Marlon Brando - 22% Jack Nicholson - 16% Al Pacino - 12% Tom Hanks - 10% Humphrey Bogart - 8% Charlie Chaplin - 7% Spencer Tracy - 3% Gary Cooper - 2% Fred Astaire - 1% TOP Write-in VOTE: Gary Oldman
The sour economy, mass industry layoffs, threat of a SAG strike and fall ratings implosion already had producers, agents and execs in a funk.
Then came NBC's Monday move to blow scripted programming out of the 10 p.m. hour in favor of "The Jay Leno Show."
For the industry players whose livelihood depends on the health of TV's scripted biz, it was yet another lump of coal in an already ugly holiday-season stocking.
"It's a bummer for the writers who are writing for drama," said one agent. "Five less scripted drama shows at 10 p.m. is bad for the business ... Some leaders at NBC said there hasn't been a 10 p.m. drama that's worked in three or four years. But no, they just haven't developed the best dramas."
Writers have already felt the primetime pinch in recent years, as the networks devote more hours to reality programs -- as well as repeats on dead nights such as Fridays and Saturdays.
"The more reality shows and talkshows the broadcast networks do, the more that dramas will go to cable, where they can be done properly," "The Closer" exec producer James Duff said this week at a Hollywood Radio and TV Society panel.
Veteran producer Steven Bochco, who's latest series, "Raising the Bar," airs on TNT, said the move may actually benefit producers - by convincing them to move to cable.
"I think what NBC's done is smart for them, at least in the short term," he said. "And, contrary to a lot of doom and gloomers, I actually think what they've done is good for drama producers. It will, of necessity, force them to cable, where the atmosphere is far friendlier and the creative environment more conducive to doing original work."
SAG COULD STRIKE BY END OF JANUARY
The Screen Actors Guild has made its strike threat official, announcing it will send out authorization ballots Jan. 2 and reveal the results Jan. 23 -- setting the stage for an Oscars boycott and a halt to most production.
SAG announced the timeline Wednesday with the goal of forcing congloms back to the bargaining table, even though the companies declared five months ago they were finished with negotiations. The companies have insisted they won't change their final offer to SAG, made June 30 as SAG's contract expired, and they've blasted guild leaders for insisting they deserve a sweeter deal than the other Hollywood unions.
More than 75% of voting members will have to affirm the authorization for SAG to go on strike. Final say over a walkout will come from the guild's national board of directors, and SAG toppers insist such a step is only a last resort.
Although SAG has about 120,000 members, ballots will go out only to those who are dues current, so the actual number of eligible voters will probably be closer to 110,000. SAG has launched an ambitious PR effort, with guild prexy Alan Rosenberg and national exec director Doug Allen meeting for 90 minutes Wednesday with 20 publicists and managers at SAG headquarters in Hollywood and videoconferencing with another 10 in New York to brief them about the guild's plans.
CLASSIC FILMS
BY GENRE
Australia
Quantum of Solace
Milk
The Secret Life of Bees
Transporter 3
City of Ember
Four Christmases
Twilight
Bolt
Madagascar 2
BOX OFFICE
The Duchess
