Actors Union, Hollywood Studios Make Tentative Deal

Pact bumps pay 3.5% but nixes bucks for online reruns

(NEWSER) - A two-year contract narrowly approved by the board of the Screen Actors Guild board would boost pay 3.5% a year, but dodges payment for most online reruns. The pact, which would cover film and TV actors, was passed by just 53% of the newly elected moderate board, and now faces a full membership vote, the Los Angeles Times reports. The issue over Internet residuals has split the membership, but the contract is expected to pass. More»

SAG: members can keep working, pending talks

(NEWSER) - The contract between the Screen Actors Guild and Hollywood studios expired early today—but SAG has decided to let members keep working for the time being, E! Online reports. The two sides are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow. The Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers made it what it called a “final offer” last night, but SAG officials were skeptical. More»

Billy Crystal brings the same old stuff

(NEWSER) - Last night's Oscars, like its Best Picture, was a throwback to a different time in film history. And though the show may have topped last year's Anne Hathaway-James Franco fiasco, it was boring and tired throughout:

• "The whole night looked like an AARP pep rally," writes Alessandra Stanley in the New York Times . "For a town that prides itself on tinsel and titillation, the night was pretty tame." "It all looked very familiar," but that "is perhaps necessary when so few of the nominated films are."

American actor, British actress marry in Italy

(NEWSER) - John Krasinski, who plays the finally-happily-married Jim on The Office, married British actress Emily Blunt in real life yesterday in Italy, Us reports . "It was an outdoor ceremony and absolutely beautiful," says a source. A rep for the sitcom star confirmed the news. Blunt wore a Marchesa gown for the private ceremony. More»

From 'Star Wars' to 'Arrested Development,' something's not quite right

(NEWSER) - It's taboo and generally creepy, but sometimes—under the right cinematic circumstances and with the knowledge that nobody's actually related—incest can be, well, hot. Willa Paskin of New York rounds up fictional couples who have real chemistry:

• Cathy and Chris Dollanganger, Flowers in the Attic: "Nothing can stop the teenage sex drive, not even arsenic poisoning."