Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Hollywood is a “uniquely American” construct that is deeply intertwined with the concept of the United States as a land of rags-to-riches opportunity. That’s the view shared by David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chair of investment giant Carlyle Group, after his visit to the Hollywood hills for an episode of his new PBS series “Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories.” “The whole culture of Hollywood is one that is uniquely American,” Rubenstein says on the latest episode of Variety podcast “Strictly Business,” in discussing the episode of “Iconic America” that is devoted to the Hollywood sign. The series debuts April 26. “What we try to do in these so-called symbols of our country, is to talk about things that are really uniquely American. Obviously there’s Bollywood in India, but generally, if you think about making movies, you think about Hollywood, and a uniquely American kind of enterprise,” Rubenstein says.
As WGA and Hollywood Employers Meet at Bargaining Table, are British Writers Contemplating Labor Action of Their Own?
07.04.2023 - 13:11 / variety.com
K.J. Yossman As negotiations between the WGA and the studios and streamers gather steam, the reverberations are being felt well beyond the confines of Sherman Oaks where the sides are sitting down to wrangle over complicated issues at stake. Thousands of miles away, on the other side of the Atlantic, questions are already being asked about what impact a WGA strike may have in the U.K. – and whether British writers, who harbor many of the same concerns as their American counterparts, could ever stage a strike. “The problems that U.K. writers and U.S. writers face are basically the same,” says Robert Taylor, a lawyer and screenwriter who also acts as a legal advisor to the Writers Guild of Great Britain (WGGB). “The things in the U.S. strike about not getting paid enough by the streaming services, the things about mini [writers’] rooms and the writers being expected to contribute for small amounts of money and then being dropped, not being taken forward into the series, it’s exactly the same in the U.K.”
One U.K. writer, who has worked with major U.S. studios and streamers as well as British broadcasters, and who spoke to Variety on condition of anonymity, agreed that a lack of residuals, growing inequality between top talent and jobbing writers and the threat of shows being canceled, especially late into the production process, were as much a concern on his side of the pond as they are here. “I think [cancelation] is one of the biggest things at the moment for working writers,” he said. “The idea that you can make something and it just disappears — people are incandescent with rage about it.” WGGB chair Lisa Holdsworth, who has written for shows including “Call The Midwife” and “A Discovery of Witches,” cautions there
MAFS UK star Marilyse shows off her sporty side in bikini-clad game on holiday
Married at First Sight UK’s Marilyse Corrigan showcased her sensational figure in a bikini as she enjoyed a game of football while on holiday in Turkey. Marilyse, who was recently pictured sunbathing in a lime green bikini, was featured on the Channel 4 dating show in 2021 with Amy Christophers and Nikita Jasmine and was married to strength & conditioning coach Franky Spencer.
David Cronenberg’s ‘The Shrouds’ Adds Sandrine Holt
EXCLUSIVE: Daredevil: Born Again actress Sandrine Holt has joined David Cronenberg’s next movie, The Shrouds opposite Guy Pearce, Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger.
Who Is Nicholas Hoult Dating? Meet His Girlfriend Byrana Holly
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Mike Gallagher, Chairman Of House’s Special China Committee, Talks About Meeting With Bob Iger And Hollywood Creatives – Q&A
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), the chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, led a delegation of lawmakers last week for meetings in Hollywood and Silicon Valley, with an eye toward gathering information on how the two California-centric industries interact with Beijing.
British Writers’ Guild Urges Members Not to Accept WGA Work in Event of Strike
K.J. Yossman The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) has issued a new directive to its members advising them not to accept WGA work in event of a strike in the U.S. The advice came via a motion from the WGGB’s executive council. In a statement, the WGGB said: “In light of the Writers Guild of America’s ongoing contract negotiations, including the recent announcement of a Strike Authorization Vote (SAV) from 11-17 April 2023, the WGGB’s Executive Council has supported the following motion: ‘The WGGB support the WGA in their ongoing negotiations. If a strike cannot be avoided, we will advise our membership not to work on projects within the jurisdiction of the WGA for the duration of the strike in line with our IAWG agreements.'”
Lionsgate’s ‘Joy Ride’ to Open the 2023 Center for Asian American Media Festival – Film News in Brief
Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) has announced its in-person programming for CAAMFest 2023 which will take place from May 11 to 21. This year’s festival will kick off with Lionsgates’s anticipated comedy “Joy Ride,” directed by Adele Lim. Opening night will be held at The Castro Theater in San Francisco on May 11 with a commemoration during the opening night gala. “These last few years have deeply altered us and we are only starting to journey towards each other again,” says festival and exhibitions director Thúy Trần. “CAAMFest 2023 is a call to gather so that we may witness each other’s transformations, restore our bonds, and bask in our joys.”
MGM+ Orders ‘Hollywood Black’ From Justin Simien, Forest Whitaker — Docuseries Exploring The Black Experience In Cinema History
MGM+ has given the green light to Hollywood Black, a documentary series from director Justin Simien that aims to serve as “a definitive chronicle of a century of the Black experience in Hollywood.”
Justin Simien to Direct ‘Hollywood Black’ Historical Docuseries at MGM+
MGM+ has greenlit “Hollywood Black,” a new docuseries directed by Justin Simien (“Dear White People,” “Haunted Mansion”). Based on the book by historian Donald Bogle, this four-part docuseries tells the epic story of the actors, writers, directors and producers who fought for their place on the page, behind the camera, on the screen and in the credits.
British TV And Radio Presenter Fears Being Replaced By ChatGPT, A.I. Robots
A British radio and TV presenter has expressed the fear that his career will be rendered obsolete with the rise of ChatGPT, and the prospect of A.I. robots who will become better, funnier, cleverer, and at the fraction of the price of human beings on screen.
‘SNL': James Austin Johnson’s Trump Compares Himself to ‘Jesus of Azkaban’ for Easter (Video)
a book.Then shortly after the part where Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray him, he says “though I have committed no crime, I will be arrested.” At this point, they all froze and out came Johnson as Trump. “Sound familiar?” he asked.
Ashley Roberts 'so hot' in tiny blue bikini as she sizzles on holiday in LA
Ashley Roberts looked stunning as she wore a tiny blue bikini during a sun-soaked holiday with Amanda Holden sharing a sneak peek inside her luxurious hotel in Hollywood.The former Pussycat Doll and Heart Radio presenter took to Instagram on Saturday to share a series of snaps from her holiday with the latest consisting of sun loungers and selfies. In the first photo, she candidly looked away from the camera as she sat casually on a sun lounger under an umbrella with her hair in a grip claw for a casual yet glam look.
Matt Czuchry Lands Exciting New Role on Beloved Series After 'The Resident' Cancellation
Matt Czuchry has reportedly landed an exciting new role amid the cancellation of his long-running Fox series The Resident.
Piers Morgan claps back at 'bragging' remarks as he shares insight into Hollywood dinner with showbiz pals
Piers shared a selfie of himself alongside Amanda Holden, her new Britain's Got Talent co-star Burno Tonioli and Gary Lineker. "Midnight in Hollywood. .
Matt Damon’s Net Worth Reflects His Reputation As Hollywood’s ‘Most Bankable Star’
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Piers Morgan claps back at 'bragging' remarks as he shares insight into Hollywood dinner with showbiz pals
Piers Morgan wasted no time in responding to one of his social media followers who called out his 'bragging' as he enjoyed a fancy dinner with some very familiar faces. The controversial TV star and journalist has jetted off to Hollywood for his Easter break and wasn't alone in making the trip to Los Angeles.
Meghan Markle eyeing up 'prominent' acting roles in Hollywood, says expert
Meghan Markle could land prominent acting roles after hiring a well-known Hollywood dealmaker, a PR expert has said. The Duchess of Sussex, 41, who rose to fame starring as Rachel Zane in US legal drama Suits, is working with respected industry “fixer” Adam Lilling, according to reports. Meghan and Prince Harry are said to have met Adam as Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi renewed their wedding vows in Los Angeles last month.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Revolutionized Trans Visibility in Hollywood. Now She Wants to Kick Ass in an Action Movie
now-viral photo featuring more than 50 prominent Black stars, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Michael B. Jordan, Laverne Cox and fellow Newark, New Jersey native Queen Latifah. “She’s somebody who lifted me up when I never thought anyone would,” Rodriguez says with pride.
Emmerdale child star Dexter Ansell, 8, lands Hollywood role two years after soap exit
Eight year old Dexter Ansell’s career is going from strength to strength as he has just landed a huge Hollywood role, two years after leaving ITV soap Emmerdale.The young star announced on his Instagram that he will star in The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes, which will be released in November this year. He wrote to his 992 Instagram followers: “Thrilled to announce that I play Young President Snow in the hotly anticipated Hunger Games prequel 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'. In cinemas WORLDWIDE Nov 17th.” Dexter continued: “A huge thank you to my wonderful agent for this golden opportunity”.
Hear aespa’s new song ‘Hold On Tight’ for the soundtrack of ‘Tetris’
aespa have released a new song called ‘Hold On Tight’ for the soundtrack of the Apple TV+ original film Tetris.The synthpop songs finds the girl group singing entirely in English. The track is their first solo release since their July 2022 mini-album ‘Girls’.