48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "The Tree That Helped Solve a Murder" (7/29/2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 3.05 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.1 million TV viewers in the 18 to 49 adult demographic.
Click the logo for 48 HOURS on ABC.
TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / July 30, 2023 / ESTIMATED
$93.0M - Barbie
$46.2M - Oppenheimer
$24.2M - Haunted Mansion
$12.4M - Sound of Freedom
$10.7M - Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "After The Dance" (7-28-2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 1.84 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.
You have to Sign-up to Sign-In to watch latest episode.
Click the logo below for DATELINE on NBC.
"Billy Ray is back for the 13th installment of Deadline Strike Talk, the weekly podcast that began at the start of the Writers Guild strike against AMPTP."
"With writers and actors petrified at the job cutting and ecosystem-destroying potential of AI, Ray re-engages the technology in conversation, as he did in his week seven podcast. But this time, with a new twist."
"Ray got AI to explain its potential, through a friendly-sounding speaking voice. This outing is more pointed; AI answers questions by borrowing the distinctive voices of Morgan Freeman, Emma Watson, Arnold Schwarzenegger — who’ll pitch an AI generated film idea — and Chris Rock."
"The potential for everything Bryan Cranston railed about in a pro SAG-AFTRA speech this week is on full display here. Click to listen, but buckle up before you do."
The United States Senate passes a resolution making August 3rd "Tony Bennett Day." The multiple Grammy winning singer died last week at age 96. His music lives on....
Below are two more of my favorite songs from Bennett. "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" and "For Once In My Life."
48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "The Tree that Helped Solve a Murder" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m. This is a repeat episode. Check it out if you missed it.
CBS, "When a young mother disappears, DNA from a tree helps lead to her killer. 48 Hours - correspondent Peter Van Sant reports."
TV Preview will begin after Commercial Ad.
NBC says, "Fort Worth, Texas, investigators desperately search for answers after a 17-year-old high school student is kidnapped and murdered following a Valentine’s Day dance. Josh Mankiewicz reports."
The Summer of 1990 was big for music in a changing pop culture. Prince had written a song called, "Nothing Compares to U." Sinead O'Connor recorded it for her 2nd album and hit number #1 on the Billboard pop chart for 4 weeks. It was a smash record around the world.
I remember when she sang on "Saturday Night Live" and ripped up a picture of the current Pope. She fled New York right after that performance and jumped on a plane leaving the United States. SNL banned her from the show permanently.
Sinead was already courting controversy when she had criticized rapper MC Hammer. He bought her a one-way plane ticket back to Dublin, Ireland. She refused to perform in the U.S. if the "star spangled banner" was played. Actor, Joe Pesci reportedly wanted to "slap" her. Music fans also began to "boo" at her concerts.
She was nominated with 4 Grammy Awards (1991) and refused to accept any if she had won. But - she accepted 7 MTV music awards and was seen as a hypocrite. "Nothing" was her only hit song in the U.S. and she never charted again afterwards. She released several albums though.
It is now being revealed that Sinead was bi-polar and had a troubled childhood. Music certainly gave her a path toward something good in her life. Her fans can attest to that. "Nothing Compares to U" is a hauntingly beautiful song and she brought something special to it. RIP....
THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW with TONY BENNETT. He was known around the world as one of the greatest singers who ever lived. His career of course spanned decades. That voice is simply unmistakable.
He appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in black & white television. It's 1960's nostalgia which is now long forgotten. But - not that voice in song... Wow.!
Mr. Tony Bennett died at age 96. RIP....
Cyd Wilson is the executive director of the SAG Foundation. It helps SAG-AFTRA union performers who are in need financially.
Variety, "Wilson explains that the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s grants deliver up to $1,500 per individual member, but in extreme conditions where there are health issues or other situations that indicate an actor is in serious jeopardy, a lifetime member can receive up to $6,000 in emergency financial assistance."
"Thus, (Dwayne) Johnson’s seven-figure donation has the potential to aid thousands of actors."
48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "Searching for Maya Milette" (7-22-2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 1.81 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.1 million with the all important 18 to 49 adult demographics.
Click the photo for 48 HOURS on CBS.
TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / JULY 23, 2023 / ESTIMATED
$155.M - Barbie
$80.5M - Oppenheimer
$20.1M - Sound of Freedom
$19.5M - Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
$6.7M - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
"SAG-AFTRA members form a united front and take their fight to the doorsteps of Netflix, Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros. as they push for a live-able wage and protections against the existential threat AI poses to their careers."
"Members of the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee, including President Fran Drescher, and National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, travel to picket lines across LA to meet with members and send a powerful message of unity and determination to the media and tech companies making millions off the backs of actors."
DATELINE on NBC. I am listening to classic shows over at "Tune-in" radio and it's running 24 hours and 7 days a week.
It is also playing 24/7 on Internet channels, "Tubi" - "Roku" - "Pluto" - "Xumo." Check it out.
Click logo below for DATELINE - 24/7 on "Tune-in" Radio.
Strike Talk Podcast with Billy Ray -- "Deadline Strike Talk hits a dubious 12th week milestone today, with the business shut down and actors picketing alongside the writers. Host Billy Ray has put together another strong group of guests who put the plight of working actors in relatable and understandable terms."
Click the logo below for DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD.
SAG-AFTRA strike has been in effect for 8 days now. The Producers have been hit hard by the media concerning - Online Streaming Actor Residuals & Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Producers responded by answering SAG-AFTRA's last contract proposal which they rejected across the board. It looks good on paper, but the question is, "Why didn't they accept the proposals in the first place?"
The producers are blaming the Online Streamers (Netflix etc.,) because they own TV shows and movies. Producers are just the middle-men. They have no answers for complete residuals which leave "guest star" performers with pennies.
Producers are all "Of-A-Sudden" onboard with protecting performers with AI. When they began asking actors to scan their images once and then pay them - only once. Then, use their images forever without any payment. (What a switch in mid-stream that was).
Producers say SAG performers received 5% for the first year with wages and inflation back in 1988. (30 years ago!). Then, a percentage increase for the next 2 years by 1990... It's based on a 1988 "Inflation" contract and not a 2023 "Inflation" contract. SAG-AFTRA is only asking 11% increase over 3 years to 2026. How does a working-class actor live on a 1988 model.?!!!
Plus - They say SAG-AFTRA withdrew multiple proposals on their own. No, because you rejected them.!!
The response to SAG-AFTRA contract proposals is a Joke by Producers....
Below is 7/21/2023 interview.
Singing Legend Tony Bennett has died at age 96. He will always be remembered for his 1962 top #20 hit, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco."
Below are Mr. Bennett's impressive career.
61 - Studio albums
11 - Live albums
33 - Compilation albums
22 - Music videos
83 - Singles
There is a one-on-one interview with Bernie Sanders and Fran Drescher about the SAG-AFTRA Strike. Corporate greed with online streamers (Amazon-Hulu-Netflix) is "squeezing" out the performer.
The SAG-AFTRA union has walked out to Strike along with the Writers Guild. Both unions are willing to come back to the table, but the producers aren't even talking.
This interview is 45 minutes long and it is powerful for all Union Workers.
"Thank You" Fran Drescher and the SAG-AFTRA National Board.
48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "Searching for Maya Millete" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m.
"A young mother disappears. Investigators say her husband contacted spellcasters to put a hex on his wife so she wouldn’t leave him. 48 Hours - contributor Jonathan Vigliotti reports."
TV Preview will begin after Commercial Ad.
NBC has announced their Fall TV schedule because it looks like both the Actors and Writers Strike may move past September.
The Scripted TV season usually begins each August with new and veteran shows. Not this year....
NBC’s Fall Season:
Monday, Sept. 25
8-10 p.m. – The Voice (Original)
10-11 p.m. – The Irrational (Original)
Tuesday, Sept. 26
8-9 p.m. – The Voice (Original)
9-11 p.m. – America’s Got Talent (Performance finale)
Wednesday, Sept. 27
8-9 p.m. – America’s Got Talent (R)
9-11 p.m. – America’s Got Talent (Season finale)
Thursday, Sept. 28
8-10 p.m. – People’s Choice Country Awards
10-11 p.m. – The Irrational (R)
Friday, Sept. 29
9-11 p.m. – Dateline NBC (Original)
Tuesday, Oct. 3
8-10 p.m. – The Voice (Original)
10-11 p.m. – Found (Original)
Wednesday, Oct. 4
8-9 p.m. – Chicago dramas (R)
9-10 p.m. – Quantum Leap (Original)
10-11 p.m. – Magnum, P.I. (Original)
Thursday, Oct. 5
8-9 p.m. – Law & Order dramas (R)
9-10 p.m. – Transplant (Original)
10-11 p.m. – Dateline NBC (R)
Friday, Nov. 3
8-9 p.m. – The Wall (Original)
DATELINE on NBC. The next episode is called, "A Haunting Stretch of Road" that will air this Friday at 9/8 p.m.
NBC says, "While investigating the disappearance of Pamela Butler in Washington D.C., detectives discover a puzzling connection to a Virginia woman who vanished two decades earlier. Dennis Murphy reports."
DAY 4 of SAG-AFTRA Strike... According to "Deadline Hollywood" news. The movie producers rejected most of the important contract issues for union performers.
It appears that the producers only want to stick with the old model contract from 2020. They don't want to talk about the rise of Internet Streaming companies like "Netflix" who are gutting actor pay. They only care about their customer subscriptions.
Click logo below for SAG-AFTRA contract proposals that are being rejected.
SAG-AFTRA logo 2023.
Below. MSNBC talks with SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher about Strike.
48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "The Kidnapping of Schanda Handley" (7-15-2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 1.63 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.1 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.
Click on the logo for 48 HOURS on CBS.
TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / JULY 16, 2023 / ESTIMATED
$56.2M - Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
$27.0M - Sound of Freedom
$13.0M - Insidious: The Red Door
$12.0M - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
$8.7M - Elemental
Note: The 5-Day box office total for "Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One" nabbed an estimated $80 Million. It opened on Wednesday July 12, 2023.
Also: "Sound of Freedom" has jumped up to number #2 in its' second week. Word-Of-Mouth has made the film reach $85 million at the box office.
DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "The Necklace" (7-14-2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.13 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.
The official NBC website is not streaming this episode.
"Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One" from Paramount Pictures. I walked into an IMAX theater here at Albuquerque with my tickets. (Relief from the July 100 degree heat).
The Action Spy Thriller did not disappoint in this popular franchise with Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. A role he has played since 1996.
It is nostalgic bringing us back to the very first "Mission Impossible." Everyone knows "Kittridge" returns and the Brian De Palma (director) cinematic touches. (I applauded loudly from my movie seat).
The story is simple. Everyone wants two parts of a special "key" that will unlock an Internet power. This includes an enemy of Ethan with whom he knew before his IMF team was created. Ethan and his team have to take an impossible job of tracking down one half of that key. That is when the fun begins when meeting up with other spies and thieves.
Ving Rhames (Luther) has been with Ethan since the first movie. Ving is showcased here in a fine performance with his intense scenes alongside Ethan. It concerns the fate and future of their IMF team. At this point - the team is underground and the their job is to retrieve that mysterious "key."
This makes the action sequences work and we know that Ethan will bring on that action. The motorcycle jump is breathtaking in IMAX (Cruise did that movie stunt himself). It isn't just a spectacular jump. There is story and character behind it which brings more meaning into that leap. (Wow.!!).
This is Part One of Two Parts with MI-7. I'm sure Tom Cruise will not disappoint with Part Two. I cannot wait.... Check it out.
"SAG-AFTRA joined WGA members on the picket lines after a breakdown in talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, effectively shutting down production and keeping actors from promoting new films at festivals in a prolonged standoff."
"For today’s episode - Ray analyzes the wildly different business models of the signatories that make up the AMPTP, positing that the alignment of traditional studios and streamers makes no sense."
The Actors Strike began at 12 midnight on July 14, 2023. Thousands of actors and actresses hit the picket lines in LA and New York. It's the first Strike since 1980 that was 23 years ago.
Computer Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a major concern among the SAG-AFTRA union. We need a better deal with AI that will protect the actor with control over their own images. Plus, pay when their images are used through AI.
Dear Roscoe,
"After more than four weeks of negotiations, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) — the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros Discovery — remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that you told us are important to you."
"Because of this, we've called for a meeting with our National Board this morning to vote on a strike order."
"From the time negotiations began on June 7, the members of our Negotiating Committee and our staff team have spent many long days, weekends and holidays working to achieve a deal that protects you, the working actors and performers on whom this industry relies."
"As you know, over the past decade, your compensation has been severely eroded by the rise of the streaming ecosystem. Furthermore, artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to creative professions, and all actors and performers deserve contract language that protects them from having their identity and talent exploited without consent and pay."
"Despite our team’s dedication to advocating on your behalf, the AMPTP has refused to acknowledge that enormous shifts in the industry and economy have had a detrimental impact on those who perform labor for the studios."
"Though we’ve engaged in negotiations in good faith and remained eager to reach a deal that sufficiently addressed performer concerns, the AMPTP’s responses to our proposals have not been adequate."
"We will update you immediately after the National Board’s vote and information will be provided on how the strike impacts your ability to work. Details on picket times and locations will be provided as well. Please check your inbox."
"Our ninety-year history is a testament to what can be achieved through our conviction and unity. For the future of our profession, we stand together."
Fran Drescher - President
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland - National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator
48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "The Kidnapping of Schanda Handley" that will air this Saturday at 10/9 p.m.
"A daughter watches in horror as her mother is kidnapped from their home by intruders posing as deliverymen. 48 Hours - contributor David Begnaud reports."
TV Preview will begin after Commercial Ad.
DATELINE on NBC. This segment goes back to 2009 reported on by Josh Mankiewicz. It's called, "The Last Voyage." There is an update.
This has been reported on by ABC / CBS / NBC / CABLE news. Now - The Internet has grabbed onto the story of the missing elderly couple. They had owned an expensive yacht that came back from a test run now owned by a younger couple.
The bodies of the elderly couple have never been found in the pacific ocean.
"48 Hours Mystery" (CBS). Maureen Maher reported and she interviewed the family of the victims at length. The 2010 episode is no longer playing on the Internet.
When the original segment aired. I think Josh Mankiewicz got frustrated with a criminal in an interview. (I saw his angry words in a "Dateline" anniversary clip).
It's because of that missing elderly couple who were known to be kind and good. They only wanted to sell their yacht.
This episode is sad because the elderly couple met the "wrong" person.
THE ROUND UP: NO WAY OUT from CAPLIGHT Pictures. This is South Korea's 3rd film in the popular action crime series (1 The Outlaws / 2 The Round Up). They all starred actor, Ma Dong-Seok who portrays police detective Ma Seok-do. He's a hard thinking and slam punching man who gets the job done.
"Seven years after the roundup in Vietnam, Ma Seok-do joins a new squad to investigate a murder case. He soon starts to dig deeper when he finds out the case involves a synthetic drug and a gang of thugs."
After the massive success of "The Round Up" 2022. This sequel, "No Way Out" opened in the United States at only 41 AMC theaters. That was back in June 2023 and has grabbed a respectable $902,662. It was already an International hit grabbing $79,941,562.
I watched all 3 movies and what I enjoy is the comedy inserted throughout the story with these detectives. All of them led by Ma Seok-do. It has action too with the power-house detective who gives a slaughter "punch."
Check it out if you can. I see that fans have already posted the movie on YouTube.
SOUND OF FREEDOM from ANGEL Studios. According to "Box Office Mojo" that tracks movie box office receipts. This film about human sex trafficking has become a surprise "hit" in U.S. theaters. As of July 11, 2023 - It has grabbed $41,668,249 since it opened on the 4th of July.
The movie stars Jim Caviezel and Mira Sorvino. It isn't part of Hollywood's big Summer releases and nabbed $19 million on the 4th of July.
"The incredible true story of a former government agent turned vigilante who embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue hundreds of children from sex traffickers."
Deadline Hollywood Podcast - "As the Writers Guild-AMTPT standoff hits double digits, Deadline’s Strike Talk podcast host Billy Ray focuses on a topic as important as his masterful recent conversation with AI."
"Writers rooms are the pipelines of talent that turn rookies into show-runners, the ones that make billions for studios and networks with hit shows."
TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / JULY 9, 2023 / ESTIMATED
$32.7M - Insidious: The Red Door
$26.5M - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
$18.2M - Sound of Freedom
$9.6M - Elemental
$8.0M - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "The Case Against Michael Politte" (7-9-2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 1.86 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.
Click the logo below for 48 HOURS on CBS.
DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "The She Wanted" (7-7-2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.01 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers with the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.
You have to Sign-Up to Sign-In to watch the latest episode.
Click the logo below for DATELINE on NBC.
The critic reviews are coming in and they are raving about the latest installment of, "Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One." There is a Part Two in this 7th movie starring Tom Cruise.
What I'm reading and watching in these reviews is nostalgia. This recent film hearkens back to the very first "Mission Impossible" 1996. It was directed by Brian De Palma and this new version copies his touches visually. The trailer also shows the return of the character "Kittridge" who was in that first movie.
I will tell you all right now... The first "Mission Impossible" is my favorite in this series. So, I'm excited to walk into a movie theater next Wednesday on July 12, 2023. - Wahoo.!!
48 HOURS on CBS. I love these classic episodes from both "Dateline" and "48 Hours." I am catching up on segments that I had missed.
"Who Killed Jane Neumann?" is from 1998 and reported on by Susan Spencer who is my favorite with "48 Hours."
48HRS - "This classic episode of 48 Hours, which last aired on 7/6/1998, tells the story of Jane Neumann, who had a beautiful daughter, a loving husband and a nice house in the town of Hudson, Wisconsin."
"But on Nov. 22, 1993, she was found dead of a gunshot wound in the basement of her own home. The investigation of her bizarre death includes an interview with Jane's husband, Jim, who changed his story about Jane's murder."
48 HOURS on CBS. The next episode is called, "The Case Against Michael Politte" that will air at 10/9 p.m.
CBS says, "At 14 he was accused and later convicted of murdering his mother. But he claims he knows who the real killer is and he’s still out there. 48 Hours - correspondent Erin Moriarty reports."
TV Preview will begin after Commercial Ad.
COCO LEE (48 yrs.). She had an impressive music career as a singer. 23 Albums / 27 Singles / 11 Compilations.
She became known in the U.S., by singing the Mandarin version of the song, "Reflection" from the 1998 Disney animated film "Mulan."
Then came the 2000 movie, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" where she sang the theme song, "A Love Before Time." It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 73rd Academy Awards for 2000. Coco was the first Asian singer to perform at the Oscars. RIP....
DATELINE on NBC. I am binge watching and came across this segment that I had missed. Josh Mankiewicz chose this as an "Unforgettable" episode for the "Oxygen" network. It lasted 2 seasons.
It's called - "A Promise to Helene."
Click NBC logos below for DATELINE episode.
48 HOURS on CBS. Last night's episode was called, "The Suzanne Morphew Case: Nothing Is What It Seems" (7-1-2023). In the Overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.03 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.1 million TV viewers with the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic.
Click the CBS logo below for 48 HOURS.
TOP BOX OFFICE / WEEK-ENDING / JULY 2, 2023 / ESTIMATED
$60.0M - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
$11.5M - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
$11.3M - Elemental
$7.5M - No Hard Feelings
$7.0M - Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
DATELINE on NBC. Last night's episode was called, "Sex, Lies & Murder" (6/30/2023). In the overnight TV ratings. It garnered 2.11 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.2 million TV viewers with the all important 18-49 adult demographic.
You have to Sign-Up to Sign-In to watch the latest episode.
Click the logo below for DATELINE on NBC.
