Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Paramount dumps Tom Cruise
()
Paramount Pictures announced this week that they are ending their 14-year relationship with Tom Cruise and his Cruise/Wagner production company. The relationship between Cruise's production company and Paramount disintegrated into name-calling after Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount parent company Viacom Inc., said Cruise's recent behavior, such as jumping on Oprah Winfrey's couch and pushing his Scientology agenda, was "creative suicide." Redstone said such displays cost his studio up to $150 million in lost ticket sales for Cruise's last film, "Mission: Impossible III."
The split for Cruise and Paramount comes at a time when studios are slashing costs, especially the kind of huge paychecks that stars such as Cruise get, even for production deals. Paramount was reportedly paying his company, Cruise/Wagner Productions, $10 million a year to develop new projects even if none of those projects were ever made. Not a bad deal. Where do we sign up?
Studios, seeing profits shrink as box-office goes down and DVD sales decline, are trying to dump the long-held economic system in Hollywood that led to deals like the one Paramount had with Cruise. They are also trying to reign in the huge salaries such stars command. They hope the days of the $20 Million per movie paycheck for certain stars will come to an end. Although, that may be just wishful thinking. Stars still but get people out of the house and into the theater.
Support for LAist comes from
What will the split from Paramount mean for Tom Cruise or his popularity? Not much, probably. Tom Cruise has enjoyed popularity and success longer than most actors given the sometimes fickle nature of the audience. He will probably bounce back from this and get an even sweeter deal somewhere else. Plus, his company still has several projects in development with Paramount and many will end up getting made even without his deal with the studio.
Or, as his partner, Producer Paula Wagner, commented, they will get their own money and make their own films outside of the studio system. Besides, Tom Cruise is just weird and acts weird in public sometimes. It's not like he got drunk, arrested for DUI and then went on a racist and anti-Semitic tirade. Tom, we forgive you for being weird. You can be our wingman any time.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist