End of Week Production Notes 9/24/21: Filmmakers Melvin Van Peebles and Roger Michell Die, SNL Announces Hosts, and More News
As much of this week has been all about the negotiations between IATSE and AMPTP breaking down and the call for a strike authorization that will happen next week, the sad news came in over the week about two deaths from the world of film: an absolute cinematic icon and legend in Mr. Melvin Van Peebles, who... »
The Accidental Turitz on the Brilliance and Problem with Awards Shows
I go into every awards show feeling the same way about it. I tune in wanting to enjoy and see if my predictions are right, check out the speeches, appreciate the fun moments, and then think about what my speech will be like if I ever get up there some day. What I inevitably... »
Hump Day News Update 9/22/21: Willie Garson Dies, Hahn to play Joan Rivers, and More News
This week begins the Cine Gear Expo in Los Angeles at the L.A. Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25, and Below the Line will be there both days. Hopefully, we’ll see some of our readers there. The big news in the industry right now is about the negotiations between IATSE and AMPTP,... »
Over the Weekend 9/20/21: DGA Gets New President, Branagh’s Belfast Takes TIFF People Choice, and More News
Welcome back from the weekend where the Primetime Emmys were the big talk of Sunday night as Netflix did particularly well with its drama, The Crown, and limited series, The Queen’s Gambit. Although the latter also did particularly well at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys, it was held back to just winning two more last night, with HBO‘s Mare... »
End of Week Production Notes 9/17/21: Ted Lasso Sweeps TCAs, Mackie Leads Twisted Metal Series, and More News
A (thankfully) quieter last couple days leads us into another weekend, the actual last weekend of summer since the fall starts next week. On top of that, the 72nd annual Emmys are coming up this Sunday, following the Creative Arts Emmys over three ceremonies last weekend, but in advance, the Television Critics Association handed out... »
The Accidental Turitz: I’m Not Great at Predictions, But Here Are Some Anyway
For each of the last few years, I’ve done this thing wherein I write a bunch of essays about the various Oscar categories and share them on Facebook with my friends. I delve into the intricacies of each discipline, the history, the ups and downs and ins and outs, and then talk about the... »
Hump Day News Update 9/15/21: Norm Macdonald Dies, Twins Sequel Happening, and More News
Unfortunately, there’s no way around starting our mid-week news update with the tragic news that Saturday Night Live veteran Norm Macdonald has died at the age of 61 after secretly fighting cancer for 9 years. Besides being a stand-up comic and popular late night guest, Macdonald was part of the cast of SNL from 1993 through 1998 and was... »
Over the Weekend 9/13/21: Venice Festival Winners, A Few TIFF Thoughts, and More News
Happy Monday! It was a fairly busy weekend in terms of the movie and television business, although we don’t have a ton of news persé, because that was on the slower side. The Creative Arts Emmys took place on Saturday and Sunday, and if you haven’t seen the results, you can read them at the... »
End of Week Production Notes 9/10/21: Odenkick Back on Better Call Saul, Christopher Nolan’s New Project, and More News
It’s Friday again, and here’s some of the news that’s been circulating through the industry over the past couple days. We’re just going to wade into the massive amount of news with some GOOD news, because there’s been so much bad news over the past few weeks. Earlier this week, actor Bob Odenkirk returned to work on Better... »
The Accidental Turitz: Why Winning an Emmy May Be Even More Important Than You Think
I think it must be nice to get an Emmy nomination. I certainly would like one, and I know of at least a couple of good friends who have received them, and they were definitely in favor of it. There are all kinds of parties and events and prestige that goes along with a... »