10 Stories You Should Know: 09/23/2022

It might be Friday, but there is still lots going on in the world of television.

Here is a rundown of the stories that should be on your radar this morning:

Danish Producers Sound The Alarm Over Dispute With Streamers Costing Entertainment Industry An Estimated $200 Million (Variety)
While Viaplay signed a temporary agreement over the summer which is valid through December, other services, including Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ and Amazon Prime have fully stopped the development or production of Danish content since January. The estimated loss of revenue for the country is approximately $200 million, according to Lene Børglum, a leading producer in Denmark whose credits includes Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Only God Forgives” and “Copenhagen Cowboy” which Netflix had ordered way before the start of the dispute. The series world premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

‘Dancing With The Stars’ Reports Multiple Cases Of Covid After Premiere (Deadline)
The season 31 premiere of Dancing with the Stars may have gone off without a hitch, but the ongoing pandemic still managed to take some sparkle out of the mirror ball: at least four cases of Covid were reported after the show’s Sept. 19 premiere on Disney+.

A DWTS spokesperson told Deadline that all four individuals on the crew who tested positive work in “completely different departments that do not have in person contact with each other, based on our pod system.”

Netflix Reduces Payments for Comedy Specials in Some New Deals (Wall Street Journal) (subscription required)
Netflix has become a major platform for comedians, funding an array of specials and delivering them to its audience of more than 220 million subscribers.

Now, the streaming giant is changing how it compensates some of the comics it features, a move that could trim its costs and shift some financial burden to the artists, while giving them more control of their work, people familiar with the situation say.

Bill Cosby Argues for New Trial After Losing Sex Assault Lawsuit (The Hollywood Reporter)
Lawyers for Bill Cosby argued Thursday that Judy Huth’s revision of details of her case — namely, the year she was sexually assaulted — unfairly denied the comedian the chance to investigate and interview witnesses who could have corroborated his defense.

Crossfire Viewers Rage Over 'Dreadful' Finale As Keeley Hawes BBC drama Comes To An End (The Mirror)
Following the episode, one viewer said: "Why on earth I wasted 3 hours of my life watching #Crossfire is beyond me." Another tweeted: "Good grief, that was dreadful."

"One of the worst series I've watched in a while. Absolutely pointless," said another viewer. Whilst a fourth said it was an "awful series" that featured a "ridiculous storyline".

One viewer felt it had a "totally unbelievable plot," whilst another warned: "Just wasted 3 hours of my life watching Crossfire on BBC1. If you haven't seen it yet don't."

Life On Screen: A Reality Television Reading List (LongReads)
The original Queer Eye celebrated its five gay cast members as unthreatening, all-around good guys at a time when the U.S. government was seriously considering a Constitutional amendment against gay marriage. Two decades later, even the most mainstream home-design shows regularly feature same-sex couples, with no one batting an eye. Influential shows such as Project Runway and Top Chef demonstrate the staggering amount of work it takes to create a work of art, whether a gala-worthy gown or a perfectly puffed souffle. American Idol and its many successors show us how much talent exists in overlooked pockets of our country — and how quickly the musical-industrial complex spits out the small-town singers whose hopes they’ve raised. 

Netflix Unveils Winner Of $20,000 Israeli TV Series Prize As Streamer Deepens Ties With Nation (Deadline)
The event came at a time when Netflix is on something of an Israeli charm offensive following a push in the nation from local producers to implement streamer quotas and tighter regulation, one that has not yet passed through parliament.

Following this drive from producers, Netflix EMEA Head of Original Series Larry Tanz headed to the nation with a delegation in May and discussed the topic with producers, along with meeting local talent.

Germany’s Beta Film Swoops on New Movistar+ Original Series ‘Simple,’ Sells Crime Series (Variety)
Produced by Movistar Plus+ in collaboration with Destrucción y Salvación, “Simple” turns on four young women in their twenties and thirties, who have reached a milestone in their lives: Sharing an apartment as truly independent adults. The series follows the flat mates, all of whom have disabilities, as they navigate the pressures of adulthood and the absurd norms imposed on them by society.

Cherry Valentine, Star Of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Dies Aged 28 (The Guardian)
Ward’s career in television began after appearing on the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2021.

Born and raised as George Ward in the Traveller community in Darlington, County Durham, they presented a BBC documentary about their life, Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, in January this year.

Eight Of The Best Cycling Films Streaming On Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ And iPlayer (Cycling Weekly)
Currently available on Amazon Prime, 'Belleville Rendezvous' should be top of anyone’s must watch cycling films. An absolute classic, which beautifully depicts the passion of cycling through the eyes of one of the protagonists' grandchildren. 

Although there is a twist.