Topic: Guilds

Paramount Television Studios is shutting down, and Tubi is reportedly facing a 50% drop in ad revenue, signaling a recession in the media sector. Meanwhile, Crooked Media (Pod Save America) signed a generous contract with the Writers Guild of America East, featuring $80,000 starting salaries and 49 days of paid time off. The sustainability of such high overhead in the podcasting industry is questioned.

Hollywood producer Dana Brunetti provided a correction regarding the Producers Guild of America, clarifying that it is not a labor union. Brunetti, whose new film "Gran Turismo" is set for release, expressed frustration with the guild's award selection process. The hosts discuss the "blackballing" of independent voices in the film industry and Brunetti's potential retirement from movie production.

The final block of high-level donations is read, featuring producers from Texas, New Mexico, and North Carolina. The hosts discuss how these credits are listed on IMDb and can potentially help individuals gain entry into the Producers Guild. They also touch on the "brand safety" of the show, noting that their content is intentionally not "brand friendly" for traditional advertisers.

True Detective creator Nick Pizzolatto and his wife, Suzanne Santo, provided insights into the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. The discussion highlights a "force majeure" clause in contracts that may allow streamers to exit expensive deals if the strike continues into July, potentially disadvantaging the writers.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) initiated a strike against major Hollywood studios, marking the first such action in 15 years. Writers are demanding better pay, mandatory staffing levels, and residuals for content sold to streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon. Industry analysts suggest studios may have enough completed content to withstand a year-long work stoppage, while streaming services continue to struggle with profitability following the post-lockdown market shift.

The Broadway League and the Actors Union have co-signed a 17-page diversity pledge with Black Theater United. This includes "inclusion riders" in contracts to ensure creative teams are not all white. The hosts compare these modern "woke" mandates to the history of labor unions and guilds, which originally protected their members by being exclusive rather than inclusive.

Following Spotify's $230 million acquisition of Gimlet Media, the staff has decided to unionize with the Writers Guild of America East. The hosts argue that unionizing a podcast network is a "beginning of the end" move that will destroy profitability due to rigid job descriptions and high overhead. They contrast this corporate model with the "Value for Value" model, which they claim is more sustainable for the medium.

The history of celebrity in the American presidency is examined, comparing the public profiles of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump to potential candidate Michael Bloomberg. Reagan's extensive career in film, television, and the Screen Actors Guild is cited as a more traditional path to fame than Trump's reality TV success. Bloomberg is described as lacking the necessary "celebrity" charisma to succeed in the current media landscape.

Over 400 employees of The Washington Post sign a petition addressed to owner Jeff Bezos, demanding better pay, retirement benefits, and job security. The staff highlights the paper's recent financial success and digital growth as justification for their demands. The hosts anticipate a potential strike, noting Bezos's historically difficult relationship with labor unions.

Rachel, a bankruptcy lawyer, is elevated to Dame Rachel, Debt Slave Emancipator, for her contributions. Additionally, Sir Ron Driggs and other producers are acknowledged for their support. The segment highlights the diverse professional backgrounds of the "No Agenda" community, ranging from legal experts to outdoor enthusiasts and photographers.

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards are set to air with Kristen Bell as the first-ever host. The hosts anticipate political speeches regarding the current administration and discuss the general state of Hollywood award ceremonies.

The Writers Guild of America faces a strike deadline over pay disputes in Hollywood. Meanwhile, May Day protests are planned against the "Working Families Flexibility Act," which would allow employers to offer comp time instead of overtime pay. The hosts argue the protests are primarily "anti-Trump" rallies rather than substantive debates on labor law.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is voting on a strike authorization that could shut down television and film production. Writers are seeking better pay and health benefits as the industry shifts toward shorter seasons on streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon. The hosts discuss the history of previous strikes and the economic impact on Los Angeles.

The hosts conclude the donation segment by explaining how listeners can use their "Executive Producer" credits on professional platforms like LinkedIn. They reiterate the "Value for Value" model, where the show relies entirely on listener support rather than traditional advertising.

A shipment of homebrewed beer from the No Agenda Brewers Guild arrived at Adam Curry's residence, though several bottles broke in transit. Despite the leak, the USPS delivered the package in a plastic bag. The donor, Sir Chris, requested karma after a "spatchcock" chicken incident coincided with a recent podcast episode.

Donald Trump defended his shifting political positions by comparing his evolution to that of Ronald Reagan, who was a liberal Democrat and Screen Actors Guild president before joining the GOP. In a separate clip, Trump criticized Lindsey Graham's military transparency, advocating for a "surprise" attack strategy against ISIS. Representative Tom Marino is also featured calling for the total elimination of ISIS members.

The hosts discuss a potential "shout-out" in the television show *The Mentalist*, where a character mentions "a dude named Ben." They speculate that a listener in the Writers Guild may have inserted the phrase as a nod to the podcast's recurring memes.

A host's son returned from Hawaii with "Disappointments" mints featuring President Obama's image, produced by the Unemployed Philosophers Guild. The anecdote serves as a lead-in to a discussion about the political backlash against the Democratic Party following the midterm elections.

Comedian David Feldman has accused Jon Stewart of being "anti-union," claiming Stewart punished writers who joined the Writers Guild by refusing to use their material. The discussion explores the high salaries of comedy writers on major network shows, which can reach $40,000 per week, and contrasts Stewart's public persona with these private labor disputes.

The hosts conduct a formal knighting ceremony for Chris Eisbach, who contributed $1,000 to the show. Other producers, including Sir Borislav Marinov and Baron Chris Jacob of Carson Valley, are recognized for their financial support. The segment includes birthday shout-outs and local travel tips for Virginia City, Nevada.