Barack Obama Says Striking Writers Deserve “Fair Share” From Studios & Streamers; Ex-POTUS Promoting Netflix ‘Working’ Docuseries

The head of the country’s largest labor union joined striking Writers Guild film and television writers at a rally on Monday outside the New York City offices of streaming giant Amazon and said the writers’ cause has the support of workers from across unionized labor. 

Less than a month after giving her uncensored opinions about Robert Redford in Cannes, Jane Fonda was at the Tribeca Festival on Saturday speaking her mind about the climate crisis, Joe Biden, and her father Henry Fonda.

pic.twitter.com/5UJ3Ddm0TkTV writer Tom Smuts, who is married to WGA president Meredith Stiehm, said he was there when the incident occurred.“In the past five weeks coordinating production pickets in Los Angeles and Georgia, no one else has treated us like that,” he tweeted. “And we in the WGA and Teamsters will stay here in solidarity – in Los Angeles, New York, New Mexico, Georgia and wherever else we need to be – until our labor and dignity are respected again.”A Lionsgate spokesperson told TheWrap that the company takes “acts of intimidation and threats of violence seriously” and that they are investigating the incident “thoroughly.”“As we continue to investigate, we have sent home the individual involved,” the studio added. A WGA spokesperson told TheWrap it is “working closely with members who were endangered during this incident to hold this individual accountable.”“Workers should not be threatened with physical harm when exercising their right to publicly protest and picket against unfair wages and working conditions,” the guild said.

Read more about the whole thing here.Meanwhile back on MSNBC, Hayes asked Psaki, “I wonder how you think about the Biden administration handles this, how Democrats handle this, how Republicans in Congress handle this.”“This isn’t Alvin Bragg in Manhattan, who is not part of the Biden administration,” Hayes continued, referring to the District Attorney overseeing Trump’s criminal fraud case in New York City. “You can heap scorn on him and you can say nasty things about him, with all sorts of, you know, pretty gross, racist undertones.

his Truth Social page, are true, the federal grand jury’s decision would mark the former president’s second indictment this year. He is the first former president to ever by criminally indicted.

Judy Blume has a movie out. I’ve not yet seen it, but good for her. Her Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing was the first book to elicit laughter from me.

Barack Obama has achieved many things in his life as a politician, but his younger self may have wanted to be on the court and not in the White House. The former president of the United States recently sat down for a fun interview ahead of the release of his new show on Netflix, “Working; What We Do All Day,” where he admitted that he wanted to play in the NBA when he was younger.Una publicación compartida por Barack Obama (@barackobama)He published the confessions to his 36.1 million followers on Instagram. “As a kid, I’d tell adults that my dream job was to be an architect.

Earlier this week, the world received the devastating news that rock and roll icon, Tina Turner, had passed away at her home in Stäfa, Switzerland. Just four days after her death, recent reports have emerged that her £58 million Swiss retreat will be transformed into a museum dedicated to the star’s life and career by her husband, Erwin Back - according to The Mirror.The sprawling property is just half an hour away from the mansion she shared with her husband, which is located on the banks of the stunning Lake Zurich.

2024 presidential election poll “horrible news” for President Joe Biden, as it found 66% of surveyed Americans say a Biden victory would either be a disaster or a setback for the country. “When it comes to how voters see Joe Biden and another presidential term, I mean those are some bad numbers,” Tapper said.The poll, released Thursday and conducted last week, found that 41% of Americans believed it would be a “disaster” if Biden were re-elected next fall, while 26% said it would be a “setback.” Watch the full video above (video via Tom Elliott on Twitter).The poll also found that while Biden would still likely receive the vast majority of Democratic votes in 2024, his overall approval rating sat at just 35% – with popularity declining among Democrats and independents recently. “Views of Biden are sharply more negative than are views of each of the three living Democratic past presidents,” the poll wrote.“That’s a big warning sign,” CNN Political Director David Chalian told Tapper of Biden’s dropoff among independents. Current approval numbers are nearly identical to that of his likely opponent Donald Trump, according to the poll. “It’s worse for Biden, but for both of them, most of the American people think electing them would be a disaster or a setback for both Joe Biden and Donald Trump,” Tapper summarized. “It is not an election the American people want,” Chalian replied.“What a country,” Tapper concluded.Following what many deemed a disastrous town hall featuring Trump earlier this month on CNN, Fox News has lined up another town hall with the former president moderated by show host Sean Hannity.

LinkedIn livestream event promoting his new Netflix docuseries “Working: What We Do All Day,” the former president spoke of the importance of writers in the entertainment industry. “I know there are many studios and streamers who feel a little bit embattled and there’s been a little bit too much of a glut of product and they’re looking at their bottom line and their experiencing shareholder pressure, etc, but the fact is, is that they wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for writers creating the stories that matter,” Obama said to host Ira Glass. “My hope is that as somebody who’s really supportive of the Writer’s Guild and as someone who just believes in storytelling and the craft of it,” Obama continued, “I’m hoping that they will be compensated and the importance of what they do will be reflected in whatever settlement’s arrived at. I’m very supportive of the writers and the strike and I’m hopeful that they get a fair share of the fruits of their labor.” Obama’s statements echo those of his former Vice President Joe Biden, who earlier this month said he hopes the WGA receives “a fair deal they deserve as soon as possible.”Now entering its 24th day, the strike has continued to halt production in Hollywood.

Barack and Michelle Obama shared a tribute for Tina Turner, who passed away this Wednesday. She was 83. The Obamas joined millions of people who were moved by her passing, writing a statement that praised Turner’s spirit and music.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Former President Barack Obama opened Netflix’s livestream event for his new docuseries, “Working: What We Do All Day,” on Thursday with a more aggressive statement of support for the Writers Guild of America (WGA) than what he initially said in solidarity with the ongoing writers strike. Before the panel, which aired on LinkedIn at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT, got underway, moderator Ira Glass revealed Obama had prepared remarks he wanted to deliver about the WGA’s work stoppage, which is currently in its fourth week. “Part of what this show ‘Working’ is about is how certain things are constant about the work experience. People trying to find work that’s satisfying, people trying to pay the bills,” Obama said. “Unfortunately one of the things that’s also been constant is the struggle for people to make sure their employers are treating them fairly and they’re getting a fair share of the pie. I think what we’ve seen throughout American history is that unions and worker organizations have had to make demands on their employers, those that are controlling whatever industry they’re in, to make sure they’re treated fairly and entertainment is no exception. My hope would be that in a time of big technological change, where you’ve got big mega corporations that are doing really well, that they keep in mind the creative people who are actually making the product that consumers appreciate and that gets exported all around the world.

Tributes have poured in for music legend Tina Turner who has died aged 83. One of rock's most famous voices, who had hits including Proud Mary and The Best, the star died after a long illness. Turner passed away “peacefully" on Wednesday in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, according to her publicist.

Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, died Wednesday at the age of 83 following a long illness. Turner's rep confirmed the sad news in a statement to ET and reflected on the «Proud Mary» singer's unique legacy and the impact she made on rock music. «Tina Turner, the 'Queen of Rock 'n' Roll' has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,» the statement read.«Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee, USA.

tweeted. “From leadership: ‘So the rule is, don’t do promotion at their request, don’t attend premieres, don’t do the FYCs, but you can still talk about your project in your own social media.'”Riley added that WGA said via Zoom that writers may not participate in interviews that the studio sets up, but are allowed to partake in media opportunities if they’re “set up” by the writer, themselves or the writer’s publicist.“It’s a little confusing, [to be honest],” Riley added, while comedian and “A Black Lady Sketch Show” creator, showrunner, writer and performer Robin Thede echoed Riley’s concern, tweeting “It’s so confusing!”Other stuff like- don't do interviews that the studio sets up, but if you or your publicist set it up- thats ok is what WGA said on a zoom Its a little confusing, tbh.WGA leadership is “still figuring out the rules,” according to “Gotham Knights” co-creator Natalie Abrams, who clarified Tuesday that writers can “social about our own projects as long as it’s not studio/network coordinated.” A WGA spokesperson confirmed its message to members on the policy change to TheWrap: “You must refuse promoting a project at a struck company’s request.

wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. The request to ban “The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country,” which includes Gorman’s now-famous spoken word “The Hill We Climb” that she recited at the 2021 inauguration of Joe Biden was made in March, per a complaint Gorman also posted on Twitter. In the ban request the complainant claimed “The Hill We Climb” contains content that is “not educational,” and that it is “indirectly hate messages.” They also stated that the subject matter is “not for schools” and it can “cause confusion” and “indoctrinates students.” On the document, the complainant stated that Oprah Winfrey was the “author/publisher” of the book though the poem was written by Gorman. “Book bans aren’t new. But they have been on the rise—according to the ALA, 40% more books were challenged in 2022 compared to 2021,” Gorman continued.

There will be no late night laughs in Moscow, comrade. Or anywhere else in Russia, for that matter.

Barack Obama is sharing his secrets to love. The former president of the United States recently opened up about his relationship with his wife Michelle Obama.

Cue the pomp and circumstance! Former President Barack Obama, Pierce Brosnan and more stars were proud parents at their kids’ 2023 graduation ceremonies.