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It’s too bad it’s only May, because there are three Christmas ghosts out there who are positively itching to pay Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav a visit. Luckily, the students at Boston University were more than happy to take up the cause during his commencement speech at the school’s graduation ceremony today. Zaslav was announced as the special guest speaker more than a week after the WGA strike started, despite the fact that he’s the main executive at one of the main studios that the writers are striking against. Rather than just an unfortunate bit of timing with the strike going on, it was hard to take the announcement as anything but an outright insult to the WGA, working writers, and anyone who supports their noble cause.
And that seems to be how at least some of the attendees of the commencement ceremony took it as well. As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, Zaslav’s speech was interrupted multiple times by shouts from the audience, including calls of “We don’t want you here,” “shut up Zaslav,” and—most poetically—“fuck you, you piece of shit” (never change, Boston). There are also videos going around on social media of Zaslav having to stop his speech due to loud “Pay your writers” chants or from the roars of mocking laughter at his suggestion that being successful requires “getting along with difficult people” and that some of people are “looking for a fight.”
THR also points out that there was a “wave of angry chants and boos” when Zaslav brought up his successful career as a lawyer, noting, “I was making good money, I was feeling really great.” (That specific moment has also been immortalized in a soon-to-be historic photo). It seems like, for those of us who weren’t there, that Zaslav’s speech was as stunningly out-of-touch with reality as the decision to host him was in the first place, which speaks to a general contempt he seems to have for… oh, let’s say everyone.
This is a man who was put in charge of a massive media empire, and the most notable things he has done with that power are burn money, dismantle one of the most prestigious brands in entertainment, double-dip on promoting J.K. Rowling, kick off the now-common trend of studios deleting content from their streaming services and making it completely inaccessible in some cases, and—how can we forget?—driving the writers who make his shows and movies to go on a strike that may soon lead to similar strikes from the DGA and SAG-AFTRA that would render Hollywood completely motionless.
Zaslav has overseen a run at Warner Bros. Discovery that seems to reflect nothing but absolute disgust for culture, to the extent that the company is not only getting rid of art that already exists, but it’s doing its best to make sure that there is less art to enjoy in the future. Anyone involved in that should be expecting more than a few boos in the future.
A man stole financial documents and credit cards from an elderly person’s apartment in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood Tuesday, police said as they asked for the public’s help identifying the burglary suspect.
Boston police say the incident occurred between 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the area of 11 Woodcliff Street, the Cardinal Medeiros Manor Apartments.
According to police, the suspect allegedly entered the victim’s apartment, which is located in an elderly housing community, and convinced them to turn over financial documents before stealing several personal documents and credit cards.
The suspect is described as a man wearing glasses with a red shirt and black pants. He also had a lanyard around his neck, a tattoo on his right arm, and a brown backpack, police said.
An investigation into the incident is underway, and anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 617-343-4275. Anonymous tips can also be called into the CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS, or texted to CRIME (27463) with the word ‘TIP’.
Boston police are looking for a man they say inappropriately touched several students at a small high school near Copley Square.
Officers responded around 11:30 a.m. to the Snowden International School on Newbury Street in Back Bay after reports that the man had touched students as they were walking in and out of the building.
“That’s scary, that it’s happening right here,” one woman said.
According to a police report, the man had been seen in the area before, approaching two students. Documents state at one point, a student stated the man “touched his chest and asked, ‘Yo bro, do you work out?’”
Police said photos of the man were captured and sent out to other law enforcement officials.
The department said in a statement that it is “encouraging families to remind students about the importance of being aware of their surroundings and reporting any concerning behavior to their school.”
Boston Public Schools will have an increased Safety Services presence around the campus for the next few days.
Local News
A Boston man who allegedly assaulted a transgender woman at a Blue Line MBTA station on Halloween is facing charges of assault and violating the victim’s civil rights, officials said.
Gregory Burnett, 53, pleaded not guilty to assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (his foot), and a civil rights violation with injury, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
The woman, 41, told police that another passenger boarded the train at Maverick, immediately approached her, and shouted “derogatory terms” at her, the DA said. Burnett allegedly said statements including “you’re not a woman, you’re a man.”
Burnett then punched and kicked her, including in the crotch area. The woman tried to defend herself, the DA said, but Burnett grabbed her foot and caused her to fall and fracture her wrist.
Other passengers helped the woman defend herself against Burnett and get him off the train, officials said.
The woman reported the incident to police the next day and said “she felt targeted due to her gender identity based on Burnett’s remarks during the assault,” the DA said.
MBTA police used witness descriptions and surveillance video to identify Burnett and apprehend him at Maverick last Tuesday, according to Hayden’s office.
Burnett was initially held in jail after being found dangerous in court, but was released last week on conditions to stay at home outside of work hours, according to court records. With a GPS, he is confined to his home outside of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. He is also required to maintain employment, stay away from any witnesses, not commit any further offenses, and not possess any firearms.
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