OCTOBER
The Big Story
After a 148-day strike, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) officially ratifies a new deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
It all started back in April when talks over a new agreement between WGA and AMPTP failed. Days later, on May 2, writers unanimously approved a strike, marking the first of its kind since the 2007-2008 strike. While on strike, members were not allowed to “do any writing, revising, pitching or discussing of future projects with companies that are members of the AMPTP.” They were also given a list of locations to start picketing, which included AMC Networks, MGM, Disney, Lionsgate, Starz, Netflix, Paramount, MTV, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros. studios.
By mid-July the AMPTP stated that they did not plan to make further negotiations with the WGA until at least October, leaving many writers fretting over finances. The Entertainment Community Fund, which was set up to help those in the entertainment industry struggling financially, received $1.7 million in donations from writers, showrunners and producers, such as JJ ABRAMS, ADAM MCKAY, RYAN MURPHY, and SHONDA RHIMES, to alleviate some of that stress.
Despite stating no talks would occur for months, the AMPTP agreed to resume contract negotiations in early August though none would be successful. From there, it wouldn’t be until the end of September that talks would restart, with a tentative agreement reached on September 24. Three days later the strike would end.
BY THE NUMBERS: The WGA strike -- and the SAG-AFTRA strike, which ran through November -- caused a $6.5 BILLION loss to the economy of Southern California.
Worth Remembering:
BEYONCE announces her “Renaissance World Tour” is heading to the big screen.
The shot caller behind the death of TUPAC SHAKUR is arrested.
SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s FTX trial kicks off. He faces seven counts, including wire and securities fraud.
A new woman comes forward with sexual assault allegations against disgraced movie mogul HARVEY WEINSTEIN.
SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s girlfriend, CAROLINE ELLISON, takes the stand, telling the jury that he orchestrated the use of funds for improper use.
Model JULIA FOX says her short relationship with YE was “fake.”
JADA PINKETT-SMITH reveals that she and WILL SMITH, while married, have been separated for the past seven years.
MICHELLE WILLIAMS will narrate the audiobook version of BRITNEY SPEARS’ memoir “The Woman In Me.”
Actor MICHAEL CAINE announces his retirement from acting.
TAYLOR SWIFT’s “Eras Tour” film earns $96 MILLION at the domestic box office in its opening weekend, immediately making it the highest-grossing music concert film ever.
PRINCE HARRY goes house hunting in England, with or without MEGHAN MARKLE’s blessing.
Prosecutors announce they plan to refile charges against actor ALEC BALDWIN in connection with the fatal shooting of “Rust” cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS.
News breaks that actress MERYL STREEP and her husband DON GUMMER have been living separately for more than six years.
Football player NICK BOSA poses for KIM KARDASHIAN’s new SKIMS MENS line.
Nine-months out from his nearly fatal snow plow accident, actor JEREMY RENNER says he has a new found sense of clarity over what matters in his life.
KYLIE JENNER reveals her new clothing line, Khy, with a spread in WSJ Magazine.
Guinness World Records recertifies MADONNA as the biggest-selling female recording artist of all time.
SAM BANKMAN-FRIED takes the witness stand for the first time in his fraud case trial.
TAYLOR SWIFT reaches BILLIONAIRE status, with an estimated net worth of $1.1 BILLION.
KIM KARDASHIAN announces her latest SKIMS product -- the Ultimate Nipple Bra.
TAYLOR SWIFT’s re-recording of “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” becomes Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day.
KIM KARDASHIAN’s SKIMS is named the new official underwear partner of the NBA, WNBA, and USA Basketball.
RIP: Adam Johnson, 29; Aaron Spears, 47; Tyler Christopher, 50; Matthew Perry, 54; Tim Wakefield, 57; Jim Poole, 57; Suzanne Somers, 76; Dick Butkus, 80; Richard Roundtree, 81; Judy Nugent, 83; Burt Young, 83; Rudolph Isley, 84; Mark Goddard, 87; Dianne Feinstein, 90; Piper Laurie, 91; Joanna Merlin, 92; Tommy Gambino, 94; Phyllis Coates, 96
HITCHED: Milo Ventimiglia & Jarah Mariano; Wolfgang Van Halen & Andraia Allsop; Christine Brown & David Woolley; Frances Bean Cobain & Riley Hawk; Tyler Posey & Phem
BABY NEWS: James Middleton & Alizee Thevenet - son Inigo; Russell Dickerson & Kailey Dickerson - son Radford
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NOVEMBER
The Big Story
SAM BANKMAN-FRIED will almost certainly spend decades in prison, if not the rest of his life.
No single figure captured our attention as thoroughly as SAM BANKMAN-FRIED did in 2023. If we added up the number of mentions of Morning Martini regulars like Elon Musk or Kim Kardashian or Meghan Markle, they might individually exceed the times SBF or FTX popped up in our reporting – but they’re going to keep on appearing while SBF spends what will likely be years, if not the rest of his life, in prison.
He fully entered the national conversation about fourteen months ago. Investors and traders quickly learned that SBF built his multi-billion-dollar fortress on pillars of salt and sand. As they processed their combined billions in losses, SBF never publicly suggested he had wrapped his overinflated ego around his own fate. Just days after clients learned their money was gone, SBF appeared at the influential New York Times Dealbook Conference by video, where he weirdly admitted some mistakes but didn’t appear to comprehend his new reality. At that point, he had not yet been extradited from the Bahamas and he may not have even begun to consider life behind bars.
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