Thousands of people packed the street of New York City to witness the lighting of Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. The annual event that almost went unsuccessful proceeded on Wednesday, December 2 with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Tishman Speyer CEO Jerry Speyer flipping the ceremonial switch just before 9 P.M.
Hosted by Jane Krakowski of "30 Rock" and Zachary Levi of "Chuck", the event was made merrier with performances by Shakira, Aretha Franklin, The Radio City Rockettes, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Michael Buble, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, and several others. They took the ice skate rink stage before the tree was being lit.
This year's venue is little different than previous years since the rink was layered with carpet that enables spectators to come closer to the big tree. According to Rockefeller Center spokesman Keith Douglas, around 750,000 people came to the place during the weeks leading to the tree lit. In comparison, about...
Hosted by Jane Krakowski of "30 Rock" and Zachary Levi of "Chuck", the event was made merrier with performances by Shakira, Aretha Franklin, The Radio City Rockettes, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Michael Buble, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, and several others. They took the ice skate rink stage before the tree was being lit.
This year's venue is little different than previous years since the rink was layered with carpet that enables spectators to come closer to the big tree. According to Rockefeller Center spokesman Keith Douglas, around 750,000 people came to the place during the weeks leading to the tree lit. In comparison, about...
- 12/3/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Nearly 3,000 of the network’s producers, writers and technicians are accusing NBC of failing to bargain fairly with the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (Nabet-cwa) Local 11 in New York. So now the union has targeted NBC's 12th annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special scheduled to air Wednesday. The union launched a new website today, http://NBCStoleChristmas.com, that it says highlights the “Grinch” within NBC. Local 11 president Ed McEwan said in a statement the union is angry about stalled negotiations for a new contract. Nabet-cwa’s prior contract expired in March, and there has been very little progress since talks began [...]...
- 12/1/2009
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin and Shakira could be left in the dark on Wednesday night if TV staff at U.S. network NBC staff carry out a threat to strike at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony in New York.
30 Rock star Jane Krakowski and Chuck's Zachary Levi are slated to host the annual televised bash, with performances from the leading ladies Rod Stewart, Michael Buble, Barry Manilow, The Muppets and The Roots.
But the live telecast, which will be beamed across America, could be scrapped if NBC bosses continue to refuse to negotiate with the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians union that represents nearly 3,000 of the network's producers and technicians.
Union chiefs are furious they're still awaiting a new contract nine months after the last one expired, and more than a year after talks started.
And they're likening executives at the TV giant to Dr Seuss's Grinch.
Union chief Ed McEwan says, "We can't let the Grinch at NBC steal another Christmas from thousands of honest working people. This charade must stop. Christmas is supposed to be a time of goodwill, but the network's management is trying to hide behind their fancy lights while leaving their employees in the dark."
According to the NBC website, the ceremony is still scheduled to air at 8pm local time on Wednesday.
The New York tree-lighting ceremony is America's most famous - it started in 1951.
30 Rock star Jane Krakowski and Chuck's Zachary Levi are slated to host the annual televised bash, with performances from the leading ladies Rod Stewart, Michael Buble, Barry Manilow, The Muppets and The Roots.
But the live telecast, which will be beamed across America, could be scrapped if NBC bosses continue to refuse to negotiate with the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians union that represents nearly 3,000 of the network's producers and technicians.
Union chiefs are furious they're still awaiting a new contract nine months after the last one expired, and more than a year after talks started.
And they're likening executives at the TV giant to Dr Seuss's Grinch.
Union chief Ed McEwan says, "We can't let the Grinch at NBC steal another Christmas from thousands of honest working people. This charade must stop. Christmas is supposed to be a time of goodwill, but the network's management is trying to hide behind their fancy lights while leaving their employees in the dark."
According to the NBC website, the ceremony is still scheduled to air at 8pm local time on Wednesday.
The New York tree-lighting ceremony is America's most famous - it started in 1951.
- 12/1/2009
- WENN
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.