G.H. Harding

STRIKE UPDATE — As we went to press on Sunday, a tentative agreement had been worked out between the AMPTPand the WGA. Of course, it now has to be ratified. Per TV Line: Once the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed on the Writer’s Guild of American’s tentative new deal with the AMPTP, the words “Live, from New York!” might symbolically signal the end of the WGA strike, which spanned a near-historic 146 days.

“We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA (Minimum Basic Agreement),” the WGA posted in a message to its members late Sunday night, “which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language.” The tentative deal now needs to be “papered,” and formally recommended by the WGA negotiating committee to the WGA Board and Council for approval, and then ratified by WGA membership — a process that could take up to two weeks.

The actor’s strike persists and from our sources we hear it’s still a tough go. But not to minimize anything, this is a step in the right direction.

David McCallum

McCALLUM PASSES AT 90 – David McCallum -along with Robert Vaughn- were two of the coolest dudes on TV, ever. Vaughn passed in 2016 and McCallum passed on Monday. Starring as Illya Kuryakin, he literally electrified the screen. I’m an Man From U.N.C.L.E. fan, always have been and per Jon Heitland’s terrific The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Book: Behind the Scenes Story of a Televison Classic (1987) it turns out that McCallum was literally the key to its success. Not only did he become quite the chick magnet, but viewers just loved the character.

Man From U.N.C.L.E.

McCallum was also ‘Ducky’ on CBS’ NCIS and certainly was their secret weapon too. His character was everyone’s uncle (no pun intended) and possessed a rather quixotic, yet mesmerizing ambiance on the show. Part-doctor, part-therapist, part spy.

Michael Weatherly, also on the show for its greatest years, said “He made every second count.”

I’ll never forget the episode (Meat Puzzle in 2005) when Kate asked Gibbs what Ducky would have looked like as a younger man. Gibbs answers Illya Kuryakin, too funny.

Actually, with Harmon long-gone from his role on NCIS, McCallum, in my opinion, was the glue that still held it together. Huge loss for sure.

Here’s a great look at McCallum’s storied career from Deadline: https://deadline.com/2023/09/david-mccallum-dead-ncis-actor-1235555770/

SHORT TAKES — I don’t know Robert Menendez, but with wild tales of cash stuffed in envelopes in jackets; gold bars; and kickbacks; it sounds like he’s had a pretty interesting run. As more than one has said, where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire. And there does seem to be a lot of smoke … Congratulations to Andrew Sandoval on his marriage to Natasha Rubin …

MIRAMAR, FL – APRIL 02: David Sanborn poses for portrait backstage during the Miramar Jazz Festival at Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater on April 2, 2022 in Miramar, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, September 26, WBGO Studios launched As We Speak, a new podcast hosted by David Sanborn, who interviews major figures in the world of jazz. Kicking off the series are episodes with vocalists Kurt Elling and Cecile McLorin Salvant. Future guests include Sonny Rollins, Terri Lyne Carrington, John McLaughlin and Maria Schneider. The award-winning and influential saxophonist shows his interviewing chops with in-depth conversations with his fellow artists about their creative process and their singular journey in jazz …

MOJO Magazine

Micky Dolenz was interviewed by  Mojo Magazine’s Ian Harrison from the U.K. Tuesday and heads to Houston Thursday for the Days of the Dead comic-con (https://www.daysofthedead.com/houston/) in Houston …

Benny Harrison

Look for keyboard-man Benny Harrison to debut his forthcoming solo album Pages at the Bitter End. Harrison is interviewed for Medium today … Could The Office return to TV? Per items on Tuesday, a re-boot is almost guaranteed …

Netflix

Netflix is sending their last ever DVDs out this week in those red envelopes. The service ran for 25 years! My, we’ve come a long way … It looks like Robert DeNiro will not be playing off his scenes in Taxi Driver for his new Uber commercial after all. Take a read: https://deadline.com/2023/09/taxi-driver-commercial-featuring-robert-de-niro-draws-comment-from-paul-schrader-1235554798/… (Via Deadline) For the love of Maddie Hayes, look what’s coming to Hulu: Moonlighting. For the very first time, all 67 episodes of Moonlighting will be available to stream on the platform beginning October 10. Hulupromises that each episode of the 1980’s comedy starring Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd has been remastered in HD from the original film source. It even will feature the original Grammy-nominated title track recording from Al Jarreau … Happy Bday Melissa Davis.

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Bob Merlis; Brad LeBeau; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Jodi Ritzen; Dylan Ritzen; Jane Blunkell; Glenn Gretlund; Ian Harrison; Bert Schneider; Jason Elzy; Les Schwartz; Duane Blitzer; Jean Psaki; Chris Hayes; Randy Alexander; Lee Jeske; Chuck Pulin; Race Taylor; Tyrone Biljan; Robert Funaro; and CHIP!

To celebrate the acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning original series “Survivor” and its Season 45 premiere milestone later this month, the “Survivor Buff Takeover” hit up NYC.

Up until the September 27 season premiere, famous icons, landmarks, and statues in cities from coast to coast will be wrapped in the show’s signature bandana, or “buff,” to illustrate a new group emerging to compete in the greatest game ever played.The Empire State Building is one of the landmarks highlighted.

In an homage to the show’s iconic torches, on September 26, shined in yellow, blue and red, representing each tribe in “Survivor” Season 45.

This campaign celebrates the tremendous impact the show has had on American culture with 23 years on television and 652 episodes. The landmarks include: Ripleys Believe It Or Not! In Hollywood, CA, Make Way for Ducklings in Boston, MA; Forever Marilyn in Palm Springs, CA; Green Giant in Blue Earth, MN; Miles the Monster at Dover Motor Speedway in Dover, DE; Pegasus and The Dragon in Hallandale Beach, FL; along with the Tuska statue at University of Alabama and Ralphie the Buffalo statue at University of Colorado.

The 45th season kicks off with a 90-minute premiere Wednesday, September 27 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) on CBS and is available to stream live and watch on demand via Paramount+.

The Empire State Rare Book & Print Fair will debut in New York City on October 5 through 7^.

A few of the standouts among the tens of thousands of books that will be offered include a banned first edition of Galileo by Galileo Galilei from 1635 ($100,000), a first edition of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling ($225,000), the original artwork from the children’s classic Charlotte’s Webb by E. B. White ($400,000), a first printing of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery in scarce early jacket, a first printing of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, and also a first edition Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

Admission is FREE on Saturday, from 3 PM – 5 PM, and patrons may bring in their own books for a complimentary appraisal service by a leading expert. General admission on Friday (11am-6pm) and Saturday (11am-5pm) is $15, $10 for students, and free for those under 16 years of age. Tickets to the Preview Party on Thursday are $125 and $225 for the VIP Reception and include admission to the fair on Friday and Saturday.  Link to buy tickets HERE.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Benevolent Fund which is dedicated to providing timely financial assistance to those in the book trade who find themselves in a time of need.

Speakers during the fair days will include author and Royal expert Hugo Vickers and/or Sir Michael Lindsay-Hogg, author, artist and acclaimed director has worked with music icons including The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Beatles and more.

The biggest day for Broadway fans returns to New York City’s Theater District on Sunday, October 1. The Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction unites all theater fans – whether they’re onstage, behind the scenes or in the audience – in their hunt for Broadway-themed treasures, unique experiences and theater magic.

Theater lovers of every kind will have the opportunity to take home one-of-a-kind mementos and autographed collectibles and bid on exclusive Broadway experiences and items including props, costume pieces, opening night theater packages and more.

The Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction will run from 10 am – 7 pm with tables on West 44th and West 45th Streets, the silent auction in Shubert Alley and the live grand auction wrapping up the day in the Times Square pedestrian plaza between 45th and 46th Streets.

Treasure-filled tables from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, theater owners and producing organizations, unions, guilds, marketing groups, ticket agencies, concessionaires and fan clubs will line West 44th and West 45th Streets. The shows set to have tables the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction are & Juliet; Aladdin; Back to the Future: The Musical; A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical; Hadestown; Hamilton; Here Lies Love; The Lion King; Kimberly Akimbo; Moulin Rouge! The Musical; Six; Some Like It Hot; Sweeney Todd and Wicked, plus special tables honoring The Phantom of the Opera and the 40th anniversary of the original cast of La Cage aux Folles.