The fall out from the WGA strike is getting worse.
The American Film Institute is postponing its June 10th tribute to Nicole Kidman. This is their annual gala and a big deal. But with the strike on, and a month to go, they could not proceed without writers. Also the actors needed, including Kidman, would not cross the picket line. (Note to Nicole: you and Keith and the girls are invited over to dinner that night at my place.)
Next to be cut are the Tony Awards, set for the next day, June 11th. Same problem. I queried the reps for Ariana DeBose, who’s supposed to be the host, and got the cold shoulder. But DeBose likely won’t do the show, and the no one will cross that picket line. So we’ll wait til the fall for these two events.
Also now in trouble: The Tribeca Film Festival, which opens that week in New York. It’s 99% cancelled as the picket lines would be insane. This is a terrible disappointment. But since Jane Rosenthal switched to calling it the Tribeca Festival, maybe non TV and Movie events can happen anyway.
Finally, the great TV writer David Simon, of “The Wire” fame, says HBO has suspended his contract, the one he’s had with them for 25 years (which is really remarkable in itself).
#WGAStrong. On the day that HBO called to suspend my deal after 25 years of writing television for them, I was doing the write thing. pic.twitter.com/WMWZbXAp41
— David Simon (@AoDespair) May 8, 2023
