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    “Parks and Recreation” writer-producer Harris Wittels dies

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments765 Views
    An image from NBC's "Parks and Recreation," a series graced by the talent of writer/executive producer Harris Wittels who passed away this week at the age of 30.
    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    Harris Wittels, who worked as a writer and executive producer on the NBC comedy "Parks and Recreation," was found dead Thursday of a possible drug overdose at his Los Angeles home, police said. He was 30.

    Wittels' assistant found him at his home in the Los Feliz area around noon, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, police officer Rosario Herrera said. She said the death is being investigated as a possible drug overdose but the Los Angeles County coroner's office will determine the exact cause.

    Wittels had talked about his struggles with drug abuse in a podcast last fall.

    He was a co-executive producer and writer with occasional acting appearances on "Parks and Recreation," and his death comes just a few days before the series finale of the seven-season comedy starring Amy Poehler.

    Poehler paid tribute to Wittels Thursday night when she was honored by Variety magazine at its unite4humanity event, where she told the crowd, "I don't really feel like telling any jokes."

    "Today, I lost a friend," Poehler said. "I lost a dear, young friend in my life who was struggling with addiction."

    Wittels also performed stand-up comedy and wrote for other TV shows including "The Sarah Silverman Program" and "Eastbound & Down."

    He popularized the term "humblebrag" with his Twitter account of the same name, which eventually became the book "Humblebrag: The Art of False Modesty." He used it to mock celebrities and others who masked their braggadocio in self-deprecation.

    Tags:Harris WittelsParks and Recreation



    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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