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Photo: SAG AFTRA Last month, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists — the labor union better known by its acronym SAG-AFTRA, though it’s my understanding most people just call it SAG — approved an “ influencer agreement ,” setting up a pathway for the now-ubiquitous creative class to gain membership and access protections typically afforded to more traditional forms of creative work. I learned this, of course, the same way I learn about most other economic developments in the influencer space, which is by reading Taylor Lorenz, who wrote an informative piece on the matter for The New York Times. What happens in influencer-land is increasingly pertinent to what happens here in podcast-land, in part because influencers as a talent ecosystem have flowed quite a bit into the podcast business in recent years, as they have just almost everywhere else as part of their search for greater revenue diversification. It’s also just interesting to see SAG-AFTRA, a staple component of the broader mainstream entertainment ecosystem which formed out of a 2012 merger between two unions that originated in the thirties, open its doors to this thoroughly modern creative class. It’s a move that theoretically creates value going both ways: As much as this story amounts to some mainstream recognition of this new influencer economy, it’s also about SAG-AFTRA working to keep up with the times. “Making it easier to cover this type of work has been a top priority for our organization,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris in the press release about the approval . “As new ways of storytelling emerge, it’s imperative that we embrace and lift up these artists.” That’s all well and good, of course. The question, however, is the extent to which the union will adequately do that embracing and lifting for all other kinds of emergent artists and industries as well. Around the time the influencer agreement was approved, I spotted a … [Read more...] about Can the Screen Actors Guild and Podcasters Get Along?

February 22, 2021 - 11:51 GMT Emmy Griffiths Viewers were quick to take to Twitter to discuss the new series Bloodlands aired on Sunday night, and viewers took to Twitter with many saying the same thing about the hit show and it's connection to Channel 4's hit series Derry Girls . MORE: Keeping Faith season three is nearly here - get the first look The series, which follows police detective Tom Brannick as he hunts for a legendary assassin known as 'Goliath', also stars Ian McElhinney and Kathy Kiera Clarke, both of whom also star in the comedy series. Loading the player... WATCH: Have you started watching Bloodlines? Taking to Twitter to discuss the cast members, one person joked: "This is a nice Derry Girls reunion, pls can Sister Michael be a gangland boss or something #Bloodlands." Another joked: "There’s obviously a limited supply of Northern Irish actors. We’re working our way through the Derry Girls cast #bloodlands." MORE: 47 must-watch movies to check out on Netflix this week MORE: 24 shows to get excited about in 2021 MORE: Hugh Dennis teases new Outnumbered series with on-screen wife Claire Skinner A third person added: "Just watched the first episode of #Bloodlands there.  A bit slow to start but great end to the first episode. Good to see they're helping the cast of Derry Girls through furlough." Ian McElhinney also stars in Derry Girls The show was an instant hit with many viewers, with one writing: "Thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed #Bloodlands @BBCOne tonight. It was @jed_mercurio at his all-time best, leaves us guessing, quizzing everyone. The cast absolutely superb, for me it was the incredible direction, cinematic shots, throughout." Another added: "Wow!!! What a fantastic first episode - I KNEW this would be good, but I think it’ll be great!! James Nesbitt is so believable." Others were less sure about the new drama, with … [Read more...] about Bloodlands: viewers notice the same thing about new BBC drama

Photo: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images After being snatched in an armed robbery last Wednesday, Lady Gaga ’s stolen French Bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were returned unharmed to Los Angeles police. Her dog walker, Ryan Fischer , however, remains hospitalized, having been shot in the chest while two suspects allegedly took the singer’s pets. A third French Bulldog, Asia, managed to get away and returned to her wounded handler, keeping him company until help arrived. On Monday, Fischer posted photos of himself in a hospital bed and thanked his family, his friends, and Lady Gaga for their support during his recovery, reserving a special shout-out for Asia, who he calls his “guardian angel” during the terrifying incident. “4 days ago, while a car sped away and blood poured from my gun shot wound, an angel trotted over and laid next to me,” Fischer wrote in one of two Instagram posts. “My panicked screams calmed as I looked at her, even though it registered that the blood pooling around her tiny body was my own. I cradled Asia as best I could, thanked her for all the incredible adventures we’d been on together, apologized that I couldn’t defend her brothers, and then resolved that I would still try to save them… and myself.” Following Fischer’s assault and the abduction of her pups, Lady Gaga put out a $500,000 reward for the return of Koji and Gustav. “If you bought them or found them unknowingly, the reward is the same,” Gaga wrote on Friday . “I continue to love you, Ryan Fischer. You risked your life to fight for our family. You’re forever a hero.” The dog walker, initially admitted to the hospital in critical condition, is currently doing well and is expected to make a full recovery. The dogs, meanwhile, were dropped off to a police station by an unnamed woman on Friday; no suspects have been named in the crime. “I am still in recovery from a very close call with death and have kept myself (for the most part, I mean I am human) from … [Read more...] about Lady Gaga’s Dog Walker Opens Up About His ‘Very Close Call With Death’ During Robbery

March 02, 2021 - 09:03 GMT Gemma Strong Gwen Stefani looks totally different as she shares Instagram photo showing her with a blunt black bob and fringe Gwen Stefani is no stranger to mixing up her style – but she looks totally different in her latest Instagram snapshot. The No Doubt singer, who favours a platinum blonde hair colour, posted a picture showing her sporting a blunt black bob and fringe. MORE: Gavin Rossdale pays sweet tribute to lookalike son Kingston – see photo The striking snapshot was captured by top photographer Ellen von Unworth, whom Gwen credited in her caption, writing: "@ellenvonunwerth making me look good gx." Loading the player... WATCH: The Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton love story Gwen's 11.1 million followers were quick to react to the transformation. The comments section of her post was inundated with flame emojis, with one fan writing: "That black hair tho!" A second wrote: "YOU. Look. GORGEOUS!!!! Like a 20's glamdoll!" And a third remarked: "Ok...Now we're getting a little bit ICONIC!!" MORE: Blake Shelton's jaw-dropping ranch for wedding with Gwen Stefani REVEALED It comes after Gwen took to social media on Sunday in celebration of her youngest son Apollo's seventh birthday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gwen Stefani (@gwenstefani) Gwen shared the striking snapshot on Instagram She posted a photo showing mother and child together , with Gwen, 51, crouching down to capture the selfie, and Apollo resting his head on hers. "Happy b day bday boy!! #apollo," the singer wrote. MORE: Gwen Stefani receives massive gift from Blake Shelton Gwen, 51, shares three boys with her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale . The former couple were married for 14 years before their divorce was finalised in 2016. Gavin Rossdale pictured with his four children, including … [Read more...] about Gwen Stefani looks totally different after surprising hair transformation

March 02, 2021 - 11:35 GMT Fiona Ward Amanda Holden looked incredible in a flirty floral dress from Melissa Odabash for Tuesday's Heart Radio show! See her incredible outfit Amanda Holden has wowed us again in another spring-like outfit, and now we're dreaming of warmer weather! The star looked incredible in a twirling video shared on her Instagram page on Tuesday - rocking a wrap dress from Melissa Odabash featuring a flirty leg split. MORE: Amanda Holden's royal-inspired accessory obsession is ours, too "#Morning, feeling very #spring like today in this gorgeous floral #dress @melissaodabash," she captioned the post, which saw her spinning in circles, allowing her skirt to float around her. Loading the player... WATCH: Amanda twirls in her leg-split dress Fans were quick to react, with one writing: "This woman cannot honestly be fifty!" while another added: "Loving the floral dress... you look gorgeous." MORE: Amanda Holden's two homes with husband Chris are out of this world Amanda's frilled frock is the 'Macaw' dress from her designer and friend Melissa Odabash, whose swimwear she also swears by. Macaw dress, £450, Melissa Odabash SHOP NOW Costing £450, the wrap dress is still available to buy on the brand's website. Its description reads: "A flattering wrap style dress, the Macaw features an elegant v-neckline before tying tightly at the waist, where a double frill dancing down and along the hemline. Let the 'Bouquet' print take focus and keep accessories simple as you head to a day at the polo or garden party gala." SHOP SIMILAR: Floral dress, £49.99, Mango SHOP NOW On Monday, Amanda looked just as gorgeous in a form-fitting red dress which was rented from sustainable fashion app By Rotation, after enjoying a weekend in the sun with her family. MORE: Amanda Holden's garden could be a luxury holiday resort … [Read more...] about Amanda Holden wows fans in flirty thigh-split dress

February 28, 2021 - 08:13 GMT Jenni McKnight The Duchess of Sussex will give a tell-all interview to Oprah Winfrey in March – and it's set to be an emotional one The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have already recorded their tell-all interview with US TV host Oprah Winfrey – and we expect there were certain topics that were particularly difficult to discuss, especially for Meghan. Emotions no doubt ran high during the eagerly-anticipated special, which will air on Sunday 7 March on the CBS Television Network. MORE: Everything you need to know about Meghan and Harry's Oprah interview: what to expect, how to watch and more According to a statement from CBS, Meghan discusses a wide range of topics, including stepping down as a senior royal and her life "under intense public pressure". Loading the player... WATCH: All the clues that Prince Harry and Meghan were expecting their second child CBS' statement read: " Winfrey will speak with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, in a wide-ranging interview, covering everything from stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure. "Later, the two are joined by Prince Harry as they speak about their move to the United States and their future hopes and dreams for their expanding family." MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle film inside unseen space at £11million home – and it's gorgeous READ: Meghan Markle pregnant: Duke and Duchess of Sussex share bump photo Meghan and Harry granted Oprah a tell-all interview One subject that may have proved especially difficult for the couple to discuss was Meghan's devastating miscarriage in July 2020; the Duchess will be speaking about motherhood in the interview and may touch upon the subject with her TV presenter friend. Meghan revealed in November in a candid open letter in the New York Times … [Read more...] about Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview: why fans can expect tears and high emotion