George Clooney, Union Man

George Clooney might have a gazillion bucks in the bank but he’s apparently a union man through and through.

In a two-page letter released Thursday, Clooney adopted a neutral stance in the dispute between the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild.

“What we can’t do is pit artist against artist,” he wrote.

AFTRA has already reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios. SAG wants AFTRA members to vote against the deal, saying its approval will handcuff SAG at the bargaining table. Both unions’ current contracts are set to expire Monday, leaving Hollywood on edge about a possible replay of the 100-day writers strike that ended in February. Results of the AFTRA vote are expected July 8.

Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin and others have joined hundreds of actors in signing an online petition urging actors to ratify the AFTRA pact. Meanwhile, Jack Nicholson, Viggo Mortensen and Holly Hunter have endorsed a SAG ad calling for AFTRA to return to the negotiating table to get a better deal.

Clooney called the fight counterproductive. “Because the one thing you can be sure of is that stories about Jack Nicholson vs. Tom Hanks only strengthens the negotiating power” of the studios, he said.

Clooney also called on higher-paid actors to chip in a greater share of union dues and for 10 A-listers — “people that the studio heads don’t often say ‘no’ to,” he suggested, listing only Nicholson and Hanks by name — to sit down with studio heads once a year to “adjust the pay for actors.”

The idea of millionaire actors unionizing, let alone going on strike, has always struck me as ludicrous. But Clooney’s instinct here is right: if they’re going to organize, the big money stars ought to take care of the little guys. It makes sense to have a system in place for the folks struggling for scale jobs trying to get regular employment. Not so much one that has the likes of Clooney and Hanks walking a picket line.

• Hot Momma Gossip  linked with  Hot Momma Gossip Weekday Links 06-30-08

Alec Baldwin Running for Governor of California

Alec Baldwin as the governor? Not even a movie could I believe this. Yet Alec would like your vote for governor of California. Scarey huh? Alec has diarrhea of the mouth and would probably start a war with Canada or Mexico. If he can go off on a little girl that he claims to love the rest of us had better look out.

“There are other things I want to do besides acting” he tells Morley Safer on “60 Minutes” this Sunday. “In a matter of weeks, I’m going to be 50.” Baldwin was thinking of running for governor two years ago. Just before he went nut-so and left a voice mail for his daughter Ireland, then 11, calling her “a rude, thoughtless little pig.”

When asked if he wanted a chance to apologize for calling Kim Basinger’s lawyer, Judy Bogen, a “300-pound homunculus with a face like a clenched fist,” Baldwin replied, “I was being kind, Morley.”

In the past, Baldwin has done nothing to hide his brand of politics. He has called the vice president Dick Cheney a terrorist, then said he wasn’t a terrorist but rather “a lying, thieving oil whore and murderer of the U.S. Constitution.” Wasn’t Alec the one who said he would move to Canada if George W. Bush was elected President? Guess he couldn’t find a flight!

source: Alec Baldwin Coming to an Election Near You? [CitizenSugar]; Political Office In Alec Baldwin’s Future? [cbs news]

Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations 2006-2007

Outstanding Drama Series
Boston Legal
Grey’s Anatomy
Heroes
House
The Sopranos

Outstanding Comedy Series
Entourage
The Office
30 Rock
Two and a Half Men
Ugly Betty

Outstanding Lead Actor on a Drama Series
James Spader, Boston Legal
Hugh Laurie, House
Denis Leary, Rescue Me
James Gandolfini, The Sopranos
Kiefer Sutherland, 24

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Ricky Gervais, Extras
Tony Shaloub, Monk
Steve Carell, The Office
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Mariska Hargitay, Lay & Order: SVU
Patricia Arquette, Medium
Minnie Driver, The Riches
Edie Falco, The Sopranos

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Felicity Huffman, Desperate Houswives
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
America Ferrara, Ugly Betty
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

More after the jump!

Alec Baldwin Doesn’t Want You to Watch His Movie

According to IMDB,

“Alec Baldwin is begging fans to boycott a movie he made six years ago that has been re-edited, re-named and is being released. Baldwin directed, produced and acted in The Devil And Daniel Webster in 2001. Despite a cast including Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Dan Aykroyd, the movie was dismissed by studio bosses and was never released. The film has been re-edited, renamed Shortcut To Happiness, and Baldwin’s name has been removed from the directing credits - replaced by pseudonym Harry Kirkpatrick. It will be released in six cities in the U.S. on July 13.

And Baldwin is advising fans not to watch the film - describing it as unrecognizable. A friend tells PageSix, “Alec doesn’t recommend unrecognizable films to his fans. This is not an Alec Baldwin film. He’s in the movie but he has nothing to do with it. His name was taken off as producer and director six years ago, but he couldn’t get it taken off as an actor.”

Wow, this sounds like a really nice way of saying everything about my movie sucks. I bet Kim Basinger is loving this one.

Source: imdb

•  linked with  Alec Baldwin Doesn’t Want You to Watch His Movie
• Yari Film Group - Shortcut to Happiness

Kim Basinger Says Alec Baldwin ‘Unstable’

Kim Basinger says her ex-husband Alec Baldwin is “unstable and irrational.”

Kim Basinger denied leaking Alec Baldwin’s angry voicemail to their daughter and called on her ex-husband to “finally address his unstable and irrational behavior,” according to a statement from her rep.

“Everybody is always asking why this custody battle has been going on for so many years and now they have the answer,” says the statement, released Monday. “The issue is not about Kim or the alleged alienation that Alec constantly refers to. It is about his ongoing aggressive behavior.”

The rep says Basinger “did not release the voicemail,” but adds the message “was not sealed under a court order.” Baldwin’s attorneys had claimed the voicemail was in fact kept in a sealed court file, and leaked by Basinger’s side.

Ah, the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

Edit by Allie:

source: gallery of the absurd

Links To Hollywood - #43

Virgie, Step-Brother Were Close, By “Close” I Mean Screwing - A Socialites Life

Singer, AKON Humps a 14 YR. Old on Stage - Concrete Loop

Donatella Versace’s Silly Putty Face - City Rag

Mr. Sanjaya goes to Washington - Bumpshack

Erik Estrada finally gets his star - Seriously? OMG! WTF?

Pamela Anderson Hosts Russia’s MTV Movie Awards - Celebrity Smack

Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes in Marriage Counseling? - Popbytes

Lauren Conrad & Jason Wahler Suck At Sex - Pop On The Pop

Alec Baldwin Is A Shitty Dad - Ninja Dude

Lauren Conrad Sex Tape Withdrawn - Fatback and Collards

Lindsay Lohan Myspace Hacked - Monica Monroe Gossip

Alessandra Ambrosio Pictures - What Do They All Have In Common? - the bastardly

Sanjaya Malakar Speaks - After the Boot - Allie Is Wired

• Right Voices  linked with  Joe Biden: If only the Gingrich revolution were over and Democrats controlled Congress, things like Virginia Tech wouldn’t happen.
• Dumb Ox Daily News linked with Lessons from Virginia Tech Massacre......
• The Uncooperative Blogger linked with The Uncooperative Radio Show! April 20, 21 and 22...
• Phastidio.net linked with Israel Under Siege. By Demography [Weekend Open Trackback]...
• Planck's Constant linked with What be up with Black People...
• Diary of the Mad Pigeon linked with Combat Technology, Flexibility and Maneuverability...
• Blog @ MoreWhat.com  linked with  An Immigration Tale
• Pursuing Holiness  linked with  Kerry Betrayed The Troops 36 Years Ago This Week
• Mark My Words linked with This is getting ridiculous...
• Rhymes With Right linked with Rosie O’Donnell Is At It Again...
• Rhymes With Right linked with Jacobins In The Senate...
• Maggie's Notebook linked with ACLU President Silent on Chief Aide's Conviction...
• The Amboy Times linked with al Qaeda Regrouping...
• Blue Star Chronicles linked with You are Worthress Arec Barrwin...
• Shadowscope linked with Hot Air Vents on Al Sharpton...
• Blog @ MoreWhat.com  linked with  Sen Dianne Feinstein: Conflict of Interest and Worse
• Rhymes With Right linked with Much Too Close To Home...
• 403 Forbidden
• :: Sujet :: Latest celebrity photos and news! linked with Westlife Star Nicky Byrne Becomes Father To Twins...
• Pursuing Holiness  linked with  Visceral Reaction to Kerry, Reid
• Right Pundits linked with No Precedents for Iraq Timetable...
• Big Dogs Weblog linked with Prom King a Girl? Do We Have a Drag Queen?...
• Rhymes With Right linked with A Message From The Democrats...
• Rhymes With Right linked with Gay Speech Good, Straight Speech Bad In Michigan...
• America’s Victory 08
• Planck's Constant linked with 2006 People's Choice Jewish and Israeli Blog Awards...
• Blue Star Chronicles linked with Caves, Mountains, Waterfalls, Parks and What Matte...
• Conservative Cat linked with The Executive Game...
• Blog @ MoreWhat.com  linked with  Democratic Party and Netroots
• Mark My Words linked with Uh-oh, he said G-d exists!...
• Linkfest Haven Deluxe
• Blog @ MoreWhat.com  linked with  Speaking Out for Immigration Enforcement
• Pursuing Holiness  linked with  The Taliban’s Spring Offensive Failed?
• Renaissance Blogger  linked with  Still Lurking Around
• Mark My Words linked with O'Donnell, keeping it in the family...

13th Annual SAG Awards Recipients

13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® Recipients:

Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Helen Mirren / ELIZABETH I – Elizabeth I - HBO

Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Jeremy Irons / ELIZABETH I – Earl of Leicester - HBO

Female Actor in a Comedy Series
America Ferrera / UGLY BETTY – Betty Suarez - ABC

Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin / 30 ROCK – Jack Donaghy - NBC

Ensemble in a Comedy Series
THE OFFICE - NBC Leslie David Baker - Stanley Hudson Brian Baumgartner - Kevin Malone Steve Carell - Michael Scott David Denman - Roy Anderson Jenna Fischer - Pam Beesly Kate Flannery - Meredith Palmer Melora Hardin - Jan Levinson Mindy Kaling - Kelly Kapoor Angela Kinsey - Angela Martin John Krasinski - Jim Halpert Paul Lieberstein - Toby Flenderson B.J. Novak - Ryan Howard Oscar Nunez - Oscar Martinez Phyllis Smith - Phyllis Lapin Rainn Wilson - Dwight Schrute

Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Eddie Murphy / DREAMGIRLS – James “Thunder” Early Paramount Pictures

Life Achievement Award
Julie Andrews

Female Actor in a Drama Series
Chandra Wilson / GREY’S ANATOMY – Dr. Miranda Bailey - ABC

Male Actor in a Drama Series
Hugh Laurie / HOUSE – Dr. Gregory House - FOX

Ensemble in a Drama Series
GREY’S ANATOMY - ABC Justin Chambers - Alex Karev Eric Dane - Mark Sloan Patrick Dempsey - Derek Shepherd Katherine Heigl - Isobel “Izzie” Stevens T.R. Knight - George O’Malley Sandra Oh - Cristina Yang James Pickens, Jr. - Richard Webber Ellen Pompeo - Meredith Grey Sara Ramirez - Callie Torres Kate Walsh - Addison Montgomery Shepherd Isaiah Washington - Preston Burke Chandra Wilson - Miranda Bailey

Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Jennifer Hudson / DREAMGIRLS – Effie White - Paramount Pictures

Male Actor in a Leading Role
Forest Whitaker / THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND – Idi Amin - Fox Searchlight Pictures

Female Actor in a Leading Role
Helen Mirren / THE QUEEN – The Queen - Miramax Films

Golden Globe Nominations - 2006

Drama Actor
Patrick Dempsey, GREY’S ANATOMY
Michael C. Hall, DEXTER
Hugh Laurie, HOUSE
Bill Paxton, BIG LOVE
Kiefer Sutherland, 24

Comedy Actor
Alec Baldwin, 30 ROCK
Zach Braff, SCRUBS
Steve Carell, THE OFFICE
Tony Shalhoub, MONK
Jason Lee, MY NAME IS EARL

Drama Actress
Patricia Arquette, MEDIUM
Edie Falco, THE SOPRANOS
Evangeline Lilly, LOST
Ellen Pompeo, GREY’s ANATOMY
Kyra Sedgwick, THE CLOSER

Comedy Actress
Marcia Cross, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
AmericaFerrara, UGLY BETTY
Felicity Huffman, HOUSEWIVES
Julia Louis Dreyfus, OLD CHRISTINE
Mary-Louise Parker, WEEDS

Drama
24
BIG LOVE
GREY’s ANATOMY
HEROES
LOST

Comedy
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
ENTOURAGE
THE OFFICE
UGLY BETTY
WEEDS

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: Now Through End of November

Here is a list of who is confirmed and unconfirmed to be a guest and/or musical talent on Saturday Night Live, now through the end of November. Eh… it’s a slow news day, ok?

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21:
Host: John C. Reilly (confirmed)
Music: My Chemical Romance (confirmed)
Special Guest: Will Ferrell

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28:
Host: Hugh Laurie (confirmed)
Music: Beck (confirmed)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4:
Best of Darrell Hammond

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11:
Host: Alec Baldwin (confirmed)
Music: Christina Aguilera (confirmed)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18:
Host: Ludacris (confirmed)
Music: Ludacris (confirmed)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25:
Repeat Episode