Connect with us

Celebrity

Late-Night TV Shows Go Dark As Writers Strike For Better Pay

Published

on

writers

NEW YORK — The first Hollywood strike in 15 years began Tuesday when the economic demands of the streaming era spurred unionized TV and film writers to picket outside major studios for better compensation, a work slowdown that has already forced most late-night shows to air reruns.

Members of the Writers Guild of America chanted outside the Manhattan headquarters where NBCUniversal was promoting their Peacock streaming service to advertisers, “No contracts, no content!”

After failing to agree on a new deal with the trade group representing Hollywood studios and production businesses, the union’s 11,500 film and television writers put down their pens and laptops.

The union is demanding greater minimum wages, more writers per program, and shorter exclusive contracts, among other things, all of which it claims have been eroded by the content explosion fueled by streaming.

“There’s too much work and not enough pay,” said demonstrator Sean Crespo, 46, a writer who worked on the former TBS show “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee.”

Depending on how long the strike lasts, the labor conflict could have a cascading effect on TV and film productions, and it comes at a time when streaming services are under increasing pressure from Wall Street to generate profitability.

Late-night television was the first to suffer the effects, just like during the 100-day writers’ strike 2007.

All the top late-night shows, staffed by writers who write monologues and jokes for their hosts, went dark immediately. Reruns were planned for NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” Comedy Central’s “Daily Show,” ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live,” CBS’s “The Late Show,” and NBC’s “Late Night” throughout the week.

NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” which was set to air a fresh episode on Saturday, will likewise go black and instead air reruns.

writers

“This nation owes so much to unions,” Colbert stated. “Unions are why we have weekends; by extension, we have TGI Fridays.”

“Everyone, including myself, hopes both sides can agree.” “However, I believe the writers’ demands are reasonable,” presenter Stephen Colbert stated on Monday’s “Late Show.”

“This nation owes so much to unions,” Colbert stated. “Unions are why we have weekends; by extension, we have TGI Fridays.”

Tony Kushner (“The Fabelmans”) and Danny Strong (“Dopesick”) were among those protesting in New York on Tuesday.

The strike’s influence on scripted shows and films will become apparent. Fall TV schedules could be thrown off if the strike lasts all summer. Meanwhile, those with completed scripts are permitted to continue filming.

Late-night hosts eventually returned to the air during the 2007 strike and improvised through broadcasts. When “Tonight” show host Jay Leno began writing his monologues, he enraged WGA leadership.

One late-night show will remain on the air. The network announced Tuesday that Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” with Greg Gutfeld will continue to run new episodes.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing studios and production groups, said it proposed “generous increases in compensation for writers as well as improvements in streaming residuals.”

The trade group stated that it was willing to increase its offer “but was unwilling to do so because of the magnitude of other proposals still on the table that the guild continues to insist upon.”

For months, many people have predicted a government shutdown. Last month, the writers unanimously voted to authorize a strike, with 98% of the membership in favor. Writers claim that income needs to keep up with inflation, that TV writer rooms have shrunk too much, and that the existing formula for calculating residuals must be redesigned.

Streaming has increased the number of series and films produced yearly, providing more opportunities for writers. However, writers claim they earn less than they used to while working under more stressful conditions. According to the WGA, “the companies’ behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce.”

writers

Writers claim that income needs to keep up with inflation, that TV writer rooms have shrunk too much.

The union wants writers to be paid more in advance. This is because the advent of streaming has phased out many of the back-end fees that writers have historically profited from, such as syndication and international licensing.

According to the studios ‘ trade association, the main sticking points in reaching an agreement are so-called mini-rooms (the guild is seeking a minimum number of scribes per writer room) and the length of work contracts.

According to the writers’ organization, more flexibility is required for writers when they are contracted for series that are often shorter in duration than the once-standard 20-plus episode broadcast season. They also request stricter regulation over artificial intelligence, which authors believe might provide producers a faster way to complete a WGA writer’s work.

“Understand that our fight is the same fight that will be coming to your professional sector next: it’s the devaluing of human effort, skill, and talent in favor of automation and profits,” writer-director Justine Bateman stated.

Many studios and production companies are cutting back on their spending. The Walt Disney Company is laying off 7,000 people. Warner Bros. Discovery is lowering costs to reduce its debt. Netflix has put a damper on spending growth.

With a strike widely anticipated, writers have scrambled to get screenplays in, and studios have worked to prepare their pipelines to keep churning out content for the foreseeable future. However, the impact on local economies can be significant. Los Angeles lost $2.1 billion in economic production during the previous strike.

“From a business standpoint, we’re assuming the worst,” Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said last month. “We’ve prepared ourselves. There has been a lot of content produced.”

Overseas series could also help fill the void. “We have a large base of upcoming shows and films from around the world,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said during the earnings call in April.

The WGA strike could be just the beginning. Both the Directors Guild of America and the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, have contracts that expire in June. Those bargaining sessions will discuss some of the same issues concerning the streaming business model.

On Tuesday, the actors’ union invited its members to join the writers’ picket lines in solidarity. ___

Aron Ranen and David Bauder contributed to this report.

writers

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

Celebrity

Ambulance Called for Britney Spears at LA Chateau Marmont

Published

on

Ambulance Called for Britney Spears

Britney Spears and her on-again, off-again boyfriend reportedly got into a “major fight” at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles early Thursday morning, prompting the dispatch of an ambulance.

The singer is claimed to be healthy and was not brought to the hospital, but the incident has raised concerns about her health.

Multiple media agencies published photos of Spears on Thursday, showing her barefoot and clutching a pillow next to Paul Richard Soliz, with whom she has been linked since late summer, while emergency responders appear to transport her possessions on a stretcher.

It’s unclear what transpired in the hours preceding the Los Angeles Fire Department call. Spears addressed “fake” news in a social media post shortly after the photos were released, claiming she “twisted” her ankle.

An LAFD representative confirmed that an ambulance was dispatched to an address that corresponds to the renowned Los Angeles hotel.

“The LAFD received a 911 call at around 12:42 a.m. this morning [Thursday] requesting aid for an injured adult female at [Chateau Marmont], but the caller did not offer any specifics regarding the injury,” Brian Humphrey said in a statement to Yahoo News.

“One LAFD paramedic ambulance responded to the scene. At this point, it is unclear whether the paramedics encountered the injured person or provided any medical aid. The paramedic ambulance left the scene at 1:17 a.m. without taking anyone to the hospital.”

Ambulance Called for Britney Spears

Ambulance Called for Britney Spears: Yahoo Image

Reps for Britney Spears did not respond to Yahoo News request for comment.

An eyewitness told Entertainment Tonight, “Britney went out with Paul Richard Soliz and others. Someone handed her a blanket to throw over, and a cushion covered her front.

She moved a few feet, turned around, and returned without getting into the stretcher they had brought out.” According to the site, a member of Spears’ entourage spoke with paramedics.

Police responded earlier this evening to a probable assault with a deadly weapon.

The Los Angeles Police Department said that officers arrived at Chateau Marmont “around 10:30 [p.m. on Wednesday] for a possible ADW suspect.”

“It was secondhand information from the caller stating the suspect was threatening people at the location,” according to a press release. “When officers arrived, all parties had left, including the caller. Officers were unable to identify whether a crime had happened.

Brittney Spears is home safely.

As previously stated, the superstar did not travel by ambulance. CNN quotes a source close to the singer as saying she is “home and safe” after a “major fight” with Soliz.

Who is aul Richard Soliz?

Spears has been seeing her former housekeeper since the breakdown of her marriage to Sam Asghari in August 2023. According to reports from September, Spears and Soliz broke their relationship weeks after it began, due in part to his criminal history. They eventually reconciled, though.

“She’s a phenomenal woman,” he told US Weekly in September. “She’s a very good, positive person… “She is a good person.”

Spears claimed on social media that she “twisted my ankle last night” and called out paramedics who “showed up at my door illegally.”

“Just to let people know… the news is fake!!!” the caption said. “I would like respect at this time so that people understand I am growing stronger every day!!! Truth stinks, so can someone teach me how to lie?

Goddesses out there, I’m reaching my higher power, and I hope you are too!!! … I also twisted my ankle last night, and paramedics arrived at my door illegally. They never came into my room, but I felt completely harassed.

Continue Reading

Celebrity

Trump Awarded 36 Million More Trump Media Shares Worth $1.8 Billion After Hitting Price Benchmarks

Published

on

trump
AP - VOR News Image

Washington — Former President Donald Trump has purchased an extra $1.8 billion in shares of Trump Media, according to a regulatory filing this week.

Trump was granted an additional 36 million shares in the firm that controls his social media network, Truth Social, in exchange for the company’s stock meeting specific price targets. Based on Wednesday morning’s market price, this takes his overall holding to more than 114 million shares, valued at $5.7 billion.

trump

CNN – VOR News Image

Trump Awarded 36 Million More Trump Media Shares Worth $1.8 Billion After Hitting Price Benchmarks

Trump, the probable Republican presidential nominee, now owns almost two-thirds of the company’s outstanding shares.

Trump Media & Technology Group shares have risen sharply recently, closing Tuesday at $49.93. To get the new shares, Trump merely needs the stock to trade over $17.50 for 20 consecutive trading days.

Trump Media joined the Nasdaq after merging with Digital World Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). These mergers provide emerging companies with a faster and easier path to publicly listing their shares.

trump

AP – VOR News Image

Trump Awarded 36 Million More Trump Media Shares Worth $1.8 Billion After Hitting Price Benchmarks

On March 26, the first day of trading following Trump Media’s merger with Digital World Acquisition, shares of the newly combined business reached nearly $80 apiece in intraday trading before closing at $57.99.

Less than a week after its glitzy stock market debut, Trump Media revealed that it lost roughly $58.2 million last year, sending its stock down more than 21%. The $50.5 million profit the company reported in 2022 was significantly lower than the 2023 losses, according to a regulatory filing.

trump

Mashable – VOR News Image

Trump Awarded 36 Million More Trump Media Shares Worth $1.8 Billion After Hitting Price Benchmarks

The company’s shares fell to roughly $22 in the following weeks before recovering in mid-April.Truth Social was created in February 2022, one year after Trump was barred from major social media platforms such as Facebook and X, previously Twitter, following the January 6 revolt at the US Capitol. He has been reinstated to both but has remained with Truth Social.

Trump Media’s stock sank 8.6% to $45.64 in morning trading on Wednesday.

SOURCE – (AP)

Continue Reading

Celebrity

Paul Auster, Prolific And Experimental Man Of Letters And Filmmaker, Dies At 77

Published

on

auster
AP News - VOR News Image

NEW YORK —Paul Auster, a prolific, award-winning writer and director known for creative tales and meta-narratives such as “The New York Trilogy” and “4 3 2 1,” died at the age of 77.

The Carol Mann Agency, Auster’s literary representatives, announced his death on Wednesday but did not immediately disclose any other information. Auster was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

Auster wrote over 30 books, which have been translated into dozens of languages, beginning in the 1970s. He was a longtime fixture in the Brooklyn literary scene but has yet to achieve major commercial success in the United States. However, he was widely admired overseas for his cosmopolitan worldview and erudite and reflective style, and the French government named him a chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters in 1991. He was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize and elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

auster

AP – VOR News Image

Paul Auster, Prolific And Experimental Man Of Letters And Filmmaker, Dies At 77

Auster, dubbed the “dean of American post-modernists” and “the most meta of American meta-fictional writers,” combined history, politics, genre experiments, existential quests, and self-conscious references to writers and writing. “The New York Trilogy,” which featured “City of Glass,” “Ghosts,” and “The Locked Room,” was a postmodern detective story in which names and identities blurred, and one protagonist was a private investigator named Paul Auster. The brief “Travels in the Scriptorium” tells a story within a story as a political prisoner is forced to read a sequence of narratives by other victims, which will eventually include his own.

The author’s longest and most ambitious work of fiction, “4 3 2 1,” was published in 2017 and was a Booker Prize nominee. The 800-page novel is a story of quadraphonic realism in the post-World War II era, following Archibald Isaac Ferguson’s simultaneous adventures from summer camp and high school baseball to student life in New York and Paris during the major uprisings of the late 1960s.

“Identical but different, meaning four boys with the same name parents, the same bodies, and the same genetic material, but each one living in a different house in a different town with his own set of circumstances,” the author writes. “Each one on his own separate path, and yet all of them still the same person, three imaginary versions of himself, and then himself thrown in as Number Four for good measure; the author of the book.”

His other works included the nonfiction compilations “Groundwork” and “Talking to Strangers”; a family memoir, “The Invention of Solitude”; a biography of novelist Stephen Crane; the novels “Leviathan” and “Talking to Strangers”; and the poetry collection “White Space.” In his most recent novel, “Baumgardner,” the titular character is a widowed professor troubled by mortality and wondering “where his mind will be taking him next.”

Auster was such an old-fashioned novelist that he used a typewriter and disliked email and other Internet communication. However, he had an extraordinarily active film career compared to his writing peers.

In the mid-1990s, Auster worked with filmmaker Wayne Wang on the celebrated art-house film “Smoke,” which was an adaptation of Auster’s funny narrative about a Brooklyn tobacco shop and a customer named Paul. The film stars Harvey Keitel, Stockard Channing, and William Hurt, among others, and earned Auster an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.

auster

AP – VOR News Image

Paul Auster, Prolific And Experimental Man Of Letters And Filmmaker, Dies At 77

Wang and Auster immediately followed up on “Smoke” with “Blue in the Face,” an improvised story set in a Brooklyn cigar shop that starred Keitel and featured appearances by everyone from Lou Reed to Lily Tomlin.

Auster eventually created the films himself. Keitel appeared in Auster’s 1998 love story “Lulu on the Bridge,” which he directed and co-wrote with Vanessa Redgrave. Nine years later, Auster wrote and directed the drama “The Inner Life of Martin Frost,” which starred David Thewlis as an author and Irène Jacob as a lady who has an unusual connection to the story he is writing.

“The four times I’ve worked on movies, I’ve never had a problem talking to actors,” Auster told filmmaker Wim Wenders in a 2017 interview published in Interview magazine. “I was always in excellent harmony with them. After those events, I recognized a connection between creating fiction and acting. The writer does it with words on a page, whereas the actor does so with his body. The effort remains the same.

Auster married fellow author Siri Hustvedt in 1982, and they had a daughter, Sophie, who appears in “The Inner Life of Martin Frost.” He also had a son, Daniel, from his first marriage to the author-translator Lydia Davis. Daniel Auster would suffer from drug addiction and die of an overdose in 2022, shortly after being charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of his young daughter, Ruby.

Paul Auster never publicly discussed his son’s death, but he had written extensively on parenthood. In “The Invention of Solitude,” published in 1982, he reflected on the “thousands of hours” he’d spent with Daniel in the first three years of his life and wondered if they were worthwhile. “It will be lost forever,” Auster wrote. “All these things will vanish for the boy’s memory forever.”

auster

AP – VOR News Image

Paul Auster, Prolific And Experimental Man Of Letters And Filmmaker, Dies At 77

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Paul Benjamin Auster grew up in a middle-class Jewish family caught between his father’s thriftiness and miserliness and his mother’s desire to spend to the point of irresponsibility. He would soon feel like an outcast in his family, turned off by their materialism and inspired by James Joyce’s “Ulysses” or Edgar Allan Poe’s stories rather than the stability of a typical employment.

His ideals would be thoroughly tested. After graduating from Columbia University, Auster toiled for years before finding a publisher and making money from his works. He wrote poetry, translated French literature, worked on an oil tanker, tried to sell a baseball board game, and even considered making money by raising worms in his cellar.

“All along, my only ambition had been to write,” Auster wrote in her brief memoir “Hand to Mouth,” released in 1995. “I knew it as early as 16 or 17 years old, and I never misled myself into believing I could make a life from it. Becoming a writer is not a ‘career decision’ like becoming a doctor or a police officer. You don’t select it; you’re picked, and once you realize that you’re not cut out for anything else, you must be prepared to walk a long, hard road for the rest of your life.”

SOURCE – (AP)

Continue Reading

Volunteering at Soi Dog

Download Our App

vornews app

Trending