted Fackler's proposal. “I never dreamed in a million years he would propose that way.”
Bay Area Reporter: Isn't it romantic? Gay love on a classic soaper AS THE WORLD TURNS.
Art Info: Photographer Ken Heyman: "Years before, I had gone to a party, and at the table I was sitting at was the woman who would later become my wife. She was a soap opera star—she had the lead in AS THE WORLD TURNS—and Andy was sitting there, just thrilled, asking her questions about what was going to happen on the show the next week. The next day, the woman who had thrown the party called me and asked if I had “any work for that strange starving artist at your table.” I said, “Why don’t you send him over?”"
Jeff Branson Fan Club: Jeff Branson, who has confirmed he is leaving ALL MY CHILDREN in the spring, is making a public appearance at a Valentine's Weekend Event in Clearwater/St. Pete, FL to benefit Light House of Pinellas. Tickets are $65.00 per person. For more information or questions please email the event coordinators, Patti and Barbie at designers.image@hotmail.com
Soap Opera Network: A list of daytime soap “Fi-Core” writers.
Liverpool Echo: Nude HOLLYOAKS star Chris Fountain melts ice, and some hearts too!
Soap Opera Digest: The Writers Guild of America has sent their members back to work. "Thank God, it's over," said one soap insider. We've been following ATWT Script Editor Courtney Simon — who was a strike captain on daytime day — throughout the 100-day work stoppage. She wasn't sure exactly how long it would take for the writers' work to get to your screens again, suggesting that it would likely be different for every show. "I don't know if they waited before they got a team in place to write. If they waited and then started, then took time off at Christmas, then went back in January, there might not be that many shows ready to go on the air. It's been like a tomb. I have no information at all, but I'm expecting the phone to ring on Wednesday morning," said Simon before the writers officially voted to end the strike. "I've been watching the show, and to my eye, what's on the air right now is still playing out. Stories that had already begun when we left so there were no gigantic surprises, story-wise, but there may well be in the upcoming 3 to 4 weeks of air shows." As for what she's expecting when she reports back to work, Simon was positive. "I know that there aren't going to be any hard feelings on the writers part. We did what our union asked us to do and I'm hoping that everybody there will understand that. A labor action is a labor action; it's not like we got together as one small group and decided to run off until we got a certain list of demands. This was a huge action that we believed in. All I have to go on is what happened after the 88 strike. And in that instance, when we returned to work we were welcomed with open arms. Everybody was very glad to see us and we were glad to see them and so glad to be back doing what we love.
PGP Blog: ESPN Radio co-hosts Mike Greensburg and Mike Golic will appear as two brothers who go head-to-head with GUIDING LIGHT's Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Josh (Robert Newman) on Wednesday, February 20.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
News Brief
AfterElton: How has AS THE WORLD TURNS handled its gay storyline? Brian Cahill (Sr. VP, Managing Director for TeleVest Daytime Programs) provides insights as does TV Guide's Michael Logan. ”I understand the impatience [of Nuke fans], but I don't see any reason to blast these folks. I've written about the soaps forever and I see progress being made. I'm encouraged to stick with it. There are a lot of pressures on soaps these days. They are shaky and have to answer to a lot. These are no longer the days where they can do what they please. There is way too much focus groups, way too much research. What they are doing is difficult to do here as opposed to primetime.”
TMZ: With her husband, Helmut Huber, and newly unveiled wax sculpture in tow, ALL MY CHILDREN star Susan Lucci, 61, was snapped at Madame Tussauds in NYC on Tuesday.
Broadway World: VIDEO: Exclusive Sneak Peek: Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Kerry Butler in NBC's LIPSTICK JUNGLE.
Baltimore Sun: The AARP Magazine's "Movies For Grownups" awards were held last week at the Bel Air Hotel. Former soap star Ruby Dee was in attendance along with Shirley Jones. Jones was still exhausted and hyped-up by her recent stint on the daytime soap DAYS OF OUR LIVES. She said, "I did six episodes in six days. I die in the last one. It's the hardest thing I've ever done!" She plays a 90-year-old woman, an ex-nun, thought dead in a fiery crash - but, of course, people never really die in the soaps. Lord knows Shirley gave it her Oscar-winning all.
Deadline Hollywood: A-List actors pressure SAG to start talks.
Mediapost: Striking writers votes overwhelmingly on Tuesday night to go back to work, putting an end to the longer-than-three-month strike and sending some of them to the office as soon as possible. Returning this morning are the writing staff for soap operas.
Daily Star: EASTENDERS star Lacey Turner has returned to filming after getting caught up in a fight when she left a nightclub. The actress, 19, who plays love cheat Stacey Branning in the BBC1 soap, was on her way home from a night out with co-star Aaron Sidwell (Steven Beale), also 19, when she was hit. Turner did not report the incident, which took place in a supermarket car park near the Destiny club in Watford, Hertfordshire, to police. The actress's spokeswoman said: "She was literally walking back into a car park when a fight broke out and she got clipped."
Marlena De Lacroix: A tribute to GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Shell Kepler.
Soap Opera Digest: Cassie's most ourtrageous moments on GUIDING LIGHT.
TMZ: With her husband, Helmut Huber, and newly unveiled wax sculpture in tow, ALL MY CHILDREN star Susan Lucci, 61, was snapped at Madame Tussauds in NYC on Tuesday.Broadway World: VIDEO: Exclusive Sneak Peek: Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Kerry Butler in NBC's LIPSTICK JUNGLE.
Baltimore Sun: The AARP Magazine's "Movies For Grownups" awards were held last week at the Bel Air Hotel. Former soap star Ruby Dee was in attendance along with Shirley Jones. Jones was still exhausted and hyped-up by her recent stint on the daytime soap DAYS OF OUR LIVES. She said, "I did six episodes in six days. I die in the last one. It's the hardest thing I've ever done!" She plays a 90-year-old woman, an ex-nun, thought dead in a fiery crash - but, of course, people never really die in the soaps. Lord knows Shirley gave it her Oscar-winning all.
Deadline Hollywood: A-List actors pressure SAG to start talks.
Mediapost: Striking writers votes overwhelmingly on Tuesday night to go back to work, putting an end to the longer-than-three-month strike and sending some of them to the office as soon as possible. Returning this morning are the writing staff for soap operas.
Daily Star: EASTENDERS star Lacey Turner has returned to filming after getting caught up in a fight when she left a nightclub. The actress, 19, who plays love cheat Stacey Branning in the BBC1 soap, was on her way home from a night out with co-star Aaron Sidwell (Steven Beale), also 19, when she was hit. Turner did not report the incident, which took place in a supermarket car park near the Destiny club in Watford, Hertfordshire, to police. The actress's spokeswoman said: "She was literally walking back into a car park when a fight broke out and she got clipped."
Marlena De Lacroix: A tribute to GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Shell Kepler.
Soap Opera Digest: Cassie's most ourtrageous moments on GUIDING LIGHT.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
STRIKE OVER: Hollywood Back To Work!
On Tuesday, members of the Writers Guilds East and West voted by a 92.5% margin to lift the restraining order that was invoked on November 5th. The strike is over.
Writing can resume immediately.
More: Deadline Hollywood
Writing can resume immediately.
More: Deadline Hollywood
Evening News
Star: Paris Hilton's little brother has been busted for DUI — and he's only 18! Barron Hilton was arrested in Malibu at 8:30 am/PT Tuesday morning, according to TMZ. Barron was reportedly driving a black Mercedes on Pacific Coast Highway with a passenger when he was pulled over. He's now being booked at the Lost Hills Sheriff's station. Barron's dad, Rick Hilton, told TMZ, "I haven't been contacted yet by either my son or the police. If what I have heard is true, it is very disturbing and I will have a lot to say — but it will be to my son, not the media." Star spotted Barron at New York hot spot Tenjune on Nov. 20 dancing and kissing ALL MY CHILDREN's Leven Rambin.Paper Magazine: Leven Rambin's Fashion Week Diary: PART 1. "As we leave the show, I feel really stuffed up, sick and light-headed. The rainy weather is not helping and I decide to be a grandma and call it a day, even though everyone knows that Alex’s after-party is the best party of the week -- and the most wild! As I lay in bed the rest of the might, sinking into misery of a cold, eating cookie dough, my stylist, Shane Cisneros, lets me live vicariously through him at the Annex."
TV Guide Canada: Nelson Branco interviews sexy ONE LIFE TO LIFE star John Brotherton.
Soap Opera Digest: The Co-Hosts With The Most: AS THE WORLD TURNS' Austin Peck and Terri Colombino.
Towleroad: HOME AND AWAY actor Tim Campbell and former AUSTRALIAN IDOL contestant Anthony Callea, who in December were rumored to be involved, have come out with it. Said Campbell on an Australian radio show: "There was stuff written in the paper a while ago . . . and actually Anthony and I are a bit of an item at the moment. The question was asked a while ago and we weren't, but we have gotten to a point where we are very happy together."
IESB: Five new clips from the new KNIGHT RIDER starring Justin Bruening (ALL MY CHILDREN) and Deanna Russo (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS).
Canada East: Eightysomething former soap stars Ruby Dee and Hal Holbrook reflect on first Oscar nominations.
Variety: The final step to ending the WGA strike is now hours away. Members are starting to vote on lifting the three-month-old strike order via a pair of membership meetings in New York and Los Angeles. The Gotham meeting's set for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza while the Los Angeles meet will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the WGA Theater.
Buzzworthy Radio: Interview with THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star Elizabeth Hendrickson tonight at 10pm ET.
News Brief
PGP Blog: AS THE WORLD TURNS: VALENTINE'S DAY PREVIEWWhat If... Noah (Jake Silbermann) had never met Luke (Van Hansis) and instead gone ahead and joined the military like his father wanted? Tune in on Thursday, February 14 for As The World Turns' take on the classic musical, On the Town... with an Oakdale twist.
AgWeb: Last night's David Letterman monologue included: "Did you hear that Mitt Romney has dropped out of the race?" But do not "worry about Mitt, because he’s going to go back to playing Stuart Chandler on ALL MY CHILDREN."
OK! Magazine: Dancing With the Soap Stars. DANCING WITH THE STARS' Maksim Chmerkovskiy knows how to whisk a woman off her feet. This month, he'll be whisking a whole 'lot of women — specifically those of ABC's ALL MY CHILDREN — off their feet when he makes his daytime soap debut!
NewsChannel 9: Will Impact Of TV Writer's Strike Linger?
E! Online: Post strike, prime time TV bosses reveal what's bext for our favorite shows.
Lancaster Newspapers: This summer, Jonathan Groff (ex-Henry, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) will star in New York City's Shakespeare in the Park stage production of "Hair," July 22 through Aug. 17. The prestigious free performances have played in New York's Delacorte Theatre in Central Park since 1962.
Press Association: After what seems like an age, the day has finally come when Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) and his ex-wife Bianca (Patsy Palmer) set foot in EASTENDERS' Albert Square again. The actors filmed their first scenes earlier this week, and according to reports about storylines, there's little chance of the duo getting back together.
CBS: Interview with AS THE WORLD TURNS' new Casey, Billy Magnussen. "Scott Holmes who plays my father and Ellen Dolan who palys Margo have been so nice and helpful and just truly wonderful to work with. It's been an incredible journey so far."
Soap Opera Digest: 10 memorable PASSIONS deaths.
In the Zone: AUDIO: Interview with soap writer Tom Casiello.
Monday, February 11, 2008
News Brief
UCLA Daily Bruin: After 14 weeks and an estimated economic impact of $1 billion, the Writers Guild of America strike may finally be coming to a close. 2005 UCLA graduate Marina Alburger, a staff writer for the daytime soap opera THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, attended the meeting Saturday in Los Angeles and voiced similar expectations. “This isn’t a perfect deal. It’s not wonderful, but it’s definitely an improvement over previous offers,” she said. “It sounded as if to me that people were responding positively to the gains we made even if they weren’t in all the areas we had hoped for.”
Variety: Was the strike worth it? In the eyes of many scribes, the answer is an unqualified yes. But when it comes down to dollars and cents, the answer is murkier. The victories in new media that may pay big dividends in the future have come at a high price in the here and now.
PGP Blog: A letter to the fans from GUIDING LIGHT.
Marlena De Lacroix: 10 Sweet and Soapy Valentine’s Day Questions.
Express: The kiss seen ’round the world. YouTube turns AS THE WORLD TURNS' gay couple into worldwide sensation.
Theater Mania: Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE actress Kerry Butler: "Primetime is very different from daytime in some ways in that you wait longer for the set-ups; but you still don't get lots of takes."
MyParkMag: Chris Fountain could never date any of his HOLLYOAKS co-stars because it would be too "awkward". The heartthrob actor - who is currently impressing viewers with his skating skills on DANCING ON ICE - admits he's had a few kisses with some of the girls but knows it could never go any further.
Press Association: In the early years of BBC One soap EASTENDERS, Anita Dobson was the ruling queen of the show, thanks to her phenomenally popular character Angie Watts. However, that devotion hasn't stopped Dobbs, who quit the soap in 1988, offering her thoughts on former on-screen husband Leslie Grantham's sex scandal in 2004. "It was his own fault, wasn't it? It was a shame. It was silly and really unfortunate. He was a silly boy."
PR Newswire: In 2002, Mark Coker and his wife, Lesleyann, co-authored a roman a clef novel entitled "Boob Tube" that explores the behind- the-scenes world of daytime television soap operas (Lesleyann is a former reporter for Soap Opera Weekly Magazine). Despite two years of representation from one of New York City's most respected literary agencies, their agent was unable to land a book deal. Some
publishers said they rejected the manuscript because they questioned whether soap opera fans read books.
Sun Herald: My Damn Channel (www.MyDamnChannel.com), the entertainment studio and new media platform, today premieres three new reasons to work less and watch more video: HORRIBLE PEOPLE, COOKIN' WITH COOLIO, and CARNIVAL OF STUFF. The company also debuts a new look and all- new features designed by Big Fat Brain and built by Reborn Studio. HORRIBLE PEOPLE is an evil comic soap opera. Actor and comedian A.D. Miles ("Wet Hot American Summer", "Dog Bites Man") writes, directs and stars in a depraved soap opera, which takes place at a never-ending cocktail party. Kristin Schaal ("The Flight of the Conchords") and Mather Zickel ("Dancing with Shiva") co-star with A.D. Miles. The series is produced by Jonathan Stern, and new episodes will unfold every Monday at lunchtime for 10 weeks of "addictive workus interruptus."
Mad (UK): Advertisers are rolling out Australian-themed spots for the first commercial break in long-running soap opera NEIGHBOURS, which makes its debut on Five today. Among the ad executions appearing in the show will be one for Red Bull that has an Australian setting and one for soap powder Daz that features former NEIGHBOURS actress Kimberley Davies in a soap-type situation.
Dispatch Online (South Africa): Daytime soap DAYS OF OUR LIVES on SABC3 at 4.55pm holds the record as the longest running in history, but it’s time it bids us goodbye. I can hardly think of anyone who can seriously say they are a follower of this soap, which has lost the plot on too many occasions. No offence intended to those who are fanatics – perhaps you can convince me why I should not think my intelligence is being insulted when I see people rising from the dead and mysteriously ending up stuck on some island. That should give you a fair indication of the last time I bothered to watch DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Frankly, I don’t even bother to watch it anymore. For me, it’s right down there with PASSIONS on e.tv’s daily daytime soap slot. Both these feature too many bizarre, out-there occurrences, including dolls that can change form to become human, to humans that change into animals. Sure enough, there’s space for creativity, but that is a realm of fantasy that should be left to fairy tales, children’s books or folklore if you want to push it that far out. Local soaps have so far done well in not going too over-the-top. Speaking of which, the poor little rich girl, Agnes, in MUVHANGO must be on the brink of an identity crisis.
The Times (South Africa): ISIDINGO cast members rallied around critically injured actress Ashley Callie with messages of support while her family have been at her bedside throughout the weekend.
Variety: Was the strike worth it? In the eyes of many scribes, the answer is an unqualified yes. But when it comes down to dollars and cents, the answer is murkier. The victories in new media that may pay big dividends in the future have come at a high price in the here and now.
PGP Blog: A letter to the fans from GUIDING LIGHT.
Marlena De Lacroix: 10 Sweet and Soapy Valentine’s Day Questions.
Express: The kiss seen ’round the world. YouTube turns AS THE WORLD TURNS' gay couple into worldwide sensation.
Theater Mania: Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE actress Kerry Butler: "Primetime is very different from daytime in some ways in that you wait longer for the set-ups; but you still don't get lots of takes."
MyParkMag: Chris Fountain could never date any of his HOLLYOAKS co-stars because it would be too "awkward". The heartthrob actor - who is currently impressing viewers with his skating skills on DANCING ON ICE - admits he's had a few kisses with some of the girls but knows it could never go any further.
Press Association: In the early years of BBC One soap EASTENDERS, Anita Dobson was the ruling queen of the show, thanks to her phenomenally popular character Angie Watts. However, that devotion hasn't stopped Dobbs, who quit the soap in 1988, offering her thoughts on former on-screen husband Leslie Grantham's sex scandal in 2004. "It was his own fault, wasn't it? It was a shame. It was silly and really unfortunate. He was a silly boy."
PR Newswire: In 2002, Mark Coker and his wife, Lesleyann, co-authored a roman a clef novel entitled "Boob Tube" that explores the behind- the-scenes world of daytime television soap operas (Lesleyann is a former reporter for Soap Opera Weekly Magazine). Despite two years of representation from one of New York City's most respected literary agencies, their agent was unable to land a book deal. Some
publishers said they rejected the manuscript because they questioned whether soap opera fans read books.
Sun Herald: My Damn Channel (www.MyDamnChannel.com), the entertainment studio and new media platform, today premieres three new reasons to work less and watch more video: HORRIBLE PEOPLE, COOKIN' WITH COOLIO, and CARNIVAL OF STUFF. The company also debuts a new look and all- new features designed by Big Fat Brain and built by Reborn Studio. HORRIBLE PEOPLE is an evil comic soap opera. Actor and comedian A.D. Miles ("Wet Hot American Summer", "Dog Bites Man") writes, directs and stars in a depraved soap opera, which takes place at a never-ending cocktail party. Kristin Schaal ("The Flight of the Conchords") and Mather Zickel ("Dancing with Shiva") co-star with A.D. Miles. The series is produced by Jonathan Stern, and new episodes will unfold every Monday at lunchtime for 10 weeks of "addictive workus interruptus."
Mad (UK): Advertisers are rolling out Australian-themed spots for the first commercial break in long-running soap opera NEIGHBOURS, which makes its debut on Five today. Among the ad executions appearing in the show will be one for Red Bull that has an Australian setting and one for soap powder Daz that features former NEIGHBOURS actress Kimberley Davies in a soap-type situation.
Dispatch Online (South Africa): Daytime soap DAYS OF OUR LIVES on SABC3 at 4.55pm holds the record as the longest running in history, but it’s time it bids us goodbye. I can hardly think of anyone who can seriously say they are a follower of this soap, which has lost the plot on too many occasions. No offence intended to those who are fanatics – perhaps you can convince me why I should not think my intelligence is being insulted when I see people rising from the dead and mysteriously ending up stuck on some island. That should give you a fair indication of the last time I bothered to watch DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Frankly, I don’t even bother to watch it anymore. For me, it’s right down there with PASSIONS on e.tv’s daily daytime soap slot. Both these feature too many bizarre, out-there occurrences, including dolls that can change form to become human, to humans that change into animals. Sure enough, there’s space for creativity, but that is a realm of fantasy that should be left to fairy tales, children’s books or folklore if you want to push it that far out. Local soaps have so far done well in not going too over-the-top. Speaking of which, the poor little rich girl, Agnes, in MUVHANGO must be on the brink of an identity crisis.
The Times (South Africa): ISIDINGO cast members rallied around critically injured actress Ashley Callie with messages of support while her family have been at her bedside throughout the weekend.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Strike Update From ATWT
From Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood:
SATURDAY 4:00 PM: The WGA East's "informational" meeting for membership lasted about 3 hours. Here's more about the NYC confab from a WGA attendee: "The East meeting was insanely civil. Not one chair thrown. I was at the meeting in the same ballroom the second week of the strike, when the same people were sitting up there and were characteristically defensive about why we had gone out and if they knew what they were doing. Today, those same people were not only confident, they were not in the least defensive about the deal -- they were realistic, 180 degrees from the chaos and disarray I smelled three months ago. And they ain't actors. I think if they felt they needed to ram something down our throats, you would have picked up on that immediately. The two big moments for me came very early, when each member of the negotiating committee spoke briefly. Terry George said, 'We have defeated a tradition of rollbacks that began with the air traffic controllers.' That crystallized what we were up against and how far we had come and changing the dialogue. A couple minutes later, soap writer Melissa Salmons said, 'For years, I have lived in fear of that DVD formula, that it would be with me for my life. Now we have a deal that have movement in it.' (Later on, she told a daytime writer that the staff of Days of Our Lives, who had all been fired last week, were getting their jobs back. And that a striking writer, if fired, had to be replaced by a striking writer. Not a scab, and not a fi-core member. Big ovation.) I'll stop short of calling it a love fest, but not all that short. Legit questions were raised and respectfully answered. Again, no defensiveness. There was an informal applause poll, and the room was overwhelmingly in favor of ending the strike before a membership ratification vote."
SATURDAY 4:00 PM: The WGA East's "informational" meeting for membership lasted about 3 hours. Here's more about the NYC confab from a WGA attendee: "The East meeting was insanely civil. Not one chair thrown. I was at the meeting in the same ballroom the second week of the strike, when the same people were sitting up there and were characteristically defensive about why we had gone out and if they knew what they were doing. Today, those same people were not only confident, they were not in the least defensive about the deal -- they were realistic, 180 degrees from the chaos and disarray I smelled three months ago. And they ain't actors. I think if they felt they needed to ram something down our throats, you would have picked up on that immediately. The two big moments for me came very early, when each member of the negotiating committee spoke briefly. Terry George said, 'We have defeated a tradition of rollbacks that began with the air traffic controllers.' That crystallized what we were up against and how far we had come and changing the dialogue. A couple minutes later, soap writer Melissa Salmons said, 'For years, I have lived in fear of that DVD formula, that it would be with me for my life. Now we have a deal that have movement in it.' (Later on, she told a daytime writer that the staff of Days of Our Lives, who had all been fired last week, were getting their jobs back. And that a striking writer, if fired, had to be replaced by a striking writer. Not a scab, and not a fi-core member. Big ovation.) I'll stop short of calling it a love fest, but not all that short. Legit questions were raised and respectfully answered. Again, no defensiveness. There was an informal applause poll, and the room was overwhelmingly in favor of ending the strike before a membership ratification vote."
Writers, Producers Reach Tentative Deal
The WGA has finalized its tentative agreement with the majors and will present details of the pact to members today in meetings in Los Angeles and New York.Those meetings — set for the Crowne Plaza in Gotham and the Shrine in Los Angeles — are expected to serve as a barometer for WGA leaders to determine whether the deal’s acceptable to the 10,500 striking writers.
The WGA West board of directors and the WGA East Council will meet Sunday to formally endorse the contract. And writers could be back at work as early Monday, depending on whether the WGA’s ruling bodies decide whether to end the three-month strike at those Sunday meetings.
More from Variety
News Brief
Variety: Veteran stage and screen actress Augusta Dabney died February 4th in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. She was 89. Best known for her work in daytime soap operas, she played Isabelle Alden on LOVING for 12 years. She also appeared in GENERAL HOSPITAL, ANOTHER WORLD, AS THE WORLD TURNS, GUIDING LIGHT, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING and THE DOCTORS. She met her second husband, actor William Prince, on YOUNG DOCTOR MALONE and he then starred opposite Dabney on four soaps.
Deadline Hollywood: Tick-Tock Update: No WGA Deal Draft Yet.
AfterElton: Exclusive new Nuke spoiler pic from AS THE WORLD TURNS.
Defamer: BEST WEEK EVER is encouraging fans of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS to show their support for the series by making use of the USPS. However, unlike sending packages filled with peanuts and Tabasco, BWE is not encouraging fans to appease the hungry suits in Burbank by sending them foodstuffs. Rather, they would like fans to mail in light bulbs with the words "Lights On" written on them.
Miami Herald: Does Hollywood ignore abortion issue?
Mail & Guardian Online: Soap star Ashley Callie, known for her role as Lee Haynes in ISIDINGO, will undergo surgery at Johannesburg General Hospital following an accident in Linden, it was reported on Saturday. "The accident took place at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Tana Road at about 10.30pm last night [Friday]," said Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
Scotsman: The BBC was accused of "abandoning" children over 12 yesterday by failing to produce engaging programmes for teenagers. The veteran producer Phil Redmond, creator of GRANGE HILL and producer of BROOKSIDE and HOLLYOAKS, spoke out angrily after the school series was axed by the corporation 30 years after it first aired. "The announcement comes as no shock following BBC Children's decision early last year to abandon viewers over 12 and concentrate its focus on nine-year-olds."
Deadline Hollywood: Tick-Tock Update: No WGA Deal Draft Yet.
AfterElton: Exclusive new Nuke spoiler pic from AS THE WORLD TURNS.
Defamer: BEST WEEK EVER is encouraging fans of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS to show their support for the series by making use of the USPS. However, unlike sending packages filled with peanuts and Tabasco, BWE is not encouraging fans to appease the hungry suits in Burbank by sending them foodstuffs. Rather, they would like fans to mail in light bulbs with the words "Lights On" written on them.Miami Herald: Does Hollywood ignore abortion issue?
Mail & Guardian Online: Soap star Ashley Callie, known for her role as Lee Haynes in ISIDINGO, will undergo surgery at Johannesburg General Hospital following an accident in Linden, it was reported on Saturday. "The accident took place at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Tana Road at about 10.30pm last night [Friday]," said Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
Scotsman: The BBC was accused of "abandoning" children over 12 yesterday by failing to produce engaging programmes for teenagers. The veteran producer Phil Redmond, creator of GRANGE HILL and producer of BROOKSIDE and HOLLYOAKS, spoke out angrily after the school series was axed by the corporation 30 years after it first aired. "The announcement comes as no shock following BBC Children's decision early last year to abandon viewers over 12 and concentrate its focus on nine-year-olds."
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