By Drew Grant 11/20/12 4:23pm

Animal Cruelty

Is this horse still alive? (Warner Brothers)

Update: PETA Responds to American Humane Society’s Hand-Washing of Hobbit Deaths

Earlier today, The Observer wrote an article that detailed the controversy surrounding the deaths of 27 animals at a Warner Brothers-owned farm in New Zealand. The Wellington farm housed trained animals for Warner’s $500 million production of The Hobbit.

While we cast some doubt over the timeline of the events that apparently exonerated both Peter Jackson and the American Humane Association (which is the only organization allowed to issue those “No Animals Were Harmed”™ disclaimers) from investigating the deaths, PETA–which is protesting the film’s release–offered us some insight into the matter. Read More

By Drew Grant 5/03/12 2:54pm

Luck

The nightmare just won't end for 'Luck' (HBO)

The Hits Keep Coming: Even After Cancellation, Luck’s Losing Streak Continues with Estimated $35 Million Cost, New PETA Filing

No wonder HBO turned down The Corrections…they probably can’t afford it! Yesterday, the news broke that Luck, the David Milch/Michael Mann show that was put out to pasture after suffering from low ratings and terrible P.R. due to multiple horse deaths, cost parent company Time Warner $35 million to cancel.

But it doesn’t end there…the sinkhole of a show could continue to balloon in costs despite being off the air, thanks to a new filing by PETA to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for an independent investigation of animal abuse. Read More