And with three 3D features queued up, Jeffrey Katzenberg predicts 2010 will be the company's biggest year
Momentum Is a Dish Best Served Hot
There was a time when you could go to Disneyland and get a guided tour of the "jungle" on a ride aptly called the Jungle Cruise. You would board a boat (really just a vessel that rode on a track a couple of feet below the surface of the water), and be guided by a seasoned jungle guide (some pimply kid from Orange County hired by Disney) who would fire a gun (a prop cap gun that made a loud noise) at suddenly emerging hippos and indigenous natives (animatronic robots) as you drifted perilously close to a waterfall (OK, that was real).
I was reminded of this ride when I read about TheWrap's recent tour of the Motion Picture Home, guided by MPTF spokesman Ken Scherer (pictured at left, with Ellen Davis).
All Ken needed was a pith helmet and khaki shorts. The tour and his words were as robotic and rehearsed as I remember during those visits to Adventureland.
OK, I wasn't there, but I've heard it before. The litany of "tears and heartbreak" when making the decision to close the long-term care unit. The "stick to the script" patter that was faithfully reported in the article.
All great stuff that will be said again for another tour, and in front of a judge one day.
What was interesting, and particularly horrifying, was when Ken broke character to admit that the MPTF did use a prop, and that the prop was "a bad idea."
WTF? So the studio prop cop car, which was painted to look like an LAPD cruiser, was an admitted ploy? Wouldn't this qualify as intentional infliction of emotional distress?
This prop was in full view of elderly residents and family members as they came to visit, or boarded vehicles to be taken to doctor's appointments.
To what end was that cop car there for? Intimidation? I think so!
I've heard that the MPTF claimed it was to protect the facility from those nasty bikers who converge on the Sagebrush Cantina across the street.
Actually, having a group of Hell's Angels running things probably would be a vast improvement. As scary a bunch as they are, they are extremely family-oriented, know what "taking care of our own' means" and probably would hold some great parties in the Jodie Foster Pool.
They couldn't do a worse job than Tillman and Ellis are doing, although you wouldn't find any of them in the company of security guards and tooling around town in tiny hybrids while they spend their lavish salaries and rub elbows with celebrities.
Tour aside, Scherer's admonitions and TheWrap's follow-up on the lies on closure dates started off one hell of a week for us that included the MPTF's renewing of its operating license for another year.
Then, the MPTF published two very expensive ads in Variety. You could hear the crickets when the ads were viewed. I parodied one of the ads and gave it a more truthful ring.
What received the most exposure, however, was our open letter to Jeffrey Katzenberg. That letter was picked up by many news outlets, and added even more momentum to our quest to save the future of motion picture and television healthcare.
It's a serious plea that should be viewed and shared, along with the stirring video of the residents and a serious response to the Variety ads that most likely cost the MPTF thousands of dollars to publish.
The gods of all that is just and holy must be smiling upon us. Family members of those who refuse to leave, and are still ensconced in the bosom of the MPTF's long-term care facility, are about to hold their first Family Council meeting -- in an MPTF boardroom, on the property! That's got to be a major pimple on the rear of the executive board.
In effect, we are moving in and holding court in what some may view as enemy territory. I view it as where we belong.
The momentum continued as cracks in the foundation of the MPTF Board started to reveal itself. In a contentious exchange of emails between Kevin Spacey's publicist, Nicola Hawson, and reporter Guy Adams of The Independent (a British daily newspaper), it was obvious that the actor is trying like hell to distance himself from the MPTF board and their "decision."
"I represent Kevin Spacey, who has asked me to point out that he is not a member of the Board of that organisation as you suggest in the piece, and as such has had no involvement in this decision. We would be grateful if you could ensure that the piece is corrected online ASAP and that you issue a correction in the main paper tomorrow," Hawson wrote to Adams.
Spacey is probably one of many (we can't say exactly what we know at this point) who are following the leads of fellow actors Bill Smitrovich and Anne-Marie Johnson, among others, who are standing with the residents to keep the long-term care facility open. More are flipping, and we welcome them.
It's been a great week. Light a cigar and pour yourself a Diet Coke. Life is good when you know you're on the side that is right and just.
Comments
If at first Says
"You gotta work like a soul inspired until the battle of the day is won.
You may be sick and tired, but you be a man, my son.
Will you remember the famous men who have to fall and then to rise again,
So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again."- Frank Sinatra
Son of Spam Says
Ken Scherer is a beleaguered man who probably wishes he was involved in anything but this controversy. He's the receptionist that you yell at when you can't get in touch with the customer service manager. He's nothing more. His pain is written all over his face - his posture seems stooped.
At some point he's got to 'man up' and turn to his handlers to say "I've had it". He didn't buy into this problem to be the industry's whipping boy. He is though, and in his heart I'm sure that he knows who the real villains of this calamity are.
Tillman and Ellis - I wouldn't be buying any long playing records. Your time at the helm is about up. You've screwed the pooch, and the industry is going to revoke your Get Out Of Jail Free card.
I'm out of platitudes and trite sayings.
Son of Spam Says
Ken Scherer is a beleaguered man who probably wishes he was involved in anything but this controversy. He's the receptionist that you yell at when you can't get in touch with the customer service manager. He's nothing more. His pain is written all over his face - his posture seems stooped.
At some point he's got to 'man up' and turn to his handlers to say "I've had it". He didn't buy into this problem to be the industry's whipping boy. He is though, and in his heart I'm sure that he knows who the real villains of this calamity are.
Tillman and Ellis - I wouldn't be buying any long playing records. Your time at the helm is about up. You've screwed the pooch, and the industry is going to revoke your Get Out Of Jail Free card.
I'm out of platitudes and trite sayings.
Can't Believe My Eyes Says
In this blog entry Ken Scherer is pictured with Ellen Davis. Given that Ms. Davis has been the MPTF's crisis management PR expert from nearly the beginning of the LTC closure issue you have to wonder if she was actually awake and present last weekend during Mr. Scherer's train wreck encounter with The Wrap. Some clients just can't be helped.
Mojo Says
Nancy Biederman chaired a wonderful and inspiring meeting last night at the Motion Picture Home. Good to see all the 'regulars' there along with the residents. So much love in the room, and Michael Connors really set our course!
We are now where we belong, on campus fighting from within.
USC Says
Way to go SAG Michele! You hit the nail on the head kid! And, if you listen to what AMJ actually said, she was asked if she thought the facility would be closed in January, and given the information that we all had back when she was asked, she was pretty much saying what we all had thought.
But NOOOOOOO - we're still here and we are still fighting, and AMJ, Smitty and the rest of our SAG friends are even more committed. For sure, AMJ's impassioned speech at the Century City rally was inspiring. Bill Smitrovich's speech to SAG of late was pivotal!
The people who have the most to lose to old school Hollywood slash and burn-your-career 'you'll never work in this town again' tactics are some of the most vocal proponents of the LTCU. Look what the bastards tried to do to our beloved Daniel. Shocking, and desperate. They tried to kick him to the curb, and weeks later he's in their boardroom, being proactive with other residents and family members to insure the quality of care for the residents.
I have a Cohiba somewhere, and I'll find it and light it up anytime with RS, Dean, Katherine, Nancy, AMJ, Smitty, SAG Michele, Michael Des Barres (Michael Des Barres! Holy shit!!) and whom-so-ever cares to join me!
Fuller Says
Richard... Is it true that your wife works in admissions at the California Jewish Homes? Why do you always ignore this inquiry?
Screen Actors Guild Michele Says
Ummm, to the poster calling themself "Fight On"--
Is there something wrong with you? This situation is fluid and is changing on a weekly basis--thank God. To say that you saw Anne-Marie Johnson on television stating that the LTC will close has nothing to do with what is finally happening now. That was several months ago that she made that statement--she made it at one of the Rallies that we had to protest the closure of the facility. I know this, because I was there. Anne-Marie is certainly not the one in control of this situation, who decides what is closing or when. She gave an extremely powerful, effective, and enormously COURAGEOUS speech for the media at a Rally. It helped to make a difference. She put her neck out for the residents at the MPTF in a way that no one else has--above all. SAG Board Members Bill Smitrovich and Marcia Cross also made public statements that have helped the residents as well. Kevin Spacey was involved--he also needed to publicly divorce himself from this shameful, disgusting situation. Kudos to him for doing that. We need to work together to make a difference here--LIKE WE'RE DOING--LIKE RICHARD IS DOING.
Tonight I'm going to light up a cigar for the time that this fight has bought for the residents.
If we keep fighting and SHAMING these people, I believe we'll make a difference. A year is a pretty big accomplishment, and a wonderful sign that perhaps conscience will prevail here.
If you're attacking Richard, I would question your level of true commitment to the residents.
I myself, will continue to shout "WTF?" to the Board of Directors of the MPTF, along with the rest of us who are thankfully making a difference here.
Fuller Says
Richard... is it true that your wife works in admissions for the California Jewish Homes? You always ignore this inquiry.
Michael Des Barres Says
Where are the great philanthropists?....Those who will age gracefully in Bel-air,Montana and perhaps an island right next to Johnny Depp's...I guess our profession's discarded artists are not sexy enough for those huge donations with the donor's name in Lights..I speak metaphorically but...Honor the Elders or we will fall.
Richard Says
The first Family Council meeting was held tonight, and the room was packed (Wed., Nov. 18). We will be holding regular meetings moving forward.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
Questioner Says
When is the Family Council meeting Richard?
Jungle Jane Says
why does they still have a job for Ken Schere when he admits that police car was there only to frighten residents and employees too. We cannot wait until we have our belovedhome back and full of residents and patients that we can love.
WTF Says
Sometimes straight talk is what we need to hear better than the bullsh*t that comes from the MPTF. If you believe what they want to say in nice language and all I would rather read the truth here in language that I understand and coming from RS.
Fight On Says
Anne Marie Johnson (SAG VP) is on record as saying that the LTC "will close" in the near future. I saw her say this on TV. It sounds like a "fait a complis." You may be able to stall things a few more months, but to involve innocent people like Kevin Spacey in this nightmare is LOW. Don't get me wrong - the LTC should remain open FOREVER!!!!!
Also, RS, your use of phrases like "WTF?" cheapens all of us who are fighting this fight with dignity. Try and have SOME class. AND FYI, cigars are disgusting and cause CANCER. Be careful, because the LTC may not be open when you are ready to live there - but if our prayers are answered it will be.