Hollywood Strikes Enter A New Phase As Daytime Shows Like Drew Barrymore’s Return Despite Pickets

Published

1 year ago

2023-09-16

NEW YORK – “The Drew Barrymore Show” will return with new episodes on Monday, but its typically cheerful presenter will be embroiled in a slew of off-air drama.

Despite picketers outside her studio, Barrymore, the daughter of a great acting dynasty, is producing new episodes of her syndicated chat show as daytime TV becomes the next front in the continuing Hollywood labor war.

“We’re about four months into this strike, so it’s not surprising that there are defectors,” said Michael H. LeRoy, a labor and employment relations professor at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. “I couldn’t have predicted that this would happen on daytime TV, but everybody has a breaking point in a labour dispute.”

“The Drew Barrymore Show,” no longer produced by its three union writers, isn’t the only daytime show to return. “The View” has returned to ABC for its 27th season, while “Tamron Hall” and “Live With Kelly and Ryan” — neither of which is subject to writers guild restrictions — have also been airing new episodes. “The Jennifer Hudson Show” and “The Talk” will also return on Monday.

If the hosts and guests don’t discuss or advertise work that is subject to broadcast, theatrical, or streaming contracts, they are not formally breaking the strike. This is because a separate contract covers discussion shows — the so-called Network Code — from the one that performers and writers are striking. Reality TV, sports, morning news broadcasts, soap operas, and game shows are also covered by the Network Code.

“I realise there’s nothing I can do to make this acceptable to those who aren’t. “I fully accept that,” Barrymore stated in an Instagram video posted Friday that was subsequently removed. “I just want everyone to know that my intentions are no longer in a position to upset or hurt anyone.” It’s not my personality.”

“The Drew Barrymore Show” will return with new episodes on Monday, but its typically cheerful presenter will be embroiled in a slew of off-air drama.

The ongoing strike opposes the Writers Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and others against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing Disney, Netflix, and Amazon.

The return of daytime hosts, producers, and studio crews will result in some awkward conversations, predicted Zayd Ayers Dohrn, a writer, professor, and director of Northwestern University’s MFA in Writing for Screen and Stage.

“It’s kind of amazing that they’re going back to work with their own writers picketing outside the doors of the studios,” said Dohrn, a member of the writers guild. “They’re literally walking right past the picket line of the workers they claim to support.”

Social media reacted negatively to Barrymore’s choice to return to the air. “You have the heart and mind to be more tuned into the needs of the community than this,” one Instagram user remarked. Another was blunter: “You don’t get to play a generous and relatable character when it’s financially advantageous for you and then scab when your wallet is threatened.”

Alyssa Milano, an actress and activist who has known Barrymore for years, also criticized her return, calling it “not a great move.”

“The Drew Barrymore Show” will return with new episodes on Monday, but its typically cheerful presenter will be embroiled in a slew of off-air drama.

“I adore her — I grew up with her — but I’m not sure this was the best move for the strike.” I’m sure in her views it’s the correct move for her and the program, but as far as the WGA, SAG, and union strength is concerned, it’s not a good move.”

Barrymore’s attitude has also raised eyebrows, as she backed away from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards in May, the first major awards show to air during the strike. She tweeted back then, “I have listened to the writers, and in order to truly respect them, I will pivot from hosting the MTV Movie & TV Awards live in solidarity with the strike.”

She later lost another hosting contract for the National Book Awards in November. The invitation was revoked “in light of the announcement that ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ will resume production.”

LeRoy, who has studied labor-employer conflicts for 30 years, said that while TV shows like Barrymore’s may believe they can avoid utilizing union writers, they may face long-term consequences.

“No members of the Writers Guild will ever work with that show again,” he declared. “It’s a short-term, feel-good or get-by moment for Drew Barrymore and possibly others, but in the long run, in my opinion, they’ve basically given themselves an early retirement.”

He cited previous strikes that left sour memories for decades, such as when Major League Baseball umpires went on strike in 1999. Although new umpires were hired and integrated with senior umpires, tensions remained.

“The Drew Barrymore Show” will return with new episodes on Monday, but its typically cheerful presenter will be embroiled in a slew of off-air drama.

“For the next 25 years, those umpires would not talk to each other if assigned to work games together,” LeRoy claimed. “Twenty-five years of evasion.” People will never forget it.”

Viewers tuning in to new daytime talk show episodes will notice a different landscape. Guests are only sometimes A-listers promoting big TV series or flicks. Since the strike began, authors, musicians, and comedians have filled the void.

Neil deGrasse Tyson came on “Live With Kelly and Ryan” this week, discussing the science behind the Hulk, while Cedric The Entertainer told Hall about his new novel. McConaughey appeared on “The View” to promote his book “Just Because.”

Hosts like Barrymore may find themselves in a catch-22 situation, contractually required to return to work yet certain to irritate colleagues if they do. She stated last week, “This is bigger than just me.”

Bill Maher, who recently announced the return of his late-night talk show, couched his explanation as wanting to help every one of his crew, claiming that writers “are not the only people with issues, problems, and concerns.”

“They talk about wanting to help people who are barely getting by,” Dohrn says. But Bill Maher, Drew Barrymore, and the ‘The View’ hosts aren’t just scraping by. “They could easily stand with their industry colleagues and say, ‘We’re not going to feed the studio pipeline until they make a fair offer,'” he explained.

“They’re deciding to go back to work for a variety of complicated reasons in order to break the strike.”

SOURCE – (AP)

Health

Canada Records its First Case on Monkeypox

Published

15 hours ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The individual sought medical care for mpox (monkeypox) symptoms.

Canada’s Department of Public Health confirmed on Friday that the country’s first mpox (monkeypox) incidence occurred in Manitoba.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, this travel-related case is tied to a continuing mpox outbreak in central and eastern Africa.

“The individual sought medical care in Canada for mpox symptoms shortly after their return and is currently isolating,” the agency stated.

The Public Health Agency of Canada works closely with Manitoba’s public health authorities. The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) informed the province on November 22 that the sample tested positive for mpox (monkeypox),” the agency stated.

The World Health Organization stated earlier in the day that the mpox outbreak remains a public health emergency.

In August, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following the spread of a new version of the virus, known as Mpox clade Ib, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring nations.

MPox is a viral illness that spreads by close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled sores. It is typically moderate, but it can be fatal.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said that while the danger to Canada’s general population is low, it constantly monitors the situation. It further stated that a public health investigation, including contact tracing, is underway.

FDA Approves Expanded Use of ACAM2000 for Monkeypox Prevention

FDA Approves Expanded Use of ACAM2000 for Monkeypox Prevention

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

1 day ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.

The Prime Minister dances.

This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.

Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf

— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

News

Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

Published

2 days ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.