Invisible L.A.

It is being said in the media that the writer’s strike maybe soon over. So that many of the more popular shows may actually end on their regular timeline, which is in May, 2008. So if you are a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Lost as well others, may see the finale’s in the annual Television May Sweeps. You know, gotta get them ratings in to bring in more money/revenue from advertising from commercials. Gotta spread, the buck as well as the wealth. Ok so maybe some love.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike since, November 5, 2007. The current strike of the 2007 -2008 season has been going on for 13 weeks and 4 days as of February 8, 2008. And it is estimated that the strike has cost the economy in the ball park figure of $1 Billion dollars to date. There are over 12,000 writers who have joined the strike. And as side note the WGA has contract negotiations every 3 years.

The last writers strike was in 1988. Lasting 21 weeks and 6 days. And costing the economy about $500 million dollars(about $870 million in 2007 money).

Once the strike has been settled, only a few shows will remain. Many of them either cancelled permanently or to be picked up next season. So many disappointments to many of the viewers of many television shows. A handful will be picked up for next season while others have either been axed or doom is looming over. Many of the shows have aired their remaining written shows that were written and filmed prior to the November 5, strike. Here is a list of shows that have a few remaining weeks to be seen before the end of the season.

The writers strike is against, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents 397 American film and television producers. Some of the most influential companies out of the AMPTP are: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer(MGM), NBC Universal, News Corp/Fox, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Walt Disney Company, and Warner Brothers.

Of course one of the many reasons to the writers strike is the residuals due them from DVD sales. Some of the other reasons due to the strike is union jurisdiction over animation and reality tv show writers. And of course last, but not least compensation from usage of the writers work being used via the internet. Such as through Youtube or other such internet outlets.

The major part of the strike maybe resolved, but with a few strings still needing to be tied up on the smaller issues between the AMPTP and the WGA. So keep your fingers crossed that the WGA can get the 12,000+ writers back to work. And for all of America’s favorite shows to get back on the tube/tv.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has announced that Bill Peters has joined the Los Angeles office as a partner. Peters is recognized as one of the top outsourcing lawyers in the country. He was formerly a partner with O’Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles, where he served as co-chair of that firm’s Transactional Intellectual Property Practice.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher practices in corporate transactions, labor and employment, litigation, public policy Continue reading

As of January 22, 2008 the nominations for the Oscars were annouced. The Oscars have been home to the Kodak Theater which is located at Highland and Vine in Hollywood. Not only are the Oscars broadcasted there, so is the Ameican Idol finals.

The Kodak is a 3,600 seat theater. The Kodak also is centrally located within a shopping mall and movie thearter. It also sits comfortably Continue reading

Ok so the 80th Oscars are to be aired on Sunday, February 24, 2008 from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California. Jon Stewart, Comedian and Political Satirist from Comedy Central will be hosting the Oscars this year. Here are my picks of some of the major awards. See if I am right on Sunday Night. I am guessing that I will get at least 3 out of 8 right. Continue reading

Many of us in L.A. have never stopped for a minute to make human contact with our neighbors. I’m not even talking about the kind of neighbor that lives in the house next door to you (although it’s pretty pathetic that we don’t even know them, either!), I’m talking about the homeless guy that you see every day and try and ignore.

When was the last time you stopped Continue reading

Virgin’s Richard Branson put on a Wonder Woman custom and mooned reporters with the American flag stuck in his pantyhose to make a point. Virgin is offering tickets as low as $119 from New York to Los Angeles. Fares do not include all government fees & taxes and are per person in U.S. whole dollar amounts. With prices this low, you can’t afford not to take a vacation.

You Continue reading

Is it a good time to buy a home in Los Angeles? Will we see better deals in 2008? One thing is sure Los Angeles home and condo prices are falling. We are in a buyer’s market. Many believe that we will see further housing bubble declines of 30%

In Los Angeles and Orange counties, real estate prices fell 8.8% year-over-year, in the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller composite index. Continue reading

Keifer Sutherland Divorce DecreeKiefer Sutherland is officially divorced. A divorce decree was entered May 16th by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. The “24” actor filed for divorce from his wife Elizabeth Kelly Winn in Continue reading

Dominicana Cigars has officially launched Cigars to the Stars(TM) and their newest addition to their Cigar Catering(R) service featuring on-site Cigar Rollers and Cigar Servers for special events. Cigars to the Stars(TM) events are similar to consumer promotions however, they are catered to the luxury of red carpet celebrity events.

An event for Fox 24 including the producers and the show’s cast enjoyed a Red Carpet event at trendy Les Continue reading

Kourtney Kardashian, a well known personality in the field of reality television as a cast member of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami, is all set to sell her home. The house (pictured below) is located in the 4389 Park Paloma, Calabasas California 91302 which is situated in a beautiful valley named San Fernando. Kourtney Kardashian who is the oldest among the three Kardashian sisters… Continue reading