Strike over pensions silences BBC shows
LONDON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The National Union of Journalists is staging a 48-hour strike against the BBC in a dispute over pensions, forcing some shows off the air, the company said.
The union, which has 4,100 members at the BBC, voted to reject management's "final" offer, the BBC reported Friday.
Radio 4's "Today" program was called off, and some shows on 5 Live were replaced by recordings.
After the strike ends Sunday, union members plan an indefinite "work-to-rule" action, taking full breaks and only working minimum prescribed hours. The union also is planning another 48-hour walkout for Nov. 1516.
The dispute stems from the BBC's plans to cut a 1.5 billion pound ($2.4 billion) pension deficit by capping increases in pensionable pay at 1 percent, starting in April.
Under the BBC's latest offer, employees would still have pensions higher than most in the private sector.
The offer has been accepted by members of the other main BBC union, Bectu, as well as non-unionized BBC staff.
The Daily Telegraph reported that leading broadcasters, including Fiona Bruce, Huw Edwards and Martha Kearney, are taking part in the action.
Ferrell tops list of overpaid actors
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Comic actor Will Ferrell has topped Forbes magazine's list of Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actors for a second consecutive year.
The roster was compiled based on a comparison of how much stars were paid for their movies compared to what the projects earned at the box office, the magazine said Friday.
According to the list, for every dollar Ferrell was paid, his movies made an average of $3.35 in ticket sales.
Eddie Murphy's films made $4.45 for every $1 he was paid; Denzel Washington's $5.10; Seth Rogen's $6.75; Tom Cruise's $7.20; Drew Barrymore's $7.45; Matt Damon's $8.30; Vince Vaughn's $8.35; Adam Sandler's $8.45 and Jim Carey's $8.60, Forbes said.
Publicist: David Cassidy wasn't drunk
MIAMI, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- David Cassidy's publicist says the former teen idol wasn't drunk when he was arrested this week in Florida and charged with driving under the influence.
Cassidy, 60, is best known for his work on TV's "The Partridge Family."
He was charged with DUI, failure to maintain a single lane and possessing an open container after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper saw him driving his white Mercedes erratically Wednesday and pulled him over, media reports said.
Police said Cassidy registered a .14 on a breath test and a half-full bottle of bourbon was found on the back seat of his vehicle.
Cassidy's representative said the actor and singer plans to fight the charges, MiamiHerald.com reported.
"He would never jeopardize anyone on the road,'' publicist Jo-Ann Geffen told TMZ. "He's never been arrested in his life before for anything.''
McKellen honored at Savannah film fest
SAVANNAH, Ga., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- British actor Ian McKellen was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th annual Savannah Film Festival, organizers said.
McKellen was presented with the prize after Thursday night's screening of his film "Gods and Monsters." The Shakespearean-trained actor is also known for his work in the "Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men" movies.
"It's an honor to be at the Savannah Film Festival," McKellen said upon receipt of his award.
He then reminisced about his first visit to Georgia.
"The governor very generously announced that he'd like to make the day of my visit Ian McKellen day in Georgia -- until one of his aides pointed out that it was the third Monday in January and that date was already reserved for Martin Luther King," McKellen said.
"So he puzzled about, and then he said 'I know what we'll do, I'm going to make McKellen a lieutenant colonel in my gubernatorial forces.' So you're now looking at the only openly gay man who is legally allowed to serve in the American military."
