Fran Drescher, the beloved star of “The Nanny,” made a grand entrance as she joined her fellow actors on the picket line during the first day of the strike. The atmosphere outside Netflix’s Hollywood HQ was electric after Drescher delivered an impassioned speech in defense of actors, following the collapse of talks with the AMPTP.
“We are the victims here, and they are treating good people unfairly. They refuse to share their wealth and adapt contracts to fit the new business model,” Drescher declared. She didn’t hold back, labeling the studios as “greedy.”
Drescher and SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland addressed the media, shedding light on the studios’ unwillingness to reach a satisfactory agreement on crucial issues like AI protection and streaming residuals. Drescher didn’t mince words, accusing the studios of being driven by greed.
In the midst of the action, an interview with FilmmakerFocus revealed Drescher’s confrontations with AMPTP leader Carol Lombardini. “I called her out on some of the BS, and I think she was taken aback. Duncan warned her from the start not to doubt our determination, but unfortunately, she didn’t listen,” Drescher shared.
Drescher also expressed her belief that the studios deceived SAG-AFTRA by extending the talks, using it as an opportunity to promote their summer movies, including “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” “We thought they were genuinely committed to reaching a deal, but that’s not what happened. They came back with nothing. I think they manipulated us to further their own agenda,” she revealed. “We are resolute in our stance. The dance we’ve been doing with them is over.”
Crabtree-Ireland echoed Drescher’s sentiments, stating that they haven’t had any communication with the studios since Wednesday night. He emphasized that it’s now up to the AMPTP to come back to the negotiating table. “The ball is in their court,” he asserted.
