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Night Court indicts Starz

Last night I had the reboot of Night Court on in the background while I was doing some post-dinner work. There was a cybersecurity issue at the court with a cyber-ransom demand. The judge (the fictional daughter of Harry Stone from the original) says "Abby Stone doesn't negotiate with terrorists, or the cable company. Nobody wants Starz." <disgusted look on her face>. Studio audience laughs.

Later in the episode, another character (Dan) commented about outwitting his cable company and said you wouldn't believe the deal I got on Starz.

For any viewers watching, the impression left is that there is nothing worth watching on Starz and so cable companies are willing to practically give it away.

Kind of reverse product placement. And once again I wondered how big Outlander would have been on any other streaming service.

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Caitriona who?

At the start of the VIP panel in the video I posted Sam brought Caitriona into the conversation immediately. With the murmur that went through the 80 women seated it was clear that the audience didn’t want her to be part of the conversation. During this session not one question was asked regarding Caitriona or Sophie. It was Ssm and Duncan who included Caitriona in the episode memories telling us they FT her.

During the reminiscence of the past ten years Sam spoke about how they all grew together. He mentioned that very soon it would be Sophie’s 30 birthday and she was 23 when he started her Brianna journey. Again that shift.

Not interested in women who were not present.

Sam got the energy and vibe of his audience. After the photo sessions were over, and all the small talk was over and he came back on stage for his solo panel he had the temperature of the room. The female cast were not wanted in the jokes, tidbits and answers.

I was surprised because I thought 🇦🇺 women would be different. I was wrong. It’s all Sam. And then bizarrely for me, Duncan, who for them is the second best male.

The dream is JAMMF with the added bonus of being up close and personal with Sam.

Caitriona who?!

The demographics in Sydney were interesting. A lot of young tattooed women. A majority of 40-55. And then the older nana fans. For them OL is Sam. They miss Duncan and enjoy the younger men. It would have been interesting to have experienced the David Berry affect.

Having experienced this I can absolutely understand why Caitriona loathes the Cons and stays away now.

It really was an eye opener.

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Excellent first hand summary. Instagram can also be used to imply things that aren't happening.

The Instagram reality

Few weeks ago we had our yearly advertising shooting at my company. It‘s the same procedure as every year, a lot shootings with good looking femal and male models. This year we had for the first time a new (relatively unknown) model agency, because our CEO wants a new look with new faces for our products. After we we’re done, it‘s a tradition that the whole teams goes out together for dinner.

I don't know if everyone is aware that in addition to normal characteristics such as height, weight, hair color, etc., the number of Instagram followers is now also an important feature on the model's set card.

I got talking to one of the new models who had recently switched from one of the big agencies to this new one. She was relatively unknown, one face among many, with just under 8,000 IG followers. Until she made the "mistake" of falling in love with a celebrity actor. Her agency was delighted at how this relationship could be used to increase her market value. Her partner had been relatively reserved about his private life until then, but after his agent was also taken with the idea, he agreed to post more "private" photos with his girlfriend.

In the beginning, the posts were limited to pictures of joint appearances at events. The number of her followers slowly rose from 8,000 to 20,000 within a few months. Then she was advised to post more private things. Gradually, she posted more photos from vacations, home, family celebrations, etc., always on her account, while the actor still only showed pictures from public appearances together.

As a result, the number of her followers rose significantly to over 100,000 within a very short time. Unfortunately, the majority of them were his fans. Then it happened what always happens.

The posts about her work as model faded more and more into the background and everyone was only interested in her relationship. Her family, friends and even work partners were almost overrun by his fans and not alway in a friendly way. Her requests for photo shoots became fewer and fewer. Her agency was told that they didn't want to work with a model who had no independence and was only defined by her partner, especially as his fans didn't correspond to the target group of most companies.

The pressure from her agency became more and more, which also affected her relationship, which finally failed. After the relationship ended, the number of her followers dropped significantly. When her bookings stopped and her agency told her to look for another job, she decided for a new start at another agency.

This is just one of many examples of why even "private" posts on IG always have a business background, whether it's vacation pictures from Caribbean islands, trips to celebrity ski races, snapshots of private excursions in which the car is also pictured, etc.

PRIVATE does not exist on social media, even if many would like to believe it does. Fans are only being sold a fantasy that they want to see!

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Is WWF...

⬇😉

Thank you so much @ 😘

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Upper picture is promo from early seasons where Sam is describing Outlander plot. Second picture is after he'd been away filming Bloodshot and just got back. He's talking about J/C troubles but says "they're together at least". I was there at Paley and the atmosphere crackled.

I've found what (at least for me) makes the difference between Sam and Cait pairing to others like Sam/Pry, Sam/Eleonor, Cait/Jamie... it's the "staring in the eyes" moments. It's so intense, like, I feel like I'm interrupting something that is happening behind those blue eyes. I was (re)watching some scenes of the show and I was like, damn, they can't take their eyes of each other, like... it's almost like it's a invisible chain holding their stare.

And It happens outside the show as well. They talk with their eyes so no one else hear anything. But they are screaming, begging and desiring. Arg... so beautiful. 😍😍

 Y en sus ojos veo algo más bonito que las estrellas...

And in her eyes I see something more beautiful than the stars...

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Totally agree with the @misssophie-me

Bat, wake up!!! Please wake up!!! Baaaat! The Queen of Antis is leaving! We need a party!!!

¿ Se le acabó el catalogo de rubias o tal vez agotó el abecedario ?😜

Que tanta prisa lleve para irse como paz deja y que cierre la puerta al salir.🤣

Cuando terminas siendo la burla del fandom lo mejor es hacer una salida con dignidad y ni para eso tiene gracia. En fin, una persona narcisista necesita la atención como el comer y la estupidez insiste siempre.🥳

Did you run out of the catalog of blondes or maybe you ran out of the alphabet?😜

May you be in such a hurry to leave as peace leaves and that you close the door when you leave.🤣

When you end up being the mockery of the fandom, the best thing is to make an exit with dignity and it's not even funny for that. In short, a narcissistic person needs attention like eating and stupidity always insists.🥳

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I loved Moonlighting. I used to dream about Bruce Willis every week after it aired. I loved that Maddie was smart and vulnerable and I love that David was snarky and yet insecure. Haven't started watching the reruns on Hulu yet.

I hate that you always have to wait until the end for the leads to get together. ER did it well with Doug and Carol but that was only because Clooney had left and Julianna M. was leaving. West Wing did it well with Josh/Donna but the latter waited far too long and we had to suffer through Amy. It's probably one of the reasons I love Outlander. The leads are together from the beginning.

And I never shipped the actors until Outlander.

Like many Millennials I cut my teeth on crime dramas.

Or more specifically, the "crimedy-drama-bantery-main-characters" shows like Bones and Castle. I watched episodes live, bought the DVD box sets, and searched interviews and panels on Youtube.

Safe to say as a result, I heard a lot about a little show from the 80s called "Moonlighting"

Or more accurately, about "jumping the shark" and "The Moonlighting Curse."

I heard all about how Moonlighting showed the consequences of RST (resolved-sexual-tension) and I will never forget Castle showrunner Andrew Marlowe's answer to the question of if he worried about it. In a nutshell, it was 'No, there were countless other issues there with getting shows finished on time that lead to it's demise, there are plenty of fun, interesting, worthwhile stories to tell after they're together.'

A bold statement in 2010ish

So without ever having seen an episode of Moonlighting, I knew all about this "old" show that was the reason my favorite couples were rarely put together until the planned end of a series - sometimes at the expense of the storytelling.

I knew they routinely couldn't deliver episodes on time. I knew all about the alleged off-screen tension between the leads, about the immense budgets, and the out-of-their-control scheduling nightmares like Cybill being pregnant and getting put on medical bedrest and Bruce getting a significant skiing injury.

But I'd never seen any of it. Until now. Because it's finally streaming.

I'm only a handful of episodes in to season 2 and, man.

I'm not obsessed with it, I think later shows did it better, but there are some really brilliant aspects/moments. Already I'm dreading things falling apart because, like I said, I know how this story ends.

But this is something that TV doesn't really have right now, a (rated for network tv) fun, witty show that doesn't take itself too seriously. And I'm enjoying watching this kind of dialogue for the first time again. Because at this point, even after a few years, I can still quote just about every line of Castle lol

.

Anyway.

Did any of you watch Moonlighting during the original run? Have you watched it in the last few months since it's been on Hulu?

If so, what were/are your thoughts?

And deeper than that, (the creative shamelessly crowd-sources information on an anonymous platform) do you think there's still a market for this type of program today?

Is this something worth fighting for in almost-2024?

.

I've been doing a casual rewatch of castle and bones and when I have time to actually sit down and watch an episode, I find myself thinking "man, I miss this show."

Is that just nostalgia to a simpler time? Or is this brand of witty reparetee something that transcends decades and would still be loved by modern audiences?

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And once again, just wait a bit and the dots connect. Cait is coat- tailing the exposure Maestro (the movie not the PA) is getting. Pretty common occurrence. The challenge is that most looking at that picture will just remember how different Bradley looks and won’t really think about trying to place the blonde next to him who looks nothing like Claire or Ma from Belfast.

Bradley is rumored to be a good guy and is so multi-talented so the best thing that can come out of this is him remembering her when his next film is cast.

🍽️ The luncheon proved that the world is a small place 🍽️

Or, in other words, Finch+Partners Connection.

In their world of coincidences, voilà, another one:

Cait yesterday:

Eleanor last year:

👀

What do these photographs have in common? Well, Finch+Partners Agency.

🧐

Look at the list of their clients:

[December 2, 2023]

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I believe Cait's a member of the Academy now so she's probably getting invites because they are campaigning for her vote. Maybe.

The Academy has over 10,000 members, although I am not sure what percentage are in the actors' branch. They invite a few hundred to join every year.

I can't see them singling out Cait although in some ways it makes sense to offer the opportunity to people trying to raise their profile.

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Easily the funniest headline of the year for me!

I'm also curious why she is not only there but in a headline. I do know that sometimes publicists arrange for their client to be seen at events and with people getting a lot of attention. A lot of Oscar buzz about this movie.

This is really hilarious IYKYK

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New SAG-AFTRA contract recognizes intimacy coordinators on set

I don't know what the old agreement said, if anything, but this seems to be new.

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This video is fascinating and startling at the same time. Some things I knew but shocked at how far they have to take things including getting the family involved to perpetuate the lie. Reminds me of this blog i wrote in July of 2020 after reading Guilty Pleasures. GP was written by a former tabloid writer and a former PR person. They said everything is true, they just combined some things, etc. so as not to give too many clues as to who they were talking about.

In the book, they describe the lead character going into the meeting to sign the contracts for his "beard" and what some of the contract terms were. I included these details in that blog. The voice of the book is a young junior PR person and she said she was sad at what was happening to him.

https://twitter.com/2_black_hearts/status/1723901690070417713

I don’t post many things like this, but a friend shared it and I found it very interesting.

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Do you see Sam’s latest instagram posts as part of the narrative? Like he’s trying to show he can have good chemistry with all his costars?

There's a difference between getting along well with the fun gang with whom you just had a job and having chemistry with someone. I surely hope he has chemistry with many of his co-stars in future projects, that makes for a better show/movie. The lack of it is evident, such as with Priyanka or Kate McKinnon.

But what he has with Cait is chemistry at the cellular level. Not only have I never seen him have that with any other co-star, I have rarely seen that with any co-stars prior to Outlander. And it was called out by many entertainment journalists at the beginning and still referenced today.

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I think you might be mostly if not completely checked out of the fandom now, but if not, any insight on the Lionsgate quarterly call?

I actually haven't checked out, I skim here almost every day. There's just not much going on that's interesting and I'm beyond bored with anything narrative related. I have also been crazy busy at work. We're busy all year but summer and early fall tend to be my team's craziest time of year and then as soon as it is over, I take a vacation. This time I took a vacation with a 3 week sinus cold and cough. Felt better just in time to go on one of those fancy-schmancy health and wellness retreats with a good friend that we've been planning for almost a year (the kind that you hope your husband doesn't ask "how much?"). But it was amazing and one might say, life changing. Came back to work to recruit and hire another member to my team and found a firecracker who starts a week from tomorrow. (You have no idea how hard it is to interview people with a constant cough.)

AND, I'm a glutton for punishment so signed up for a 4-month online course to add certifications to my CV for the consulting company I hope to start in a couple of years. (In fact, I'm putting off a case study exam that is due today to answer you, anon!)

If you're still awake after reading that, I will say that during this time I've saved all the Lionsgate articles about the RIF at Starz, some senior people in original programming leaving and other things so that I can read it all at once and write up a post. I just haven't had much free time or even been home. (And to be honest, that kind of post just feels like an extension of my work day so some days I just want to binge Apple TV+) But I WILL get to it before the month is over, maybe on the long Thanksgiving weekend if not before. My one comment is that executing an RIF (reduction in <work>force) is extremely common when a company or division is for sale. Same with leaving markets that aren't showing a good return. On top of this, LGF made an acquisition in another area. At the end of the day, cash is king.

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Didn't say Graham once

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Show...

Prior to his double-duty stint on “Saturday Night Live,” Bad Bunny will visit “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

The music sensation will appear as the lead interview guest on October 19, headlining a lineup that also includes a chat with Sam Heughan.

Later, Victoria Monét will deliver a musical performance.

Who else is going to visit “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”? Complete listings follow:

Friday, October 13: Guests include Kelly Clarkson, Henrik Lundqvist and musical guest Kelly Clarkson. Show #1853

Monday, October 16: Guests include Uma Thurman, Lil Rel Howery and musical guest Feist. Show #1854

Tuesday, October 17: Guests include Paris Hilton and comedian Jared Freid. Show #1855

Wednesday, October 18: Guests include Ronnie Wood, Issa Rae and musical guest David Kushner. Show #1856

Thursday, October 19: Guests include Bad Bunny, Sam Heughan and musical guest Victoria Monét. Show #1857

Friday, October 20: Guests include Keith Richards, Canelo Álvarez and musical guest 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne Present ColleGrove II. Show #1858

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Wee Cap Episode 708

Title: Turning Points 58 Minutes

Title Credits: Blood draining from a boot strapped to a horse. Starts off upside down. Many dead redcoats in the background. Saratoga Round 2 was the Turning Point.

We open with the dead and injured on the battlefield. Scavengers robbing the bodies. Not so fast. JAMMF is breathing. And here comes Claire to tell them to fuck off. Literally.

Have to love the classic JC banter here. Jamie is making jokes and Claire is chastising him for almost getting himself killed again. He's all dirty and bloody (which makes his blue eyes really BLUE).

Shoutout to Bonnie Wee Swordsman.

Claire is cleaning Jamie's badly injured hand, which obviously hurts and I'm thinking if Tom Christie was there, he would say payback was a bitch. Claire forgets her bedside manner when she cleanses the wound and Jamie looks pretty pissed with that pain! He asks for an update. She reveals that even though the British claimed victory, they lost twice as many men as the Continental Army. They both are concerned for William, although they do not know for sure that he was at the battle.

A bloody Denny is upset at how many men have died at his table and seeks professional solace from Claire. He's wondering if he's cut out for this and if this is all worth it. She tells him she thinks it will be without spoiling the war because Quakers don't like to be spoiled and they really wouldn't like time-traveling.

Claire returns to Jamie and gives him laudanum. He's reluctant to take it because it makes him sick For a tough dude, he's sure got a weak stomach. I bet he screams like a girl on rollercoasters. Oh wait, that's me.

Get you a man who looks at you the way Jamie looks at Claire while she's sterilizing her hands and knife to possibly cut off your finger. The whole scene with the was long and lovely. When scenes like this are missing from an episode, the episode suffers.

And just like that, we're back at Lallybroch. It was nice while it lasted. Roger and BuckBeak are back and it's not good news. Bree says she noticed the musket ball and letter about the Spanish gold were missing from the box that should never have been left alone with anyone whose name is not Fraser or MacKenzie. Roger is pissed, probably at himself. Bree says Roger what should we do in her best community theater acting audition voice.

He starts grabbing 18th century clothes and Buck wants to go too. He knows the time and the area. He figures they were going to send him there anyway.

Two weeks have passed and Jamie's hand is healing but with a nasty scar. He has no pain which is good and bad because Claire knows he'll be back in the battle.

Claire helps Ian score a date with Rachel using a delivery of goose grease. I think that will be the name of the new dating app Ian will start-up after the war because it seemed to be working as an excuse to see her.

I didn't see much chemistry initially with Ian and Rachel but this scene improves that. It felt a little like it was missing something jumping from flirting to sexy talk but I'm sure it's them rushing through the books.

Claire meets a nice man from another part of the camp looking to trade some meds. They have a great conversation and then she finds out she's just met one of the more famous (infamous) men of the war. It won't be the last time. Jamie almost screwed up by quoting Robert Browning, who of course is not yet alive. Later she explains the dude's place in history.

Daniel Morgan is holding court at campfire giving updates on the other battles. He reveals his hate of the British through injuries similar to young Jamie.

A drummer wakes them at dawn on October 7, 1777. The second battle of Saratoga.

Morgan orders them to take down Simon Fraser. Jamie has the best shot. At the last minute, he turns his barrel and shoots the hat off...another relative.

Another rifleman nails Simon, Wiliam helps him leave the field and the Continentals charge the now confused Brits.

Jamie and his men charge the little fort for some close combat and I'm thinking "if you thought Claire was pissed at you before." He climbs over the wall quickly, not bad for a 50 something year old man with a bad hand and heavy boots. And I'm sure Sam had fun.

The Hessians' hats remind me of the French soldiers in Spamalot.

Jamie spends half the battle fighting and half looking around for William. Too many young men with brown hair.

Do not mess with war paint Ian.

The British retreat and their flag comes down. Go Sox! I mean go Continentals! (The Saratoga army was primarily militias from Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire.)

Claire is treating Eggs Benedict as he was hit in his bad leg. He wishes he had died. If you knew how your name became the term for traitor for more than 200 years, you are probably right. He tells her a story which will likely become his motive for the future betrayal. She recognizes that and tries to answer him in a way that will let history play out the way it is supposed to. He hasn't gotten there yet. I'm waiting for Lin-Manuel Miranda to walk into the tent to sing us out of the scene.

Didn't Bree tell Roger back when they firsts met and touring Fort William that Benedict Arnold was a historically misunderstood person?

Jamie, wearing the 18th century version of a batting glove, just wants to sleep but his cousin has asked for him. The whole scene after that with all the important players was wonderfully scripted and even better acted. Sam really impressed me this episode. I don't have anything snarky to say at all. It was filled with human emotion and connection. The red thread was Family. James, Son of Brian. Simon, Son of Simon. William, son of James.

Is he the son of the young Simon who Laoghaire flirted with?

And it looks like we'll be in Scotland in the second half of season 7. Rachel will dog sit Rollo on her way to Valley Forge.

It's a windy day at the stones and Broger tries the forehead touch but since that is patented by JC, it ends up looking more like a head butt.

Jamie still gets seasick but all of that is forgotten with a Land Ho! yell. He stares at his homeland, perhaps a site he'd never thought he'd see again, with tears in his eyes.

Great mid-season finale. Lots of JC, intense scenes of love, war and death and minimal Broger.