Actors union censures Dell dude: Dude! You've got a Blacklist

Yahoo ^ | 07/15/2002

[reg45]

Actors union censures Dell dude

Monday July 15 2:37 AM ET

Dude, you're a strikebreaker.

Ben Curtis, best known as the 20ish "Steven" pitchman in more than a dozen Dell Computer ads, has received an undisclosed punishment from the Screen Actors Guild ( news - web sites) (SAG) for booking non-union spots during the guild's six-month strike against advertisers two years ago.

The first Dell spot with Curtis aired in November 2000. Several of the ads included his signature line "Dude, you're getting a Dell." SAG officers said that several of Curtis' initial spots for Dell were shot during the 2000 strike.

A rep for Dell said Curtis was unavailable for comment, and SAG refused to respond to questions about the recent hearing by a New York SAG membership committee. Curtis was still listed last week with SAG's Actors to Locate service. He was originally asked to appear before a panel in Hollywood but the hearing was later transferred to New York.

SAG said last year it had banned 75 thesps for periods ranging from six months to five years. The hearings reviewed evidence gathered on over 1,500 non-members for working during the strike. SAG's national board first instituted a policy that allowed for permanently barring strikebreakers from joining, then lessened that penalty to a maximum five-year exclusion.

The most notable cases came in late 2000 when SAG announced trial boards had found Elizabeth Hurley and Tiger Woods guilty of performing in non-union spots during the strike, leading to $100,000 fines against each.

Reuters/Variety

[reg45]

The SAG which was up in arms about McCarthy era "blacklisting", seems to have no qualms about BLACKLISTING actors who don't toe the line.

[blam]

I change the channel everytime I see this Dell guy. I can't stand him. (Actually, it's his character that I don't like)

[RogueIsland]

SAG said last year it had banned 75 thesps for periods ranging from six months to five years. The hearings reviewed evidence gathered on over 1,500 non-members for working during the strike.

I guess Orwellian tactics aren't limited to Government.

[jimkress]

Bump to that!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thankfully, unions like this one are there for the working man...

[Calvin Locke]

A very selective blacklist, it seems. IIRC, the new prez of SAG, Melissa Gilbert, did a non-union picture. Can't
recall the details.

SAG permanently banned a wannabe actor because he got the news of the strike late, and attended a tryout for a gig.

I think Drudge is about the only time I really pay attention to the goings on in Hollywood, and even that is too much.

[Ferris]

These are the same idiots that tried to fine Tiger Woods for cutting a Buick commercial (in Canada) during the strike...

Like that somehow makes him an actor...

[reg45]

These are the same idiots that tried to fine Tiger Woods

An image of the SAG president with a nine-iron wrapped around her neck is very appealing!

[cactusSharp]

UNION equals MAFIA

[yooper]

Everytime I see "Steven" on TV I'd like to slap the little twerp......

[IncPen]

This may be a moot point.

Starring in just one national spot can pay quite well... maybe the kid can retire

[reg45]

One organization which really supports the working man is the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation .

[reg45]

Starring in just one national spot can pay quite well... maybe the kid can retire

and play golf with Tiger Woods

8-)

[patent]

Did Tiger actually pay the $100,000 fine? I can't imagine why he would, but I'm curious.

[isthisnickcool]

SAG appears to be as difficult to modify as a Dell computer.

[Balata]

I saw an ad on TV for Dell today and I wondered why some gal was doing the spot and not 'Steven'. That explains it.=:^)

[Ford Fairlane]

the new prez of SAG, Melissa Gilbert

I thought she died on Z'ha'dum

(Actually, I was sick of her after Little House on the Prarie)

[RippleFire]

BUMP

[Chad Fairbanks]

I was being facetious ;0)

[southern rock]

Everytime I see "Steven" on TV I'd like to slap the little twerp......

Me too. But I like him a little better after reading this.