September 27, 2023
Here's the Scoop...
After a 146-day strike, Hollywood writers will return to work Wednesday, their union said late Tuesday following a leadership vote to end the work stoppage and approve an agreement on a new deal that was reached with major studios over the weekend.
In a statement on its website, the Writers Guild of America said three of its committees voted unanimously to recommend the package that will now be sent to its members for a ratification vote to be held from Monday through Oct. 9.
The committees also voted to end the strike as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
"This allows writers to return to work during the ratification process, but does not affect the membership's right to make a final determination on contract approval," the union said.
The WGA, which has some 11,000 members, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached a tentative deal Sunday, raising expectations that the second-longest writers strike in history would come to an end.
For the first time, the union on Tuesday released details of the deal, which it had called "exceptional" the night it was agreed to. The three-year deal includes pay bumps and increased residuals from streaming on services such as Netflix and Disney+, which was a driving issue behind the strike.
The deal will see foreign streaming residuals now based on foreign subscribers, amounting to a 76% increase, meaning Netflix's three-year foreign residual will increase from the current $18,684 for a one-hour episode to $32,830.
It also includes bonuses for streamed series and movies based on viewership.
Another prominent concern for striking writers was the burgeoning industry and use of artificial intelligence in the creation of media.
The deal stipulates that AI-generated material is not considered literary source material or assigned material and that studios cannot require writers to use AI software, but writers may use it if they choose to and their studio consents.
The studio must also disclose to writers if any material they've been given has been generated by AI or incorporates material written by such software.
The deal comes in at an estimated rough value of $233 million a year. That is down from the $429 million in the writers' proposal but significantly higher than the $86 million offer made by the AMPTP trade alliance of major film and television producers.
The writers went on strike in early May after negotiations with studios and streaming services fell through, bringing a halt to television productions.
In mid-July, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined the movement, shutting down any remaining active studio productions.
SAG-AFTRA is still on strike to secure its own deal with studios where wages, streaming residuals and AI remain sticking points.
Be Well,
Steve
Comments? Questions? Nooz? mailto:steve@gopher-news.com
The latest Hollywood gossip is just a click away... https://www.celebritynooz.com/
Follow Us, Like Us, and Share Us with Friends on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/celebritynooz/
'Tonight Show,' 'Late Night' to return Oct. 2 after strike
Late-night talk shows The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers have announced their return in the wake of the Writers Guild of America strike.
The Tonight Show will return with new episodes beginning Oct. 2 at 11:35 p.m. EDT on NBC, while Late Night with Seth Meyers will air at 12:35 a.m.
"Huge thanks to all Late Night fans for your support over the last five months," the Late Night official Twitter account said.
The Tonight Show, Late Night and countless other shows have been off the air since the writers strike began in May. The WGA strike officially ended Wednesday at midnight after the WGA and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) reached a deal.
The Tonight Show is executive produced by Lorne Michaels and produced by Chris Miller and Gerard Bradford. Miller also serves as showrunner.
Michaels also executive produces Late Night, with Mike Shoemaker as producer.
During the strike, Fallon and Meyers co-hosted the Strike Force Five podcast with The Late Show host Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel and Last Week Tonight host John Oliver.
Bruce Springsteen postpones remaining 2023 tour dates
Bruce Springsteen is postponing his remaining tour dates in 2023.
The singer's team announced Wednesday that Springsteen, 74, will reschedule the rest of his 2023 shows with the E Street Band as he continues to recover from peptic ulcer disease.
"Bruce Springsteen has continued to recover steadily from peptic ulcer disease over the past few weeks and will continue treatment through the rest of the year on doctor's advice. With this in mind, an out of an abundance of caution, all remaining 2023 tour dates for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will be postponed until 2024," a notice reads.
Springsteen canceled two concerts in Philadelphia in August after "having been taken ill" and postponed his remaining September shows earlier this month due to "symptoms of peptic ulcer disease."
Rescheduled dates for the 2023 shows will be announced next week. Tickets for postponed performances will remain valid for the new dates, while those no longer able to attend will have 30 days to request a refund.
"Thanks to all my friends and fans for your good wishes, encouragement, and support. I'm on the mend and can't wait to see you all next year," Springsteen said in a statement.
Springsteen kicked off the first leg of the tour Feb. 1 in Tampa, Fla., and added a new North American leg to the tour later that month. The singer also performed shows in Europe.
The tour is the first live concert tour for Springsteen and the E Street Band since their River tour in 2017.
Taylor Swift says 'Eras' tour concert film will get worldwide release
Taylor Swift says her Eras tour concert film will have a worldwide release.
The 33-year-old singer announced Tuesday that Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour, a new film documenting her Eras tour, will screen in theaters worldwide, in addition to its North American release.
"The tour isn't the only thing we're taking worldwide........ Been so excited to tell you all that The Eras Tour concert film is now officially coming to theaters WORLDWIDE on Oct 13!" Swift said on social media.
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour will open in theaters Oct. 13 in more than 100 countries, including Argentina, Austria, Colombia, Italy, Peru, Poland, Thailand, Ukraine and Zambia.
AMC, which will handle the film's release in the United States, is working with its partners on agreements with movie theater operators representing more than 7,500 theaters worldwide.
Swift previously announced that Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour will open Oct. 13 in more than 4,000 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"The Eras Tour has been the most meaningful, electric experience of my life so far and I'm overjoyed to tell you that it'll be coming to the big screen soon," she said in August. "Eras attire, friendship bracelets, singing and dancing encouraged."
Swift kicked off her Eras tour in March and will next perform Nov. 9 in Buenos Aires.
The singer was spotted at the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears football game Sunday amid rumors she is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Journey to extend 50th anniversary tour into 2024
Journey is extending its 50th anniversary tour into 2024.
The rock band announced new dates for its Freedom tour with Toto in a press release Monday.
The new dates begin Feb. 8, 2024, in Biloxi, Miss., and conclude April 29 in Bridgeport, Conn.
Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. local time, with pre-sales for Citi card members to begin Tuesday at 10 a.m.
"We are looking forward to hitting the road again with our very good friends Toto! Come join us for a special evening full of fun and rockin' good memories. See you soon, friends," lead guitarist Neal Schon said.
"We are thrilled to have been asked to join our dear friends Journey on the road again. We had such a blast the last couple of tours across North America together. Great success and so much fun. It is truly one big happy family, and it is a great night of music. Can't wait to see you all out there soon in 2024!" Toto's Steve Lukather added.
Journey originally kicked off the Freedom tour in February of this year. The tour sees the group performs its hits, including "Don't Stop Believin," "Any Way You Want It," "Faithfully," "Lights" and more.
Katy Perry to voice leopard in 'Peppa Pig' special
Katy Perry is joining the Peppa Pig universe.
The 38-year-old singer and television personality will voice the character Ms. Leopard in a new special scheduled for release in 2024.
The Peppa Pig official Twitter account shared the news Wednesday alongside a first look at Perry's character.
Deadline said Ms. Leopard will appear in an episode of the three-part Peppa Pig Wedding Party Special, which premieres in spring 2024.
Ms. Leopard is a dress maker who helps with preparations for the wedding between Mr. Bull and Mrs. Cow.
"We're incredibly thrilled to have such an A-list talent join the family-fun adventures in Peppa Pig. As a loving parent and fan of Peppa herself, Katy Perry is a perfect fit to voice the character of Ms. Leopard," Hasbro Entertainment president Olivier Dumont said in a statement.
Peppa Pig is an animated children's series that hails from Hasbro Entertainment. The show is created by Neville Astley and Mark Baker and follows the piglet Peppa and her family.
Peppa Pig originally premiered in May 2004 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. The series airs on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ in the United States.
"Reaching this brand milestone of two decades and being able to work with outstanding talent like Katy is a testament to the worldwide success of Peppa Pig and her ability to deliver entertainment no fans will want to miss," Dumont said. "This is just one of the many exciting projects we have in the pipeline for fans and families to commemorate Peppa Pig's 20th anniversary in 2024, such as live events and attractions, products and partnerships, Peppa parties all over the world and much more. Everyone's invited to our year-long celebration."
Perry previously voiced characters in The Simpsons and The Smurfs movie.
'NCIS,' 'Man from UNCLE' actor David McCallum dead at 90
David McCallum, who played Chief Medical Examiner Donald "Ducky" Mallard on NCIS for two decades, has died at the age of 90.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years. David was a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world. He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the countless hours on film and television that will never go away," the NCISverse X account said Monday.
"We will miss his warmth and endearing sense of humor that lit up any room or soundstage he stepped onto, as well as the brilliant stories he often shared from a life well-lived. Our hearts go out to his wife Katherine and his entire family, and all those who knew and loved David."
The Man from UNCLE alum was surrounded by family when he passed Monday from natural causes at New York Presbyterian Hospital, according to Deadline.
The New York Times said the Scottish-born actor was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before he became a film and TV actor, most notably in Wuthering Heights, Billy Budd, The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Great Escape, Sapphire & Steel, Ben 10, The Education of Max Bickford, Trainer, Kidnapped, The Invisible Man and Colditz.