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Fresh off his Tony-winning turn in a revival of Stephen Sondheim’ “Merrily We Roll Along,” Jonathan Groff will return to the rialto next spring in the new Bobby Darin jukebox musical “Just in Time.” Tony-winning director Alex Timbers (“Moulin Rouge”) will oversee the production that is set to transform the Circle in the Square theater into a nightclub complete with a swing band.

Groff will lead a cast of 16 to tell the story of this singer/songwriter who was only 37 when he died of heart disease in 1973. Darin had a string of hits in the 1950s including the chart-topping “Splish Splash,” “Dream Lover,” “Mack the Knife” and “Just in Time.” He turned to acting in the 1960s, often opposite his wife Sandra Dee (they met making “Come September” in 1961). He reaped an Oscar bid in 1963 for his supporting turn as a shell-shocked soldier in “Captain Newman, M.D.” In the 1970s,...

In fitting Bob Newhart fashion, the legendary comic, who died this week at 94, liked to sell himself short.

In a 1986 Rolling Stone interview (conducted by future Law & Order boss Warren Leight!), Newhart referred to the secret sauce of his self-titled CBS sitcom as “Brevity. It’s saying it in the fewest number of words, and giving the audience some credit for being intelligent and being able to figure it out.”

Referring, later in the conversation, to his seminal early routine featuring a P.R. guy chatting with an unheard Abraham Lincoln on the phone and offering unsolicited notes on the Gettysburg Address, Newhart noted: “That Abe Lincoln routine is not funny on a piece of paper. It’s what isn’t said that’s funny.”

The Internet — source pending — also quotes Newhart summing up his overall persona with the observation, “I am a minimalist. I like saying the most with the least.

Law & Order Svu shook things up in a big way after Chris Meloni left the series. One of the major shifts was the development of Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson. But doing so went against Dick Wolf’s one rule when it came to his Law & Order characters.

Dick Wolf was adamant that ‘Law & Order’ characters shouldn’t change Olivia Benson | Virginia Sherwood/Getty Images

Meloni’s sudden departure from Svu resulted in many changes that still affect the show to this day. New characters like Kelli Giddish’ Amanda Rollins were introduced to help fill the role Meloni’s Elliot Stabler left behind. Not only that, but Meloni’s departure meant that Hargitay would be leading the show without her partner. This would put more focus on Hargitay’s Olivia Benson than ever before.

Warren Leight was hired to run Svu during this tumultuous period. He spent years writing...

Law & Order Svu may have lost Christopher Meloni at one point. But his absence allowed for Mariska Hargitay to tinker around with new storylines, some involving potential love interests for her character. But there was one on-screen romantic partner that Hargitay may not have appreciated breaking up with.

Mariska Hargitay had trouble getting over one of her most surprising onscreen relationships in ‘Law & Order Svu’ Mariska Hargitay and Robert John Burke | Heidi Gutman/Getty Images

Hargitay’s Olivia Benson explored a few romantic partners after Meloni’s departure from Svu. And although some of her flings were entirely new characters, she once dated a character fans were very familiar with. Robert John Burke’s Ed Tucker had been a part of the series since season 3. He played a stoic and no-nonsense Narc that was constantly at odds with Elliott Stabler and Olivia Benson. But as the series changed over time,...

Law & Order hasn’t been worried about tackling controversial issues regarding police officers, some of it reflecting real-world events. This was important as showrunner Warren Leight wondered if shows like his offered a one-sided look at law enforcement.

Warren Leight once shared his opinion on cop portrayals in television Warren Leight, Betty Buckley, Mariska Hargitay, David Graziano | Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/Gc Images

Law & Order is one of many cop shows that have been on television for a long time. Similarly to programs like CSI and NCIS, Law & Order has often depicted the positive sides of law enforcement. Their characters are committed to the slogan of protect and serve, and dedicated to making their cities as safe as can be. But reality’s shown that there can also be a negative side to law enforcement. There have been many instances in the news and even caught on camera...

Law & Order: Svu parted ways with Chris Meloni under some pretty tense circumstances. The actor reprised his role as Elliot Stabler not too long ago for the recent spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime. But if things worked out a certain way, Meloni might’ve been back on Svu much sooner.

How Chris Meloni was almost brought back to ‘Law and Order’ Chris Meloni | Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

There was a bit of bad blood between Meloni and Law and Order after he first left the show. The actor was given a big break being cast as detective Elliot Stabler on Svu. He was a pillar of the spinoff until his departure in 2011. In a 2021 interview with Men’s Health, Meloni opened up that he left simply because of a disagreement.

“My thought was: Instead of 22 episodes, bring me back for nine episodes, or bring me back for 18 episodes. They...

Thanksgiving came early this year for Eli Roth after his new holiday slasher film, Thanksgiving, arrived in cinemas to some of the best reviews of the filmmaker’s career. Well-regarded for groundbreaking 2000s horror films like Cabin Fever (2002) and Hostel (2005), Roth has been trying to make Thanksgiving for nearly as long. Originally conceived as a “joke” trailer to be inserted between Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez’s Grindhouse double feature in 2007, Thanksgiving has been an idea that never left Roth or his childhood friend Jeff Rendell, the latter of whom co-wrote both the Grindhouse trailer and the actual 2023 slasher that is making a bloody splash today.

When we spoke to Roth about Thanksgiving, we chatted about his and Rendell’s affection for the curious subgenre of holiday-themed slasher movies released in the 1970s and ‘80s, as well as how the director finally figured out the best way to spread the...

The longest actors strike in Hollywood history is nearing its end. SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reached a tentative agreement on a new contract on Wednesday, November 8, and the guild announced shortly after that the 118-day work stoppage would end at 12:01 a.m. Pt on November 9. With picketing locations closed, the proposed contract will now be sent to the union’s national board for an approval vote on November 10, and the 160,000+ eligible members will then vote to ratify the agreement. Assuming the majority approves the contract, actors will soon be back to work. TV creators are already sharing filming updates in the excitement of the strike’s apparent end. Quinta Brunson tweeted on November 8 that Abbott Elementary will start filming Season 3. Law & Order: Svu‘s former showrunner Warren Leight shared his best guess on how long fans can expect the next season to be (it will be considerably fewer episodes...

This is Day 116 of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

SAG-AFTRA picket lines in New York City on Monday doubled as vigils, with striking actors waiting for their union’s leaders to weigh in on the “last, best, and final offer” package that the studios and streamers delivered Saturday.

“We were handed 500 pages,” SAG-AFTRA strike captain Sue Berch said Monday in her traditional stemwinder of a closing speech for morning pickets outside Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery offices in Manhattan. “So [negotiators] are going through it to make sure they keep track of everything that’s in there. Trust them.”

“‘Last, best, and final,’ my ass!” one picketer shouted, prompting whoops and cheers. Berch agreed, saying, “It isn’t final ’til we say it’s final.”

Zachary Quinto, F. Murray Abraham, Jill Hennessy, Erika Longo, Lori Hammel, Mike Doyle, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Nick Sakai and Michael Cyril Creighton were among the actors...

Christian Slater, Christopher Briney, Josh Radnor, Dagmara Dominczyk and more have joined the lineup of actors participating in The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway.

The annual event sees actors, writers, directors and production staff coming together on the night of Oct. 22 for a brainstorming session. The writers create the plays overnight and then the cast comes back together on Oct. 23 to rehearse ahead of the performance that evening. This year’s event will take place at The Town Hall and will honor playwright and former Law & Order: Svu showrunner Warren Leight, who has been a longtime supporter of the organization.

“Simply put, this promises to be an unforgettable evening,” said Artistic Director Mark Armstrong. “Warren is an extraordinary artist who’s spent his career lifting up others, so it’s no surprise that a long list of great artists have stepped up to celebrate him, on and offstage. He’s been...

After 148 days, the WGA strike has come to an end with the AMPTP finally agreeing to meet the Guild’s reasonable terms. While the Guild members still have to officially vote on and ratify the tentative agreement, WGA picketing has officially ended as of 12:01 am Sept. 27 and members are allowed to return to work during the ratification process set to take place Oct. 2 through Oct. 9.

However, just because the WGA strike is over, doesn’t mean that things are business as usual just yet. SAG-AFTRA is still on strike, and WGA members have been encouraged to picket in solidarity when they can and not cross picket lines by performing work on studio property. The SAG-AFTRA strike also means that filming can’t resume on any finished scripts until their terms are met as well. Negotiations are set to resume between the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA on Oct. 2, so hopefully...

Law & Order, FBI, Grey’s Anatomy and 9-1-1: Lone Star fans are set to be able to enjoy some new episodes of their favorite shows in the 2023/24 broadcast season after the WGA and the AMPTP struck a deal that would end the writers strike.

The beginning of October was widely seen as the marker for when the writers strike would need to be over to give ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC a fighting chance to get any of their scripted shows on the air for a midseason premiere.

While the actors strike still needs to be resolved and the writers deal still needs to be voted on and ratified, there is optimism that the majority of network dramas and comedies will be able to launch in the new year.

Deadline spoke to a group of network execs, who said that by and large it will take drama series between...

Larry Wilmore says “finally.” Greg Grunberg says “Mazel tov! Writers Strike Deal!!!”

Bill Wolkoff promises not to picket Dancing with the Stars.

The Writers Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its strike after nearly five months, and needless to say — the members have thoughts, lots of happy thoughts. And it’s all spilling out on social media.

Here’s a roundup of their reactions so far:

Billy Ray: “To all my fellow writers— You earned this. You saved our profession. Now let’s continue to stand w the actors. And IATSE. And the Teamsters. And labor everywhere. That’s how we’ll save America.”

Wolkoff: “Day 146. It gives me great pleasure to say we will Not be picketing Dancing With The Stars tomorrow! I really can’t wait to watch the premiere on Tuesday, because we did it!

The ongoing talks between the WGA and the AMPTP continued to look promising through the weekend, but the writers couldn’t help but have fun with the studios’ claim that they made their “best and final offer.”

After the statement was made late Saturday before talks continued today, union members took to X to have a little fun with the AMPTP’s choice of words.

It inspired Mike Flanagan and a few others to come up with possible movie titles, should Hollywood ever decide to chronicle this hot mess of a negotiation. “Best Final Offer. 2 Best Final. Best Final Offer: 3D. Off4: The Best & The Final. Bfo 5: The Finalest Offer,” he wrote.

Eden Danger followed with a few of her own: “Offer Final Offer Best & Final Offer Last & Final Offer Smart & Final Offer Final Offer Tokyo Drift.” And so did George Samir Nader: “B&f: The Motion...

The dream of new episodes of network television in 2023 is not entirely dead, at least not according to former “Law and Order: Svu” showrunner Warren Leight. As negotiations between the striking WGA and the AMPTP continue, Leight outlined a way 13-episode seasons of network television “could still be saved.”

It’s too late for new episodes of most scripted series to debut on network television by the end of the year. But it may be possible for new episodes to debut in early 2024. According to Leight, the hope of a 13-episode season comes down to the WGA and the AMPTP reaching an agreement by the end of September, as well as the AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA reaching an agreement by the end of October.

1/3 Rumors are flying that a deal is imminent. Who knows… but If, somehow, the WGA and the AMPTP could come to an agreement by month's end, and...

Exclusive: The Writers Guild of America has opened investigations on both coasts into complaints by members of delayed and smaller than usual residual checks.

Instigated over the past few days as the WGA strike moves deeper into its fourth month, the probe specifically is looking at issues with third-quarter payments that scribes on a number of network and premium cable shows have reported apparently late or lower than usual payments, I hear.

“What’s been showing up in my mailbox is definitely smaller than previous quarters and last year,” one showrunner said of his recent residuals checks.

“The quarter isn’t over yet, but my checks so far seem delayed,” one veteran writer said, noting how the lack of incoming funds is hurting his ability to meet core financial obligations.

Former Law & Order: Svu showrunner Warren Leight took to social media over the weekend about the issue, generating a number...

Ryan Murphy is throwing out a lifeline to help past and present cast and crews under his employ that need financial assistance during Hollywood’s dual strikes.

Murphy has committed $500,000 to launch the Ryan Murphy Productions Assistance Fund, which “stands ready to support the exceptional casts and committed crews of Ryan Murphy Productions.” The creation of the fund was announced on Instagram Friday with a post directing those in need to a website where they can apply for financial assistance. With Murphy being one of Hollywood’s most prolific creators of television and film, the initiative could support thousands.

“Every story we’ve woven, each character brought to life and every set constructed carry with them an inimitable thread of collaboration. As my colleagues face the challenges brought forth by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the imperative to support each other is even more pronounced,” reads the post. “Together, we...

“American Horror Story” is one of FX’s most successful series to date, airing for 11 seasons (and 123 episodes) between 2011 and 2022 and winning 16 Emmys along the way. In January 2020, the cable network made the bold decision to renew Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk‘s horror anthology series for three more installments — Season 11, Season 12 and Season 13. That ensures the flagship show will be on our TV screens through at least the year 2024. Scary good!

Here’s everything to know so far about “American Horror Story” Season 12: theme, cast, release date, etc. Bookmark this page as we’ll be updating it when new information is revealed. Watch the “AHS: Delicate” trailer below.

The previous 11 “AHS” subtitles were “Murder House,” “Asylum,” “Coven,” “Freak Show,” “Hotel,” “Roanoke,” “Cult,” “Apocalypse,” “1984,” “Double Feature” and “NYC.”

See‘American Horror Story’ aliens explained: How does ‘Asylum’ connect to ‘Double Feature: Death Valley’?

“American Horror Story” Season 12 Theme

The...

Labor Day traditionally signals the end of summer and puts the TV industry into fall mode, focusing on the launch of the new broadcast season. While broadcast is no longer the only — or even the main — game in town, the September holiday has remained that threshold after summer vacations when the TV business kicks into high gear.

This year, with TV development and production at a standstill amid two major Hollywood strikes, by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, Labor Day is taking on additional significance as a threshold for the writers’ work stoppage to end in order for the networks to air meaningful seasons of their original live-action scripted series of at least 13 episodes. Crossing it without a deal or significant progress between AMPTP and WGA by October could delay new 2023-24 series’ launch until fall 2024 and put some sophomore and bubble shows — even beyond broadcast — in potential danger.

The timing...

Former Law & Order spinoff boss Warren Leight gave viewers a new perspective in a Tuesday X post (fka Twitter), stating that it may still be possible for networks to salvage a 13-episode season, but only if the WGA strike’s demands are met soon.

“Today many network dramas would have begun shooting their 4th episode of the fall season,” the former executive producer and showrunner for Svu and Criminal Intent wrote. “If the strike were somehow to end by Labor Day and shooting were to begin in early fall, the networks might be able to salvage a 13 episode season.

Leonardo DiCaprio is standing with his fellow actors. The “Revenant” star took to his Instagram Stories to show his support not long after it was announced that SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) formally approved a strike upon negotiations falling apart between the actors’ union and major Hollywood studios and streamers, who are represented by the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers).

The actors will now join the writers on the picket line, marking the first time since 1960 that two major guilds will be striking at the same time. The writers’ strike began May 2 and is in its 10th week.

DiCaprio shared an image of the SAG-AFTRA logo along with a short message of solidarity for the guild amid the strike.

“I stand in solidarity with my guild,” he wrote.

Leonardo DiCaprio/Instagram

Issa Rae also shared her honest reaction to the strike on her Instagram Stories,...

The scene outside Silvercup Studios on Thursday was the same as it has been for weeks.

Dozens of members of the Writers Guild, SAG-AFTRA and other supporters circled loading bays and doors across the Long Island City, NY, property, where Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story has continued work on its 12th season despite efforts by the Writers Guild of America East to slow or halt production on one of the few shows still running on the East Coast.

“We’ve shut down a sh*t-ton of shows and that’s why you see us out today,” T Cooper, a Wgae strike captain and, pre-strike, an executive producer on NBC’s hit series The Blacklist, said today. “We’re here at one of the few remaining shows that are being produced still, and how does it feel? It’s like honestly we’re going to be out here as long...

Ryan Murphy, in a letter from his attorney to the leadership of the Writers Guild of America, threatened litigation against Warren Leight, an East Coast strike captain and Strike Rules Compliance Committee member who has subsequently forfeited those positions.

The flap started June 21, when Leight, a former Law & Order: Svu showrunner and playwright, alleged in a tweet that crewmembers on Murphy’s American Horror Story had told him that “they’ll be blackballed in Murphy-land” if they don’t cross the Writers Guild’s picket lines. At the time, a spokesperson for Murphy called Leight’s tweet “absolute nonsense” and “categorically false.”

After Murphy’s attorney Craig Emanuel sent the letter to the WGA, union leadership met with Leight, who deleted the tweet and issued an apology and retraction in which he called his initial tweet “unsubstantiated” and “completely false and inaccurate.” Reps for Murphy declined further comment on...

Members of the Directors Guild of America have until Friday to vote on their new contract, and those contacted this week by Variety were overwhelmingly voting yes.

In interviews, members noted the contract includes significant gains in residuals, creative rights, safety provisions and working hours.

But several also indicated that they have no interest in compounding Hollywood’s labor strife. Most directors and below-the-line DGA members have been out of work since the Writers Guild of America strike began on May 2.

“I’ve been around long enough that is a pretty good deal, and I’d like to get back to work,” said Matt Rebenkoff, who has worked as a first assistant director on “Don’t Look Up,” and “Jumanji: The Next Level.”

The sentiments expressed in interviews run counter to the prevailing mood on Twitter, where members have been urging a “no” vote. Opponents of the deal include prominent writer-directors such as Warren Leight,...

As WGA pickets continue to mobilize at the remaining TV shows in both New York and Los Angeles, at least one Ryan Murphy-produced show was the focus of striking writers’ efforts on Wednesday: “American Horror Story: Delicate.” The show is currently shooting on 52nd street in Manhattan, according to several WGA East member Twitter feeds — including one person who posted video of star Kim Kardashian entering the production.

“It doesn’t appear that @KimKardashian is a friend of the labor movement. She just now crossed our picket line to work on Ryan Murphy’s @Ahsfx Hamptons, shooting here on 52nd in NYC,” wrote “The Blacklist” exec producer and WGA strike captain T Cooper on his Twitter account.

Cooper’s Tweet came hours after former “Law & Order: Svu” exec producer (and WGA strike captain) Warren Leight also alleged that “American Horror Story” crewmembers had told them that “they’ll...

Ryan Murphy shot back Wednesday at accusations from WGA East strike captain Warren Leight that “American Horror Story” crew members were told if they respect writers’ strike lines while filming in New York City, “they’ll be black-balled in Murphy-land.”

“Absolute nonsense. Completely untrue,” a spokesperson for Murphy told TheWrap. WGA East and “AHS” network FX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to Leight, who tweeted the accusation early Wednesday, crew members for “AHS” allegedly told striking members of the WGA that if they respect the picket on the New York production, “they’ll be blackballed in Murphy-land.” Leight, the former showrunner for “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” and “In Treatment” and the current WGA East strike captain, wrote that the Emmy-winning horror series’ twelfth season was filming in Midtown, Manhattan on 52nd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. The WGA scheduled a picket of this location from 5 a.

Warren Leight has had a lot of experience thinking up dialogue for criminal defendants, thanks to his many years on multiple “Law & Order” shows. But, according to the former “Svu” showrunner, he’s never written a defendant as “dumb” as Donald Trump.

Leight’s comments come in response to Trump’s latest defense of keeping boxes of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. In a new interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, which aired in part on Monday night, the twice-indicted former president said that he never returned the boxes, even after being subpoenaed, simply because his schedule was too full.

“I never wrote a scene for Svu in which the defendant was this dumb,” Leight tweeted, alongside a clip of Trump’s response.

I never wrote a scene for Svu in which the defendant was this dumb. https://t.co/OcYwHhDp8g

— WGA Strike Captain Warren Leight (@warrenleightTV) June 20, 2023

In full,...

DGA members have until June 23 to vote on the tentative agreement with the studios that passed early this month. Ratifying the deal is no slam dunk, and one line about A.I. could crater the whole thing.

“Employers may not use [generative AI] in connection with creative elements without consultation with the Director or other DGA-covered employees,” the tentative agreement reads. The use of the word “consultation” just hangs in the air.

Some directors guild members have called that language “weak” and “dangerous.” Probably most nervous are DGA members who are also in the still-striking writers guild, the WGA.

“The Matrix” director Lilly Wachowski said the DGA-amptp’s legalese “has a stink of deviousness.” “Law & Order: Svu” showrunner Warren Leight said on Twitter he’s been around long enough to know that taking the studio’s word on that whole “consultation” thing doesn’t mean much.

The trouble is, there is no single,...

Treat Williams made an impact when he was in front of the camera, as viewers of his favorite shows know.

Behind the scenes, the late actor greatly impacted his co-stars.

In the aftermath of his shocking death at 71 from a tragic motorcycle accident, his onetime co-stars are speaking out.

"This is a tough one, and I don't like doing this on social media, but I want to share what an absolute treasure Treat Williams was- both as an actor and a person," White Collar's Matt Bomer wrote on Instagram.

!I was so honored that he agreed to play my father on White Collar, and he jumped in and made every day on set a joy."

"He taught me in the most beautiful way- through patient example. He's one of the few actors I've worked with who always checked in on me - even years after we worked together."

"Treat...

Emotional tributes to Treat Williams are flooding social media, following the shocking news of his death from injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident.

Matt Bomer called Williams “an absolute treasure” while recalling their time together on White Collar; Williams recurred in the USA Network drama’s fourth season as Bomer’s character’s father.

More from TVLineWWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk Dead at 79 - Ric Flair and Mick Foley Pay TributeAnother World's Nancy Frangione Dead at 70Ahsoka Pays Tribute to Ray Stevenson in Series Premiere: 'For Our Friend, Ray'

“He taught me in the most beautiful way, through patient example,...

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Members of the Directors Guild of America are now poring through the details on the new labor contract that is up for a ratification vote, and some of them are raising objections to the guild’s negotiated protections regarding AI use based on a two-word phrase: “without consultation.”

In the summary of the new contract sent to members on Wednesday, the DGA says that there are new rules in place prohibiting the use of generative AI — the type powering ChatGPT and other text- and image-output tools — “in connection with creative elements without consultation with the Director or other DGA-covered employees consistent with the requirements of the DGA Basic Agreement.”

When asked by TheWrap for clarification on what those requirements are, the DGA pointed to section 7-202 of the DGA Creative Rights agreement with studios,...

3rd Update, 1:40 Pm: Improving air quality conditions in New York City today has seen the Writers Guild of America East return to the picket line.

After nearly two days of no action by striking scribes as the Northeast has been coated in hazardous air from over 400 wildfires blowing down from Canada, dozens of masked WGA East members headed out to try to halt production on Daredevil: Born Again, I hear. A frequent target of the WGA East’s Rapid Response teams, the Charlie Cox-led Disney+ revival is filming Friday at the Silvercup East facilities in Queens after an outside location shoot fell apart due to pickets.

4pm Friday. Breaking: The skies cleared today and we are back to walking the line. Pickets needed at Silvercup East now.

34-02 Starr Ave, Queens.

Thanks

Amplify please

— WGA Strike Captain Warren Leight (@warrenleightTV) June 9, 2023

While Daredevil is the only WGA East picket today,...

No Troma remake should attempt to match Troma at its revolting, boundary-demolishing, trigger-happy game. Take 1980’s Mother’s Day, for example. Troma Entertainment ringleader Lloyd Kaufman let his brother Charles Kaufman shoot a rape-revenge exploitation sleazefest no mamma would applaud. Darren Lynn Bousman’s 2010 remake abandons Tromaville signatures almost entirely for a mean-mugging reinterpretation rooted in more straightforward thriller formulas because few indie studios are willing to push as far as Troma — especially in today’s acutely more socially attentive climate. You could get away with Mother’s Day (1980) in the 80s, especially with its cereal bowls filled with consumerism commentaries, but even today’s midnighter-loving moviegoer is looking for something more evolved.

Then again, Troma’s catalog might be the most fertile soil for remakes, given how even midrange studio pocket change would be a budgetary increase. Troma Studios has earned its legacy as an independent horror tentpole, but...

The Writers Guild picket lines are on hold in New York.

The WGA East said late Tuesday night that all picket lines for Wednesday had been canceled due to the hazardous air blanketing the New York City metro area, “out of an abundance of caution.” And on Wednesday, the union’s eastern branch canceled pickets scheduled for the rest of the week for the same reason.

The decline in air quality is caused by wildfire smoke from Canada drifting down to the east coast of the U.S. The National Weather Service as well as government officials for New York City and other local areas are urging residents to stay indoors as much as possible and to reduce strenuous outdoor activities (and walking in a picket line for hours would qualify).

It is not yet clear when the smoky air will be pushed out of the region. If the hazardous air lingers,...

In New York City’s war on crime, the worst criminal offenders were pursued by the detectives of the Major Case squad — that was, until USA Network pulled the plug on Law & Order: Criminal Intent in 2011.

But now, more than a decade later, original series star Vincent D’Onofrio is lobbying to reprise his role as Detective Robert Goren, alongside Kathryn Erbe’s Detective Alexandra Eames, in a revival of the long-running Law & Order offshoot.

More from TVLineDaredevil's Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio to Both Appear in Hawkeye Spinoff Echo (Report)Charlie Cox on Spider-Man Cameo, Possible Daredevil/Kingpin Reunion:...

As one of reality TV’s royal family crossed the line, striking film and television writers joined forces on Wednesday in New York City with another group of culture workers involved in a pay dispute: musicians.

While a five-piece band played bopping brass and percussion music, members of the Writers Guild of America, in their fifth week on strike, joined in solidarity with musicians, music-industry workers and their supporters in Midtown Manhattan.

Their meet-up spot on the curb was outside the headquarters of Penske Media Corporation, owner of Austin-set South by Southwest aka SXSW. The conference is facing criticism for how it compensates bands. (Pmc also owns Deadline and other media- and culture-focused publications including Rolling Stone and Billboard.)

Musicians returned the gesture by joining the writers at another rally on Wednesday afternoon outside the headquarters of Paramount Global.

Outside Paramount, a queen of stage and screen was on the line.

The Writers Guild of America has opened a new front in its targeted pickets of TV and movie productions: Georgia.

Striking writers on Wednesday picketed outside soundstages in Atlanta where Peacock’s upcoming series Hysteria! is in production. The action is the first time striking writers and their allies have used targeted pickets to shut down filming in Georgia. Sources confirm that production on Hysteria!, a 1980s-set thriller set against the backdrop of that decade’s “Satanic Panic,” has hit pause (though it’s not clear for how long).

Five weeks into the strike, the guild has shifted its strategy somewhat to encompass both the targeted actions against productions and pickets outside studio lots and corporate offices in Los Angeles and New York. “We want to disrupt as much as we can,” veteran showrunner and WGA-East strike captain Warren Leight told The Hollywood Reporter’s TV’s Top 5 podcast. “The...

Right now, Warren Leight — the veteran showrunner of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Writers Guild strike captain — is losing sleep to make sure a TV program doesn’t make it to air. He’s a key figure in his union’s pivot to embrace a more targeted picketing strategy, which seeks to shut down productions.

“This morning we had two dozen people at 2 a.m. out on the street, blocking Billions, which is metaphorically perfect,” he told The Hollywood Reporter’s TV’s Top 5 podcast on May 24, discussing a recent expansion from show-of-force protests at corporate headquarters to more disruptive actions meant to affect bottom lines and reorient power dynamics. The strategy change-up emerged from the membership’s rank and file, he says, although the guild brass now “realizes that this is a pretty powerful thing.”

Leight, drawing on connections from his long history as a TV writer and...

John Leguizamo, Busy Philipps, Tony Kushner, Neil Gaiman, Al Franken and Wanda Sykes were among those who took to the stage during WGA East’s Rally at 30 Rockefeller Center on Tuesday, appearing alongside union leaders from SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Actor’s Equity and more pledging that “all of labor stands behind the writers.”

Cynthia Nixon, Ilana Glazer, Warren Leight and labor leaders Rebecca Damon from SAG-AFTRA, Kate Shindle of Actors Equity and Matt Loeb of IATSE were also among those who spoke, with Mark Ruffalo and Susan Sarandon making crowd appearances.

Both of those actors’ messages of solidarity were more prominently shared on social media as Ruffalo encouraged SAG members to vote yes on the strike authorization and stand in solidarity with the WGA if they are concerned about “AI protections, and the future of television and entertainment.” Sarandon, meanwhile, tweeted, “NYC is a Union town. Stronger Together!!!” alongside of video of the rally.

As the WGA strike entered its fourth week, Tony Kushner swore, Steve Earle sang, Wanda Sykes led union chants and Busy Philipps told CEO jokes for more than 1,000 demonstrators and hundreds of onlookers who filled the street in front of NBCUniversal headquarters Tuesday in Midtown Manhattan.

With a starry speakers list, celebrities dotting the crowd and turnout from several local labor unions, a “Rally at the Rock” outside 30 Rockefeller Plaza in support of striking movie and television writers filled one barricaded side of West 49th Street between 5th and 6th avenues — the equivalent of three city blocks — with cheering, sign-waving protestors who stayed for more than two hours. It was the largest turnout for any event organized by members of the Writers Guild of America East since the strike against film and television producers began May 2, a WGA representative told Deadline.

The WGA picket line outside NBCUniversal headquarters in Manhattan...

Striking writers in New York made a bid on Monday to disrupt work on American Horror Story by picketing outside a production facility in Queens where the popular FX series known for its macabre plot lines and star-studded casts is filming season 12.

Members of the WGA East, joined by members of SAG and other supporters of the strike against film and television studios, said they began arriving at Silvercup Studios at 5am, about two hours before members of the stagehands union, Queens-based IATSE Local 52, who then refused to cross the picket line.

The effect on the show, which stars Emma Roberts and Kim Kardashian, was unclear. A WGA representative told Deadline that demonstrators caused filming delays on Monday for AHS, but sources close to the production told us that while some crew members were held up briefly at the picket lines, the horror drama never fully stopped production and...

The last time WGA picket lines formed in 2007, writers didn’t have an efficient way to communicate with fellow strikers about group meet-ups, illegal productions, and all those clever placards. The only place they could turn to for regular information was this very space, in which the late Nikki Finke would post regular missives about strike action, the broken-off negotiations and the financial impact of the 100-day work stoppage.

My, have times changed. Even with the new and so-not-improved platform under Elon Musk, Twitter has become the go-to town square for writers looking for either marching orders or just plain encouragement from their fellow strikers. When writers aren’t trying to boost morale, they are posting selfies from the picket lines and sharing locations where more reinforcements are needed to battle the AMPTP, the trade association representing the entertainment companies.

“Twitter has turned into an invaluable tool in getting picketers to our lines,...

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I was one of the four writers whose picket line shut down production on “Evil” on May 5. When video of our fun-size but defiant picket went viral, some hailed us as “heroes” online. But despite picketing from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m., we didn’t deserve that label.

The real heroes that night were the Teamsters and IATSE crew who refused to cross our picket line. “Never crossing” is coded in every Teamster’s DNA. But still, their solidarity was inspiring and eye-opening. They didn’t just buy us ice cream to keep our morale high, they also set up an impromptu DJ booth and asked to take our “song requests.”

Even when producers tried to trick them into crossing by calling a crew “meeting” inside, they refused to play ball.

Despite the WGA picketers outside, NBC held its upfront presentation Monday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Missed the star-free event that was hosted mostly by news personalities, Real Housewives and Mario Lopez? Here were the highlights:

Seth MacFarlane got another chance to show off his singing pipes — and crude sense of humor — by appearing in a pre-taped segment as his alter-ego Ted at the top of the presentation: he sang an original song about NBC selling ads about “detergent and feminine pads” and “kicking nads.” In 2021, Peacock gave a straight-to-series order to a live-action comedy series based on MacFarlane’s 2012 movie featuring the furry character.

Some “Ted” Talks resonate more than others...

Showtime’s The Chi is the latest series whose production has been disrupted by the ongoing writers strike. According to sources, the hit drama, which is based in Chicago, filmed Friday morning before moving to another location, which had a picket line already in place.

As a result, no shooting was done at that particular place. Filming on the series, which I hear also was disrupted last week, is slated to resume Monday.

The picketing on The Chi was a result of a Rapid Response appeal by two WGA strike captains. It was amplified by veteran showrunner Warren Leight who has emerged as a Twitter “dispatcher,” helping to coordinate WGA production shutdown efforts, mostly in and around New York.

Hey Chicago actors, writers, and allies… help out.

Go to: 5516 S. Michigan.

Walk the walk.

tweet @bneveu to let him know your coming.#WGAStrong#WhereEveryfckngwhere https://t.co/29zG09sJvY

— WGA...

For many in the media and entertainment industries, the past 12 months could be described as a year of everything everywhere all at once, a period of tumult and correction. And that’s before you factor in the writers strike.

Last May, Jeff Shell and Bob Chapek bounced onto the stages of New York’s Radio City Music Hall and Pier 36, respectively, as CEOs of their respective kingdoms, NBCUniversal and Disney. Nearly a year later, both men are out of the job. In fact, most of the top executives who led last year’s upfronts for NBCUniversal, Disney, Paramount, Fox, YouTube, Warner Bros. Discovery and The CW will not be onstage this time around (YouTube and The CW have also replaced their CEOs since then, and Paramount is skipping the week altogether).

Those who are holding events from May 15 to 18 will find themselves grappling with what is likely to be hundreds...

A targeted picketing campaign by the WGA East has made a significant impact on the New York set of Daredevil: Born Again; Deadline has learned from a source on the show that production has been suspended for the rest of the week.

It’s unclear when it will resume.

WGA members began striking Monday outside of Silvercup East, where the Marvel revival is shooting. Because of a sunrise picket, members of the Teamster Local 817 and IATSE Locals 829 and 52 refused to cross the line so the show wrapped around 1 p.m. Et that day with no filming.

Production was supposed to continue the next day but picketers were back in full force. On Tuesday, WGA East declared victory on Twitter by saying “Daredevil in Brooklyn (completely shut down).”

Striking WGA members holding the line and shutting down production of….

>”Billions” in Chelsea & Brooklyn

>”Daredevil” in Brooklyn (completely shut down)

>”Sinking Spring” in Philly#WGAStrong pic.

Marvel‘s Daredevil: Born Again Disney+ series will halt production as the WGA strike continues. According to sources close to the show, production wrapped at 1 Pm Est with no filming captured for the day.

“WGA members on strike set up a sunrise picket at Silvercup East, where they’re supposed to be filming Daredevil, but members of the Teamster Local 817 and IATSE Locals 829 and 52 are refusing to cross the picket line,” WGA East said on Twitter early Monday.

WGA members on strike set up a sunrise picket at Silvercup East, where they’re supposed to be filming “Daredevil,” but members of the Teamster Local 817 and IATSE Locals 829 and 52 are refusing to cross the picket line. #ShutItDown #SolidarityForever #WGAStrike #WGAStrong #1u pic.twitter.com/omg6xpQl48

— Writers Guild of America, East (@WGAEast) May 8, 2023

Production could resume tomorrow, but the show’s fate remains in limbo.

“Looks like we’re done...

Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel’s upcoming revival on Disney+, is the latest New York-based TV series whose production has been disrupted by the WGA strike.

“WGA members on strike set up a sunrise picket at Silvercup East, where they’re supposed to be filming Daredevil, but members of the Teamster Local 817 and IATSE Locals 829 and 52 are refusing to cross the picket line,” WGA East said on Twitter early Monday.

According to sources, the show wrapped for the day after 1 Pm Et with no filming done for the day. Production is slated to continue tomorrow, sources said.

“Looks like we’re done for the day at Silvercup East as Daredevil has called their day in response to a #Wgastrong picket with line help from @Sagaftra and #Local802,” veteran showrunner (and WGA strike captain) Warren Leight, who has been documenting the guild’s production picketing oprrations around the city, wrote on Twitter.

Another TV shoot has been disrupted by striking writers, Michelle and Robert King’s supernatural drama for Paramount+ Evil, which has been filming its fourth season at Brooklyn Stages in Brooklyn.

“Evil has met its match,” veteran showrunner (and strike captain) Warren Leight wrote on Twitter at 1 Am Et Sunday alongside a video of three picketers walking in a small circle (you can watch it below). “Studio waited hoping they’d leave, because they didn’t want the headline that 3 guys walking for six hours shut the show down. But that’s what happened.”

Deadline has confirmed that no filming on Evil occurred Friday.

Writer Starlee Kane posted a photo of the trio with the caption “We Won,” reporting that the picketers “kept the crew there for hours, sitting on the sidewalk.” “We felt the solidarity. We’ll win this whole thing together,” Kane added.

A source at the guild confirmed the account.