Thanks for posting this TC. I am very much in support of the writers and actors, although I certainly have no idea how the situation can be resolved. I admit to being completely ignorant of the creative process, but I do know that I appreciate new ideas in movies and television and not the old formulaic crud. Imagination is the writer's …
Thanks for posting this TC. I am very much in support of the writers and actors, although I certainly have no idea how the situation can be resolved. I admit to being completely ignorant of the creative process, but I do know that I appreciate new ideas in movies and television and not the old formulaic crud. Imagination is the writer's treasure and why they're worthy of respect and proper remuneration.
All that said... what can we, the audience, do at this time, and after the strike is hopefully resolved? I've never been a fan of reality shows. I really like watching actors act, and interpreting the words and scenes of excellent writers. What should we be avoiding? What should we be supporting? Those seem like stupid questions, but I honestly don't know. Perhaps that can be a topic for a future letter? I know I'd be very grateful to know how I can support these creative folks who work for our enjoyment.
Don't subscribe to any streamers until the strike is resolved, and don't watch any you have right now until then. And avoid "(un)reality TV" like the plague it is. Consider dropping any streamers until then, and if you do so let them know why you are.
I blame CBS for tv’s current state. Survivor and Big Brother make me nauseous. Reality tv is nothing but people behaving like idiots for money. How creative is that. Too bad that others signed on to that crap.
people HAVE commented a little acidically that in calling itself "Max," the new entity wants to erase all remaining traces of HBO and its "tradition of quality." recent offerings are tending to confirm that.
A recent report on cable streamers in The Ankler shows that people are still opting in the majority for HBO content over Discovery crap on Max. It makes sense that Zaslav, who made his money making Discovery what it is would want to downplay HBO, which shows everything Discovery isn't.
I wouldn't have thought so. and they're about 90% of what I watch. I DID pay attention to the whole flap over TCM getting fucked by that monster Zaslav. but it looks like a few random movie directors got plenty pissed off, and it seems he's backed off. at least for now. that "random" was a little joke. I DO get a little depressed at all the wines and cruises and whatnot, but if they're necessary revenue sources, fuck it.
May I suggest going to plays? Not the touring shows--those producers are nearly as concentrated as the Hollywood studios/streaming industry. I mean your local nonprofit theaters. You can find new dramatic literature there, and earnest performances, and the constraints of space and physical matter require playwrights, and dramaturges, and lighting designers, and sound engineers, and directors to be imaginative. It’s a world I’ve had a little experience in, and there is crossover between theater and Hollywood. A more vibrant theater scene could give Tinsel Town a run for its money.
for a lot of NYC playgoers on small fixed incomes (like me), this is not as feasible as it was when I was a kid and if you didn't mind sitting upstairs, you could see any play for a reasonable amount of money. not now.
Thanks! We definitely do that, although we're in a small town with limited, but high quality options. Mostly, we watch old reruns, even before the strike. And two weeks ago, we saw a first-run movie on the big screen - the first time since the pandemic started.
one of the best movies I saw last year ("Armageddon Time") was made by a major Hollywood writer/director (James Gray) with a splendid track record and superb writing and acting. it got excellent reviews, and seems to've sunk without making any kind of splash. this happens all the time.
Thanks for posting this TC. I am very much in support of the writers and actors, although I certainly have no idea how the situation can be resolved. I admit to being completely ignorant of the creative process, but I do know that I appreciate new ideas in movies and television and not the old formulaic crud. Imagination is the writer's treasure and why they're worthy of respect and proper remuneration.
All that said... what can we, the audience, do at this time, and after the strike is hopefully resolved? I've never been a fan of reality shows. I really like watching actors act, and interpreting the words and scenes of excellent writers. What should we be avoiding? What should we be supporting? Those seem like stupid questions, but I honestly don't know. Perhaps that can be a topic for a future letter? I know I'd be very grateful to know how I can support these creative folks who work for our enjoyment.
Don't subscribe to any streamers until the strike is resolved, and don't watch any you have right now until then. And avoid "(un)reality TV" like the plague it is. Consider dropping any streamers until then, and if you do so let them know why you are.
I blame CBS for tv’s current state. Survivor and Big Brother make me nauseous. Reality tv is nothing but people behaving like idiots for money. How creative is that. Too bad that others signed on to that crap.
jeez...do Criterion and TCM count?
WBD is trying to kill TCM by firing most of their staff. It's just another "tile" on Max.
I hope TCM will stay TCM somehow.
Yes!
okay, I'm gonna cry uncle...for which, what or whom are WBD and TCM acronyms?
WBD - Warner Brothers/Discovery - the mutant critter created by the conjoining of Warner Brothers and The Discovery Networks.
TCM - Turner Classic Movies
people HAVE commented a little acidically that in calling itself "Max," the new entity wants to erase all remaining traces of HBO and its "tradition of quality." recent offerings are tending to confirm that.
A recent report on cable streamers in The Ankler shows that people are still opting in the majority for HBO content over Discovery crap on Max. It makes sense that Zaslav, who made his money making Discovery what it is would want to downplay HBO, which shows everything Discovery isn't.
exactly!
Thank -you, TC.
No, they don’t count. ;-)
I wouldn't have thought so. and they're about 90% of what I watch. I DID pay attention to the whole flap over TCM getting fucked by that monster Zaslav. but it looks like a few random movie directors got plenty pissed off, and it seems he's backed off. at least for now. that "random" was a little joke. I DO get a little depressed at all the wines and cruises and whatnot, but if they're necessary revenue sources, fuck it.
May I suggest going to plays? Not the touring shows--those producers are nearly as concentrated as the Hollywood studios/streaming industry. I mean your local nonprofit theaters. You can find new dramatic literature there, and earnest performances, and the constraints of space and physical matter require playwrights, and dramaturges, and lighting designers, and sound engineers, and directors to be imaginative. It’s a world I’ve had a little experience in, and there is crossover between theater and Hollywood. A more vibrant theater scene could give Tinsel Town a run for its money.
for a lot of NYC playgoers on small fixed incomes (like me), this is not as feasible as it was when I was a kid and if you didn't mind sitting upstairs, you could see any play for a reasonable amount of money. not now.
Good points.
Thanks! We definitely do that, although we're in a small town with limited, but high quality options. Mostly, we watch old reruns, even before the strike. And two weeks ago, we saw a first-run movie on the big screen - the first time since the pandemic started.
Let me guess: Barbie? (which really is subversively good)
one of the best movies I saw last year ("Armageddon Time") was made by a major Hollywood writer/director (James Gray) with a splendid track record and superb writing and acting. it got excellent reviews, and seems to've sunk without making any kind of splash. this happens all the time.
surprise surprise...
Actually... Haunted Mansion. Quite bit of fun, and I was pleased with the diversity of the cast. 😀