Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Not sure if you've heard yet or not, but Hollywood has mobilized to try something fairly unprecedented on Friday night as a way of trying to help the victims of the WTC Bombing last week.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY!!
This is unheard of. A two-hour block of programming that will be shown simultaneously on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, UPN, HBO, and the WB. A telethon with stars like George Clooney, Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, the Dixie Chicks, Cameron Diaz, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Faith Hill, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Tom Petty, Julia Roberts, Paul Simon, Robin Williams, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young. No commercials for the full two hours from 9:00 to 11:00. Other cable outlets like Lifetime, E!, FX, MTV, SoapNet, National Geographic Channel, Fox Movie Channel, Telemundo, and possibly TNT and USA, all carrying the same signal, the same message. I hope this is entertaining, but that really doesn't matter, does it? The mere fact there could be this level of involvement on such immediate notice by pretty much everyone possible is a sign of just how deeply I think we've all been touched by this.
There's other ways Hollywood is reaching out, or businesses peripheral to Hollywood. Take a look at this letter I got from The Movie Diety:
All National Amusements movie theatres, the owners of the Showcase Cinemas found on the east coast, will be contributing all proceeds ,from every one of its theatres, made on Tuesday, 9/25/01, to the disaster relief fund, I was wondering if you would like to post this info, to tell all readers near a NA theatre to go see a movie on Tuesday and buy some concessions, it is going to a good cause.
Thanks for all the help in getting this word out, I would like to see Tuesday be a big day for movie going!
I am a firm believer that there is catharsis right now just in the simple act of doing something as normal as going to a movie. It reminds you of how life is supposed to be, and it can provide an escape, if only for a few moments in the dark, something that may be crucial for those on the front lines of this things. Nick's story made me proud of the compassion a corporation can show if they choose:
Moriarity,
I'm surprised no one has reported this, so let me be the first.
Last Wednesday (the day after the WTC tragedy) and Thursday, the United Artist theater in Union Square, here in New York City, charged no admission for any of their movies.
I saw L.I.E for free last Thursday. I hear (though I'm not 100% sure) that they even bought popcorn and soda for every one on Wednesday. I bought my own concessions on Thursday, but I didn't mind.
That was a very classy thing to do on their part, and it went completely unmentioned by anyone. Thought you'd like to know.
Nick
I'm not sure I would have picked an NC-17 film about the morally slippery relationship between a pedophile and a boy taking his first confused steps into adulthood for escapism, but hey... at least no one's trying to tell these patrons what film they are allowed to see. They were simply given the option of anything, a gesture designed just to give some form of entertainment, a pretty special gesture from UA if you ask me.
NOON, PST, 9/19/01
I've just received a letter from Jim Kozak, who I met at ShoWest a number of times. He works for the National Association of Theater Owners, and has passed along word that next Tuesday is about a lot more than just one theater chain and their efforts to help. I'll just reprint the press release for you in full:
America’s Movie Theatres to Hold National Benefit Day For Disaster Relief Efforts!!
North Hollywood, California
The members of America’s movie theatre industry, like all Americans, were deeply saddened by the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. We wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to all those whose lives were so painfully altered by last week’s terrible events in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. We also recognize and commend the heroic efforts of the individuals and organizations who have worked so tirelessly in the rescue and relief operations.
We want to help the cause. Tuesday, September 25th, 2001 will be "Victims’ Benefit Day at the Movies." On that day, 100% of ticket and concession sales at participating movie theatres nationwide will be donated to the September 11th Fund of the United Way, and the American Red Cross for this disaster and the emerging needs resulting from this tragedy. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross and 50% will be donated to the United Way.
A list of participating theatre companies will be available on the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) website
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION!!
Thanks, Jim. This is what I'm talking about. People going above and beyond to help. People in Talk Back seem to be asking (quite cynically) what money is needed for. There are thousands of families in New York that have been shattered by what happened. Think of the families of the rescue workers, men and women who didn't make much money to begin with, trying to pick up and carry on. Think of any of the families affected. This is going to be a disaster in ways we are just beginning to understand.
Still, not everyone is going to be thrilled with the idea of a telethon, just like not everyone feels it's appropriate for David Letterman or Conan O' Brien (both of whom have been exemplary so far this week) to be back on the air yet. You can't please everyone. Grieving is a very personal process, different for each of us. What some people find soothing, others might find disrespectful. I got this letter from one of our readers, Jason:
Hi I know this is probably more of a gripe to be put into a talkbalk, but I thought that it was perhaps something that you might agree with and post an article because of your influence.
Everyone is of course greatly affected by the tragedy that is the WTC attack. I personally continue to find of friends, or friends of friends who are now gone forever or of course forever affected. But I am also touched and pleased to hear how America is rallying together and supporting everyone unified in this time of need. This said many have given their time, blood, money and donations to this cause from their good will and no prompting. David Letterman mentioned of a small farming community devastated by drought that took up a collection for the victims.
My point? I am bothered by the fact that Hollywood is putting on this telethon. I am the first to recognize that all these efforts are not enough and that as people go back to their lives and work, the volunteers and donations when they are truly needed will dry up. But it seems almost as an advertisement to the celebrities doing good to be in this televised charity event. While I am confident that some celebrities have anonymously donated money. You haven't heard even rumours to the effect. The day after the attack I saw reported that Bill Gates personally donated 10 million dollars. This is what we need to see. These stars making an additional 20 million dollars each picture need to first donate their share before asking me for more. I am pleased to hear that Madonna and some others donated the profits of a couple of her previous concerts to the cause. It is terrific to help and encourage people to give, but by setting up a new event where the proceeds are going to charity are nothing if you aren't willing to contribute money as well. These celebrities time is not the same worth as their movie contracts tell them they are if they are not down there at ground zero. They have the oppurtunity to help by donating money to the cause or investing their money in American stocks to show the world that we are united and the well being of all people is more important than our weekly paychecks.
Sorry, I know that this didn't come across as eloquently as I would have liked and that it isn't fair to send to you. But hopefully in some way my point got across and you agree.
Jason
I may not agree, but I understand how you could feel passionately about this. My advice to Jason would be to do something else on Friday evening. Do something that commemorates last week's events for you. Do something that brings you solace and peace. Different people are contributing different ways. I've read that Steve Buscemi, a former fireman, suited up and headed straight for the WTC, where he's been helping with rescue and recovery efforts. I don't think he's looking for press. I just think he has found a way to reach out and help that makes him feel valuable. For these performers, I can only imagine that this is a genuine expression of the complex emotions we all feel right now, and I applaud them for their efforts to use something as potentially superficial as celebrity to do something they feel can actually help. The networks are losing tons of money right now, pushing back the premieres of a fall schedule that suddenly seems a lot less important, and co-operating with one another on a level that's literally never been witnessed. I think they're doing all any of us can hope to do right now... finding some way to ease this pain, and finding some way to make a difference. We'll have more details on this special throughout the week.
"Moriarty" out.
