Entertainment Week in Review

This is a new feature we're rolling out here at League HQ. I would ask for feedback, but unless a ton of people hate it, we're gonna keep posting it. So...enjoy?

Onto item number one!


The world enters 2008; people still writing 2007 on documents


What happened: We passed into a new year! This year happened to be the 100th anniversary of the ball dropping in Times Square - here's to the ongoing tradition of dropping balls at the end of every December.

Why it matters: Because in two more years, we'll be able to remember where we were on New Year's 2000 and say that it happened a decade ago.


The Writers' Guild strike reaches that point


What happened: What didn't happen? The writers are insistent that they'll be picketing the Golden Globes this month, which has put the fate of broadcast, and even the ceremony, into question.

What else happened: The late night talk shows returned to the air, sans writers (unless you happen to work for CBS, who worked out a private contract with the WGA so that their hosts, David Letterman and Craig Ferguson could go on the air with writers). Reviews (yes, these shows were actually reviewed) suggest that Jay Leno came ahead as some kind of "winner," putting on a more entertaining show than his rival David Letterman. The very next day, the WGA started throwing a hissy fit over Mr. Leno's monologue, basically stating that he's in breach of the strike rules by writing and performing his monologue during the strike (Leno's a guild member). This would be a point where everyone watching rolls their eyes.

Anything else?: Why yes. The Directors Guild has begun informal discussions with the Producers Guild. There is general fear that the contract these two come up with undercut the writers' demands, which in turn will make the producers even more stubborn about giving into the writers' demands (which will likely not change, no matter what the directors do). I hoped you guys liked television. And the movies this summer. Because it's the last original content you're going to see for a while.

Why it matters: Because A). The storm clouds of doom have become that much thicker. Also, B). I'm not sure about anyone else out there, but I'm getting so sick of BOTH sides, that I no longer sympathize with anyone (I do think the writers are right, I just don't care anymore), and I want to blow the whole system up and start from scratch. And C). I'm not looking forward to writing crap about the strike in this blog every week for the next two fucking years.


Netflix to stream directly into televisions
What happened: Netflix announced that later this year, they'll be able to stream movies directly into your television using a set-top box that sends the entertainment through a high-speed internet connection. No numbers have been released regarding a price, but similar products on the market run between 300 and 400 dollars.

Why it matters: It's a bold move for the mail-order movie rental company. After Netflix made the "video store" relatively obsolete, Blockbuster struck back with a similar mail-order service that had the added convenience of being able to return your movies to any store. Netflix began offering movies over it's website, streamed through your computer (certain subscription packages included a number of hours per month that you could watch streamed media), and it seems that this is just the natural evolution. It's a good idea, and I like companies that take risks. Unless you're Sony and you make that albatross, the Playstation 3.


The final season of The Wire begins this Sunday night on HBO.


What happened: It's the end of the best show no one ever watched. There is no crime show like it - it's visceral, authentic, and depressing. There is no better ensemble on television, and I'll miss it.

Why it matters: Because if you write for television or you've ever been interested in doing so, you need to start Netflixing this series. Right. Now.


Ugh. Britney Spears gets taken to a hospital following a custody spat.


What happened: Basically, and we don't know much, Britney Spears refused to return her two children to their father and her ex-husband, Kevin Federline following a court-monitored visit. The police had to intervene and the episode somehow ended with the former pop star being hauled away by paramedics and taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. It's being reported today that a judge has awarded full custody of the children to Kevin Federline, suspending Britney's visitation rights.

Why it matters: I put the "ugh" up there because I don't consider this "news," but I'm mentioning all this because Britney is dangerously out of control and I hope to god she undergoes a psychological evaluation and gets some much needed help. I hate how our society drives certain idols to, more or less, kill themselves, and then we stand around and wonder what went wrong when we damn well know that it's our morbid obsessions that make these peoples' lives a living hell. Let me just wipe off my soapbox here...


Write on...