Too Much TV: Your TV Talking Points For Thursday, January 25th, 2024

Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Thursday, January 25th, 2024.

I'M SURE THERE'S NOT A CHANCE THIS WAS A REWARD FOR NOT STRIKING
I thought I had written my last "Hollywood Strikes Of 2023" story for awhile, but as is often the case the DGA has managed to get in the way of a perfectly good plan.

The Directors Guild of America informed members on Thursday that it had retroactively secured a streaming success bonus from AMPTP similar to one negotiated by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA after their respective strikes:

Unlike its counterparts in the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild did not go on strike during its major contract negotiations in 2023, taking a deal that was controversial in some corners of the union but ultimately was ratified by 87 percent of its members. In the meantime, after spending 148 days and 118 days on strike, respectively, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA both touted their new streaming success bonuses as major achievements of the work stoppages and their attendant sacrifices. The two residual models achieved differ between the actors’ and writers’ unions, but they both ultimately reward union members for titles that take off on streaming services with additional payments. Now, without going on strike at all, the DGA has retroactively gained the WGA’s version of this bonus.

That last sentence is important, because it provides one of the reasons why this deal was made. AMPTP was going to have end up paying this bonus out when the next contract is negotiated anyway. And by giving it to the DGA now, AMPTP can point to this in future negotiations and suggest that strikes aren't necessary, gains can be made just by quiet, reasoned talks. It is also a subtle thank you to the DGA for being the one Hollywood union that can be counted on not to go out on strike.

Ironically, as news of the DGA gains spread today through some of the industry WhatsApp groups I belong to, the reaction was not one of "oh, maybe we shouldn't have gone on strike." It was more along the lines of "those f$^$& directors."

JAY PENSKE'S MAGIC ERASER
As one of the few independent entertainment news outlets still around, I enjoy watching someone take a shot or two at Penske Media and its primary owner Jay Penske. And there are few people who enjoy doing that more than The Ankler's Richard Rushfield.

In a piece that posted earlier today, Rushfield writes that a story about Lily Gladstone’s best actress nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon on Tuesday was edited, allegedly at the behest of Jay Penske:

However, one reporter took it as a moment to run with. I’m told that after Hollywood Reporter writer Rebecca Sun included a line in her reaction piece that morning that read “Gladstone is the first acting nominee who hails from people indigenous to the land now occupied by the United States,” internal scuttlebutt has that Jay Penske weighed in, reaching out to an editor and saying something along the lines of (and I paraphrase with embellishment), “What the fuck is this?” Soon after the editor called the web editors to remove the line from the story.

Now I will be the person to say that the phrase "people indigenous to the land now occupied by the United States" seems more well-meaning than actually necessary. Although it makes a bit more sense given this explanation:

Sun has written before about indigenous subjects, and internally, after the sentence was removed, explained to her colleagues she had been making a distinction that Gladstone was the first nominee to come from the United States as the term “Native American” includes Mexican and Canadian North American indigenous people, and the first indigenous North American nominee was actually Mexico’s Yalitza Aparicio for Roma. (Also note, opinions vary on how “first” this nomination is, with the awards for Wes Studi and Buffy St. Marie offered as other possibles.)

TWEET OF THE DAY



SPEAKING OF TV RECOMMENDATIONS
A few days ago, I mentioned the Hulu series A Shop For Killers and I suggested readers might want to check out the stylish South Korean action drama.

Somewhat former TV critic and raconteur Tim Goodman listened to my advice and took a look at the show in his latest newsletter:



Some of the review is behind a paywall, but his Substack is always worth reading and you should consider subscribing.

As for recommendations, I have some suggestions for weekend viewing in tomorrow's newsletter. If you have any suggestions on the type of show or movie you'd me to highlight, just reply directly to this newsletter or leave a comment below.

ODDS AND SODS
* The Max Original documentary They Called Him Harmless premieres Thursday, February 8th.

* Linda Martindale reviewed the new Canadian/The CW series Wild Cards, which she says has a slight "Moonlighting" feel to it.

* Here is a rundown of the top ten global TV and streaming video stories you should know from today.

* The World Surf League (WSL) has announced a new rights deal with ESPN, which will cover its Champions Tour events in 2024.

* The BBC is expanding its lineup of The Traitors, as it picks up versions of the popular reality series produced in the US, Australia and New Zealand.

* Paramount+ has canceled the drama Wolf Pack after one season.

WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25TH:
* Crowdsource Murder (LMN)
* Griselda (Netflix)
* In The Know Series Premiere (Peacock)
* Masters Of The Universe: Revolution Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Sexy Beast Series Premiere (Paramount+)
* Son Of A Critch Season Three Premiere (The CW)
* Theresa Caputo: Raising Spirits Series Premiere (Lifetime)
* Truth And Lies (ABC)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26TH:
* Badland Hunters (Netflix)
* Expats Series Premiere (Prime Video)
* Hightown Season Three Premiere (Starz)
* Masters Of The Air Series Premiere (Apple TV+)
* Sago Mini Friends Season Two Premiere (Apple TV+)
* Sit Down With Stand Up Udom Taephanich (Netflix)
* Trunk (Prime Video)
* The Underdoggs (Prime Video)

SEE YOU FRIDAY!