Late-night TV shows go dark as writers strike for better pay
The first Hollywood strike in 15 years began Tuesday as the economic pressures of the streaming era prompted unionized TV and film writers to picket for better pay outside major studios, a work stoppage that is leading most late-night shows to air reruns.
NBCUniversal vows auditions for actors with disabilities
NBCUniversal said Friday that actors with disabilities will be included in auditions for all new productions, an agreement sought by the Ruderman Family Foundation, a disability rights advocate. (NBCUniversal via AP)LOS ANGELES โ Actors with disabilities will be included in auditions for each new film and television production at NBCUniversal, which becomes the second major media company to make such a commitment. As more people with disabilities are seen in roles, "it will have ramifications throughout society,โ Ruderman told The Associated Press. According to the most recent foundation report, only about 22% of characters with disabilities on network and streaming shows in 2018 were โauthentically portrayed by actors with disabilities.โ That's an improvement over 2016's finding that 5% of such TV roles went to actors with disabilities. Although the agreement with NBCUniversal doesn't establish hiring goals, Grubba said the value of getting a chance to audition shouldn't be undersold.
Peacock: What you need to know about NBCUniversals new streaming service
Peacock, NBCUniversal's new streaming service, is ready to flaunt its colorful library of content and its attention-grabbing price point of $0. "Peacock Free" is the free, ad-supported option for any consumer regardless of cable provider. So "Peacock Premium" is a tad bit more expensive than Disney+ but it still costs less than WarnerMedia's new service, HBO Max, and Netflix. And it will have something that many streaming services don't: news and sports. As the last major streaming service to go to market, Peacock may have an issue grabbing consumers who have a limited amount of disposable income.
Gabrielle Union Says 'More Changes Are Needed' After NBC Outlines Plans to Prevent Workplace Harassment
Gabrielle Union is speaking out once more about NBC. The complaint was made after NBC conducted an independent investigation into her claims. "They were like, 'We're going to commission this independent investigation.' For more on the ongoing legal drama between Union and NBC, see the video below. RELATED CONTENT:Terry Crews on Apologizing to Gabrielle Union After Her 'AGT' ClaimsGabrielle Union Wants Bad Apples Held Accountable Amid 'AGT' DramaDwyane Wade Defends Gabrielle Union After Discrimination ComplaintGabrielle Union's Discrimination Complaint Against 'AGT': What We Know
David Schwimmer Offers Update on 'Friends' Reunion and Why It'll Be 'Tricky' (Exclusive)
Friends star David Schwimmer speaks with ET's Nischelle Turner about HBO Max's upcoming reunion with the beloved sitcom stars that was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. "There has always been a hope that a component of that reunion show will have a live audience, which makes the whole thing really tricky. Schwimmer further admits that he has "no idea" when they will be able to shoot the reunion amid such health concerns. Schwimmer told the publication at the time that he pushed for his character, Ross, to date women of color during the show. NBCU Photo BankThat being said, Schwimmer notes, "I just thought, I really felt like Ross should date other people, women of all races."
USGA transfers US media rights from Fox back to NBCUniversal
The USGA is transferring its U.S. media rights from Fox Sports to NBC, which returns the U.S. Open and U.S. Womens Open to NBC this year and for the final seven years of the Fox contract. Fox Sports also has contracts with the NFL, college football and Major League Baseball, which led Fox Sports to agree to NBCUniversal taking over the contract. Because of the shutdown, particularly the qualifying for USGA events, only four events are being played this year the U.S. Womens Amateur and U.S. Amateur in consecutive weeks in August, the U.S. Open in September and the U.S. Womens Open in Houston on Dec. 10-13. It also will have the FedEx Cup playoffs every other year when the new media rights deal with the PGA Tour begins, along with all majors on the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions.
Megyn Kelly Reacts to NBC Pulling '30 Rock' Episodes With Blackface After Her Own Controversy
Megyn Kelly is speaking out almost two years after NBC canceled her show, Megyn Kelly Today, following her controversial blackface comments. Kelly retweeted an article about the decision to take down the episodes from NBC's streaming and syndication, writing, "Wait - what network aired those episodes again?" https://t.co/PaUoxkVC6S Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 23, 2020Four episodes of 30 Rock featuring characters in blackface were pulled earlier this week at the request of Fey, who is the show's creator, star, and executive producer. In October 2018, Kelly's NBC talk show, Megyn Kelly Today, was canceled after the host defended using blackface for Halloween costumes. RELATED CONTENT:Tina Fey Requests '30 Rock' Episodes Featuring Blackface Be RemovedJimmy Kimmel Apologizes for Blackface, Using the N-Word in 1996 SongJamie Foxx Defends Jimmy Fallon Over 'SNL' Blackface Backlash
Tina Fey Requests '30 Rock' Episodes Featuring Blackface Be Removed
Four episodes of the NBC sitcom 30 Rock have been pulled from streaming services for featuring characters donning blackface. The decision to remove the episodes comes at the request of the show's creator, star and executive producer, Tina Fey, according to multiplereports. "Going forward, no comedy-loving kid needs to stumble on these tropes and be stung by their ugliness," Fey added. The episodes will reportedly be taken down by the end of the week, and will no longer be re-aired on television broadcasts. The four episodes in question include "Believe In The Stars (Season 3, Episode 2), "Christmas Attack Zone" (season 5, episode 10) and "Live from Studio 6H" (Season 6, episode 19).
Gabrielle Union Says She Wants to Hold 'Bad Apples Accountable' Amid 'AGT' Drama
Gabrielle Union is speaking out amid her drama with America's Got Talent. The complaint has since been closed, as Union requested an immediate right to sue, which she was granted. "Trying to figure out how you work around the bad apples, as opposed to addressing and making those bad apples accountable and there being real consequences." Amid the drama with AGT, Union said she wants companies to "treat people fairly" and "have mechanisms in place for when things happen, there are consequences." RELATED CONTENT:Dwyane Wade Defends Gabrielle Union After Discrimination ComplaintGabrielle Union's Discrimination Complaint Against 'AGT': What We KnowGabrielle Union Files Discrimination Complaint Over 'AGT' Exit
'30 Rock' cast reuniting to tout new NBC, cable schedules
The cast of the Emmy-winning, 2006-13 sitcom will be in character, including Jack McBrayers enthusiastic network page, the company said Tuesday. Were all happy to have this excuse to (remotely) work together again for NBC, series executive producers Fey and Robert Carlock said in a statement. Also Tuesday, NBC played catch-up by releasing its schedule for the fall TV season, which remains shadowed by COVID-19. Mayor, a Fey-Carlock sitcom starring Ted Danson and Holly Hunter, and Young Rock, inspired by Dwayne Johnsons life and produced by and starring the pro wrestler-turned-actor. NBC is saying goodbye to the series Sunnyside, starring Kal Penn; Bluff City Law with Jimmy Smits, and Indebted with Fran Drescher.
7 Trailblazing Black Musicians You Should Know
Black music artists don't receive the recognition they deserve, but their barrier-breaking contributions should not be ignored. Were it not for the sacrifices of black artists, music would not be what it is today. From paving the way for future recording artists, to creating new genres, black artists have made countless contributions to the musical landscape. In honor of Black Music Month, check out some of the black music luminaries who made history. He is also the first black country artist to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, yet he's not alone in trailblazing a path for future generations.
Terry Crews Says New Season of 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Will 'Definitely' Cover Current Events
Star Terry Crews appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers on Monday where he discussed the state of current events in America and how it will pertain to the show's upcoming season. When Meyers asked Crews if "the events of the day" would effect the next season, he replied, "Definitely." In addition to the cast's donation, actress Stephanie Beatriz, who plays detective Rosa Diaz on the show, also urged others who play cops on TV to step up and make donations. Brooklyn Nine-Nine isn't the first cop show that has agreed to address the current state of unrest over racial injustice. In addition to talking about the future of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Crews also addressed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell admitting that "we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier."
Dwyane Wade Defends Gabrielle Union After She Files Discrimination Complaint Over 'AGT' Exit
After NBC said in a statement that the actress' allegations were "categorically untrue," Wade couldn't help but speak out. "So instead of making sure your work environment is a a better place for everyone. So instead of making sure your work environment is a a better place for everyone. In January, Telegdy told reporters that the network may put "new practices in place" following Union's experience at AGT. RELATED CONTENT:Gabrielle Union's Discrimination Complaint Against 'AGT': What We KnowGabrielle Union Files Discrimination Complaint Over 'AGT' ExitGabrielle Union Details 'Toxic Work Environment' at 'America's Got Talent'
Gabrielle Union's Discrimination Complaint Against 'America's Got Talent': Here's Everything We Know
Union's AGT hairstylist, Larry Sims, also posted an Instagram video of the actress' many looks on the show, writing, "Too Black? "I love Gabrielle Union. According to the source, Union is open to working with NBC when it comes to making changes in its workplace culture. ET has reached out to Union, Cowell, Fremantle and Syco for comment on this complaint. RELATED CONTENT:Gabrielle Union's 'America's Got Talent' Exit Could Be a 'Wake-Up Call' for Simon Cowell, Source SaysEva Longoria, Ellen Pompeo and More Stars Rally Around Gabrielle Union After 'AGT' ExitSharon Osbourne Weighs In on Gabrielle Union's 'AGT' Exit and Her 'Own Problems' With NBC