Monday, June 24, 2013

NEWS: Hulu's Future; Maura West Making Waves on GH; MAD MEN Finale; Andrew Trischitta

Hulu Faces a Nebulous Future as It Seeks a New Owner
Hulu, the Web streaming service that is jointly owned by the Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, and News Corporation, is up for sale. And each of the potential buyers brings with it a different vision of what Hulu should become.

The interested parties include Time Warner Cable, DirecTV, the Chernin Group — an investment firm owned by the former News Corporation president Peter Chernin — and two private equity firms, Guggenheim Digital Media and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

Web sites change hands all the time, but Hulu’s sale could signal something more fundamental: the end — at least in its current form — of one of the pioneers of online streaming, which in recent years has become an increasingly popular way to view content.

Depending on the buyer, Hulu could be used to foster the further growth of online streaming as an alternative to the cable TV bundle. Or the site could be kept under lock and key, exclusively for the use of cable subscribers.

Springfield native Maura West is making waves 
on ABC's GENERAL HOSPITAL
When producers contacted West’s agent about the part, there was a hitch: The role was only scheduled to run five episodes.

“To be honest, I wasn’t completely thrilled about it,” said West, a two-time Emmy winner best known for her 14-year stint on CBS’ AS THE WORLD TURNS as well as a year on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. “What’s going to happen to her? Is she going to be killed off?”

Her agent urged her to meet with GH executive producer Frank Valentini.

“I was kind of hypnotized by him, and in a good way,” she said, then laughing. “All I got was an assurance that this was a really good part, and he said, ‘Trust me.’”
West decided to take a chance.

Something obviously clicked, because by the time she showed up for her first day of taping, she’d already been given a contract upgrading her to cast regular.

MAD MEN's Matthew Weiner Discusses the Season 6 Finale
"We were working toward a moment of honesty. I hope it has the impact more than anything, that he has taken a tremendous step, and that this is an event that is big in his life and his children's lives. He had to look at himself in the mirror and come clean a little bit. Especially after what happened with Sally."

MAD MEN Deconstruction -- Season Finale: 'In Care Of'
So, a major MAD MEN change of direction has occurred yet again. But instead of this being shocking or even bittersweet, it felt right for Don and thus perfect for a storyline decision. You can trace Don's recovery in small steps right from the first episode of this new season (“I don’t want to do this anymore”), on through to his humiliating night in jail, decision to start again with Megan in California and his amazingly raw Hershey’s confession (lovely to behold, but also an account killer – which is also kind of the perfect that’s-life way to make progress); all the signs were there that Don had to take that last leap of faith to find himself and find some happiness in life. That he simultaneously took the leap and was pushed out at the same time by the partners is the kind of writing and storytelling that sets MAD MEN apart. It couldn't be simple or pat. It couldn’t be easy.

GENERATIONS and GOSSIP GIRL star Kelly Rutherford files for bankruptcy
Rutherford claims in her legal docs -- filed with the court and obtained by TMZ -- assets totaling $23,937 -- dwarfed by debts totaling $2,021,832.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE features Manasquan teen Andrew Trischitta
The experience of playing a bully taught him a lot about what goes on inside the minds of bullies and those they harass, Trischitta says. He urges those who are being bullied as well as those who feel the need to bully others to reach out to a trusted adult for help.

“A lot of the times, the bully is the one who is going through problems too. Maybe he has an abusive parent, or his parents aren’t there for him, or the bully may be very self-conscious about himself,” he says.

Trischitta spoke at a school district in Massachusetts recently to bring awareness to bullying, cyberbullying and the consequences of both.

“I think everyone has been bullied at some point in their life,” he says. “Whether it is really small things or more severe cases, it is important to remember that there is always a way through, and there is always going to be an end.”

GAME OF THRONES Scenes, Created In Lego
Via the incredible Lego Game of Thrones.

GAME OF THRONES sets another piracy record
According to TorrentFreak, the HBO fantasy series’ third season is the most-pirated show of spring 2013, with 5.2 million downloads.

Gary David Goldberg's Death: Hollywood Mourns FAMILY TIES and BROOKLYN BRIDGE Creator
TV industry insiders are taking to Twitter to mourn the death of Family Ties creator Gary David Goldberg, who passed away Sunday at 68. Goldberg died from brain cancer at his home in Montecito, Calif.

Ron Raines Hosts "Oklahoma Rising"; Billy Magnussen, Taylor Louderman, Jaime Cepero Among Performers
Tony Award nominee Billy Magnussen (AS THE WORLD TURNS), who stars in the 2013 Tony-winning play "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," "Bring It On's" Taylor Louderman and SMASH actor Jaime Cepero were among the artists taking part in Oklahoma Rising: a Cabaret to Benefit Victims of the Oklahoma Tornadoes June 23 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in Manhattan. Tony Award nominee Ron Raines (GUIDING LIGHT) hosted the concert, which benefited the United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund.

2 comments:

  1. Years ago I would wonder what it would be like to have Maura on GH because ATWT and GH both had these powerful Carly characters. I have enjoyed Ava so far. Could she be Olivia Jerome's daughter?

    ReplyDelete