HA HA, WGA forces NBC to make Golden Globes glitter-free "press conference".

[brawndolicious]

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/293482

For those who haven't kept up, NBC claimed that the Golden Globes are actually a press conference and as such, the WGA is not legally allowed to picket it (which would of course cause a media hell).  The WGA reacted smartly and said if it's a "press conference", why are their commercials and why is no other major network broadcasting it?  So, NBC broke down and actually made it a real press conference.  A guy will get up in front of a mic and some cameras, announce the winners' names, and that's it.  No commericals even.

Basically the WGA just fucking castrated NBC.  It'll be a long time before this strike is over.  I heard that the studios are talking to the directors but they won't even meet with the writers who want things like legal internet sales to be considered.  I guess the Oscars will also be a press conference.

Honestly, I prefer it this way.  Who the fuck actually sits down to watch the whole ceremony?

By the way, the Golden Globes make about $75-$100 million dollars.  Insane.  And of course the Oscars make much more.

[Mandark]

Tangent!

How does the existence of the AMPTP not violate any antitrust laws?

[Joe Molotov]

But somebody always gets drunk at the Globes and makes some slurred, half-coherent acceptance speech. 

[brawndolicious]

I have no idea how they do it mandark.  apparently the AMPTP is meant to represent all the major studios for negotiations with the writers, directors, and actors.  might be kind of in a grey area.

joe, yeah you won't be able to see any funny youtubes.

[TVC15]

Tangent!

How does the existence of the AMPTP not violate any antitrust laws?

Even better tangent:  How do modern union setups not violate antitrust laws?  Most unions offer the equivalent of no compete clauses.  Hollywood may be able to hire scabs, but they really have NO CHOICE about repairing their relationship with the WGA.  Unions, as in America, are as bad as Ma Bell ever was.

I can be considered pro-union, but it is similar to how I am pro-democracy, in that I believe the American model is hopelessly corrupted.  Even if you ignore the outright blatant crimes that are associated with some unions, they are generally illegal by their very existence, even if they are being "good."

[Mandark]

The principle, as I've understood it, is that workers need to bargain collectively to stay on equal footing with owners, because the capital has already aggregated into the hands of a few.  If labor doesn't organize, then you've got a ton of people negotiating individually with a monopsony/oligopsony and getting screwed over.  Means of production, etc.

Unions need oversight and regulation like any other large organizations, but I don't think they're exerting disproportionate power in the US at this time.  They were never as powerful (with exceptions) as in France or the UK, and have been on their back heels for decades.

[TakingBackSunday]

Told you fuckers Kate Blanchett would win for I'm Not There.

[TVC15]

It's one of those situations where no matter how you state your view of the situation, you are a "bad guy" in someone's eyes.

For me, being pro-union would mean being supporting of a system that I believe is completely broken in its current state.  I do think the idea of unionization is important, necessary even, but like with many ideas with potential, the current system does no good.

So if I come out and criticize unions, pro-union people would only listen to my first sentence before the meathead demo (and there is one for unions, as there is one in all things) would be calling for my chemical castration.  The second I'd say there's a valid point of criticism, there would be people wanting me beheaded before they even heard what I have to say.

So am I pro- or anti-union?  It's a trick question that leads to a response with no pleasing answer.  Like global thermonuclear war, the only way to win is to not play.

[Eric P]

i just balk and say that i'm pro-labor which also, unfortunately, has negative connotations.

[FlameOfCallandor]

Even better tangent:  How do modern union setups not violate antitrust laws?  Most unions offer the equivalent of no compete clauses.  Hollywood may be able to hire scabs, but they really have NO CHOICE about repairing their relationship with the WGA.  Unions, as in America, are as bad as Ma Bell ever was.

Unions can be just as evil. The unions have every right to strike but they should not interfere in any way if the studios try to higher "Lesser qualified" writers

[Joe Molotov]

Atonement wins Best Picture. The Hollywood Foreign Press wins a swift kick in the nads from me.

[Bloodwake]

Wow, that sticks Atonement right in the hunt for the Academy Awards again.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN FUCKERS.

[close]

[Joe Molotov]

You know, I can completely understand them nominating Atonement. It's tragic period romance, it's epic in scope, it's well directed, acted, and written. It's the kind of stuff the voters eat up, and I could totally see it winning if it were up against weaker competition. BUT NO COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE WON.