International Insider: Probe Spooks UK Drama Biz; Laying Out The Layoffs; WBD’s Turkey Plan

Its that time again, Insiders. Weve collated the biggest and best stories from the week in film and TV. I recall hearing about these groups at the time. ‘Derry Girls’ is made by Hat Trick Productions, one of the indies being investigated by the CMAChannel 4 Max has done a cracking job of outlining whats happening now and next. Can 2024 provide struggling UK scripted freelancers some respite? Laying Out The Layoffs Whats it all 4?...

February 2, 2024 · 2 min · 345 words · Amanda Lewis

Issa Rae Sees Hollywood Falling Down On Promises Of Diversity And Inclusion

Issa Raeis blunt about how the entertainment industry seems to be changing. A big part of that attitude is her recent history. In January, her TV seriesRap Sh!twas axed by Warner Bros. Issa RaeEmma McIntyre/WireImage It was just one part of a disturbing trend in Raes eyes. Ive never seen Hollywood this scared and clueless, and at the mercy of Wall Street, she says. Last year was a rollercoaster for Rae....

February 2, 2024 · 2 min · 239 words · Dylan Johnson

Joe Biden To Meet With Black Entertainment Industry Leaders During Los Angeles Visit This Weekend; Campaign To Run Ad On Grammy Show

EXCLUSIVE:Joe Bidenand First LadyJill Bidenwill travel to Los Angeles on Saturday, with plans for the president to meet with Black leaders in the entertainment industry in town for theGrammys, according to a source familiar with the plans. During the campaign visit, the president plans to talk with the industry leaders about the issues at stake in the election and how they can use their platforms to mobilize voters between now and the November election, according to the source....

February 2, 2024 · 2 min · 426 words · Jessica Torres

Lainey Wilson Calls For AI Legislation At House Judiciary’s Los Angeles Field Hearing, But Law Professor Warns Of Unintended Consequences

We cannot lose that. My art is uniquely and literally me, my name, my likeness, my voice, Wilson said. It is wrong, plain and simple. Lainey WilsonHouse Judiciary Committee Related Stories Donald Trump Removes Doug Emhoff And Other Joe Biden Appointees From U.S. I would never in a million years ever do anything like that. And its really, really scary when it gets to that point. Thelegislationwould give individuals more control over the use of their identifying characteristics in digital replicas....

February 2, 2024 · 2 min · 230 words · Douglas Flynn

Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Stephanie Beatriz, Sally Struthers, Margaret Avery & Eugene Cordero Among 13 Cast In Mike Schur/Ted Danson Netflix Comedy

Cordero and Jackson both recurred on NBCsThe Good Place, which was created/executive produced by Schur and starred Danson. Jackson also had a major recurring role on Fox/NBCsBrooklyn Nine-Nine, which Schur co-created and executive produced. Beatriz plays Didi, the all-seeing, all-knowing managing director of the Pacific View Retirement Residence in San Francisco. (Clockwise Top L-R) Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Stephanie Beatriz, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, Stephen Mckinley Henderson, Sally Struthers, Eugene Cordero, Margaret Avery & Susan RuttanCourtesy of Netflix/Getty/Kevin Scanlon/Courtesy...

February 2, 2024 · 2 min · 216 words · Sharon White

Michael Cieply: What To Think About What’s Left Of The Los Angeles Times?

TheLos Angeles Timescame weather-wrapped Thursday morning. There was more plastic than paper, or so it seemed. Details about Chucks passing have been sparse he is said to have requested no postmortem attention. A view of the Los Angeles Times offices in El SegundoAaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images But theTimesdid manage to print a brief, paid death notice for three days running. He later said that a humiliating Page 1 apology and retraction in theTimeswas overblown and inaccurate....

February 2, 2024 · 1 min · 153 words · Andrew Barry

Musical Adaptation Of Bestseller ‘The Interestings’ In Works With ‘Waitress’ Composer Sara Bareilles And Playwright Sarah Ruhl

Bareilles is composing the music and lyrics, while Ruhl writes the book. Matt Ross (Dana H., Is This A Room) is producing. Decades later in New York City, that bond remains powerful, but so much else has changed. Sara BareillesJean Catuffe/GC Images Bareilles, a two-time Grammy winner and multiple Tony and Emmy nominee called Wolitzers book an extraordinary creation. How do we know when our lives are of value, how do we know when we have enough?...

February 2, 2024 · 1 min · 95 words · Matthew Brown

Netflix Unveils Southeast Asia & Chinese-Language Production Slate

Prime Video might be pulling back from Southeast Asian originals, butNetflixis doubling down on originals in the region. The streamer has unveiled several titles fromIndonesiaandThailand, and a Chinese-language slate for 2024. The country is Southeast Asias most populous country, with a growing streaming market. The Shadow StraysNetflix He wrote and producedHunger, which was one of the streamers top non-English titles in 2023. The streamer has bolstered its Chinese-language content over the last year, with thriller seriesCopycat Killergaining significant traction globally....

February 2, 2024 · 1 min · 131 words · Cynthia Castro

Retaliatory Strikes In Middle East “Will Continue At Times & Places Of Our Choosing,” Biden Says; Fox Admits It Was “Wrong” In Initial Reports U.S. Military Attacks Had Begun

Watch on Deadline Our response began today, Biden added today of the ongoing strikes. It will continue at times and places of our choosing. The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. (L-R) President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, USMC Sgt. Maj. Troy E....

February 2, 2024 · 2 min · 292 words · Katherine Lopez

Sam Waterston Exiting ‘Law & Order’ As Tony Goldwyn Joins Cast

Its the end of an era onNBCsLaw & OrderasSam Waterstonis gearing up to say goodbye. Goldwyn has previously starred in theLaw & OrderspinoffCriminal Intentas Frank Goren, a character who died in the series. Goldwyn will be playing a new character onLaw & Order. Sam Waterston, Tony GoldwynCourtesy/Victoria Will Waterston made his debut on the series in the Season 5 premiere (1994) titled Second Opinion. Greetings, you wonderful people. Its a pleasure to talk directly like this to the backbone ofLaw & Orders absolutely amazing audience....

February 2, 2024 · 2 min · 235 words · Erin Miller

Sexual Assault & Sex Trafficking Claims Against Vince McMahon Affixed To Ongoing Probe By Feds

Federal authorities are in contact with women regarding recent sexual assault and sex trafficking allegations againstVince McMahon. This builds on the probe authorities have been conducting against McMahon since 2022. Individuals with knowledge of the situation confirmed the latest turn in the investigation to Deadline this morning. Vince McMahonEthan Miller/Getty Images She did, but says in the suit she only received $1 million from McMahon. In her suit, Grant is seeking to have the NDA invalidated, among other recourses....

February 2, 2024 · 1 min · 151 words · Heather Murphy

Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd & Kate Mara Join ‘Friendship’ Comedy

Pic centers on Craig Waterman (Robinson), who enjoys his life. He likes New Balance shoes, Subway sandwiches, and Marvel movies. He lives in the suburbs with his wife, Tami, and son, Steven. (L-R) Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd and Kate MaraAdam Rose/Justin Bishop/Juankr Hes happy to work at Universal Digital, a company that helps brands make their products more habit-forming. Craig sees no reason to change anything or make new friends… until weatherman Brian moves into the neighborhood....

February 2, 2024 · 1 min · 114 words · Emily Nichols

U.S. Economy Added 353,000 Jobs In January, Beating Expectations; Entertainment Industry Continues To Recover After Strikes

Unemploymentremained unchanged at 3.7%. The increase has been 4.5% over the past 12 months. There also were gains in the entertainment industry, with the strikes down in the rearview mirror. Labor Department building in Washington, D.C.Getty Images Employment in motion picture and sound recording rose to 444,800, up 11,700 from the previous month. Employment in publishing industries rose to 938,000, up 2,900. The BLS often adjusts its data as more information becomes available....

February 2, 2024 · 1 min · 131 words · Jorge Holden