The filming of 'IT: Welcome to Derry' was significantly complicated and delayed due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes, which halted production for eight months and caused logistical issues, including changes in seasons and actor schedules. Despite these challenges, the show premiered on HBO with strong viewership, and subsequent episodes are airing weekly.
Sean Astin, known for roles in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Rudy', has been elected as the new president of SAG-AFTRA, succeeding Fran Drescher, and is the son of actress Patty Duke. He won the election with 79% of the vote and will lead the union representing around 160,000 entertainment professionals amid ongoing industry strikes.
Pedro Pascal was originally cast in the horror film 'Weapons,' but due to Hollywood strikes and scheduling conflicts, he dropped out, leading to the entire cast being recast, with only Austin Abrams remaining from the original lineup. The film is set to release on August 8.
The 2024 Emmy nominations have been announced, with FX's "Shogun" and "The Bear" leading the pack with 25 and 23 nominations respectively. The nominations come after a delay caused by Hollywood strikes, which also led to a decrease in the number of submissions. The 76th Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on September 15, 2024, from LA Live Peacock Theatre and will be available for streaming on Hulu the next day.
CBS' new drama "Tracker" emerged as the most-watched entertainment series of the 2023-24 TV season, a first for a freshman show since "Survivor" in 2000. The show benefited from a post-Super Bowl premiere and a shortened TV season due to Hollywood strikes. Football dominated the top spots, with "Sunday Night Football" on NBC leading overall. CBS' "Young Sheldon" was the top comedy, while "The Voice" outperformed "American Idol" in total viewers. "NCIS Hawai’i" was a notable cancellation despite strong viewership.
Seth MacFarlane, creator of "Family Guy," has no plans to end the show, citing its continued popularity and ability to fund good causes. He expressed that as long as people still love the show and it brings joy, there's no reason to stop. MacFarlane also halted work on the series in support of the Writers Guild of America protests but resumed after an agreement was reached.
Production has resumed on Season 2 of the acclaimed workplace thriller Severance after a lengthy delay due to the Hollywood strikes, delighting fans who have been eagerly awaiting news about the show. The series, known for its chilling portrayal of office culture, features big names on its cast list and has garnered immense consumer and critical acclaim. The first season was praised for its thrilling story and eerie visuals, and the new season is highly anticipated by fans.
The Apple TV+ drama series "Severance" has resumed production after a lengthy delay caused by Hollywood strikes. The show, created by Dan Erickson and executive produced by Ben Stiller, stars Adam Scott and features a talented ensemble cast. The series explores a daring experiment in work-life balance at Lumon Industries, where employees undergo a severance procedure that divides their memories.
The Sundance Film Festival is set to showcase a slate of films ready for distribution, with 80% of the lineup available for sale, including some made during the recent Hollywood strikes. Industry figures like Blumhouse CEO Jason Blum emphasized the festival's importance in the entertainment ecosystem and its role in discovering and promoting indie films. The festival, featuring 91 projects from a record number of submissions, aims to provide a platform for independent storytelling and potentially help alleviate the current shortage of theatrical releases.
Netflix has revealed its most-watched shows, with "The Night Agent" topping the list at 812 million hours of viewership. The streaming giant released the data in response to demands for transparency from Hollywood writers and actors. Other top shows include "Ginny & Georgia: Season 2," "The Glory," "Wednesday," and "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story." Netflix plans to release updated reports every six months, providing insights into audience preferences.
Anthony Anderson, star of Black-ish, will be hosting the delayed 75th Emmy Awards next month, which were postponed due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Anderson expressed his excitement about the role and the opportunity to bring the creative community together for this milestone event. He has received numerous award nominations throughout his career and is known for his humor and spontaneity. Anderson's hosting gig comes after he replaced Jamie Foxx as the host of the game show We Are Family.
Anthony Anderson has been announced as the host for the delayed 75th Emmy Awards, which will now take place on January 15, 2024. The awards were originally scheduled for September 2023 but were postponed due to the Hollywood strikes. Anderson, known for his role in "Black-ish," expressed excitement about hosting the milestone event and joked about Taylor Swift being unavailable. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Fox and available on Hulu the following day.
Despite the challenges posed by the Hollywood strikes and economic difficulties, 2023 proved to be a great year for TV shows. From the hilarious "Jury Duty" on Freevee to the heartwarming "Abbott Elementary" on ABC, and the captivating "Good Omens" on Amazon, there were plenty of standout series. "Reservation Dogs" on FX combined various genres flawlessly, while "Schmigadoon!" on Apple TV+ elevated its second season to new heights. "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" on Paramount+ delivered a refreshing and enjoyable space adventure, and the revival of "Party Down" on Starz was a comedic success. "The Bear" on FX on Hulu continued to impress with its intense drama, while "Fargo" on FX returned with a thrilling fifth season. Topping the list is "Beef" on Netflix, a black comedy that offers a unique and riotously entertaining experience.
Actor Tyrese Gibson is requesting a new judge to handle his divorce case, claiming bias against him. He alleges that Judge Kevin Farmer canceled a court hearing and ordered him to pay a $450,000 bond within 10 days without giving him the opportunity to explain his inability to come up with the cash due to the impact of Hollywood strikes on his work and income. This is not the first time Tyrese has sought to have Judge Farmer removed from the case, previously accusing him of making derogatory remarks and belittling him during testimony.
Movie theater industry analyst Eric Wold has revised his box office forecasts due to release date delays caused by the Hollywood writers and actors strikes. Wold lowered his 2024 domestic box office projection from $9.6 billion to $8.6 billion and his 2025 estimate from $10.29 billion to $9.92 billion. He attributed the decline to the number of films that have been moved by studios in recent weeks. However, Wold remains positive on the outlook for the industry, emphasizing that moviegoing demand remains strong in the post-pandemic era.