Report details strike’s effect on Calif. economy

Published:Saturday, June 7, 2008

Report details strike’s effect on Calif. economy

LOS ANGELES — A new report has determined the Hollywood writers strike could end up costing California’s economy $2.1 billion. The study, released Thursday by the Milken Institute, also projected a net loss this year of 37,700 jobs directly and indirectly tied to the entertainment industry.

The three-month strike shut down production of dozens of TV shows before a contract deal was reached in February. Effects of the walkout are still rippling across California’s $1.6 trillion economy. Many of those who lost their jobs were not hired back, and the strike’s effect was magnified because those who lost their jobs cut back on spending, the study said.

The effects of the strike were expected to diminish throughout the rest of this year and be barely noticeable by early next year, the study said. The Milken Institute is an independent economic think tank.

Train trouble cancels show

PARIS — Pete Doherty missed his Paris concert, and a Eurostar train was to blame. The high-speed train that connects London and Paris made the journey in some five hours Thursday night. The trip usually takes just over two hours. That left fans of the Babyshambles singer waiting at the Grand Rex theater until the “we’re sorry, the concert is canceled” announcement.

Eurostar officials said Doherty’s train was due in Paris at 9:20 p.m. but arrived at 2:13 a.m. Friday due to a technical problem. That was too late for Doherty to make the show.

The delay may have disappointed Doherty fans, but it also embarrassed Eurostar after delays in May. Train chief Guillaume Pepy has ordered Eurostar to do everything to be on time.

Today’s birthdays

Singer Tom Jones is 68. Actor Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell on “Leave It To Beaver”) is 65. Talk show host Jenny Jones is 62. Actor Liam Neeson is 56. Singer-songwriter Johnny Clegg is 55. Actor William Forsythe is 53. Record producer L.A. Reid is 52. Musician Prince is 50. Singer-guitarist Gordon Gano of Violent Femmes is 45. Drummer Eric Kretz (Stone Temple Pilots) is 42. Guitarist Dave Navarro is 41. Actress Helen Baxendale (Emily on “Friends”) is 38. Guitarist-keyboardist Eric Johnson of The Shins is 32. Actress Larisa Oleynik (”3rd Rock From The Sun,” “Boy Meets World) is 27. Actor Michael Cera (“Juno,” “Arrested Development”) is 20.