There is a writers strike looming in the entertainment industry and if the contract issues cannot be resolved between the Writers Guild and the Producers Alliance you can expect some of your favorite shows to disappear for awhile or run reruns for the forseeable future. You might remember this happened before in 2007 and it wasn't good. One of the by-products of that strike was more “reality”based shows being developed and foisted on us. Most of those shows sucked and the ones that have followed have mosty sucked too. This strike is also different from the last one over some of the issues involved. That strike revolved around digital content which writers, sensing that digital was about to blow up, wanted a bigger piece of. Now, part of the issue is the production model of tv series having smaller seasons. As most writers get paid by the episode, this is not good for them. Some of the shows that will be affected right away include Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, and the late night shows like Colbert, Fallon and Kimmel. Yeah, some of Trumps toughest critics may be going silent in the next few weeks. He should love that. Negotiations are scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
Speaking of TV…two of my favorite shows return this week. Fargo began its 3rd season last night. And Bosch returns for its 3rd season on Amazon Prime this Friday. Bosch, based on the Michael Connelly novels, was the only reason I bought Amazon Prime 2 years ago. It's not only the best crime-police show on tv right now…it should probably land in anybody's Top 5 of all-time. It's that good. Titus Welliver was cast perfectly has Harry Bosch and the city of LA and its environs become a main character of the show as well. Beautifully shot, written and acted…it's worth your time and money…plus of course with Prime you get lots of other shows and movies and free delivery of anything you buy from Amazon as well.
I watched the Brewers -Cubs game yesterday and it was frustrating that the bullpen, which had been pitching so well, let one get away late. But give the Cubs hitters their props…they worked some long at-bats against both Knebel and Feliz, fouling off pitch after pitch and wearing them down. They earned it.
There is an unconfirmed report that Aaron Hernandez was found hanging in his jail cell with “John 3:16” written on his forehead in blood, and open bible in the cell and stigmata like marks on his body. His family and friends say they don't believe he would have killed himself. I have no love for Hernandez who was a cold-blooded killer and one of those over-privleged athletes who literally thought they could get away with murder…but this alleged suicide should be investigated very throughly.
Serena Williams won the Australian Open while pregnant…
The NFL Network has to make the unveiling of the new schedule into a two-hour tv special. It's tonight if youre interested.
Before we go overboard congratulating Fox News for firing the odious Bill O'Reilly lets remember that they aren't letting him go for the sexual harrassment that went unchecked for decades…they are letting him go because we found out about it and convinced enough advertisers to not support him. There are still any number of neandrathals on the air and backstage at Fox. Also, they are reportedly replacing him with Jesse Watters who contributed all kinds of ridiculous and offensive content to the show. Sending the message that this type of stuff is still welcomed and rewarded in the Fox culture.
Jason Chaffetz is not going to run for re-election next year. So now both House Republicans who would have investigated the Trump Administrations for it's illegal behavior are out of the picture. With Devin Nunes compromised and recusing himself…and now Chaffetz deciding that facing the voters would turn out badly after misplaying his hand…it will be interesting to see if there are any Republicans in the House who are willing to do what needs to be done. I've got to believe there is more to this Chaffetz story than we are being told.
Elections have consequences…from the Wall Street Journal and other sources yesterday…the current head of Exxon is applying to the US Government for permsiion to drill for oil in Russia in areas that are covered by current sanctions against that country. Of course, the current Secretary of State is former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, who forged a close relationship with Vladimir Putin during his time at the helm of the oil giant. A State Department spokesman said yesterday that Mr. Tillerson is recusing himself from any matters involving Exxon for two years but you can certainly see that whoever will make the final determination of easing sanctions might be looked on kindly by the current admistration…oh and yeah, there are millions of dollars involved for the various parties.
Funny how the word “recusal” has popped up so much lately…especailly from an administration that claims they have no ethical conflicts of interest.
The FCC is making it easier for TV broadcast groups to consolidate more stations under their corporate umbrellas. The commission is going to get rid of a regulation that will help companies like Fox & Sinclair (two companies that are big Trump supporters) expand their reach. In fact, it has been reported that after the election Trump asked Rupert Murdoch who he would like to see as the chairman of the FCC and the person promoted, Ajit Pai, is the hand-picked guy who is a firece opponent of media regulations
Songs of The Day
