This is the best news I’ve heard all week. According to USA Today’s Pop Candy, Damages has been renewed for 2 seasons! Obviously the resolution of the writer’s strike will determine when the next season begins filming and airing. But at least FX finally announced the renewal.
TiVO Tonight
Heroes
Weeds
And now I’m off to see Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.
If you love television, you support the Writers Guild of America. If you own, rent or go to movies, you support the thousands of writers on strike on both coasts.
Here are some great posts from just a few of the people on the picket lines:
Damon Lindelof, co-creator & head writer (Lost)
NY Times
Michael Schur (a.k.a. Dwight’s cousin Mose), TV writer/producer (The Office)
UnitedHollywood
Pamela Ribbon, TV writer (Mind of Mencia, Samantha Who?) and WGA Strike Captain
Pamie
Josh Friedman, screenwriter (War of the Worlds) & TV writer/producer (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles)
I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing
Stephen Falk
Plaintive Wail
Obviously there are hundreds of blogs out there with strike perspectives. So which are you reading?
I openly admit that I voted for Kelly Clarkson several times during Season 1 of American Idol. That was the first and last time that I ever called in to support a reality TV show contestant. I remember exactly when and why I picked up the phone. It was Big Band week, and I literally jumped off of the couch with applause when she just nailed it with the song “Stuff Like That There.” Honestly, I have not watched an entire season of that show since. After Kelly, I simply lost interest.
It is rare that I purchase actual CDs anymore; I much prefer to buy songs on an individual basis through iTunes. But I own all 3 of Kelly’s. Because her music can be both addictive and infectious. And the girl can flat out SING. Those pipes are unbelievable live.
A new friend of a good friend hooked us up with amazing seats – fifth row center (thank you, A&A!). I believe that my ears have been re-pierced, thanks to the gaggle of screaming girls behind us. But the crowd was great, and Kelly put on a hell of a show. The kids AND their moms knew the lyrics to every song, and they jumped when she jumped. Which happened often. Kelly is…aerobic. I was impressed.
It seems to me that Kelly has not changed at all since she debuted in our living rooms a few years ago. She doesn’t use foul language either on her albums or live, and she isn’t provocative for publicity; it is refreshing and unusual among her contemporaries. Kelly seems genuinely appreciative of how she got her start in the industry and also recognizes that the fans were responsible for kick-starting her career.
That being said, this is the not the Kelly Clarkson you watched on American Idol. This is an artist who has grown tremendously, a pop/rock star in her own right, and a successful woman who has transcended far beyond the expectations of a pop culture nation.
It’s well worth the price of admission to see Kelly live (just bring earplugs for the pre-teen screams). And if you haven’t already, give My December another listen or two. She really brings the stories behind the music to life in person, and the new songs in particular benefit from that.
Good times, and good night!
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I am not a letter writer, per se. And to be honest, I’m what you might label a lazy armchair activist. I am also the girl that will walk the long route to the far door when I see solicitors with clipboards outside of my Safeway. Anyway…
If you’re reading this blog, chances are that you are a fan of specific television shows and movies. Well, those 12,000 men and women on strike have made every single TV series and film you’ve ever seen possible. Here is a petition that supports the Writers Guild of America; sign it now because we are all on their side (regardless of the fact that some of you might be annoyed/disappointed by how the strike is affecting your favorite shows). It was created earlier today and already contains almost 5,000 digital signatures.
For my part, here are additional steps I am going to take in support of the writers, who have in many ways made me into the pop culture sponge that I am today:
This isn’t going away quickly, and neither am I. My coverage of the strike will continue until it ends (although judging from the crickets in the comments section, my readers are either already over it or, sadly, not interested).
To me, it’s simple. Without those writers, I wouldn’t be one. Without those writers, this blog wouldn’t exist. They have been the most influential people I’ve never met.
So go on, channel your inner Norma Rae. Sign the petition, bookmark and read United Hollywood (the WGA writers’ blog), and leave comments of support for them. You know you want to.
February 4, 2008. Mark your calendars, Lost fans. That is the rumored start date for Season 4.
It was just announced that the 8 new episodes of Lost that are already ‘in the can’ will air as scheduled, in spite of the fact that the writers strike has shut down the production of the remaining episodes.
Insert very large sigh of relief here. I totally support the writers, so I would have waited patiently until 2009 for all of Season 4 to air without interruption…but I’m glad that I don’t have to now.