Latest news with #BlueBloods'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New York IATSE Local Accused of Nepotism in Class Action Lawsuit
The largest crew union in New York was hit with a class action lawsuit on Tuesday, alleging that it has excluded hundreds of film and TV workers while reserving jobs for insiders. Ronald Bishop, an electrical technician, alleges that it took him 12 years to gain admission to IATSE Local 52. He was repeatedly informed that he had failed the union entrance exam, which the suit alleges was a 'sham.' He continued to work on shows including 'Blue Bloods' and 'Daredevil' as an 'applicant.' He was excluded from supervisory roles and watched other, less experienced workers get promoted ahead of him, the lawsuit states. Even after he qualified for the pension plan in 2018, he was still denied union membership for another six years, according to the suit. 'During this period, Local 52 arbitrarily admitted hundreds of other individuals on the basis of nepotism and friendship, ahead of Mr. Bishop and putative class members,' the lawsuit states. 'These restrictions caused Mr. Bishop financial harm and emotional distress for the years he was improperly blocked from union membership.' IATSE declined to comment. IATSE Local 52 was previously investigated by the New York State Attorney General's office, which concluded in 2014 that the admissions process was plagued by nepotism, which disproportionately excluded Black and Latino applicants. The union agreed to a settlement in which it paid a $475,000 fine and was subject to outside monitoring for three years. It did not admit wrongdoing. Local 52 agreed to another settlement in 2022, pledging not to illegally 'bump' non-members off of production jobs in favor of cardholders. Bishop's class action lawsuit alleges that the union continues to exclude workers from membership even though they qualify for the health plan, which should make them automatically eligible. The suit also alleges that supervisory members still control who works and who doesn't, and follow 'unwritten rules' that favor cardholders. 'Cardholders can bump, or replace, noncardholders from productions when cardholders need work,' the suit alleges. Bishop, who is Black, filed an individual discrimination suit against Local 52 and several studios, including Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and CBS, in September 2024. His attorney, Fred Charles, dismissed that suit and refiled a class action under federal labor law, after hearing about others of all races who were excluded from membership. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I Had To Take A Beat:' Donnie Wahlberg Gets Candid About How Blue Bloods Cancellation Impacted His Feelings Toward His Boston Blue Spinoff
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There was a lot of shock and sadness when CBS canceled Blue Bloods, but slowly and surely, the cast and fans are finding ways to move forward. For example, Donnie Wahlberg is gearing up for his spinoff, Boston Blue, and he's excited about his new show and chapter. However, he also got candid about how Blue Bloods' ending impacted his feelings toward his next outing as Danny. Boston Blue is planned for the 2025 TV schedule and will premiere on CBS in the fall. In an interview with Deadline, Wahlberg talked about the new series and how learning about it somewhat forced him to move on and accept that, despite their best efforts to save Blue Bloods, it wasn't going to come back: It's fascinating, right? Because we all mourn Blue Bloods, and still do, me as well. And I understand the audience, and your readers' feelings because I share them. It's very emotional to say goodbye, and when this show came along, I had just kind of turned the page and said, 'Alright, it looks like it's not gonna happen for Blue Bloods.' We were hoping that somehow, someway, somebody would come, and we would continue to make our show. Donnie Wahlberg confirmed that the cast truly did believe someone would come through and save Blue Bloods, but the announcement of Boston Blue felt like the final nail in the coffin of that happening. However, the legacy of the series will continue with Danny Reagan, who is shipping off to Boston to continue his career in law enforcement. Obviously, there's bound to be bittersweet feelings about this amongst fans who wanted Tom Selleck and others along for the ride. At the same time, Wahlberg continued in noting that while Blue Bloods is over, there's always a chance for the legacy to live on through Boston Blue: Then this show came my way, and I had to take a beat to look at it in the right context. In other words, it was like I kept looking back to Blue Bloods, and suddenly I was like 'Wait a minute, I can look forward to Boston Blue?' And this is keeping Blue Bloods alive, this is carrying on the traditions and the legacies, this is a way to bring Blue Bloods forward. So, for me, once I started to see it that way, it became very exciting to me. The end of something became the beginning of something new. The actor certainly has a lot more to say about the show compared to his three-word response when Boston Blue was first announced. Perhaps enough time has passed, and he can speak a bit more candidly about being excited for a new opportunity to tell stories in the Blue Bloods universe, and fans are in a more understanding place to receive that message. Paramount Plus: from $7.99 a month/$79.99 a yearYou can enjoy Blue Bloods right now if you have a Paramount+ subscription. Opt for its Essential plan or go ad-free and get double the catalog with Showtime through the Premium plan from $12.99 a month. Alternatively, get 12 months for the price of 10 with its annual Deal And for anyone who thinks the actor was eager to cut out on his own series and leave the previous one in the dust, that doesn't seem to be the case. Saying goodbye to a series that potentially had a chance at being saved is not easy, as he illustrated below: I will be honest, with Blue Bloods, it was hard. Typically, I'm like 'Alright, that's over, what's next?' And with Blue Bloods it was like 'Damn it's over, I can't believe it, I'm not ready for that. I don't want to know what's next.' I'm not sure many people could say goodbye to a job they've held for 14 years and have zero emotion about it. Donnie Wahlberg is the same as us, minus the fact that he'll have his own TV show in primetime in the fall and the rest of us won't. Even so, it's good to know he still has love for Blue Bloods and is excited for the road ahead. Boston Blue is planned to air on CBS on Fridays at 10:00 p.m. ET when the fall schedule gets rolling. Stream Blue Bloods on Paramount+ in the meantime, and wonder what's in store for Danny in his new chapter in a new city.
New York Post
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Blue Bloods' actor Donnie Wahlberg promises Reagan family will live on in spinoff
Donnie Wahlberg did everything in his power to save 'Blue Bloods' before having to walk away and focus on creating a spinoff. During an interview with Fox News Digital, the actor explained that everyone involved in the drama crime series 'fought so hard' to keep the series alive, but the traditions of the Reagan family will live on in 'Boston Blue.' Advertisement 'When it ended, we thought, 'Okay, some of the network's gonna come and say, let's keep going.' And nobody came, and it was kind of like we were all in denial about it,' he said about 'Blue Bloods.' Wahlberg explained that the opportunity presented itself to produce 'Boston Blue.' 'It was heavy, you know?' he said. 'It's, like, how do I do this? Like, how does [his character] Danny Reagan carry on? You know, how do we create this new world for this character, and how do we do it in another city, not in New York?' Wahlberg explained that everyone involved in 'Blue Bloods' — from the cast and crew to the caterers and the props department — was very important to him. Advertisement 5 During an interview Donnie Wahlberg explained that everyone involved in the drama crime series 'fought so hard' to keep the series alive, but the traditions of the Reagan family will live on in 'Boston Blue.' FOX News 'They became part of our family. You know, the viewers are saying, like, 'How do we keep going with a 'Blue Blood' spinoff without the whole family?' And I share that. How do we do that, right?' he asked. 'Blue Bloods' was a drama that followed the Reagan family's involvement in the New York Police Department. Wahlberg told Fox News Digital that he can't give too much away about 'Boston Blue,' but a Reagan is always just a 'phone call away.' 'It was definitely a challenge to take on this opportunity, but I kept saying to myself, you know, if I'm really sincere about wanting 'Blue Bloods' to carry on, here's an opportunity to do it,' he said. Advertisement 5 'When it ended, we thought, 'Okay, some of the network's gonna come and say, let's keep going.' And nobody came, and it was kind of like we were all in denial about it,' Wahlberg said about 'Blue Bloods.' Getty Images 5 Wahlberg portrays Danny Reagan in the drama-crime series set in New York. CBS via Getty Images 'Now, it's just Danny going to this new world, but I can't say a lot about it — but I could say, if he's a Reagan, it will never be just Danny. There'll always be a Reagan a phone call away. And the traditions that the Reagans have, Danny wouldn't abandon those traditions.' CBS aired the final episode of 'Blue Bloods' on Dec. 13. The hit series starred Wahlberg, Tom Selleck, Will Estes, and Bridget Moynahan. Advertisement After the finale aired, Wahlberg penned an emotional letter to Selleck on Instagram. 5 CBS aired the final episode of 'Blue Bloods' on Dec. 13. CBS via Getty Images 5 CBS announced in February that Wahlberg (right) will reprise his role as Danny Reagan on 'Boston Blue.' CBS via Getty Images 'Fourteen years of calling this man my cast mate, my commissioner, my friend, and — whether it was on screen or off — calling him DAD! It's been an honor, my dear friend. Thank you for leading the way and for always trusting in me. Thank you for being a father figure and a leader to all of us on the set of Blue Bloods. Our tour has ended, but the friendship, admiration, respect, and memories will remain. Happy Blue Bloods Finale Friday,' he wrote. 'Love you, Dad. All my gratitude, Donnie aka Danny aka Son,' his caption concluded. CBS announced in February that Wahlberg will reprise his role as Danny Reagan on 'Boston Blue.' The rest of the cast has not been announced, and the series is set to debut in the fall.
Fox News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Donnie Wahlberg says 'Blue Bloods' spinoff won't ever just be him, a Reagan will be 'a phone call away'
Donnie Wahlberg did everything in his power to save "Blue Bloods" before having to walk away and focus on creating a spinoff. During an interview with Fox News Digital, the actor explained that everyone involved in the drama crime series "fought so hard" to keep the series alive, but the traditions of the Reagan family will live on in "Boston Blue." "When it ended, we thought, 'Okay, some of the network's gonna come and say, let's keep going.' And nobody came, and it was kind of like we were all in denial about it," he said about "Blue Bloods." Wahlberg explained that the opportunity presented itself to produce "Boston Blue." "It was heavy, you know?" he said. "It's, like, how do I do this? Like, how does [his character] Danny Reagan carry on? You know, how do we create this new world for this character and how do we do it in another city, not in New York?" WATCH: 'Blue Bloods' star Donnie Wahlberg admits 'there'll always be a Reagan a phone call away' in spinoff Wahlberg explained that everyone involved in "Blue Bloods" — from the cast and crew to the caterers and the props department — was very important to him. "They became part of our family. You know, the viewers are saying, like, 'How do we keep going with a "Blue Blood" spinoff without the whole family?' And I share that. How do we do that, right?" he asked. "Blue Bloods" was a drama that followed the Reagan family's involvement in the New York Police Department. Wahlberg told Fox News Digital that he can't give too much away about "Boston Blue," but a Reagan is always just a "phone call away." "It was definitely a challenge to take on this opportunity, but I kept saying to myself, you know, if I'm really sincere about wanting 'Blue Bloods' to carry on, here's an opportunity to do it," he said. "Now, it's just Danny going to this new world, but I can't say a lot about it — but I could say, if he's a Reagan, it will never be just Danny. There'll always be a Reagan a phone call away. And the traditions that the Reagans have, Danny wouldn't abandon those traditions." "There'll always be a Reagan a phone call away. And the traditions that the Reagans have, Danny wouldn't abandon those traditions." CBS aired the final episode of "Blue Bloods" on Dec. 13. The hit series starred Wahlberg, Tom Selleck, Will Estes and Bridget Moynahan. WATCH: Donnie Wahlberg fought hard to keep 'Blue Bloods' alive After the finale aired, Wahlberg penned an emotional letter to Selleck on Instagram. "Fourteen years of calling this man my cast mate, my commissioner, my friend and — whether it was on screen or off — calling him DAD! It's been an honor, my dear friend. Thank you for leading the way and for always trusting in me. Thank you for being a father figure, and a leader, to all of us on the set of Blue Bloods. Our tour has ended, but the friendship, admiration, respect and memories, will remain. Happy Blue Bloods Finale Friday," he wrote. "Love you, Dad. All my gratitude, Donnie aka Danny aka Son," his caption concluded. CBS announced in February that Wahlberg will reprise his role as Danny Reagan on "Boston Blue." The rest of the cast has not been announced, and the series is set to debut in the fall.
New York Post
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Hollywood agent allegedly stole $2M from actors — then gave this bizarre excuse to hide crime
A Hollywood agent stole $1.8 million from struggling actors on shows such as 'Law & Order' — claiming some of their checks were late because of 'earthquakes' while enjoying spa treatments at the Four Seasons, Manhattan officials said Tuesday. Mark Measures, the disgraced former owner of KMR Talent, bilked 160 actors out of the hunk of dough in addition to stealing from six employees who worked at his agency, according to a 40-count indictment unsealed in Manhattan Supreme Court. The washed-up agent, 60, was fueled by his illicit greed to fund his personal lifestyle — which included the fancy self-care hotel sessions as well as splurging $55,000 on seats at the Arena, the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, said Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Rachana Pathak. Advertisement 4 Washed-up Hollywood talent agent Mark Measures stole nearly $2 million from struggling actors he represented, Manhattan prosecutors announced Tuesday. Steven Hirsch 'This was during the time that actors and agents were begging for money,' Pathak told the judge. 'Raiding escrow accounts is black-letter embezzlement.' Measures also allegedly used the money for purchases at high-end clothing stores such as Zegna, Saks Fifth Avenue and Revolve, to pay off creditors, settle AMEX bills and make car payments. Advertisement The scheme, which ran between June 2021 and March 2024, stole residuals and holding fees from wannabe-bigtime actors who were represented in KMR, including those working in film, commercials and voiceover work nationwide. Measures, who lives in Los Angeles, would find any excuse in the book to not pay his clients, blaming everything from banks, 'earthquakes, power blackouts, sick employees, and mail delays' — until he ultimately ghosted them, prosecutors said. One of his victims, Joe Gately — a Harlem actor who has appeared in episodes of 'Law & Order' and 'Blue Bloods' — told The Post after Tuesday's arraignment that Measures owed him $6,500 over a drug-advertisement campaign in 2021. 'He's a thief,' Gately, 59, seethed outside the courtroom. 'We've all wondered where the money went, so today offered a little information. It's not surprising at all he couldn't pay.' Advertisement 4 Joe Gately, one of Measures' alleged victims, appeared in an episode of TV's 'Prodigal Son.' MAX Messages including emails released by the DA's office showed Measures' clients demanding their money from the washed-up agent, including one where an alleged victim is seeking thousands of dollars owed to her for desperately needed medical treatment. 'Those funds (that seem to have been stolen by you at this point) were to be used for my IVF treatment,' the emailed message reads. 'I am in the doctors office in tears as you've put me in a really challenging financial position by stealing my almost $20,000 from me.' Measures is also accused of embezzling $26,000 from wages intended for the retirement accounts of six workers at his New York City-based office. Advertisement 4 Measures was allegedly fueled by greed to fund his personal lifestyle — including by spending at least $55,000 on seats at the Arena, the home of the Los Angeles Lakers. Steven Hirsch He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and refused to answer whether he stole money from his clients. Judge Althea Drysdale ordered Measures to turn over his passport before releasing him, as the charges were not bail-eligible. 'As much as you hail from California, you must be here on any day that I tell you to be here,' the judge warned. 4 Emails released by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office show Measures' clients confronting the talent agent about their missing money. DANY Press Office KMR operated as a franchise of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union until it was suspended in March 2024. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg urged victims to contact his office as the investigation remains ongoing. Advertisement 'Rather than pay the actors and employees, the defendants used their hard-earned money to fund his lavish lifestyle,' Bragg said in a statement. Measures is due back in court July 15.
