If the strike hits, Late Night TV is the first to go

So, the union members of Writers’ Guild of America are preparing to strike.  To the point that they were told to take home personal belongings from their offices.  If the strike hits, and odds are about good as seeing Britney Spears on Perez Hilton on any given day (pretty fuckin high in other words), late night shows like Leno will be the first to be impacted.

Because they rely on current events for the bulk of the day’s night’s storyline, they haven’t been able to stockpile scripts like TV shows and film studios have.  As a matter of fact it’s already been determined that if the strike starts at 1201 am PST Monday as planned, Leno will immediately revert to re-runs.

Next to feel the impact will be daily shows like soap operas and shows like The View, who only stockpile about a week’s worth of episodes.

Movies will largely be unaffected unless the strike drags for a VERRRRRRRRYY long time as studios have a large number of scripts stockpiled, not to mention films in progress.

Regular TV shows may or may not be affected.  It depends on the duration of the strike.  The last strike ushered in the age of Reality TV because they don’t typically require writers.  Currently, it’s estimated that most shows have enough scripts in progress or stockpiled to last until early next year (which, frighteningly, is only about 8 weeks away, although the reports didn’t say how far IN to next year).

The last strike lasted 22 weeks (2 weeks shy of a typical full TV season, just for comparison).

This strike is related to (primarily) DVD and internet sales residuals for writers.  The current arrangement was decided 22 years ago, in 1985.  Writers agreed to undercut themselves then, because home entertainment (then VHS or the very short-lived Beta-Max) was struggling in its early years.

Now they get the same amount $0.04 (that’s 4 cents) per disc sold as they did in 1985 (which I am assuming was per tape then).  They also want to increase their share in download licensing fees from 1.2% to 2.5% (just over a 100% increase).

Given how little writers make compared to the stars and bigwigs behind films and TV shows (even the crappy ones that no one see), it seems to be a pretty fair demand.  Now, I’m NOT a member, I DON’T know all the details or demands, and I don’t know the producers’ stories.  But regardless, it appears that either or both sides have forgotten that negotiation means compromise.  Is 4 cents or another $1.30 (based on average online movie pricing to be just under $10) or less REALLY too much to give up to the people who keep you producers in work???  Let’s not forget that no writers=no scripts=no new work.

New Scam to be aware of: Email from the “IRS”

Lately I’ve been getting messages in my email telling me that the IRS has determined that they owe me money–anywhere from $99 and change to more than $400.

Big problem.  I haven’t worked in almost 4 years because of a disability.   I have had no income, therefore no INCOME tax return is possible.

Another big problem.  The link the email provides does NOT go to the IRS.  It starts as a link to DSMLoggers and ends up at a www.ohmarshop.com domain.

The site asks for your DEBIT card number, your CV2, which is the authentication that most online sites require in order to complete a purchase (basically it ‘proves’ you have possession of the card), AND your PIN.

After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that
you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $99.23.
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 3-6 days in order to
process it.

A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons.
For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.

To access your tax refund, please click here [link intentionally broken by LCP Intern]

Best Regards,
Internal Revenue Service
© Copyright 2007, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A. All rights reserved.
TAX REFUND ID: A29R113

Here is a copy of the message.  Here is the destination link.  Whatever you do, DO NOT provide ANY information at the link.

One for the WTFF (What the Fuck Files)

Oh.

My.

Gods.

From PerezHilton:

A woman named Nicolle O’Neill is suing Paris Hilton.

Why? She claims that the heiress stole her look.

In a personal injury complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 18, O’Neill alleges that she suffers “emotional distress” because of Hilton and accuses the socialite of ripping off her style, including fashion-related “patens” [sic] and “stiling” [sic] tips.

Oh, yeah. Nicky’s court filing is handwritten!

Two pages of documents spell out specific charges against Paris, including a claim that she stole O’Neill’s idea to expose her “je-streeng underware (bikiny)” [sic] under her pants. O’Neill also claims Paris swiped her idea to shop in vintage stores for ’60s-style dresses.

Nicky wants Paris to pay “billions” in damages.

Is Paris even worth that much?

Danny Roane: First Time Director

I have to be honest.  I’m not an Andy Dick fan.  Of his work or of him personally.  Everything I’ve ever read about him indicates he is as personable as a pissed off skunk.  But I tried to keep an open mind going into the film.

First the synopsis provided by Lionsgate and/or M80 marketing:

After his drunken antics ruin his acting career, Danny Roane (Dick) decides to stage a comeback by sobering up and directing his own movie. Everything goes as planned until Roane suddenly falls back to his partying lifestyle while trying to finish his film about drug and alcohol abuse. Off the wagon and under pressure, Roane spirals out of control while his movie – and his career – sinks to new and unexpected lows. Danny Roane: First Time Director originally aired on Comedy Central in August 2007.

The film is presented as a documentary, following Danny (Dick) through the process of making his first feature film, Dəd Drēm (pronounced Dead Dream).  We learn early on that Danny is sober 4 years and that he’s very tightly wound (a nearby clock’s ticking-not heard by the viewer-drives him crazy).  The documentary follows him securing a producer for the film, going through preproduction and, mainly, filming.  Scenes from Dəd Drēm are inter-woven with the documentary.

In order to appreciate this film, you have to understand it is a farce.  As in

A light dramatic work in which highly improbable plot situations, exaggerated characters, and often slapstick elements are used for humorous effect.  [thefreedictionary.com/farce]

It mocks life, film-making, and probably even specific people within the business.  Unfortunately, Americans don’t typically understand or appreciate farce, so this movie has gotten (and will get more) crappy reviews.

I have to say, there was one set of lines that caught my attention, over all the others.  I am (ironically, as the woman who asked me to review this didn’t know it) a substance abuse services major at school.

‘You don’t see it when you’re in the thick of it.  It’s like a hurricane of alcohol and drugs, and I’m in the eye of that hurricane.  Everything seems calm to me…’

Those words are probably the perfect example of how things are for an addict.  I think it’s clear that Dick, while NOT in control of his own personal issues, has an understanding of addiction (at least, if it’s true that he did indeed write this).

I suspect the movie is at least somewhat autobiographical for him.

So-overall, should you see this movie?  Yes.  IF you like this farcical humour.  If you like SNL, Will Ferrell, and Mad TV, chances are you’ll enjoy this movie.  If you typically end up staring blankly at any of the above, or shake your head in disgust… well, probably not the movie for you.