Month: February 2016

The Past 48 Hours: February 17-18, 2016

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Channing DungeyPaul Lee Resigns At ABC, Channing Dungey Named Entertainment President
The Gist: Ben Sherwood oversaw the transition, naming Dungey as Lee’s successor after nearly 9 years with ABC Studios.
Source Article Here: Broadcasting & Cable
Author: Michael Malone

 

iPhone 5cThe Stalemate Between The FBI and Apple Over San Bernardino Shooter’s iPhone
The Gist: The dead male San Bernardino terrorist’s iPhone is locked. The FBI wants it unlocked, a customized software request that Apple says would mean digital bedlam for consumer security were it to comply. Here are the arguments of both, explained. A brief video version and Apple’s full memo are in the article.
Source Article Here: The Washington Post
Author: Ellen Nakashima

Paul LeeBroadcast Blues: Paul Lee’s Rough Season At ABC , Analyzed
The Gist: Veteran TV reporter-analyst Joe Adalian takes a deep-dive into the challenges faced by ABC’s Paul Lee in focusing on scripted TV, the lost opportunities, and a corporate culture Lee may not have been able to navigate in time. The report is here.
Source Article Here: Vulture
Author: Josef Adalian

TMZ logoWeb Hits & Giggles: Inside The Long Reach of ‘TMZ’
The Gist: The New Yorker’s current 13-page piece on Harvey Levin and the TMZ machine – both TV and online – The Digital Dirt, is here.
Source Article Here: The New Yorker
Author: Nicholas Schmidle

Deadpool‘Deadpool’ Resets Superhero Genre With Quarter of A Billion-Dollar Gross in 3 Days
The Gist: A spin-off movie based on a fringe superhero with a hard-R rating and a lead whose mainstream attempt 5 years ago with The Green Lantern tanked. A quick look at why bucking conventional wisdom with Deadpool is making studios take fast notice.
Source Article Here: Time
Author: Tom Huddleston, Jr.

ellen-adele prank#Viral Talk Show Vid: Adele Pranks Jamba Juice
The Gist: From today’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Adele confuses Jamba Juice employees and cuts her own wheatgrass patch, on command from Ellen in an earpiece, with a pair of scissors from her purse.
Source Article Here: People
Author: Grace Gavilanes

#Trailer Watch: ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny’ [Netflix Original]
The Gist: Directed by Woo-Ping Yuen, action and fight director for films such as Kill Bill: Vol. 2 and Kung Fu Hustle, the sequel to the 2000 theatrical film premieres on Netflix, Friday, February 26, 2016. Michelle Yeoh, who starred in the original, returns.
Source Video Here: YouTube/Netflix US & Canada

Magazine StackThe Celeb Magazine Titles Declining In Double-Digits Beyond The Industry Average
The Gist: While the overall celebrity title magazine genre is holding, Us Weekly has dropped by nearly 20% in one year. The numbers for People, Star Magazine, In Touch, Life & Style, and OK! are here.
Source Article Here: The New York Post
Author: Keith J. Kelly

Orphan Black#TV Trailer: ‘Orphan Black’ Season 4 [BBC America]
The Gist: The arrival of a new season and a new clone, beginning April 13, 2016.
Source Article Here: Slash Film
Author: Angie Han

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Betty LaVette48 Years To Stardom -The Battle of Betty LaVette: “I like to sit here and regret all this.”
The Gist: Betty LaVette didn’t get the marquee opportunities of her peers until she was 64. A feature piece with the R&B survivor on the road and at home in New Jersey. Recalls a friend who helped her pay her bills in lean years: “She would say, ‘They won’t let me sing. Maybe I should just quit and go to Burger King.’ Video is here.
Source Article Here: The New Yorker (November 15, 2010)
Author: Alec Wilkinson

The Past 24 Hours: February 16, 2016

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Vanity 1Vanity aka Denise Matthews: 1959 – 2016
The Gist: The Canadian model-turned-singer was one of Prince’s first proteges and muses, fronting the girl group Vanity 6, best known for the dance/R&B hit Nasty Girl. After leaving Prince, she starred in movies and recorded 2 solo albums. Surviving crack cocaine addiction led her to lead her own Fremont, CA ministry for over 20 years.
Source Article Here: Rolling Stone
Author: Kory Grow

veterans_day1Why Are Any Suicide & Crisis Calls From Military Veterans Going To Voicemail?
The Gist: A suicide hotline, featured in last year’s Oscar-winning documentary Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1, has been found by investigators to not be able to handle over 300,000 incoming calls annually. While some overflow goes to backup call centers, the combination of training, staffing shortages, and system issues are key problems.
Source Article Here: USA Today
Author: Gregg Zoroya

gavel“Gasps and whimpers” In Court As ‘Grim Sleeper’ Trial Begins In Los Angeles
The Gist: An account of the first day and opening statement in the capital murder trial of Lonnie Franklin, Jr. Details of the long-awaited cases being brought to trial, which could last up to three months, are here.
Source Article Here: The Los Angeles Times
Authors: Stephen Ceasar, Corina Knoll and Marisa Gerber

Rolling Stone Cover“I’m trying to stay focused, it’s a little heavy for me tonight. Just keep jamming … She knows about this one.” – Prince Dedicates Songs To Vanity In Australia
The Gist: Prince shared a couple of reminiscences – and changed verses in The Beautiful Ones and The Ladder – in tribute to late girlfriend Vanity during his Piano and a Microphone tour last night.
Source Article Here: Herald Sun
Author: Cameron Adams

Eagles of Death Metal“..There were some real angels, real wonderful people in that show that aren’t alive today and I really wish they were.” – Eagles of Death Metal Return For France Show
The Gist: The California band returns to France; leader Jesse Hughes speaks about his views on gun control and the emotional shock after 89 concert goers were killed during the band’s November 13th concert at the Bataclan venue.
Source Article Here: BBC

Common The Wiz#Late Night Video Watch: ‘Celebrities Read Mean Tweets: Music Edition’
The Gist: Jimmy Kimmel Live’s viral clip of musicians reading their hater’s tweets, including: James Taylor, Common, James Taylor, Mumford & Sons, Kelly Clarkson, Josh Groban, Lionel Richie, Black Shelton, and Demi Lovato.
Video Source Here: Hulu

 

Lena Dunham“There’s no way that in reality it’s comfortable for me to be reading this much sort of violent rhetoric in my direction.” – Lena Dunham
The Gist: Jane Fonda interviews Lena Dunham for the March 2016 edition of Paper magazine.
Source Article Here: Paper
Authors: Jane Fonda/Abby Schreiber   Photography by Ellen Von Unwerth

Revolving DoorMedia Industry Comings & Goings As of 2/16/16
The Gist: A one-page listing of who’s gone where and who has left (for now). Companies include: InStyle; Us Weekly; Factual; Superfly, and more.
Source Article Here: Mediabistro

 

 

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BR0712_500Findings From ‘The Love Lab’: What Makes & Breaks Relationships
The Gist: Relationship scientist John Gottman reveals the jargon-free truths of what makes relationships work (“respect and affection”) and what will doom them (“criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, and contempt”) at home…and even at work. The 2007 article, Making Relationships Work, is here.
Source Article Here: Harvard Business Review
Author: Diane Coutu

The Past 24 Hours: February 12, 2016

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Kerry Washington as Anita Hill#TV Trailer: ‘Confirmation’ (HBO)
The Gist: Anita Hill’s 1991 testimony during Clarence Thomas’ Supreme Court confirmation hearings, after her private FBI interview reports were leaked, are the focus of HBO’s take, premiering April 16. Kerry Washington stars as Hill, Wendell Pierce as Thomas, with cast including Jennifer Hudson, Greg Kinnear, and Eric Stonestreet.
Source Article Here: Vulture
Author: Jackson McHenry

Silicon chip‘Silicon Beach’ – L.A.’s 25 Most Intriguing Start-Ups
The Gist: A one page look at 25 of the most interest-sparking start-up companies that are under 5 years old.
Source Article Here: Business Insider
Author: Biz Carson

heart_splashWho Was Saint Valentine…& Why Were All 3 Martyred?
The Gist: Valentine’s Day, as far as cards sent to loved ones, is second only to Christmas. The longest surviving ‘Valentine’ message was sent by jailed poet Charles, Duke of Orleans – 601 years ago – after being captured in battle. The history of Valentine’s Day through the ages is here.
Source Article Here: History.com

stock arrown graphicMedia Stocks – Disney, Viacom, Twitter, Time Warner and WWE Take Knocks
The Gist: Subscriber concerns impacted the stocks of the 5 media companies this week. The bottom line: “investors are obsessed with user counts.”
Source Article Here: New York Post
Author: Richard Morgan

LA MarathonThe Full List of Street Closures During L.A. Marathon This Sunday
The Gist: The L.A. Marathon is this Sunday, February 14, and spans a 26-mile course from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. Here’s a comprehensive list of street closures and accessibility routes.
Source Article Here: The Los Angeles Times
Authors: LAT staff and wire reports

Alanis Animation Art#Video: Alanis Morissette Shares Animated “…Story of my nuclear family in moving pictures.”
The Gist: Morissette, 41, released the animated video and song about the expansion of her family with husband Mario ‘Souleye’ Treadway, along with the announcement that they’re expecting their second child.
Source Article Here: People
Authors: Sarah Michaud, Jeff Nelson

Grimsby#Trailer Watch: ‘The Brothers Grimsby’ [Red Band Trailer/NSFW]
The Gist: Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest comedy, about a footballer and his black operations brother on an anti-terror mission, opens March 11 in the USA and February 24 in the UK (as, simply, Grimsby). Rebel Wilson, Isla Fisher, Gabourey Sidibe, and Ian McShane co-star.
Source Article Here: NME
Author: Nick Levine

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Karl--HollywoodWhen You First Move To L.A. & Don’t Know That You’re Eating Christmas Dinner With A ‘Producer’ & His …..Nephews?
The Gist: My satiric – but true – essay from 2014, Christmas In Babylon, about being a plus-one at dinner with a ‘producer’ who’s pretty much the farthest from the profession…ever.
Source Article Here: Hollywood Railroad
Author: Karl Gibson

The Past 24 Hours: February 11, 2016

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South Carolina Postcard‘Political Blood’ & ‘Fireworks’ – What To Expect In The South Carolina Primaries
The Gist: A look at the heightened stakes and potential strategies of the candidates still in the Presidential race, as well as the “legendary” messiness of past primaries in South Carolina.
Source Article Here: Vanity Fair
Author: Tina Nguyen

Samantha Bee#TV Clips Buzz: ‘Full Frontal With Samantha Bee’
The Gist: Samantha Bee, 46, was The Daily Show’s longest-running correspondent and now has a weekly late-night talk show on TBS. Here are 6 clips from her premiere episode, where she skewers both sides of the political spectrum.
Source Article Here: Splitsider
Author: Megh Wright

Roots remake#TV Trailer Buzz: ‘Roots’ Remake
The Gist: The new 2:42 trailer, from A+E Studios, for the remake of 1977’s Roots adaptation. 8-hour event series airs on the History Channel, beginning May 30, 2016.
Source Article Here: Entertainment Weekly
Author: James Hibberd

gavelMassachusetts Judge Rules Camille Cosby Must Give Deposition
The Gist: Camille Cosby will have to respond to a subpoena deposition in the defamation lawsuit filed by 7 plaintiffs claiming sexual abuse by Bill Cosby. Per the judge, recounting private conversations between the marital Cosbys can be refused in Mrs. Cosby’s deposition.
Source Article Here: Yahoo!
Author: Associated Press

Umm....“Jane (late 20s) sits hunched over a microscope. She’s attractive, but too much of a professional to care about her appearance.” – Twitter Account Puts Anonymous Screenwriters On Blast
The Gist: Writer-Producer Ross Putnam’s Twitter account, @femscriptintros, consists of inanely conceived “intros for female leads in actual scripts.” With just 31 examples, the account has nearly 47,000 followers already.
Source Article Here: Vulture
Author: Nate Jones

Silicon Valley#TV Teaser Buzz: ‘Silicon Valley’
The Gist: The third season teaser trailer for co-creator Mike Judge’s tech comedy about VC life was released today; the series returns April 24 on HBO.
Source: YouTube/HBO

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Pablo Neruda“I felt an intense emotion and set down a few words…” – The Life of Poet Pablo Neruda
The Gist: This 2003 piece, The Ecstacist, recounts the literary artistry of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, coinciding with the release of his 1,000 page collection of poems.
Source Article Here: The New Yorker
Author: Mark Strand

The Past 24 Hours: February 10, 2016

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NBCUniversal logoWho Got Promoted In The Latest NBCUniversal Re-Org: “Shows crossover so easily now.”
The Gist: Bonnie Hammer, Chairman of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, announced a restructuring of the division. Here’s whose oversight has changed within the division and promotions in the re-org.
Source Article Here: Brief/Promax
Author: Paige Albiniak

 

Amanda_Melrose PlaceScripted TV’s 40 Most Memorable Villains
The Gist: One one page, here’s 40 of scripted television’s most memorable villains, along with 28 video clips of them in action. Some of the shows and villains: Lost, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, True Detective, Dynasty, Spartacus, Boardwalk Empire, The Wire, The Sopranos, The Walking, American Horror Story.
Source Article Here: Rolling Stone
Author: Sean T. Collins

 

NYT logoCollege Student Defends Critical Firestorm After Posting ‘New York Times’ Go-See: “My visit made me realize it was sterile journalism.”
The Gist: Social media blow-back and millennial disses came swiftly after journalism student Hannah Gordon posted her assessment of the New York Times newsroom after being invited there. Gordon says her post – which can be read here – was sourced from a class project website.
Source Article Here: Fishbowl NY
Author: Richard Hogan

Tonight Show logo#Late Night Clips: Katie Holmes On Beyonce At Super Bowl, Plays ‘Musical Beers’
The Gist: Two video clips from Tuesday’s The Tonight Show with Katie Holmes’ couch imitation of Beyonce and playing Musical Beers with The Roots, Ryan Reynolds and Jimmy Fallon.
Source Article Here: People
Author: Jodi Gugliemi