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Ugly Betty Staffers Blame Terminator for Termination
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.com
Members of the Los Angeles-based Ugly Betty crew who have lost their jobs as a result of the production's move to New York city are said to be taking out an ad in Friday's Variety, blaming Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for letting the Big Apple poach the ABC series.
The ad, cited by Nikki Finke's DeadlineHollywoodDaily, reads: "We were informed this Tuesday that the production of our show is moving... primarily because of the 35 percent tax incentives being offered by the state of New York. Instead of making good wages and paying our fair share of California state income tax, we will all be collecting Unemployment Benefits." Vendors who had been supported by Betty will suffer financially, as well.
"While the loss of our individual positions may be insignificant, the loss of this production is staggering," continues the open letter. "We implore you to do everything in your power to level the playing field and bring our jobs back to California by enacting meaningful incentives."
What's your take? Is the Governator surprisingly out of tune with keeping Hollywood in Hollywood? — MWM
Related:
• Ugly Betty's Move to New York: "It's a Done Deal"
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May 8, 2008 1:57 PM
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Don't a lot of cities compete for Hollywood's attention with tax incentives?
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May 8, 2008 2:03 PM
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And what about those that will be getting jobs in NYC? Everything, it seems, is recorded in LA now.
I am sorry they lost this job, but there will be another show in a month.
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May 8, 2008 2:28 PM
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I don’t think this is necessarily his fault.
I’m a Californian and I hate what has become of my State but the truth is…we’re poor. The Governor introduced a balanced budget initiative in 2004 which means the balance sheet has to add up. Doing this will eventually put the state (which is badly in debt) back on its feet even if it keeps us from prospering. But that “keeping us from prospering” part means losing some productions to other states.
To give an analogy it’s like someone who has abused credit cards in the past not being able to buy a new house until they prove their credit worthiness again. It’s sad that they lose out on a house they could probably afford but it’s a consequence of their past actions.
I live in LA County, these people are going to be collecting unemployment off my taxes, so I’m hurt by this as much as anyone. But I realize it’s a consequence of poor management in the past.
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May 8, 2008 2:36 PM
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That isn't how you stimulate growth. By the time you "get back on your feet" all the Business will be happy and set up in other states. You have to give incentives to businesses to stay.
I have got news for you. This is what happens when you raise taxes and punish businesses. The Democrats that really control the state along with too liberal a republican governor are driving businesses away from California at a sickening pace. Research the facts, its just too expensive to do anything in Cali. Many businesses have fled to Nevada, Denver, Washginton state, Utah, Arizona and elsewhere.
For TV and Film companies the only U.S. alternative is NYC, or they go to Vancouver (smallville) where it is dirt cheap.
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May 8, 2008 3:13 PM
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Stop whining! If you want to keep your jobs move to NY with the production. Why should Sacramento subsidize the production of a TV show or any other 'for profit' enterprise? That’s not how I want my tax dollars spent.
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May 8, 2008 3:27 PM
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I always hate when shows with alot of exterior shots and scenes that take place in New York are shot on those fakey looking backlots in LA or Vancouver or wherever. NYPD Blue, as great as it was in it's heyday, looked so silly when they go to a crime scene on that same curved street. CSI-NY. Ugly Betty. I know these shows would come to NY and shoot some exteriors but the ones they didn't just look so cheap.
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May 8, 2008 3:28 PM
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If they want to blame the Governor they also need to look at the legislature which is controlled by the Democrats. They trully control the pocketbook of the state of California. I live in this state and people don't seem to realize just how bad the finances of this state are. Year after year programs get vote in and yet no one stops to think how it is going to be paid for. Just because you want something doesn't mean that you should always get it. California needs to grow up and realize that it is in a financial mess.
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May 8, 2008 3:50 PM
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It was my understanding that the tax incentives were only part of the reason the production was moving to NY. Schwarzenegger is hardly responsible for the move. Contrary to common misconceptions the Governor of a state does not get to decide who gets a tax break all by his lonesome.
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May 8, 2008 4:04 PM
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It's unfortunate that these people lost their jobs, but sorry, this move will be good for the show. It is always beneficial to a show's quality to actually film in the city which it takes place.
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May 8, 2008 4:05 PM
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It's the best move for the show. Just move to New York!
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May 8, 2008 4:26 PM
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While this is the best creative decision for Ugly Betty (especially given the creative shuffling going on) I'd like to point out that providing such tax incentives is not a waste of taxpayer dollars. The entertainment industry pours billions into California's sagging economy yearly and it is ALWAYS in the state's best interest to encourage productions not to move elsewhere. While Schwarzenegger isn't directly to blame for this production move, he hasn't been as savvy about this issue as one might expect, considering his long association with the industry. Given the loss of revenue the state experienced during the strike, I would hope he and all leadership in the state take a look at reworking policy.
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May 8, 2008 4:55 PM
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Wow! I am actually surprised at these comments. I get that New York will be a great move for Ugly Betty in that the scenes will be more realistic looking.
But, LA is losing more and more shows and movies everyday to other states! Tons of shows are filming in Canada because it's cheaper. Each season look at the shows being filmed in other states; Friday Night Lights and Prison Break are in Texas, One Tree Hill is in North Carolina.
Los Angeles is losing more and more jobs. Some people can't just move. People can't just uproot families. What if their spouse works on another show? California's economy is being affected by this happening. The more other states offer these tax incentives to film there and the more expenseive it is to film here, the more California loses.
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May 8, 2008 5:02 PM
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All I have to say is Welcome to NYC "Ugly Betty." LA's loss is our gain. After all where should a show based on a NYC fashion mag be filmed, but NYC.
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May 8, 2008 5:10 PM
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Well, I don't know if it's the Governor's fault, but it's kind of ironic that here in Washington State where I live they show commercials where the Governor and the First Lady encourage people to come live and work in California because it's supposed to be so wonderful.
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May 8, 2008 5:32 PM
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