Hollywood Battles Swedish Pirates

Staff / Truthdig Feb 17, 2009 The founders of The Pirate Bay, one of the biggest names in file sharing, face up to two years in a hard-core Swedish prison if they can't convince a judge that their unfortunately named Web site isn't legally responsible for 115 million kronor worth of media piracy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bollywood Reacts to Mumbai Siege

Staff / Truthdig Nov 30, 2008 The Indian metropolis of Mumbai is well-known for its prolific entertainment industry, a.k.a. "Bollywood." Following the recent terror seige, India's entertainment community responded to the attacks, which claimed the life of at least one of its (international) members. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Democrats Split the Hollywood Money

Staff / Truthdig Apr 16, 2008 If you're looking for an indicator of just how close the Democratic primary race is (delegate math notwithstanding), you need look no further than those all-important Hollywood donations. With nearly $6 million in entertainment industry contributions between them, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are separated by a mere $291. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hollywood Writers Back in Action

Staff / Truthdig Feb 13, 2008 After weeks of striking, the Writers Guild of America has struck a deal with Hollywood honchos, ending the protracted impasse between scribes and studios and allowing the stalled wheels of the entertainment industry to creak back into motion on Wednesday. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Stars Sing for Obama

Staff / Truthdig Feb 4, 2008 Pop star and producer will.i.am and director Jesse Dylan (son of Bob) put together this independent, star-filled tribute to Barack Obama's New Hampshire concession speech. Whether it's inspirational or just cheesy is up to you, but we've got nothing bad to say about Herbie Hancock on the piano. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hollywood Copes Without Writers

Staff / Truthdig Nov 14, 2007 Though Ellen DeGeneres has taken her show across the picket line and some reality TV has improvised along, Hollywood is increasingly worried about its wordless future. Late night talk shows went to reruns immediately and the scripted shows are nearly tapped out of fresh episodes. The writers, meanwhile, show no sign of ending their strike any time soon. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘Dixie Chicking’: Post-9/11 Blacklisting in the Entertainment Industry

Ed Rampell Oct 25, 2007 As a follow-up to his "Hollywood 10" retrospective essay, and in honor of Friday's 60th-anniversary commemoration of 1947's "Hollywood Fights Back!" radio program, author Ed Rampell shows how history has (unfortunately) repeated itself of late in America's entertainment and news media. Dig deeper ( 16 Min. Read )

Sony vs. the Church of England

Staff / Truthdig Jun 11, 2007 Sony Computer Entertainment is in hot water with the Church of England because of a popular video game that simulates a shootout in the Manchester Cathedral. Among other concerns, the church is appalled that Sony would "encourage people to have gun battles" in a city known for gun crime. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

‘This Place Is Broken’: The Gore Vidal Interview Part II

Sheerly Avni / Truthdig Mar 8, 2006 Gore Vidal on fascism, terrorism and wartime propaganda Part II of Truthdig's interview with the award-winning novelist (earlier: part I). Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

TD Original

Year of the Queer: Hollywood and Homosexuality

Larry Gross / Truthdig Feb 27, 2006 Truthdig's Larry Gross, a pioneer in the field of gay studies, argues that for all the hoopla surrounding "Brokeback Mountain" and this year's spate of gay-themed films, there is little about them that upends Hollywood conventions or challenges popular ideas about homosexuality. "Hollywood and much of the media may be awash in liberal self-congratulation," Gross writes, "but they--and we--are also soaking in the familiar hypocrisy of homophobia." Update: Down to the WireGross argues that for all the hoopla surrounding "Brokeback Mountain" and this year's spate of gay-themed films, there is little about them that upends Hollywood conventions or challenges popular ideas about homosexuality. Dig deeper ( 22 Min. Read )