Which Way, L.A.?
Hard Times for Hollywood
Box office receipts for movies are way up, but Hollywood is slowing way down. It’s all about runaway production, labor disputes and the recession. Can new state incentives keep the business in California? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the Obama Administration has revved up efforts at Middle East Peace, but relations are strained with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenWhat's left of Hollywood? Also, how term-limits helped produce "a slow-moving train wreck" last week in Sacramento. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the Obama Administration has revved up efforts at Middle East Peace, but relations are strained with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. What about America's Jewish voters who helped put Obama in office?
In this episode
3 storiesSettlements Strain Relations between the US and Israel
Barack Obama campaigned as a friend of Israel but, as President, he reportedly told American Jewish leaders that close relations during the Bush years didn't produce much.
Read the story27 minHard Times for Hollywood
"The Hollywood business is leaving town and going to various other states. I'm broken hearted." Those are the words of Harvey Schwartz, whose 20th Century Props is closing at the end of this month, auctioning off 93,000 items from decades of films and TV shows. After 40 years, 20th Century is the second-largest prop house in Hollywood.
Read the story18 minBudget Negotiations Tainted by Legislators' Next Race
The State Assembly and Senate felt two kinds of pressure last week. With a $26 billion budget shortfall, the state was issuing IOU's. On top of that, members of both houses wanted to go home. Their inexperienced leaders hoped that a marathon, all-night session would produce a moment of statesmanship. But that was not to be.
Read the story7 min
