Drew Barrymore Dropped As National Book Awards Host After Her Talk Show Resumes During Strike

Published

12 months ago

2023-09-13

NEW YORK – Drew Barrymore has been snubbed as the host of the forthcoming National Book Awards presentation only one day after taping her first episode since the Hollywood writer’s strike began.

“The National Book Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of literature, and the incomparable contributions of writers to our culture,” said the National Book Foundation, which presents the award, in a statement Tuesday. “In light of the announcement that’The Drew Barrymore Show’ will resume production, the National Book Foundation has rescinded Ms. Barrymore’s invitation to host the 74th National Book Awards Ceremony.”

The awards ceremony, dubbed the “Academy Awards of the Publishing World,” is set for November 15.

Because daytime talk shows are controlled by a different Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists contract that was updated and ratified last year, Barrymore’s resumption of her CBS talk show does not inevitably pose complications with the actors guild, which is also on strike. However, at least three writers on Barrymore’s show are members of the Writers guild, which has been on strike since early May. On Monday, those writers demonstrated outside the CBS Broadcast Building.

“The only people I know for certain who will not return are the three WGA writers.” “I can’t really speak for the rest,” Chelsea White, one of the show’s writers, said on the picket line. First and foremost, this is clearly much broader than ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ and its authors. We’re out here with our union, feeling terrific and excited to always stand with our union.”

Drew Barrymore has been snubbed as the host of the forthcoming National Book Awards presentation only one day after taping her first episode since the Hollywood writer’s strike began.

Members of both guilds chastised Barrymore for crossing the picket line, as did Colson Whitehead, Alexander Chee, and other authors who questioned whether she should continue as host of the National Book Awards.

The fourth season of the chat show is set to premiere on September 18. Barrymore’s representative has yet to immediately reply to a request for comment. On Sunday, Barrymore announced on Instagram that she was “making the choice to come back for the first time in this strike for our show, that may have my name on it but this is bigger than just me.”

“I own this choice,” she continued, adding that they will abide by the strikes by not discussing or promoting strike work.

In her post, she also mentioned writers.

“I want to be there to provide what writers do so well, which is a way to bring us all together or help us make sense of the human experience,” she wrote.

Barrymore dropped out of hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards in solidarity with the writer’s strike (she eventually won best host at the event, which eschewed the live part in favor of a clip-heavy pre-taped presentation). In other literary news, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos backed out of May’s PEN America Gala, where he was set to receive a Business Visionary Award, citing a desire not to be distracted from “the important work that PEN America does for writers and journalists” (Netflix is one of the studios and streamers on the other side of the table from the striking workers).

The National Book Foundation has long worked to elevate the book awards’ visibility, and Barrymore would have been its most well-known host in years. When she was announced, the chair of the National Book Foundation’s board of directors praised her efforts as host of this year’s National Book Awards.

“Throughout their careers, Drew Barrymore and Oprah Winfrey have each demonstrated their enduring belief that books have the power to change readers’ lives — by opening doors, sparking conversations, and building community,” David Steinberger said in a statement, referring to Winfrey, who will be the ceremony’s guest speaker.

On Tuesday, the foundation attempted to refocus attention on the writers.

“Our commitment is to ensure that the focus of the Awards remains on celebrating writers and books, and we are grateful to Ms. Barrymore and her team for their understanding in this situation,” according to the statement.

SOURCE – (AP)

News

Canadian Man Arrested for TikTok Video That Threatened Trudeau

Published

8 hours ago

2024-09-07

Geoff Thomas

Marshall is facing two counts of uttering threats - CBC Image

A TikTok video that went live earlier this week has led to a Toronto man facing charges of threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Andrew Marshall, 61, is facing two counts of uttering threats.

On Friday afternoon, the Ontario Court of Justice granted him bail with a surety and restrictions after the RCMP charged him on Wednesday.

Following Monday’s upload to TikTok, CBC Toronto conducted its own independent investigation of the video. Marshall vehemently opposes what he perceives as restrictions on free expression in Canada in it.

“I get them taken down all the time— I make videos — or all my comments, that are just simple comments,” Marsh says in the TikTok. “It’s just getting ridiculous, Marshall said.”

According to the CBC more and more people are threatening politicians. The commissioner of the RCMP has hinted that further measures may be necessary to ensure their safety.

In the TikTok video, Marshall explains in great detail how he would brutally assassinate Trudeau and Freeland “if it was up to him.”

Marshall attacks multiple groups throughout the roughly 11-minute TikTok video, including the media, Muslims, migrants, and the police who defend the government.

Among Marshall’s bail terms are the following: he must not communicate with Trudeau or Freeland; he must not use the internet to make social media posts or comments; he must not own any weapons; and he must not apply for a firearms permit.

During the bail hearing, the prosecution provided all of the evidence that is often not published.

Nate Jackson, Marshall’s attorney, stressed his client’s liberties and privileges as a Canadian in an email message.

“He has the right to freedom of speech, the right to reasonable bail and the right to a fair trial,” he said. “Having secured his release from custody, we will continue to defend Mr. Marshall’s Charter rights as his case proceeds.”

Neither Freeland’s nor the prime minister’s office would comment on the allegations, according to the CBC.

TikTok Says Cyberattack Targeted CNN And Other ‘High-Profile Accounts’

TikTok Says Cyberattack Targeted CNN And Other ‘High-Profile Accounts’

Entertainment

Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ a Box Office Success Gets 4.5 Stars

Published

8 hours ago

2024-09-07

Geoff Thomas

Beetlejuice is 41% ahead of the norm for the action comedy sci-fi genre - Netflix Image

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice preview reportedly made $13 million for Warner Bros. Fans gave it 4.5 stars on Comscore/Screen Engine’s PostTrak, while both parents and children under the age of 12 gave it 5 stars.

The sequel has a current budget of $90 million, with room to grow.

The sequel starring Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega, and Winona Ryder had 59% female attendees, with 73% of those attendees being 25 and older. In terms of gender, 62% of the children were girls and 38% were boys. Last night, the Latino and Hispanic community had an impressive showing at 36% of the total audience.

According to Yahoo Entertainment, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice social media reach With 508.6 million followers across TikTok, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram combined, Beetlejuice is 41% ahead of the norm for the action comedy sci-fi genre.

“Jenna Ortega has stunned her 38.2 million Instagram followers with 103.1 million views, while Michael Keaton has 1.58 million and Willem Dafoe has 155 thousand,” the social media analytics company adds.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice a Remarkable Sequel

Additionally, they mention, “Convo for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice A remarkable feat for a sequel, Beetlejuice has received mostly good reviews from audiences who have praised the film for its originality and sense of purpose. ‘At first, I thought this was another Scream movie, then I thought it was the Wednesday Season 2!’ A number of fans, including new viewers, are ecstatic to see Jenna Ortega in a horror film.

According to fans of the 1988 original, “My inner child from the 80’s is screaming!” when asked about the style of Jenna Ortega’s flicks. I’m more pumped up for this movie than any other! “I admire the practical effects and the attempts to make it look like the old movie!!” is one commenter’s praise for the show’s expert production values and impressive use of special effects.

You can count on seeing a plethora of costumed fans at the movies this weekend.

A large number of collectible concessions are also available. Beetlejuice jack-in-the-box popcorn buckets are available at Cinemark, competing with Sandworm and Wolverine

For Nicolas Cage, Making A Serial Killer Horror Movie Was A Healing Experience

For Nicolas Cage, Making A Serial Killer Horror Movie Was A Healing Experience

News

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Hits its Highest Point Since 2017

Published

8 hours ago

2024-09-07

Geoff Thomas

Canada's unemployment rate rose to 6.6 per cent in August - FIle Image

As the job market remains dismal, the national unemployment rate in Canada has risen to its highest point since 2017. This has led some analysts to question whether the Bank of Canada should be reducing interest rates more quickly.

In spite of a net gain of 22,000 jobs, Statistics Canada reported on Friday that the unemployment rate increased to 6.6% from 6.4% the previous month. The rise was due to an uptick in part-time employment and a fall in full-time employment.

Outside of the pandemic years, the national unemployment rate has reached its highest position since May 2017, according to StatCan.

Rapid population expansion in Canada has increased the overall labour pool, but the country’s unemployment rate has persisted in rising.

The summer job market was especially tough for students, according to StatCan. Not including the pandemic, the unemployment rate among students going back to school in the autumn was 16.7 percent, which is the highest level since 2012.

Two days after the Bank of Canada dropped interest rates for the third time in a row, reducing borrowing costs to alleviate economic pressure, the most recent reading of the Canadian job market follows suit.

According to TD Bank economist Leslie Preston, who wrote a note on Friday, the central bank is “giving the OK” to keep dropping rates due to the bad August jobs report. Preston predicts two more quarter-point decreases at the remaining decisions this year.

According to CIBC senior economist Andrew Grantham, there are indications that the labour market is quickly contracting more than initially thought, since the unemployment rate is nearly two percentage points greater than the record low of 4.9% in June 2022.

“Due to this, we believe the Bank should be contemplating a quicker rate of reductions in order to bring interest rates to less restrictive levels,” he informed clients in a letter on Friday morning.