When broadcasters staged their annual, extravagant showcases for next season's shows, they were after media-buyers' hearts and wallets and headlines about, say, wooing award-winner Edie Falco for a police series or Jimmy Smits of "L.A. Law" fame back to a new legal drama. Then unwelcome plot twists smacked several networks.
Consider Fox's predicament with "Empire" and Jussie Smollett. The network made the surprise announcement that next season would be the show's last, enthusiastically trumpeting a plan to make it "a large television event," as Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier described it during a news conference this week.
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When broadcasters staged their annual, extravagant showcases for next season's shows, they were after media-buyers' hearts and wallets and headlines about, say, wooing award-winner Edie Falco for a police series or Jimmy Smits of "L.A. Law" fame back to a new legal drama. Then unwelcome plot twists smacked several networks.
Terry Bradshaw fumbled at Fox's presentation. The former football star and Fox Sports analyst, attempting a joke about being bounced from "The Masked Singer," dissed panelist Ken Jeong as "the little short guy from Japan." Bradshaw later apologized for what he called an insensitive remark about the U.S.-born actor-comedian, who is of Korean ancestry.
ABC had a less weighty situation to address: An online meltdown by "Fresh Off the Boat" star Constance Wu, who greeted news of the sitcom's renewal with a meme-inspiring outburst of anguish. Did the network consider recasting her role?
Monologues delivered by Jimmy Kimmel and his CBS late-night counterpart, Stephen Colbert, are reliable highlights of the presentations that are heavy on statistics and boasts about why THIS network is the best place to advertise. The comedians generously targeted their own companies, the competition and, of course, got in a few topical jokes.
— "NBC has 'This is Us,' which is so popular they renewed it for three years. Or as Constance Wu would call it, a death sentence."
— "As you can see, despite Lindsey Graham's advice I honored my subpoena to be here today."
Smits stars in NBC's "Bluff City Law" as a celebrated Memphis, Tennessee, lawyer with family issues. Bradley Whitford, his one-time castmate in "The West Wing," tops the comedy "Perfect Harmony," about a small-town church choir, while Fran Drescher ("The Nanny") and Steven Weber ("Mom," ''Wings") are paired in the network's boomer-offspring sitcom "Indebted."
Fox's beefed-up animation slate is a boon for TV stars, if not so much for voice actors. Listen for Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Mary Steenburgen in "Bless the Harts," husband-and-wife Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally in "The Great North," and Amy Poehler, Ty Burrell and Rashida Jones in "Duncanville."
But would the embattled Smollett be welcome at the party? There's an option to include Smollett "but at this point we have no plans for that," Collier said, carefully.
FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019 file photo, actress Constance Wu attends the National Board of Review awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. Wu appeared to be unhappy her ABC sitcom "Fresh Off The Boat" was renewed for a sixth season. Wu wrote "No, it's not" in a since-deleted tweet Friday, May 10, 2019, responding to a fan who called the renewal "great news." (Photo by Evan AgostiniInvisionAP, File)
Terry Bradshaw fumbled at Fox's presentation. The former football star and Fox Sports analyst, attempting a joke about being bounced from "The Masked Singer," dissed panelist Ken Jeong as "the little short guy from Japan." Bradshaw later apologized for what he called an insensitive remark about the U.S.-born actor-comedian, who is of Korean ancestry.
CBS faced controversy involving "Bull" star Michael Weatherly . The show was renewed for a fourth season despite claims by actress Eliza Dusku that she was let go after complaining that Weatherly made jokes and crude comments about her in front of cast and crew in 2017. She got a hefty settlement under then-CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves, himself later fired for alleged misconduct.
When CBS executives were asked how the renewal matched a company vow of zero-tolerance for misconduct, they said they were unaware of what occurred until the newspaper report. The decision was made after considering what they called Weatherly's remorseful apology and otherwise spotless record after years with CBS, including on "NCIS," they said.
Patricia Heaton attends the CBS 2019 upfront at The Plaza on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Charles SykesInvisionAP)
ABC had a less weighty situation to address: An online meltdown by "Fresh Off the Boat" star Constance Wu, who greeted news of the sitcom's renewal with a meme-inspiring outburst of anguish. Did the network consider recasting her role?
No, said ABC entertainment president Karey Burke , diplomatically adding that she choose to believe Wu's subsequent assertion of being happy to return to the show. But Burke's inner comedian emerged at the presentation: "Fresh Off the Boat" will air Friday nights, she said, "still starring Constance Wu."
LET US ENTERTAIN YOU
This image released by NBC shows, from left, Caitlin McGee, Jimmy Smits and Michael Luwoye in a scene from "Bluff City Law." Four new NBC dramas are slated for the coming season, with one set for fall. "Bluff City Law" stars NBC alum Jimmy Smits ("The West Wing," ''L.A. Law") as head of a celebrated Memphis, Tennessee, law firm who is joined by his estranged daughter. (NBC via AP)
Monologues delivered by Jimmy Kimmel and his CBS late-night counterpart, Stephen Colbert, are reliable highlights of the presentations that are heavy on statistics and boasts about why THIS network is the best place to advertise. The comedians generously targeted their own companies, the competition and, of course, got in a few topical jokes.
Among Kimmel's highlights:
— "I've been doing this so long, I remember when we previewed 'Lost' and 'Alias' and 'Desperate Housewives.' Those were back in the days when Felicity Huffman only played a scheming suburban mom."
Jimmy Smits, from the cast of "Bluff City Law," attends the NBC 20192020 Upfront at The Four Seasons New York on Monday, May 13, 2019. (Photo by Evan AgostiniInvisionAP)
— "NBC has 'This is Us,' which is so popular they renewed it for three years. Or as Constance Wu would call it, a death sentence."
— "The good news is, here at ABC we've been running a lot of focus groups ... and we know exactly what Gen Z-ers want. The bad news is, it's Netflix."
And Colbert's:
This image provided by Fox Broadcasting Co. on Monday, May 13, 2019, shows Jason Biggs and Maggie Lawson in a scene from the network’s upcoming comedy “Outmatched.” The show is one of several new additions to Fox’s prime-time lineup and the network describes it as a sitcom in which Biggs and Lawson are a blue-collar couple raising four kids, three of whom are geniuses. (Michael BeckerFOX via AP)
— "As you can see, despite Lindsey Graham's advice I honored my subpoena to be here today."
— "Before I came here today, I received a massive document from the network, full of details about how well CBS performed this year. Now, I did not have the time to get through it all, so I just read Bill Barr's four-page summary. Turns out, Les Moonves, totally exonerated. I did not see that coming."
— "CBS has very successful crime dramas. For some reason, Americans these days just really want to watch people who have obviously committed crimes go to jail for them."
This image provided by Fox Broadcasting Co. on Monday, May 13, 2019, shows Kim Cattrall in a scene from the network’s upcoming drama “Filthy Rich.” The show is one of several new additions to Fox’s prime-time lineup and the network describes it as a gothic Southern family drama that mixes wealth, power and religion with "outrageously soapy results." (Alan MarkfieldFOX via AP)
YOU LIKED THEM BEFORE
Remember how great Falco was in "The Sopranos" and "Nurse Jackie"? CBS hopes that you'll want to see her portray Los Angeles' first (fictional) female police chief in "Tommy." The network also has former "NCIS" star Pauley Perrette switching gears in the sitcom "Broke"; Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond") as a middle-aged medical intern in the comedy "Carol's Second Act," and Marg Helgenberger ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") in the courthouse drama "All Rise."
Billy Gardell, formerly of "Mike & Molly," gets a plum assignment starring in "Bob Hearts Abishola," producer Chuck Lorre's follow-up to CBS' just-ended hit "The Big Bang Theory." His co-star is Folake Olowofoyeku
This image released by NBC shows Sarah Wayne Callies, left, and Michele Weaver in a scene from "Council of Dads." NBC's midseason newcomers include "Council of Dads," about a family man who makes sure his brood will always have the fatherly help they need. (Quantrell ColbertNBC via AP)
Smits stars in NBC's "Bluff City Law" as a celebrated Memphis, Tennessee, lawyer with family issues. Bradley Whitford, his one-time castmate in "The West Wing," tops the comedy "Perfect Harmony," about a small-town church choir, while Fran Drescher ("The Nanny") and Steven Weber ("Mom," ''Wings") are paired in the network's boomer-offspring sitcom "Indebted."
Cobie Smulders counts as a TV fave for "How I Met Your Mother," but her "Avengers" credits are more to the point for ABC's "Stumptown," based on the graphic novel series about a tough private eye.
Fox has a full roster of veterans, including Rob Lowe in a new iteration of drama series "9-1-1" set in Texas ; Kim Cattrall ("Sex and the City") in the soapy Southern drama "Filthy Rich"; John Slattery ("Mad Men") in the cautionary AI tale "neXt," and Tom Payne ("The Walking Dead") and Michael Sheen ("Masters of Sex") in the serial killer drama "Prodigal Son."
FILE - In this May 20, 2016 file photo, actor and singer Jussie Smollett attends the "Empire" FYC Event in Los Angeles. The Fox network says "Empire" will be back next year for one last season. Whether Smollett is part of it remains to be seen, Fox executives said in announcing the 2019-20 season. There is an option to have Smollett in the final sixth year but there is no plan to include him at this point, Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier told a teleconference Monday, May 13, 2019. (Richard ShotwellInvisionAP, File)
Fox's beefed-up animation slate is a boon for TV stars, if not so much for voice actors. Listen for Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Mary Steenburgen in "Bless the Harts," husband-and-wife Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally in "The Great North," and Amy Poehler, Ty Burrell and Rashida Jones in "Duncanville."
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLED
Here's the roll call of the dearly departed — as in canceled — by network.
Kim Cattrall, from the cast of "Filthy Rich," attends the FOX 2019 Upfront party at Wollman Rink in Central Park on Monday, May 13, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Andy KropaInvisionAP)
ABC: "Whiskey Cavalier," ''For the People," ''Dancing with the Stars: Juniors," ''Child Support," ''The Alec Baldwin Show," ''The Kids Are Alright" and "Splitting Up Together" and "Speechless."
CBS: "Murphy Brown," ''Happy Together," ''Fam" and "Life in Pieces."
Fox: "Star," ''Lethal Weapon," ''Proven Innocent, "The Cool Kids," ''The Gifted," ''Love Connection," ''The Passage" and "Rel."
NBC: "I Feel Bad" is the sole victim, for now. On the bubble: "Abby's," ''A.P. Bio," ''The Village" and "The Enemy Within."
Lynn Elber can be reached at lelber@ap.org and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lynnelber .
VENICE, Italy (AP) — Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launched a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro ($5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents.
Visitors arriving at Venice's main train station were greeted with large signs listing the 29 dates through July of the plan's test phase that also designated separate entrances for tourists, and residents, students and workers.
“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’’ said Simone Venturini, the city’s top tourism official. “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”
Not all residents, however, are persuaded of the efficacy of the new system in dissuading mass tourism, insisting that only a resurgence in the population will restore balance to a city where narrow alleyways and water buses are often clogged with tourists.
Hundreds of Venetians protested against the program, marching festively though the city's main bus terminal behind banners reading “No to Tickets, Yes to Services and Housing.” Protesters scuffled briefly with police with riot gear who blocked them from entering the city, before changing course and entering over another bridge escorted by plainclothes police officers. The demonstration wrapped up peacefully in a piazza.
Tourists arriving at the main station encountered almost as many journalists as stewards on hand to politely guide anyone unaware of the new requirements through the process of downloading the QR code to pay the fee.
Arianna Cecilia, a tourist from Rome visiting Venice for the first time, said she thought it was “strange” to have to pay to enter a city in her native country, and be funneled through separate entrance ways for tourists. She and her boyfriend were staying in nearby Treviso, and so downloaded the QR code as required. But she was still caught off-guard while soaking in her first view ever of Venice's canals by the sight of the entrance signs and her boyfriend telling her to get out the ticket.
On the other side of the entrance ways, workers in yellow vests carried out random checks at the train station. Transgressors face fines of 50 to 300 euros ($53 to $320), but officials said “common sense” was being applied for the launch.
The requirement applies only for people arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, access is free and unchecked.
Venice has long suffered under the pressure of overtourism, and officials hope that the pilot project can help provide more exact figures to better manage the phenomenon.
The city can track the number of hotel visitors, which last year numbered 4.6 million and is down 16% from pre-pandemic highs. But the number of day visitors, which make up the majority of the crowds in Venice, could only be estimated until recently.
A Smart Control Room set up during the pandemic has been tracking arrivals from cellphone data, roughly confirming pre-pandemic estimates of 25 million to 30 million arrivals a year, said Michele Zuin, the city’s top economic official. That includes both day-trippers and overnight guests.
But Zuin said the data is incomplete.
“It’s clear we will get more reliable data from the contribution” being paid by day-trippers, he said.
Venturini said the city is strained when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000. On peak days, local police set up one-way traffic for pedestrians to keep the crowds moving.
Residents opposing the day-tripper tax insist that the solution to Venice's woes are to boost the resident population and the services they need, limiting short-term rentals to make available more housing and attract families back from the mainland.
Last year, Venice passed a telling milestone when the number of tourist beds exceeded for the first time the number of official residents, which is now below 50,000 in the historic center with its picturesque canals.
“Putting a ticket to enter a city will not decrease not even by one single unit the number of visitors that are coming,’’ said Tommaso Cacciari, an activist who organized a protest Thursday against the measure.
“You pay a ticket to take the metro, to go to a museum, an amusement park. You don’t pay a ticket to enter a city. This is the last symbolic step of a project of an idea of this municipal administration to kick residents out of Venice,” he said.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro declared the launch day, coinciding with an Italian holiday, a success, registering 15,700 paying visitors, 50% more than anticipated.
More than 97,000 others had downloaded a QR code denoting an exemption, including to work in Venice or as a resident of the Veneto region. Hotels in Venice, including in mainland districts like Marghera or Mestre, provided a QR code for visitors to attest to their stay, which includes a hotel tax — accounting for 40,000 of those.
Venturini, the tourist official, said that interest in Venice’s pilot program has been keen from other places suffering from mass tourism, including other Italian art cities, and municipalities abroad such as Barcelona, Spain, and Amsterdam.
But Marina Rodino, who has lived in Venice for 30 years, doesn't see the fee as the cure-all. Neighboring apartments in her residential building near the famed Rialto Bridge once inhabited by families are now short-term apartment rentals.
The corner butcher shop closed. Yet she noted that the new entrance fee requirement will still allow young people to flood the city in the evening for the traditional aperitivo, which can grow rowdy.
She was passing out mock European Union passports for “Venice, Open City,” underlining the irony of the new system, and challenging its legal standing with citations from the Italian Constitution guaranteeing its citizens the right to “move or reside freely in any part of the national territory."
“This is not a natural oasis. This is not a museum. It is not Pompeii. It is a city, where we need to fight so the houses are inhabited by families, and stores reopen. That is what would counter this wild tourism,’’ Rodino said.
Citizens and activists stage a protest against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
A citizen shows a ticket with the writing 'Veniceland' during a protest against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourists enjoy a sunny day at St.Mark square in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourists enjoy a ride on gondolas in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Citizens and activists confront police during a demonstration against Venice Tax Fee in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourists line up to enter at the at St.Mark bell tower in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourists arrive in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Stewards check a tourist QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
A steward shows the QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
A steward checks a tourist QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Stewards check tourists QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Thursday, April 25, 2024. The fragile lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. The daytripper tax is being tested on 29 days through July, mostly weekends and holidays starting with Italy's Liberation Day holiday Thursday. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment, while another 70,000 will receive exceptions, for example, because they work in Venice or live in the Veneto region. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourists take pictures at the St. Mark square in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourists ride on a ferry boat in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
People stand in front of an information board explaining how to pay the tourist tax in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Marco Bettini, director of Venis Informatics System, gestures as he talks to reporters at the police Venice control room, in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Venice councillor Simone Venturini speaks with reporters in front of a tourist tax totem in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Workers prepare banner explaining how to pay the tourist tax in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Marco Bettini, director of Venis Informatics System, gestures as he explains the Venice density to reporters at the police Venice control room in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourists arrive at the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Workers prepare the tourist tax cashier desks outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Porters wait for tourists outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Workers prepare the tourist tax cashier desks outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Workers prepare the tourist tax cashier desks outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Porters wait for tourists outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourists arrive outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourist information boards are seen outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Tourists arrive outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The lagoon city of Venice begins a pilot program Thursday, April 25, 2024 to charge daytrippers a 5 euro entry fee that authorities hope will discourage tourists from arriving on peak days. Officials expect some 10,000 people will pay the fee to access the city on the first day, downloading a QR code to prove their payment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
