Writer/director Cord Jefferson on the set of ‘American Fiction’ (Photo credit: Claire Folger © 2023 Orion Releasing LLC)
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) stretched out the awards season, handing out their annual awards during ceremonies held in Los Angeles and New York on April 14, 2024. Niecy Nash-Betts (Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story) had the honor of hosting the Writers Guild of America West’s ceremony while Josh Gondelman (Desus & Mero) handled hosting duties for the Writers Guild of America East.
The final season of Succession was recognized with Drama Series and Episodic Drama awards, and the first season of The Last of Us snagged the New Series trophy. The Bear and Beef continued their winning streaks, scoring Comedy Series and Limited Series wins.
David Hemingson’s The Holdovers and Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction were recognized as the best original and adapted screenplays of 2023. And Errol Morris’ The Pigeon Tunnel took...
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) stretched out the awards season, handing out their annual awards during ceremonies held in Los Angeles and New York on April 14, 2024. Niecy Nash-Betts (Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story) had the honor of hosting the Writers Guild of America West’s ceremony while Josh Gondelman (Desus & Mero) handled hosting duties for the Writers Guild of America East.
The final season of Succession was recognized with Drama Series and Episodic Drama awards, and the first season of The Last of Us snagged the New Series trophy. The Bear and Beef continued their winning streaks, scoring Comedy Series and Limited Series wins.
David Hemingson’s The Holdovers and Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction were recognized as the best original and adapted screenplays of 2023. And Errol Morris’ The Pigeon Tunnel took...
- 4/15/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
The Holdovers, American Fiction and Succession were among the winners at the 2024 Writers Guild Awards, which were handed out Sunday night in simultaneous ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles.
Best adapted screenplay was presented to American Fiction, the winner for the best adapted screenplay Oscar, while The Holdovers won the award for best original screenplay. (The winner of the best original screenplay Oscar, Anatomy of a Fall, was deemed ineligible for the WGA Awards.)
Accepting his award in L.A., Holdovers writer David Hemingson thanked “a brilliant cast and a brilliant director” for bringing the story to life and accepted “in memory of my mother who raised me, my uncle who saved me, and my father, who gave me my love of the written word and taught me the value of integrity.”
In the TV categories, The Bear won best comedy series, while Succession was named best drama series.
Best adapted screenplay was presented to American Fiction, the winner for the best adapted screenplay Oscar, while The Holdovers won the award for best original screenplay. (The winner of the best original screenplay Oscar, Anatomy of a Fall, was deemed ineligible for the WGA Awards.)
Accepting his award in L.A., Holdovers writer David Hemingson thanked “a brilliant cast and a brilliant director” for bringing the story to life and accepted “in memory of my mother who raised me, my uncle who saved me, and my father, who gave me my love of the written word and taught me the value of integrity.”
In the TV categories, The Bear won best comedy series, while Succession was named best drama series.
- 4/15/2024
- by Hilary Lewis, Kirsten Chuba and Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The David Hemingson-scripted Alexander Payne dramedy The Holdovers and Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction were the big film winners at the strike-delayed 2024 Writers Guild Awards, which were handed out Sunday in Los Angeles and New York.
Jefferson — who also was honored with the WGA West’s Paul Selvin Award — followed his Oscar win for Adapted Screenplay as the WGA’s weird, wild and elongated Awards season wrapped with simultaneous ceremonies on both coasts. Hemingson scored a modicum of revenge for losing the Original Screenplay Academy Award to Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for Anatomy of a Fall.
The latter script, however, wasn’t eligible for a Writers Guild Award. That’s because, unlike other guilds, the WGA deems ineligible any scripts for movies not produced under its Minimum Basic Agreement or a bona fide collective bargaining agreement with various affiliated countries.
Later, the Documentary prize went to Errol Morris...
Jefferson — who also was honored with the WGA West’s Paul Selvin Award — followed his Oscar win for Adapted Screenplay as the WGA’s weird, wild and elongated Awards season wrapped with simultaneous ceremonies on both coasts. Hemingson scored a modicum of revenge for losing the Original Screenplay Academy Award to Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for Anatomy of a Fall.
The latter script, however, wasn’t eligible for a Writers Guild Award. That’s because, unlike other guilds, the WGA deems ineligible any scripts for movies not produced under its Minimum Basic Agreement or a bona fide collective bargaining agreement with various affiliated countries.
Later, the Documentary prize went to Errol Morris...
- 4/15/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Keyser and David Goodman, the veteran showrunners who steered the five-month Writers Guild of America strike last year, warned guild members on Sunday to stay vigilant in a fast-changing business landscape despite the gains of last year’s historic labor action.
“Though this strike is over, the fight goes on. If we take our eye off the ball, everything we gained can literally go away tomorrow,” Goodman told the crowd at the Writers Guild Awards at the Hollywood Palladium.
Goodman and Keyser served as co-chairs of the WGA’s negotiating commttee last year. The pair, both past presidents of the WGA West, were honored with the guild’s Morgan Cox Awards for dedicated service.
“Nothing is given to labor that it does not demand,” Keyser told the crowd.
Keyser said the long struggle of last year was the end result of a long period of getting the union to...
“Though this strike is over, the fight goes on. If we take our eye off the ball, everything we gained can literally go away tomorrow,” Goodman told the crowd at the Writers Guild Awards at the Hollywood Palladium.
Goodman and Keyser served as co-chairs of the WGA’s negotiating commttee last year. The pair, both past presidents of the WGA West, were honored with the guild’s Morgan Cox Awards for dedicated service.
“Nothing is given to labor that it does not demand,” Keyser told the crowd.
Keyser said the long struggle of last year was the end result of a long period of getting the union to...
- 4/15/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
‘Succession’ has gone out with one final bang: The HBO drama won two Writers Guild of America Awards on Sunday night — the most of any series — for best drama series and also for best drama episode. Creator Jesse Armstrong was on hand in New York to accept the award, while several of the show’s writers were also in LA to accept the honor.
This reps the final major awards show where “Succession” (which ended its run last May) was still eligible. Besides best drama, the show also won the episodic drama prize, for the episode “Living+,” written by Georgia Pritchett and Will Arbery.
The WGA Awards recognized the best of 2023’s television and film via its annual event held this year at the Hollywood Palladium for the West Coast edition and at New York’s Edison Ballroom for the East Coast ceremony.
Big winners on the film side included “American Fiction” writer Cord Jefferson,...
This reps the final major awards show where “Succession” (which ended its run last May) was still eligible. Besides best drama, the show also won the episodic drama prize, for the episode “Living+,” written by Georgia Pritchett and Will Arbery.
The WGA Awards recognized the best of 2023’s television and film via its annual event held this year at the Hollywood Palladium for the West Coast edition and at New York’s Edison Ballroom for the East Coast ceremony.
Big winners on the film side included “American Fiction” writer Cord Jefferson,...
- 4/14/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The TV Academy is being slammed by the Writers Guild of America for apparently making the decision to remove the presentation of the outstanding writing for a variety series/special award from the Primetime Emmys telecast that will take place on Jan. 15, 2024.
In a missive sent on Tuesday to members of the WGA East and West, the guild’s top leadership — including WGA East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and WGA West president Meredith Stiehm — calls the TV Academy’s move a “regrettable decision” and one “without any justification or defensible reason” which “devalues our profession.”
They go on to note that the guild has raised its objections directly with the TV Academy and is “strongly advocating to have the category remain in the primetime televised program.”
The TV Academy and its 2024 Emmys broadcasting partner Fox are presumably facing pressure to deliver higher telecast ratings by making the show shorter and...
In a missive sent on Tuesday to members of the WGA East and West, the guild’s top leadership — including WGA East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and WGA West president Meredith Stiehm — calls the TV Academy’s move a “regrettable decision” and one “without any justification or defensible reason” which “devalues our profession.”
They go on to note that the guild has raised its objections directly with the TV Academy and is “strongly advocating to have the category remain in the primetime televised program.”
The TV Academy and its 2024 Emmys broadcasting partner Fox are presumably facing pressure to deliver higher telecast ratings by making the show shorter and...
- 11/28/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America is doubling down on the Television Academy’s plans to cut the number of writing awards given out on the main Emmys telecast.
The guild has urged writers to “express your feelings” about the “regrettable” decision to remove the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series/Special from the main primetime awards.
In a memo to members, the WGA said that the TV Academy made the decision “without any justification or defensible reason.”
It comes after the Emmys unveiled the category breakdown this month. Later that day, the WGA told Deadline that the decision to reduce the number of writing categories on the main telecast from four to three was “misguided given the essential role writers play in the creative process of variety series and generating value for this industry.”
The move means that Outstanding Variety Special (Live) will return to the live telecast as Outstanding...
The guild has urged writers to “express your feelings” about the “regrettable” decision to remove the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series/Special from the main primetime awards.
In a memo to members, the WGA said that the TV Academy made the decision “without any justification or defensible reason.”
It comes after the Emmys unveiled the category breakdown this month. Later that day, the WGA told Deadline that the decision to reduce the number of writing categories on the main telecast from four to three was “misguided given the essential role writers play in the creative process of variety series and generating value for this industry.”
The move means that Outstanding Variety Special (Live) will return to the live telecast as Outstanding...
- 11/28/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
This is day 103 of SAG-AFTRA strike.
The actors were back out on the picket line in full force Tuesday — the same day their union was set to resume negotiations with the AMPTP.
Thesps walked the line on both coasts, with actors like Sarah Paulson, Zachary Quinto, Betty Gilpin, J. Smith-Cameron, Carrie Preston and Ke Huy Quan marching in the Big Apple while Allison Janney, Jeri Ryan, Rick Gonzalez (Law & Order: Organized Crime), The Continental stars Mishel Prada and Adam Shapiro, Breaking Bad’s Charles Baker and Myles Grier and Jury Duty‘s Trisha Lafache pounded the pavement outside of Warner Bros. in Burbank.
Members of the American Federation of Musicians also came out to the WB picket line Tuesday to support members of SAG-AFTRA.
“Today is back to the table, day one of negotiations,” said Ryan to Deadline. “I want to send a message to all our negotiating committee...
The actors were back out on the picket line in full force Tuesday — the same day their union was set to resume negotiations with the AMPTP.
Thesps walked the line on both coasts, with actors like Sarah Paulson, Zachary Quinto, Betty Gilpin, J. Smith-Cameron, Carrie Preston and Ke Huy Quan marching in the Big Apple while Allison Janney, Jeri Ryan, Rick Gonzalez (Law & Order: Organized Crime), The Continental stars Mishel Prada and Adam Shapiro, Breaking Bad’s Charles Baker and Myles Grier and Jury Duty‘s Trisha Lafache pounded the pavement outside of Warner Bros. in Burbank.
Members of the American Federation of Musicians also came out to the WB picket line Tuesday to support members of SAG-AFTRA.
“Today is back to the table, day one of negotiations,” said Ryan to Deadline. “I want to send a message to all our negotiating committee...
- 10/24/2023
- by Rosy Cordero, Lynette Rice and Sean Piccoli
- Deadline Film + TV
Larry Wilmore says “finally.” Greg Grunberg says “Mazel tov! Writers Strike Deal!!!”
Bill Wolkoff promises not to picket Dancing with the Stars.
The Writers Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its strike after nearly five months, and needless to say — the members have thoughts, lots of happy thoughts. And it’s all spilling out on social media.
Here’s a roundup of their reactions so far:
Billy Ray: “To all my fellow writers— You earned this. You saved our profession. Now let’s continue to stand w the actors. And IATSE. And the Teamsters. And labor everywhere. That’s how we’ll save America.”
Wolkoff: “Day 146. It gives me great pleasure to say we will Not be picketing Dancing With The Stars tomorrow! I really can’t wait to watch the premiere on Tuesday, because we did it!
Bill Wolkoff promises not to picket Dancing with the Stars.
The Writers Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its strike after nearly five months, and needless to say — the members have thoughts, lots of happy thoughts. And it’s all spilling out on social media.
Here’s a roundup of their reactions so far:
Billy Ray: “To all my fellow writers— You earned this. You saved our profession. Now let’s continue to stand w the actors. And IATSE. And the Teamsters. And labor everywhere. That’s how we’ll save America.”
Wolkoff: “Day 146. It gives me great pleasure to say we will Not be picketing Dancing With The Stars tomorrow! I really can’t wait to watch the premiere on Tuesday, because we did it!
- 9/25/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Writers Guild of America East announced Thursday that Lisa Takeuchi Cullen has officially been elected as its new president after running unopposed to succeed outgoing president Michael Winship.
Takeuchi Cullen is now the third woman and the first person of color to be elected president of WGA East. Secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle will continue in the same position after also running unopposed.
“I am honored to become the next president of the Writers Guild of America East. Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight...
Takeuchi Cullen is now the third woman and the first person of color to be elected president of WGA East. Secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle will continue in the same position after also running unopposed.
“I am honored to become the next president of the Writers Guild of America East. Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight...
- 9/21/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, running unopposed, has been elected president of the WGA East. Cullen, who until now had been VP of the guild’s Film/TV/Streaming sector, succeeds Michael Winship, who chose not to seek re-election.
In the WGA East’s other officer elections, two other candidates also ran unopposed. Chris Kyle was re-elected secretary-treasurer, and Erica Saleh, a member of the guild’s Council, will be the next VP of Film/TV/Streaming – the post previously held by Cullen.
Votes were cast by 13.3% of total eligible voters for president and secretary-treasurer.
In the guild’s other races, six Council members representing the Film/TV/Streaming sector also elected: Sofia Alvarez, incumbent Josh Gondelman, incumbent Liz Hynes, incumbent Greg Iwinski, Sarah Montana, and incumbent Sasha Stewart.
Three candidates were also elected to the Council representing the Online Media sector: incumbent Caitlin Cruz, Sie Morley, and Samantha Smylie.
In Film/TV/Streaming,...
In the WGA East’s other officer elections, two other candidates also ran unopposed. Chris Kyle was re-elected secretary-treasurer, and Erica Saleh, a member of the guild’s Council, will be the next VP of Film/TV/Streaming – the post previously held by Cullen.
Votes were cast by 13.3% of total eligible voters for president and secretary-treasurer.
In the guild’s other races, six Council members representing the Film/TV/Streaming sector also elected: Sofia Alvarez, incumbent Josh Gondelman, incumbent Liz Hynes, incumbent Greg Iwinski, Sarah Montana, and incumbent Sasha Stewart.
Three candidates were also elected to the Council representing the Online Media sector: incumbent Caitlin Cruz, Sie Morley, and Samantha Smylie.
In Film/TV/Streaming,...
- 9/21/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America East (Wgae) members have elected Lisa Takeuchi Cullen as its new president. Cullen, who was an unopposed candidate for the posititon, takes over for outgoing president Michael Winship, who announced his decision to not seek reelection of his longtime post over the summer.
“I am honored to become the next President of the Writers Guild of America East,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over. The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight continues for all labor to put human rights over corporate profits. As the...
“I am honored to become the next President of the Writers Guild of America East,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over. The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight continues for all labor to put human rights over corporate profits. As the...
- 9/21/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America East has re-elected a host of incumbents and two new leaders in film, television and streaming in its latest council election.
After running unopposed, current vp for film/TV/streaming Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is ascending into the president’s seat after current president Michael Winship decided not to run for re-election. She will be joined by incumbent secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle, who is retaining the role, and Erica Saleh, a sitting council member who has been elected to the role of vp for film/TV/streaming; both ran unopposed.
Out of the 12 candidates who ran for council seats in the film/TV/streaming sector, six were elected, including incumbents Josh Gondelman, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski and Sasha Stewart and new candidates Sofia Alvarez and Sarah Montana. The new leaders’ terms begin Friday.
Takeuchi Cullen noted in a statement Thursday that she is the first woman of...
After running unopposed, current vp for film/TV/streaming Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is ascending into the president’s seat after current president Michael Winship decided not to run for re-election. She will be joined by incumbent secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle, who is retaining the role, and Erica Saleh, a sitting council member who has been elected to the role of vp for film/TV/streaming; both ran unopposed.
Out of the 12 candidates who ran for council seats in the film/TV/streaming sector, six were elected, including incumbents Josh Gondelman, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski and Sasha Stewart and new candidates Sofia Alvarez and Sarah Montana. The new leaders’ terms begin Friday.
Takeuchi Cullen noted in a statement Thursday that she is the first woman of...
- 9/21/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As Drew Barrymore faced widespread criticism for her decision to resume production during the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, “The Drew Barrymore Show” stood at the center of the WGA’s wrath during its first day back.
“All the late night shows, all the scripted shows, we just want everybody to be able to come back,” “The Drew Barrymore Show” co-head writer Liz Koe told TheWrap while picketing outside of CBS Broadcast Center. “But we can’t do it without getting fair contracts and being treated respectfully.”
While Koe noted that she thought her employer “made the best decision she could” from Koe’s limited understanding of the situation, she emphasized how important solidarity and unity is during this time.
“I totally understand if the decision is about getting the team back to work and getting the crew back to work,” Koe continued. “But that said, we’re still — just...
“All the late night shows, all the scripted shows, we just want everybody to be able to come back,” “The Drew Barrymore Show” co-head writer Liz Koe told TheWrap while picketing outside of CBS Broadcast Center. “But we can’t do it without getting fair contracts and being treated respectfully.”
While Koe noted that she thought her employer “made the best decision she could” from Koe’s limited understanding of the situation, she emphasized how important solidarity and unity is during this time.
“I totally understand if the decision is about getting the team back to work and getting the crew back to work,” Koe continued. “But that said, we’re still — just...
- 9/12/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
This is Day 128 of the WGA strike and Day 55 of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul paid a surprise visit to striking writers and actors outside Netflix offices in Manhattan on Wednesday, making good on what one union officer said was a “very, very last-minute” decision to briefly join the picket line and meet strike leaders.
In an appearance lasting about 10 minutes that caught most picketers and passersby off-guard, the state’s top elected official exchanged hugs and handshakes with WGA and SAG-AFTRA officers, paused for photos and, protest sign in hand, waded into the march for a couple of laps — flanked by aides, security and visibly delighted union figures including SAG-AFTRA president Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
Hochul didn’t address the rally, but as she readied to leave, she spoke to a small circle of union leaders — all of them surrounded by onlookers — and encouraged the strikers to “stay strong.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul paid a surprise visit to striking writers and actors outside Netflix offices in Manhattan on Wednesday, making good on what one union officer said was a “very, very last-minute” decision to briefly join the picket line and meet strike leaders.
In an appearance lasting about 10 minutes that caught most picketers and passersby off-guard, the state’s top elected official exchanged hugs and handshakes with WGA and SAG-AFTRA officers, paused for photos and, protest sign in hand, waded into the march for a couple of laps — flanked by aides, security and visibly delighted union figures including SAG-AFTRA president Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
Hochul didn’t address the rally, but as she readied to leave, she spoke to a small circle of union leaders — all of them surrounded by onlookers — and encouraged the strikers to “stay strong.
- 9/6/2023
- by Sean Piccoli
- Deadline Film + TV
The ongoing writers strike is taking center stage in the WGA East’s officer and Council elections. In their official candidate statements, released today, they all pledged their support for the strike, vowing to remain on the picket line until a fair contract is achieved. The strike, which began May 2 and is now in its 114th day.
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, who is running unopposed to be the guild’s next president, said that she will lead the guild “over the finish line in our epic battle for fair pay,” and that “We will not give up. We will not give in.”
As the current vice president of the guild’s Film, Television and Streaming sector, Cullen wrote that “This strike has meant nonstop, round-the-clock talking with members, meeting with staff, leading committees and coordinating with sister Guilds, politicians and non-members. But I burst with pride at our heroic army of...
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, who is running unopposed to be the guild’s next president, said that she will lead the guild “over the finish line in our epic battle for fair pay,” and that “We will not give up. We will not give in.”
As the current vice president of the guild’s Film, Television and Streaming sector, Cullen wrote that “This strike has meant nonstop, round-the-clock talking with members, meeting with staff, leading committees and coordinating with sister Guilds, politicians and non-members. But I burst with pride at our heroic army of...
- 8/23/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
This is Day 113 of the WGA strike and Day 40 of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
National Union Solidarity Day kicked off on Tuesday in New York City with several hundred marchers forming a picket line that stretched two full blocks outside the Manhattan corporate offices of Amazon and HBO. Striking writers and actors saw their ranks bolstered on Tuesday by unionized teachers, nurses, truckers, musicians, retail and hotel workers, and they got vocal encouragement from union chiefs who promised to have their backs.
In what might be a sign of how long the WGA strike seems to have lasted, New York State Senator Jessica Ramos began her remarks with a reference to “the past 100 years” before checking herself to say “100 days,” a correction that drew laughs. “It felt like 100 years,” she clarified before moving on.
No better sound to start the morning than a union chorus: chants, cowbells, and Teamsters horns!
National Union Solidarity Day kicked off on Tuesday in New York City with several hundred marchers forming a picket line that stretched two full blocks outside the Manhattan corporate offices of Amazon and HBO. Striking writers and actors saw their ranks bolstered on Tuesday by unionized teachers, nurses, truckers, musicians, retail and hotel workers, and they got vocal encouragement from union chiefs who promised to have their backs.
In what might be a sign of how long the WGA strike seems to have lasted, New York State Senator Jessica Ramos began her remarks with a reference to “the past 100 years” before checking herself to say “100 days,” a correction that drew laughs. “It felt like 100 years,” she clarified before moving on.
No better sound to start the morning than a union chorus: chants, cowbells, and Teamsters horns!
- 8/22/2023
- by Sean Piccoli
- Deadline Film + TV
Writers Guild of America East leadership has touched down in Los Angeles for meetings to review the counter-offer by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers furnished on Aug. 11, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The WGA and the AMPTP are set to meet Tuesday, Aug. 15.
On Friday, the AMPTP presented its latest counter-proposal to the writers’ union. The guild told its members that night that it would “evaluate their offer” and present their response this week.
It’s not unusual for leaders of the eastern branch to join their West Coast counterparts during a strike — president Michael Winship has previously told THR that during the 2007-08 writers’ strike, as president of the eastern branch of the union, he flew out to L.A. every few weeks — but it does suggest that the talks have gotten more serious in recent days.
Neither branch of the Writers Guild of America responded...
On Friday, the AMPTP presented its latest counter-proposal to the writers’ union. The guild told its members that night that it would “evaluate their offer” and present their response this week.
It’s not unusual for leaders of the eastern branch to join their West Coast counterparts during a strike — president Michael Winship has previously told THR that during the 2007-08 writers’ strike, as president of the eastern branch of the union, he flew out to L.A. every few weeks — but it does suggest that the talks have gotten more serious in recent days.
Neither branch of the Writers Guild of America responded...
- 8/15/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny and Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen will be the next president of the WGA East, succeeding Michael Winship, who is not seeking re-election.
Cullen, who is running unopposed in the guild’s upcoming elections, will be its third female president and the first person of color to hold the post, starting next month. She currently serves as VP of the guild’s Film/TV/Streaming sector.
Winship said in a statement today that his decision not to run again “was made right from the start two years ago when I was asked to return to the presidency. Despite having already served five terms as president, from 2007-2017, I agreed to run again in 2021 to help work out issues the guild was facing in terms of constitutional revisions and other membership concerns, but I did say then that it only would be for two years.”
Takeuchi Cullen’s bio on the guild’s website...
Cullen, who is running unopposed in the guild’s upcoming elections, will be its third female president and the first person of color to hold the post, starting next month. She currently serves as VP of the guild’s Film/TV/Streaming sector.
Winship said in a statement today that his decision not to run again “was made right from the start two years ago when I was asked to return to the presidency. Despite having already served five terms as president, from 2007-2017, I agreed to run again in 2021 to help work out issues the guild was facing in terms of constitutional revisions and other membership concerns, but I did say then that it only would be for two years.”
Takeuchi Cullen’s bio on the guild’s website...
- 8/1/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
WGA East president Michael Winship will not be seeking re-election amid the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
“This is a decision that was made right from the start two years ago when I was asked to return to the presidency,” Winship said in a statement sent to guild members Tuesday, just as Wgae revealed the candidates up for officer seats in its upcoming council election this September. “Despite having already served five terms as president, from 2007-2017, I agreed to run again in 2021 to help work out issues the guild was facing in terms of constitutional revisions and other membership concerns, but I did say then that it only would be for two years.”
Per Winship, “This is not a choice that was made lightly, but I have been a member of this union for more than four decades and active in our work for nearly all of them. Now...
“This is a decision that was made right from the start two years ago when I was asked to return to the presidency,” Winship said in a statement sent to guild members Tuesday, just as Wgae revealed the candidates up for officer seats in its upcoming council election this September. “Despite having already served five terms as president, from 2007-2017, I agreed to run again in 2021 to help work out issues the guild was facing in terms of constitutional revisions and other membership concerns, but I did say then that it only would be for two years.”
Per Winship, “This is not a choice that was made lightly, but I have been a member of this union for more than four decades and active in our work for nearly all of them. Now...
- 8/1/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Writers Guild of America East President Michael Winship will step down from his post in September despite the union’s ongoing strike against Hollywood studios.
Winship, who previously led the union from 2007-2017, said Tuesday in a letter to union members that his name does not appear on the list of candidates for this year’s upcoming elections because he intends to stick with the pledge he made when he returned in 2021 and only serve two years.
“This is not a choice that was made lightly, but I have been a member of this union for more than four decades and active in our work for nearly all of them,” Winship wrote. “Now the time has come for me to pass responsibility to the new generation of Guild members and the elected council.”
The news came as the candidates for the next vote were announced, with only Lisa Takeuchi Cullen,...
Winship, who previously led the union from 2007-2017, said Tuesday in a letter to union members that his name does not appear on the list of candidates for this year’s upcoming elections because he intends to stick with the pledge he made when he returned in 2021 and only serve two years.
“This is not a choice that was made lightly, but I have been a member of this union for more than four decades and active in our work for nearly all of them,” Winship wrote. “Now the time has come for me to pass responsibility to the new generation of Guild members and the elected council.”
The news came as the candidates for the next vote were announced, with only Lisa Takeuchi Cullen,...
- 8/1/2023
- by Eileen AJ Connelly
- The Wrap
Speedy Ortiz have unveiled “Ghostwriter,” another look at their upcoming album Rabbit Rabbit. Listen to the single below.
As a nu-metal homage, “Ghostwriter” finds Sadie Dupuis seething with rage — a reasonable reaction to this summer’s boiling heat, and what that means for the future ahead. Rather than breaking stuff, however, the bandleader tries to find a more productive release.
“While ‘Ghostwriter’ ruminates on the horrible realities that stoke my anger — in this song’s case, the death of our climate and the criminalization of environmental protesters — it’s also about trying to live with less rage in the day-to-day,” Dupuis explained in a statement. “And not always succeeding, but not getting mad about that, either. And sometimes directing that angry adrenaline toward positive actions.”
Dupuis continued, “My bandmates picked ‘Ghostwriter’ as a single, perhaps because it subtly nods to our unabashed love of nu-metal. It was really fun to...
As a nu-metal homage, “Ghostwriter” finds Sadie Dupuis seething with rage — a reasonable reaction to this summer’s boiling heat, and what that means for the future ahead. Rather than breaking stuff, however, the bandleader tries to find a more productive release.
“While ‘Ghostwriter’ ruminates on the horrible realities that stoke my anger — in this song’s case, the death of our climate and the criminalization of environmental protesters — it’s also about trying to live with less rage in the day-to-day,” Dupuis explained in a statement. “And not always succeeding, but not getting mad about that, either. And sometimes directing that angry adrenaline toward positive actions.”
Dupuis continued, “My bandmates picked ‘Ghostwriter’ as a single, perhaps because it subtly nods to our unabashed love of nu-metal. It was really fun to...
- 8/1/2023
- by Carys Anderson
- Consequence - Music
It’s Day 5 of the SAG-AFTRA strike and Day 78 of the WGA strike.
Writers and actors on strike simultaneously for the first time in more than 60 years fanned out across Manhattan on Tuesday morning with renewed demands for better pay, more job security and limits on the use of artificial intelligence in film and television.
The Writers Guild of America and the SAG-AFTRA ran picket lines at four locations near the offices of NBCUniversal, Paramount, Amazon, HBO, Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. WGA marchers said they welcomed SAG-AFTRA members joining them on strike as of Friday, after months of backing the Writers Guild in its dispute with the major film and television production companies.
“It does feel different,” writer, comedian and WGA East member Josh Gondelman said outside NBCUniversal headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. “It’s really heartening to have this infusion of energy and the same righteous anger out on the lines that we had.
Writers and actors on strike simultaneously for the first time in more than 60 years fanned out across Manhattan on Tuesday morning with renewed demands for better pay, more job security and limits on the use of artificial intelligence in film and television.
The Writers Guild of America and the SAG-AFTRA ran picket lines at four locations near the offices of NBCUniversal, Paramount, Amazon, HBO, Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. WGA marchers said they welcomed SAG-AFTRA members joining them on strike as of Friday, after months of backing the Writers Guild in its dispute with the major film and television production companies.
“It does feel different,” writer, comedian and WGA East member Josh Gondelman said outside NBCUniversal headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. “It’s really heartening to have this infusion of energy and the same righteous anger out on the lines that we had.
- 7/18/2023
- by Sean Piccoli
- Deadline Film + TV
Hollywood studios are playing serious hardball, and writers are furious.
With a strike by the Screen Actors Guild looming, Deadline published an article on Tuesday giving insight into approach of the studios, represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, toward the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.
Read More: Hollywood Actors Agree To Federal Mediation, But Refuse To Move Deadline As Strike Appears Unavoidable
According to unnamed studio execs and insiders, the studios have been planning to drag out the strike for as long as possible in an effort to grind down guild members fighting for better residual payments, the end of mini writers rooms on TV shows, and protections against artificial intelligence tools.
“It’s been agreed to for months, even before the WGA went out,” one executive told Deadline. “Nobody wanted a strike, but everybody knew this was make or break.”
Another exec said that...
With a strike by the Screen Actors Guild looming, Deadline published an article on Tuesday giving insight into approach of the studios, represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, toward the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.
Read More: Hollywood Actors Agree To Federal Mediation, But Refuse To Move Deadline As Strike Appears Unavoidable
According to unnamed studio execs and insiders, the studios have been planning to drag out the strike for as long as possible in an effort to grind down guild members fighting for better residual payments, the end of mini writers rooms on TV shows, and protections against artificial intelligence tools.
“It’s been agreed to for months, even before the WGA went out,” one executive told Deadline. “Nobody wanted a strike, but everybody knew this was make or break.”
Another exec said that...
- 7/12/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Striking writers in New York made a bid on Monday to disrupt work on American Horror Story by picketing outside a production facility in Queens where the popular FX series known for its macabre plot lines and star-studded casts is filming season 12.
Members of the WGA East, joined by members of SAG and other supporters of the strike against film and television studios, said they began arriving at Silvercup Studios at 5am, about two hours before members of the stagehands union, Queens-based IATSE Local 52, who then refused to cross the picket line.
The effect on the show, which stars Emma Roberts and Kim Kardashian, was unclear. A WGA representative told Deadline that demonstrators caused filming delays on Monday for AHS, but sources close to the production told us that while some crew members were held up briefly at the picket lines, the horror drama never fully stopped production and...
Members of the WGA East, joined by members of SAG and other supporters of the strike against film and television studios, said they began arriving at Silvercup Studios at 5am, about two hours before members of the stagehands union, Queens-based IATSE Local 52, who then refused to cross the picket line.
The effect on the show, which stars Emma Roberts and Kim Kardashian, was unclear. A WGA representative told Deadline that demonstrators caused filming delays on Monday for AHS, but sources close to the production told us that while some crew members were held up briefly at the picket lines, the horror drama never fully stopped production and...
- 5/22/2023
- by Sean Piccoli and Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
With just the CW left tomorrow, the near-talent-free upfronts are winding down, and shows are still being shuttered in New York City, while on the picket lines in LA there was Mariachism, tacos, tunes and some Mandalorians to galvanize the troops.
On the 16th day of the Writers Guild strike, picket signs were up near Madison Square Garden this morning as Warner Bros Discovery kicked off its muted pitch to advertisers a week before the company’ streamer officially becomes Max. As HBO chief Casey Bloys offered support on-stage at the Msg Theatre for a “fair resolution” for the WGA, outside picketers were moved almost out of view of entering attendees due to nearly construction.
Slated to be between 32nd and 31st streets on 8th avenue, the picket line this morning was moved to 31st and 7th in front of building Penn 11.
Chanting “Warner Bros/You’re not good/Pay the...
On the 16th day of the Writers Guild strike, picket signs were up near Madison Square Garden this morning as Warner Bros Discovery kicked off its muted pitch to advertisers a week before the company’ streamer officially becomes Max. As HBO chief Casey Bloys offered support on-stage at the Msg Theatre for a “fair resolution” for the WGA, outside picketers were moved almost out of view of entering attendees due to nearly construction.
Slated to be between 32nd and 31st streets on 8th avenue, the picket line this morning was moved to 31st and 7th in front of building Penn 11.
Chanting “Warner Bros/You’re not good/Pay the...
- 5/18/2023
- by Valerie Complex, Rosy Cordero and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with latest: Day 1 of the Writers Guild strike hit Los Angeles and New York with full force Tuesday, with 10 picket lines in front of Hollywood studio lots and another in Manhattan outside Peacock’s NewFronts presentation.
Keep checking back as we update from on the ground.
At Amazon Studios‘ home at Culver Studios, writer-creator Damon Lindelof was on hand, carrying a sign that read “Alexa Will Not Replace Us” – a nod to the AI portion of the negotiations between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Related: WGA Strike Photos: Stars, Writers, Showrunners & Their Supporters On The Picket Line
“I think that from a from a perspective of the writer, we just want to make sure that we’re all on the same page — that AI is...
Keep checking back as we update from on the ground.
At Amazon Studios‘ home at Culver Studios, writer-creator Damon Lindelof was on hand, carrying a sign that read “Alexa Will Not Replace Us” – a nod to the AI portion of the negotiations between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Related: WGA Strike Photos: Stars, Writers, Showrunners & Their Supporters On The Picket Line
“I think that from a from a perspective of the writer, we just want to make sure that we’re all on the same page — that AI is...
- 5/2/2023
- by Dade Hayes, Katie Campione, Lynette Rice, Dominic Patten, Matt Grobar, Peter White, Rosy Cordero, Anthony D'Alessandro and Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The first picket line of the 2023 writers strike took over an entire New York City block Tuesday afternoon, with the WGA work stoppage official, and union strike plans in full effect.
Hundreds of writers representing all parts of the WGA East’s membership marched on 5th Avenue, between 37th and 38th streets, blocking the entrance to the Newfront presentation for Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service.
“This is viewed as an existential moment for writers,” writer, actor, producer and director Danny Strong told The Hollywood Reporter on the picket line. “I think that we are very dug in, and I think that what we’re asking for is fundamentally right and it is a basic sort of fairness. There’s more content than ever and yet writer salaries have gone significantly down because all these revenue streams have been eliminated.”
“We feel like the current financial model towards streaming in particular is unfair,...
Hundreds of writers representing all parts of the WGA East’s membership marched on 5th Avenue, between 37th and 38th streets, blocking the entrance to the Newfront presentation for Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service.
“This is viewed as an existential moment for writers,” writer, actor, producer and director Danny Strong told The Hollywood Reporter on the picket line. “I think that we are very dug in, and I think that what we’re asking for is fundamentally right and it is a basic sort of fairness. There’s more content than ever and yet writer salaries have gone significantly down because all these revenue streams have been eliminated.”
“We feel like the current financial model towards streaming in particular is unfair,...
- 5/2/2023
- by Alex Weprin and Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The rumors are true: Normal Gossip and Radiotopia from Prx are going public. The highly acclaimed and popular podcast about the weird, strange world of normal people’s gossip and the award-winning network of independent podcasts announced a new partnership. To celebrate this new union, “Normal Gossip” will return with a new season of the podcast on Wednesday, April 5 as part of Radiotopia.
Co-created by Kelsey McKinney and Alex Sujong Laughlin for Defector Media, “Normal Gossip” launched in 2022. The podcast has released three seasons of episodes featuring juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal stories which are anonymized and told to a guest.
McKinney and Laughlin will retain creative and intellectual ownership and control the production of “Normal Gossip,” reflecting the ideals of both Defector Media and Radiotopia. Radiotopia will provide support in areas including technology and distribution, advertising sales, and marketing and promotion.
"We’re psyched to be working with the team at Radiotopia,...
Co-created by Kelsey McKinney and Alex Sujong Laughlin for Defector Media, “Normal Gossip” launched in 2022. The podcast has released three seasons of episodes featuring juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal stories which are anonymized and told to a guest.
McKinney and Laughlin will retain creative and intellectual ownership and control the production of “Normal Gossip,” reflecting the ideals of both Defector Media and Radiotopia. Radiotopia will provide support in areas including technology and distribution, advertising sales, and marketing and promotion.
"We’re psyched to be working with the team at Radiotopia,...
- 2/27/2023
- Podnews.net
Click here to read the full article.
The Writers Guild of America East and Writers Guild of America West have crafted a pledge committing to improving diversity, equity and inclusion in late night and comedy/variety TV, signed by more than 50 supervisory scribes in the space.
The diverse group, which includes John Oliver, Amber Ruffin, Amy Schumer and Charlamagne tha God, acknowledges systemic barriers and a “sink or swim” culture that has historically excluded Bipoc writers and outlines some specific remedies for helping them enter, stay in and move up through the pipeline.
“Traditional pipelines into late night and comedy-variety television are historically overwhelmingly white, and it is, therefore, insufficient to rely solely upon them when making hiring decisions,” reads the joint statement, which also was signed by Trevor Noah, Samantha Bee, Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, whose shows or hosting stints recently concluded. “We will look for applicants...
The Writers Guild of America East and Writers Guild of America West have crafted a pledge committing to improving diversity, equity and inclusion in late night and comedy/variety TV, signed by more than 50 supervisory scribes in the space.
The diverse group, which includes John Oliver, Amber Ruffin, Amy Schumer and Charlamagne tha God, acknowledges systemic barriers and a “sink or swim” culture that has historically excluded Bipoc writers and outlines some specific remedies for helping them enter, stay in and move up through the pipeline.
“Traditional pipelines into late night and comedy-variety television are historically overwhelmingly white, and it is, therefore, insufficient to rely solely upon them when making hiring decisions,” reads the joint statement, which also was signed by Trevor Noah, Samantha Bee, Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, whose shows or hosting stints recently concluded. “We will look for applicants...
- 12/20/2022
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Desus Nice and Kid Mero are saying goodbye to their late-night talk show. On Monday, Showtime announced that Desus and Mero will no longer return to the network for a fifth season after the pair of comedians decided to go their separate ways for solo careers.
“The illustrious @desusnice and @Thekidmero will be pursuing separate creative endeavors moving forward,” read a tweet from the show’s official account, breaking the news. “#DESUSandMERO will not be returning to Showtime. It’s been a good run, fam.”
The show, which launched on...
“The illustrious @desusnice and @Thekidmero will be pursuing separate creative endeavors moving forward,” read a tweet from the show’s official account, breaking the news. “#DESUSandMERO will not be returning to Showtime. It’s been a good run, fam.”
The show, which launched on...
- 7/19/2022
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is putting the unconfirmed reports about her love life to rest. While speaking to Insider, the New York politician confirmed that she and her longtime partner, Riley Roberts, are engaged.
“Yep! It’s true,” Ocasio-Cortez told the outlet. She later shared on Twitter, “It’s true! Thank you all for the well wishes ☺️.”
The now-engaged couple met in 2011 while they both attended Boston University, and the now-congresswoman led student townhalls. Roberts, who works in marketing, has rarely stepped out publicly with Aoc but made an appearance in her 2018 Knock Down the House documentary.
“Yep! It’s true,” Ocasio-Cortez told the outlet. She later shared on Twitter, “It’s true! Thank you all for the well wishes ☺️.”
The now-engaged couple met in 2011 while they both attended Boston University, and the now-congresswoman led student townhalls. Roberts, who works in marketing, has rarely stepped out publicly with Aoc but made an appearance in her 2018 Knock Down the House documentary.
- 5/19/2022
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Showtime’s late-night series Desus & Mero is taking the week off after Desus Nice, otherwise known as Daniel Baker, was hit by Covid-19. The series, which moved from twice a week to weekly with the return of its fourth season earlier this month, will be postponed due to the positive test.
Desus said that he’s been isolating, is vaxxed and boosted and “right now my only symptom is boredom.”
It comes a year after The Kid Mero, otherwise known as Joel Martinez, also contracted Covid. In that case, the show carried on but was tweaked to include some pre-taped segments.
The duo have been back in the studio since June 2021.
The launch of the fourth season March 10 saw them bring in their first official showrunner in J.D. Amato, the executive producer of The Chris Gethard Show and senior field producer of The Problem with Jon Stewart.
Desus & Mero initially launched on Thursday,...
Desus said that he’s been isolating, is vaxxed and boosted and “right now my only symptom is boredom.”
It comes a year after The Kid Mero, otherwise known as Joel Martinez, also contracted Covid. In that case, the show carried on but was tweaked to include some pre-taped segments.
The duo have been back in the studio since June 2021.
The launch of the fourth season March 10 saw them bring in their first official showrunner in J.D. Amato, the executive producer of The Chris Gethard Show and senior field producer of The Problem with Jon Stewart.
Desus & Mero initially launched on Thursday,...
- 3/16/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime’s “Desus & Mero” is reverting back to a once-a-week schedule. The critically acclaimed late-night talker returns for Season 4 on Thursday, March 10 at 11 p.m. Et, with Oscar nominee Denzel Washington as the show’s first guest.
Also new to the show is J.D. Amato (“The Chris Gethard Show”), who has joined “Desus & Mero” as showrunner and executive producer. Hosts Desus Nice and The Kid Mero are back in studio for the season premiere. Other guests set for this season include Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland, Pusha T and Damson Idris.
“Desus & Mero” had most recently aired twice a week, on Sundays and Thursdays; but the once-a-week schedule will allow the hosts and producers to focus their energies on perfecting one episode a week. “Desus & Mero” debuted on Showtime in February 2019 as a weekly show, but by April had expanded to twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays.
Also new to the show is J.D. Amato (“The Chris Gethard Show”), who has joined “Desus & Mero” as showrunner and executive producer. Hosts Desus Nice and The Kid Mero are back in studio for the season premiere. Other guests set for this season include Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland, Pusha T and Damson Idris.
“Desus & Mero” had most recently aired twice a week, on Sundays and Thursdays; but the once-a-week schedule will allow the hosts and producers to focus their energies on perfecting one episode a week. “Desus & Mero” debuted on Showtime in February 2019 as a weekly show, but by April had expanded to twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays.
- 3/3/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Desus & Mero are back with a fourth season but they’re cutting their on-screen time in half.
Showtime is moving the late-night show from twice a week to one episode a week beginning Thursday March 10 with the launch of its fourth season.
The pair also have their first official showrunner – J.D. Amato, exec producer of The Chris Gethard Show, and senior field producer of The Problem with Jon Stewart, joins in that role and exec producer.
The moves come as the pair are looking to get back to basics after two years of Covid-affected production – although arguably Desus Nice and The Kid Mero handled shooting from home better than most. The intention is to return to the original weekly schedule to put their creative efforts into one episode.
The series initially launched on Thursday, February 21, 2019, but by April 2019, they were going twice a week with another episode on Mondays. In...
Showtime is moving the late-night show from twice a week to one episode a week beginning Thursday March 10 with the launch of its fourth season.
The pair also have their first official showrunner – J.D. Amato, exec producer of The Chris Gethard Show, and senior field producer of The Problem with Jon Stewart, joins in that role and exec producer.
The moves come as the pair are looking to get back to basics after two years of Covid-affected production – although arguably Desus Nice and The Kid Mero handled shooting from home better than most. The intention is to return to the original weekly schedule to put their creative efforts into one episode.
The series initially launched on Thursday, February 21, 2019, but by April 2019, they were going twice a week with another episode on Mondays. In...
- 3/3/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
With so many options available to prospective viewers at a given moment – everything from weekly episodes to binge-watches to even memes on social media – how do some of the most celebrated writers in Hollywood consider the audience when sitting down to write a script? It depends, say the writers on our “Meet the Experts” Writers Guild Award nominees panel – including Josh Gondelman from “Desus & Mero,” Brad Ingelsby from “Mare of Easttown,” Brett Goldstein from “Ted Lasso,” Little Marvin from “Them” and Paul Simms from “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Watch the lively panel roundtable discussion above. Click on each name above to watch an individual interview with that person.
“We think about the show within the framework of late night. That’s how a lot of people watch it,” Gondelman says. “But I think it’s also fun to create these [viral] moments. And we have a really wonderful...
Watch the lively panel roundtable discussion above. Click on each name above to watch an individual interview with that person.
“We think about the show within the framework of late night. That’s how a lot of people watch it,” Gondelman says. “But I think it’s also fun to create these [viral] moments. And we have a really wonderful...
- 2/2/2022
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Back in 2017, when Josh Gondelman won his second of four consecutive Emmy Awards as part of the writing staff of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” Emmys host and late-night fixture Stephen Colbert joked of the weekly HBO show, “Apparently they’re so high quality they can only make one a week.” That kind of good-natured ribbing from daily late-night hosts as shows like “Last Week Tonight” and Gondelman’s current home, Showtime’s “Desus & Mero,” have eschewed the nightly format is expected. But as Gondelman explains during Gold Derby’s “Meet the Experts” panel for 2022 Writers Guild Awards nominees, producing a late-night comedy series outside of the expected daily drumbeat is far from a walk in the park.
“I think that we really tried to hold ourselves to a high standard of making it real fun and funny for the audience to watch. We’re not trying to put filler on the air,...
“I think that we really tried to hold ourselves to a high standard of making it real fun and funny for the audience to watch. We’re not trying to put filler on the air,...
- 2/2/2022
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Watch these feisty, sharp-witted nominees for the Writers Guild of America TV Awards as they address the biggest challenges of their jobs and discuss the constant change of their industry. Included are the celebrated scribes behind ‘Desus and Mero’ (Josh Gondelman), ‘Mare of Easttown’ (Brad Ingelsby), ‘Ted Lasso’ (Brett Goldstein), ‘Them’ (Little Marvin) and ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (Paul Simms). Gold Derby editor Christopher Rosen hosts this special one-hour event as part of Gold Derby’s “Meet the Experts” panel series with solo chats for each writer followed by a group roundtable discussion.
- 2/1/2022
- by Tom O'Neil
- Gold Derby
Michael Winship, running unopposed, has been elected president of the WGA East, the guild said Tuesday, but his running mates for seats on the guild’s council took a drubbing. Seven candidates on the opposition’s Solidarity slate were elected to the council, compared to only four on Winship’s Inclusion & Experience slate.
Winship, an award-winning news and documentary writer, led the guild during the tumultuous 2007-08 writers strike, serving as president for five consecutive two-year terms – starting just before the strike and ending in 2017. His running mates this time were Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, who was elected vice president, and Chris Kyle, who was elected secretary-treasurer. They too ran unopposed.
Their slate, however, came out on the losing end of what amounted to a referendum on the future of the guild. They supported a pause in the guild’s five-year-long campaign to organize digital newsrooms, arguing that so many digital...
Winship, an award-winning news and documentary writer, led the guild during the tumultuous 2007-08 writers strike, serving as president for five consecutive two-year terms – starting just before the strike and ending in 2017. His running mates this time were Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, who was elected vice president, and Chris Kyle, who was elected secretary-treasurer. They too ran unopposed.
Their slate, however, came out on the losing end of what amounted to a referendum on the future of the guild. They supported a pause in the guild’s five-year-long campaign to organize digital newsrooms, arguing that so many digital...
- 9/15/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Digital writers made big gains in the WGA East’s contentious election for officers and council members that govern the union that represents TV and film writers west of the Mississippi.
The election results unveiled Tuesday confirmed that the guild’s governance will be split among scribes in opposing camps. The union has faced division over WGA East’s aggressive campaign to organize the many digital news outlets on the East Coast and numerous large unscripted production companies.
Some WGA East members fear the influx of digital writers, who typically have far lower income than TV showrunners and screenwriters, as the nature of the work and compensation formulas is very different. There’s concern among many longstanding WGA members about the potential that the new members will tax the pension and health plan benefits available to all union members.
The election drew a strong turnout of about 30% of eligible voters,...
The election results unveiled Tuesday confirmed that the guild’s governance will be split among scribes in opposing camps. The union has faced division over WGA East’s aggressive campaign to organize the many digital news outlets on the East Coast and numerous large unscripted production companies.
Some WGA East members fear the influx of digital writers, who typically have far lower income than TV showrunners and screenwriters, as the nature of the work and compensation formulas is very different. There’s concern among many longstanding WGA members about the potential that the new members will tax the pension and health plan benefits available to all union members.
The election drew a strong turnout of about 30% of eligible voters,...
- 9/15/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
After a month-long debate over the future of digital media organizing in Writers Guild of America East, the guild’s council elections saw seven of the 11 open seats being won by the pro-organizing Solidarity Slate, though the top officers will come from the opposing Inclusion and Experience Slate after running unopposed.
In this year’s elections, six freelance seats and three staff seats were up for grabs on the council, as well as two seats vacated by incoming guild president Michael Winship and incoming vice president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen. All three staff seats, which are allocated to news writers, were won by Solidarity Slate along with four of the six open freelance seats, which are allocated to film and television writers. Council members are elected to terms lasting two years.
Winship and Cullen’s seats will be taken for one year by Inclusion and Experience candidates David Simon, creator of “The Wire,...
In this year’s elections, six freelance seats and three staff seats were up for grabs on the council, as well as two seats vacated by incoming guild president Michael Winship and incoming vice president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen. All three staff seats, which are allocated to news writers, were won by Solidarity Slate along with four of the six open freelance seats, which are allocated to film and television writers. Council members are elected to terms lasting two years.
Winship and Cullen’s seats will be taken for one year by Inclusion and Experience candidates David Simon, creator of “The Wire,...
- 9/14/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
After a heated contest that raised questions about the future of digital journalists in the union, the Writers Guild of America East has unveiled the results of its latest Council elections.
Filling six open freelance seats are Josh Gondelman, Sasha Stewart, Liz Hynes, Lauren Ashley Smith, Benjamin Rosenblum, Tracey Scott Wilson, David Simon and Tian Jun Gu and filling three open freelance seats are Kim Kelly, Sara David and Hamilton Nolan, the union revealed Tuesday. Former WGA East president between 2007 and 2017 and current Council member Michael Winship was elected president, Council member Lisa Takeuchi Cullen was elected vice president and ...
Filling six open freelance seats are Josh Gondelman, Sasha Stewart, Liz Hynes, Lauren Ashley Smith, Benjamin Rosenblum, Tracey Scott Wilson, David Simon and Tian Jun Gu and filling three open freelance seats are Kim Kelly, Sara David and Hamilton Nolan, the union revealed Tuesday. Former WGA East president between 2007 and 2017 and current Council member Michael Winship was elected president, Council member Lisa Takeuchi Cullen was elected vice president and ...
- 9/14/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
After a heated contest that raised questions about the future of digital journalists in the union, the Writers Guild of America East has unveiled the results of its latest Council elections.
Filling six open freelance seats are Josh Gondelman, Sasha Stewart, Liz Hynes, Lauren Ashley Smith, Benjamin Rosenblum, Tracey Scott Wilson, David Simon and Tian Jun Gu and filling three open freelance seats are Kim Kelly, Sara David and Hamilton Nolan, the union revealed Tuesday. Former WGA East president between 2007 and 2017 and current Council member Michael Winship was elected president, Council member Lisa Takeuchi Cullen was elected vice president and ...
Filling six open freelance seats are Josh Gondelman, Sasha Stewart, Liz Hynes, Lauren Ashley Smith, Benjamin Rosenblum, Tracey Scott Wilson, David Simon and Tian Jun Gu and filling three open freelance seats are Kim Kelly, Sara David and Hamilton Nolan, the union revealed Tuesday. Former WGA East president between 2007 and 2017 and current Council member Michael Winship was elected president, Council member Lisa Takeuchi Cullen was elected vice president and ...
- 9/14/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amazon Prime Video released a trailer for the fourth and final season of “Goliath,” which premieres Sept. 24.
Viewers were left with a cliffhanger in the Season 3 finale, when lawyer Billy (Billy Bob Thornton) faced a murder attempt. In the new season, Billy returns to his Big Law roots and attempts to take on the opioid industry and its leaders, including George Stax (J.K. Simmons), the leader of one of the largest family-owned pharmaceutical companies, and his brother Frank (Bruce Dern). He and Patty (Nina Arianda) hope to use the power of Big Pharma to buy justice, but loyalties are tested when Patty feels Billy may be using her because she got a new job at a prestigious white-shoe law firm in San Francisco. Billy is also still reeling from chronic pain due to the attack he endured last season.
Also starring in the series are Tania Raymonde, Diana Hopper, Julie Brister,...
Viewers were left with a cliffhanger in the Season 3 finale, when lawyer Billy (Billy Bob Thornton) faced a murder attempt. In the new season, Billy returns to his Big Law roots and attempts to take on the opioid industry and its leaders, including George Stax (J.K. Simmons), the leader of one of the largest family-owned pharmaceutical companies, and his brother Frank (Bruce Dern). He and Patty (Nina Arianda) hope to use the power of Big Pharma to buy justice, but loyalties are tested when Patty feels Billy may be using her because she got a new job at a prestigious white-shoe law firm in San Francisco. Billy is also still reeling from chronic pain due to the attack he endured last season.
Also starring in the series are Tania Raymonde, Diana Hopper, Julie Brister,...
- 8/25/2021
- by Jennifer Yuma and Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Former WGA East president Michael Winship, running unopposed, will be the guild’s next president, succeeding Beau Willimon, who’s not seeking re-election after four years in office. House of Cards creator Willimon led the guild through the WGA’s historic legal battle that reshaped the talent agency business.
Winship, an award-winning news and documentary writer, led the guild during the tumultuous 2007-08 writers strike, serving as president for five consecutive two-year terms – starting just before the strike and ending in 2017. He returned to guild politics in 2018, winning a seat on its Council. He won an Emmy and three WGA Awards writing for three different Bill Moyers shows, as well as the WGA East’s Richard B. Jablow Award for service to the guild.
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, who has served on the Council since 2016 — and was last year’s recipient of the Richard B. Jablow Award — will be the guild’s next vice president.
Winship, an award-winning news and documentary writer, led the guild during the tumultuous 2007-08 writers strike, serving as president for five consecutive two-year terms – starting just before the strike and ending in 2017. He returned to guild politics in 2018, winning a seat on its Council. He won an Emmy and three WGA Awards writing for three different Bill Moyers shows, as well as the WGA East’s Richard B. Jablow Award for service to the guild.
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, who has served on the Council since 2016 — and was last year’s recipient of the Richard B. Jablow Award — will be the guild’s next vice president.
- 6/22/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Tribeca and Comedy Dynamics are reteaming for a slate of 10 stand-up comedy specials to be filmed at the Tribeca Film Festival, which runs June 9-20 in New York City.
The two entities partnered up in early 2020 to produce original stand-up comedy specials that were slated to be filmed at the annual fest. But after Covid restrictions took hold nationwide, they pivoted and evolved the indoor festival into an outdoor comedy drive-in set across the country at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Tribeca x Comedy Dynamics Drive-In featured hourlong comedy sets from Ester Steinberg, Dave Helem, Erica Rhodes and Daniel Webb — the first set of drive-in comedy specials filmed in the midst of the pandemic.
Produced by Tribeca and Comedy Dynamics and directed by the latter’s founder and CEO, Brian Volk-Weiss, this month’s slate of specials is part of Tribeca’s expansion into new storytelling platforms and its...
The two entities partnered up in early 2020 to produce original stand-up comedy specials that were slated to be filmed at the annual fest. But after Covid restrictions took hold nationwide, they pivoted and evolved the indoor festival into an outdoor comedy drive-in set across the country at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Tribeca x Comedy Dynamics Drive-In featured hourlong comedy sets from Ester Steinberg, Dave Helem, Erica Rhodes and Daniel Webb — the first set of drive-in comedy specials filmed in the midst of the pandemic.
Produced by Tribeca and Comedy Dynamics and directed by the latter’s founder and CEO, Brian Volk-Weiss, this month’s slate of specials is part of Tribeca’s expansion into new storytelling platforms and its...
- 6/1/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Chloe Fineman has proved to be one of the best players in the new generation of “Saturday Night Live” cast members. A highlight is Ooli, the aggressively wacky Icelandic social media star-turned talk-show host that Fineman originally created on her Instagram. In Saturday night’s new episode of “SNL,” hosted by CEO and self-described Tesla “Technoking” Elon Musk, “The Ooli Show” was joined by Frances McDormand and Steve Buscemi. Watch the clip below.
As McDormand, McKinnon nailed the jaw jutting and unblinking stare of the Oscar-winning actress-producer. “I’m here to buy, um, more gray sack dresses,” she said. “So, uh… what is this? People really watch this show?”
Melissa Villaseñor also appeared as Icelandic singing sensation Björk, but Musk made a greater impression as an interrupting producer who repeatedly asks Ooli to be his girlfriend. “I have a little bit of money, but I have lots of drugs and ponies.
As McDormand, McKinnon nailed the jaw jutting and unblinking stare of the Oscar-winning actress-producer. “I’m here to buy, um, more gray sack dresses,” she said. “So, uh… what is this? People really watch this show?”
Melissa Villaseñor also appeared as Icelandic singing sensation Björk, but Musk made a greater impression as an interrupting producer who repeatedly asks Ooli to be his girlfriend. “I have a little bit of money, but I have lots of drugs and ponies.
- 5/9/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
“Saturday Night Live” is fielding major criticism for its choice to tap Tesla owner and technocratic billionaire Elon Musk as host, and this time, the call is coming from inside the house. On April 24, NBC announced that Musk would host “Saturday Night Live” on May 8 alongside musical guest Miley Cyrus. While mainstream outlets applauded the headline-grabbing choice, apparently with no thought as to whether or not a CEO is the best choice for a comedy show, backlash to the choice brewed quickly.
Many comedians shared confusion about the choice on social media, including a few of the actual “SNL” cast members who will have to work with him. Though the posts disappeared almost as quickly as they circulated, the screenshots remain. In addition to a general bland stiffness and complete lack of comedy experience, a few expressed thinly veiled disapproval of Musk’s political alignments at a time when wealth...
Many comedians shared confusion about the choice on social media, including a few of the actual “SNL” cast members who will have to work with him. Though the posts disappeared almost as quickly as they circulated, the screenshots remain. In addition to a general bland stiffness and complete lack of comedy experience, a few expressed thinly veiled disapproval of Musk’s political alignments at a time when wealth...
- 4/28/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Anthony Hopkins winning Best Actor over Chadwick Boseman was about as big a shocker as it gets
The ending of the 93rd Academy Awards was quite a shocker, with a run of show that shifted Best Actor to the final award of the night — prompting many to assume they did so because Chadwick Boseman posthumously was going to win the Oscar for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
It made sense. It would have been a touching way to end the show, and to pay tribute to a beloved star who died last year of cancer.
But the assumption that they moved Best Actor to the end in place of Best Picture was based on the idea the powers running the Oscars ceremony actually knew for sure who was gonna win. And if they were hoping for a Boseman victory, they made a big mistake.
Also Read:
8 Oscars Snubs and Surprises From...
The ending of the 93rd Academy Awards was quite a shocker, with a run of show that shifted Best Actor to the final award of the night — prompting many to assume they did so because Chadwick Boseman posthumously was going to win the Oscar for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
It made sense. It would have been a touching way to end the show, and to pay tribute to a beloved star who died last year of cancer.
But the assumption that they moved Best Actor to the end in place of Best Picture was based on the idea the powers running the Oscars ceremony actually knew for sure who was gonna win. And if they were hoping for a Boseman victory, they made a big mistake.
Also Read:
8 Oscars Snubs and Surprises From...
- 4/26/2021
- by Phil Owen
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Following the promotion of Roberto Larios to Agent just before the holidays last year, Verve has started the new year with the hire of Literary Agent Noah Ballard, expanding its Publishing team. The hire will also epxand its New York presence with Ballard being based in the agency’s New York offices.
Ballard, a University of Nebraska grad, began his career working for Emma Sweeney at her eponymous agency before moving over to Curtis Brown, where he has been an agent for the last six years. Named by Writer’s Digest as a “Top Literary Agent to Follow on Twitter”, Ballard’s clients include Cinelle Barnes (Monsoon Mansion), Julie Dicaro (Sidelined), Josh Gondelman (Nice Try) and Tochi Onyebuchi.
“As Verve enters its twelfth year, we are excited to continue our strategic approach to growing the agency and are thrilled to announce the hire of Literary...
Ballard, a University of Nebraska grad, began his career working for Emma Sweeney at her eponymous agency before moving over to Curtis Brown, where he has been an agent for the last six years. Named by Writer’s Digest as a “Top Literary Agent to Follow on Twitter”, Ballard’s clients include Cinelle Barnes (Monsoon Mansion), Julie Dicaro (Sidelined), Josh Gondelman (Nice Try) and Tochi Onyebuchi.
“As Verve enters its twelfth year, we are excited to continue our strategic approach to growing the agency and are thrilled to announce the hire of Literary...
- 2/3/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.