It seems that a longstanding and prominent issue in Hollywood has been forgotten by many. The rift between the producers and the Screen Actor Guild has been long and drawn out and you would think that it would continue to be splashed all over the headlines. Perhaps the Oscars is just too attractive to resist? Or maybe channeling all the attention to the event is one way of dealing with the unpleasant situation?

Whatever the reason may be, I have not been hearing a lot about the developments in that area. Still, from what I read in the report published by the Associated Press, it seems that even the goodwill that the Oscar promotes is not enough to pacify the situation. As a matter of fact, the producers supposedly gave their “last, best, and final offer.” That’s a lot of superlatives right there! Still, they were not enough to sway the staunch Screen Actors Guild.

The report goes:

The contract was rejected by 73 percent of SAG’s board members, spokeswoman Pamela Greenwalt said in a statement.

SAG called the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers’ demand for the contract to run for three years instead of two, “regressive and damaging.”

Producers insist the three-year contract would start when it is ratified, instead of when the last one expired, which would mean SAG would not be able to join with the writers’ and directors’ guilds to increase their bargaining power when their contracts expire in 2011.

According to the AMPTP, the economic situation simply does not allow them to offer better terms. So far, nothing else has been said. What would happen if the SAG calls in these days right after the Oscars?

CSI fans rejoice! There is no doubt that Gil Grissom is one of the most popular and most loved characters in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Known as William Petersen in real life, he has finally gotten a much coveted star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Press Association published a report earlier this week:

William Petersen said he was “overwhelmed” as he became the latest star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was joined by cast and crew members from the TV show when he was honoured with the 2,379th star on the famous Los Angeles boulevard.

“I’m overwhelmed by this, needless to say. I never expected it, I never thought of this…” he said. “You know I feel privileged and honoured and incredibly humbled. The men and women of the film and television industry are the soul of Los Angeles. I have been so fortunate to work with so many of the artists who have devoted their lives to the entertainment business and I feel truly blessed to be counted among them, to be in their company.”

Grissom’s fans are not the only one who are rejoicing with him, though. As you can see up there, his co-stars were there to provide their support and encouragement. And they were quite vocal about this as well:

His CSI co-star Marg Helgenberger paid an emotional tribute to William at the ceremony. II can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honour, Billy,” she said. “Millions of fans love him for his many memorable roles, yet the sum of all the parts he’s played don’t come close to the complexity, the kindness, the mystery, the loyalty and the generosity that is Billy himself.”

Now I can’t help but wonder who will be the next star to get his star?

Internet Style that is, for news and gossip about celebrities are all over the news, TV and other forms of media that caters to the never ending need for the latest information regarding Hollywood’s hottest stars. Now considering the many sources of news and gossip out on the world today, why not take it a step further into the realm of the social internet? Blogging is one of the most prevalent forms of new media that is being used and read by users all over the globe. Just think of getting news form the standpoint of the fans themselves through user submitted celebrity news, now that’s a totally new concept, why, because nobody has ever done it before. Why not place the power and control over the information into the hands of the people who need it most making them part of the news itself allowing social interaction at the next level. Talk about getting subjective news, but it is coming for customization is the key and getting news that we like is what the future is about. Get the best user-submitted celebrity news hot off the mobiles, laptops and just about anywhere a connection is the internet and where the action is. This might be the beginnings of the next big step in news and the way its gets to us in this that is known as the information age.

The issue between the Screen Actors Guild and Hollywood studios has been going on for months now and it seems that another roadblock has been met. Negotiations were due to begin today, Tuesday. However, late yesterday Alan Rosenberg (current president of the SAG) and Anne-Marie Johnson (vice-president of the SAG) informed the guild that they would be challenging the ouster of Doug Allen, the now ex-chief contract negotiator.

Their plan of action was to file a lawsuit which aims to put Doug Allen back in his “rightful” place. A restraining order was also requested that would have resulted in stalling the negotiations until their lawsuit was settled. However, Judge Chalfant denied their request on a technicality. Still, the result of this motion is that the talks have been delayed and as of this writing, no new date for the start of the talks has been determined.

The SAG contracts expired on June 30 of last year and since then, members of the guild have had no contracts in film and TV. On the part of the studios, they have given what they call their best and final offer. However, the SAG deems this offer as inadequate, labeling it as “not the best” that they can give. Talks about a strike have been looming for months now but there has not been a vote as of yet and the SAG is looking to the Los Angeles court for intervention.

As usual, it is some sort of waiting game that is being played. For us viewers, we can only sit back and watch the drama unfold.