What are you watching this summer?

[Pburgh]

I agree with this portion of his statement, "Don't force everyone else to quit working because you feel you're underpaid. I rarely have sympathy for strikers. Unions are a big part of why US manufacturing is headed overseas."

Being in the steel industry, I certainly agree that Unions must take credit for a significant portion of the closures of US companies and also the overseas outsourcing.

Do you really think that if they get "their slice of the pie" that prices will not be affected in any way?

[GalvestonDuck]

I think they are talking about the value of online video. . .

You are also assuming the online video is just being made by the "Hollywood" establishment. We are also talking about "independent" (independent as made in Hicksville and Fly_over_country, USA) production companies or individuals. They don't belong to any unions or "Hollywood/New York" establishment. They are entrepreneurs. They often write, direct and finance their 5 - 30 minutes videos themselves. The video runs the gamet of fiction to nonfiction to how to do something to just making jacka$$es out of themselves for the world to see. Go to the Video podcast section of iTunes sometime. . look around at the video being produced that is not churned out by the bigwigs in Hollywood and New York. Check for example, The Onion News Network or Stranger Things . ..

Well, no, I'm not assuming that online video is only a Hollywood production. I know about some of the content on YouTube and other sites. But I am saying that the WGA writers are asking for their fair share of THEIR OWN productions that are posted online.

I agree with this portion of his statement, "Don't force everyone else to quit working because you feel you're underpaid. I rarely have sympathy for strikers. Unions are a big part of why US manufacturing is headed overseas."

Being in the steel industry, I certainly agree that Unions must take credit for a significant portion of the closures of US companies and also the overseas outsourcing.

Do you really think that if they get "their slice of the pie" that prices will not be affected in any way?

I don't believe they should, unless the studios are that greedy. How much does it cost them to post something online? Mere pennies? And yet, they are asking viewers to pay them to view content? But the actors, writers, and crew don't get residuals for those, like they do televised broadcasts. Why should the studios continue to make money of the work of others, when easier, cheaper ways of distributing those goods are being created?

[Pburgh]

" Residuals are what help fund health care benefits and pension."

We are all having to contribute more for our health care and pension. It's a fact of life.

Holding hostages until you get what you want has never been the answer and never will be.

[lurkey]

" Residuals are what help fund health care benefits and pension."

We are all having to contribute more for our health care and pension. It's a fact of life.

Holding hostages until you get what you want has never been the answer and never will be.

Aren't health care benefits and pensions a separate issue from residuals? It was my understanding that residuals have nothing to do with health care and pensions benefits in the WGA/AMPTP agreements. The WGA does negotiate for health care and pension benefits, but the residuals are not used to pay for said health care and pension benefits. Now if someone wants to use their residuals to pay for health care or put away money in 401Ks, then that's their prerogative.

I also like to point out I didn't pay anything to rewatch last Sunday's Desperate Housewives yesterday on ABC online site.

Maybe the actors, writers, below-the-line people and directors oughta band together and totally buck the studio system. Take that creative talent and become enterprenuers. Take their product directly to the fans/consumers, like musicians such as Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails. Develop a business model where they can cut the big name studios out of the distribution chain and be fairly compensated. It's got to be better than complaining about what bunch of meanies the studios are being. You did say that distribution was becoming easier, so why can't the "talent" say screw it and create the content and distributed it themselves under their own terms.

[Cyclenall]

The new and last My Name is Earl was one of the funniest episodes I HAVE EVER SEEN! I was laughing my arse off the whole time. Usually they aren't that funny but this one did it. Now I know why they saved this one til last. It must have been in the top 2 funniest ever.

I wish I could have recorded that one. The ending to that one was perfect too. I loved the horrible effects for Billie getting hit by that car, that made it even more funny! There is also the revelation of a new lover in Earl's life. Darn this strike!!

I forgot about the 2nd last episode being so horrible, because the storyline really sucked for that one. It was when Earl got released from prison. What a comeback episode this was.

[lurkey]

Hollywood rumour mill working overtime -- No Golden Globes Newscast???

[Brent]

Hollywood rumour mill working overtime -- No Golden Globes Newscast???

It was a terrible idea anyway.

[brunota2003]

First I was watching football, then it's gonna be LOST...otherwise, nothing other than a few cartoons and news.

[Miss Mary]

Cyclenall - that was the funniest Earl I've seen in a long, long time. The last 15 minutes - one laugh after another! The trailer scene - LOL. Darnell's comment, finished with a "whatnot." Hilarious! The street scene - LOL!

It just makes you miss regular weekly shows like this all the more - I wish they'd settle this strike - like yesterday......

[lurkey]

Dick Clark Productions/Hollywood Foreign Press Assoc vs. NBC -- HFPA has pulled NBC exclusivity and the "news conference" announcing the winners can be broadcast by any network. And the WGA has said they do not intend to picket the "news conference". They will not object to any SAG members announcing the winners.

DGA and AMPTP begin talks tomorrow. This is said to be a significant development on both sides. According to DHD, they are within "shouting distance" of an agreement.

ABC Studios terminates nearly 30 overall deals. - Most of the production deals terminated were with writers. Warner Bros. is expected to be next with the force majeures.

Weinstein Co. signs interim pact with WGA

[Cyclenall]

Cyclenall - that was the funniest Earl I've seen in a long, long time. The last 15 minutes - one laugh after another! The trailer scene - LOL. Darnell's comment, finished with a "whatnot." Hilarious! The street scene - LOL!

It just makes you miss regular weekly shows like this all the more - I wish they'd settle this strike - like yesterday......

Yeah, it was all funny. I think the other funniest was the 1st "Cops" episode they produced.

[Cyclenall]

Did anyone else see the two guests on Jay Leno tonight called the "Twister Sisters"? That was weird, I've never heard of them and they claim they both met on a severe storm chat line and no one else was on and it went from there. Some of the footage they showed from their chase was quite cool and I've never seen it before. It was one of the closest I've ever seen and it was like 25 feet away and appeared to be an EF0-EF1. It was like a insane dust devil and went back and forth very rapidly. I believe there could be something to learn about the beginning stages of tornadoes using that film as it wasn't typical. I'll have to find it on the site if they have it.The second film was from another storm chaser that I've before but really incredible.

Jay Leno was asking the stupidest questions and I could have answered them in my sleep. Some misinformation was said but nothing major. At least they promoted the NOAA weather radios which is great. Never seen guests like this on a late night show before, he's just picking anyone now!

Link: http://www.twistersisters.com

[lurkey]

ABC Studios terminates nearly 30 overall deals. - Most of the production deals terminated were with writers. Warner Bros. is expected to be next with the force majeures.

One of the deals given a force majeure was a production deal with Taye Diggs. Apparently, the deal was included in the package that brought him onboard “Private Practice.”

[RL3AO]

Did anyone else see the two guests on Jay Leno tonight called the "Twister Sisters"? That was weird, I've never heard of them and they claim they both met on a severe storm chat line and no one else was on and it went from there. Some of the footage they showed from their chase was quite cool and I've never seen it before. It was one of the closest I've ever seen and it was like 25 feet away and appeared to be an EF0-EF1. It was like a insane dust devil and went back and forth very rapidly. I believe there could be something to learn about the beginning stages of tornadoes using that film as it wasn't typical. I'll have to find it on the site if they have it.The second film was from another storm chaser that I've before but really incredible.

Jay Leno was asking the stupidest questions and I could have answered them in my sleep. Some misinformation was said but nothing major. At least they promoted the NOAA weather radios which is great. Never seen guests like this on a late night show before, he's just picking anyone now!

Link: http://www.twistersisters.com

Yeah. They are from Minnesota. They help the media here with in-the-field updates during svr wx outbreaks here.

[Miss Mary]

Attn. Kyle XY fans - current Season 2 resumes, Monday, January 14th @ 8 p.m. (re-airing of this episode follows @ 9 p.m.) on ABC Family.

[lurkey]

DGA/AMPTP talks continue today . .

Announcement of the Golden Globe Award winners is at 9:00 pm on NBC and maybe on E!.

Amazing Race 12 at 9:00 pm And the last new Family Guy is tonight

[Brent]

DGA/AMPTP talks continue today . .

Announcement of the Golden Globe Award winners is at 9:00 pm on NBC and maybe on E!.

Amazing Race 12 at 9:00 pm And the last new Family Guy is tonight

and Brothers and Sisters is all-new at 10! Two more episodes after tonight(which will air in February).

[lurkey]

The Golden Globes: The nominations and eventually, the winners


ETA: I like this format. Can we do this next year??

ok, most of these winners . . . I have no clue who they are . . .

[Brent]

The Golden Globes: The nominations and eventually, the winners


ETA: I like this format. Can we do this next year??

ok, most of these winners . . . I have no clue who they are . . .

This is SO much better than the usual overhyped, boring, and long drawn out event. Please keep it up.

and yes, I've never heard of most of these people either. Thank God the TV show awards are coming.

[RL3AO]

I'm watching the Australian Open as much as I can considering the time difference.