2ND UPDATE: Televised Golden Globes Cancelled! This just rocks back and forth and back and forth. The latest I'm hearing as of a few minutes ago is that NBC will not be broadcasting the Golden Globes as planned. Insiders tell me also that the entire event, even untelevised, will be cancelled. And the Hollywood Foreign Press Association instead will make an announcement of the winners.
UPDATE: Looks like Hollywood's lobbying of Jeff Zucker to back off is working... NBC is softening its hardline position that there can't be a Golden Globes unless it televises the awards. But no go-ahead yet.
EXCLUSIVE: My sources say the striking Writers Guild Of America has told the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that the union won't picket the 2008 Golden Globes as long as it isn't broadcast by AMPTP member NBC. But now NBC isn't allowing the HFPA to hold an untelevised awards show by arguing that the media group is contractually obligated to have the network broadcast the Golden Globes on January 13th or a pushed-back date. I've learned that many in the Hollywood community are lobbying NBC Universal topper Jeff Zucker to change his mind. Because his refusal to allow a non-televised Golden Globes could effectively cancel the awards night altogether, and Hollywood wants it to proceed. Yet another mess...
I'm told the WGA has even assured the HFPA that, in addition to no picket lines, the union would encourage actor nominees and presenters as well as writers to attend a non-televised Golden Globes. And the WGA also has given the nod to a Red Carpet media blitz. (See my previous, NBC Still "Moving Forward" To Air Golden Globes Even Though SAG Says Actor Nominees & Presenters Won't Go)
The ethically challenged HFPA, of course, would much rather have the event broadcast because of the big bucks that it receives for the telecast rights. But insiders say the HFPA also recognizes that it needs to hold the event no matter what in order to maintain what little credibility it still has in Hollywood.
"NBC has the contractual right to broadcast the Golden Globes and that's where a lot of the complication now is coming from. The network is telling the HFPA that if they hold any kind of Golden Globes show, then NBC contractually has the right to televise it," a show veteran explained. "NBC is essentially telling Hollywood, 'If we're going down, then everybody is going down with us'."
It's now painfully clear to both the HFPA that there won't be a televised Golden Globes on NBC on January 13th because of the writers strike. Especially after the WGA is keeping at arms length any side agreement with Globes producer Dick Clark Productions on grounds that the awards show is a worldwide marketing tool for studio and network product. And especially after SAG president Alan Rosenberg's statement yesterday that there is "unanimous agreement" among his union's actors not to cross WGA picket lines to appear on the Golden Globe telecast as acceptors or presenters. I've learned that not just the WGA but also NBC are why HFPA president Jorge Camara sounded so unsure yesterday whether the Golden Globes awards could "take place with the creative community present to participate. We hope to announce a resolution to this unfortunate predicament on Monday."
NBC won't officially confirm or deny the above. But an insider at the network told me today: 
"We are earnestly trying to find a way to telecast the show even if it means pushing the airdate. We haven’t looked beyond that as we are focused on that resolution. We have received support behind the scenes from many in the Hollywood Community to try and work this out."
Not just NBC and the Golden Globes, but I'm told also ABC and the Academy Awards are both looking at the feasibility of delaying their respective telecasts until after the WGA strike is settled so there would be no picket lines. But to make this plan work, both networks and awards organizations would have to look into a crystal ball and predict a possible strike settlement within the next few months or at least within 2008 (something nobody can predict right now). And then there's the huge logistical and costly nightmare of pushing back the airdates.
Meanwhile, here is NBC's response to that letter sent from major Hollywood publicity firms informing Jeff Zucker that "the vast majority" of the actors, writers and directors nominated for 2008 Golden Globes "are not comfortable crossing a picket line":
Jeff Zucker has asked that I respond to your e-mail to him of earlier today.
NBC shares your desire to see your clients recognized for their work and talent. We agree that an interim agreement between dick clark productions, inc. ("dcp") and the WGA would be in the best interest of all involved, including your clients, the WGA and its members, and certainly the viewing public. In fact, dick clark productions has attempted to do precisely what you suggest: it has tried to obtain an interim agreement with the WGA on the exact terms and conditions upon which the WGA entered into an interim agreement with Worldwide Pants just last week. Unfortunately, the WGA has refused to enter into or even negotiate over such an interim agreement with dcp.
Perhaps your clients could request that the WGA come to the table to negotiate and enter into an interim agreement with dcp on the same terms to which it was willing to agree in dealing with Worldwide Pants. As I noted, NBC understands that dcp has already proposed and stands prepared to accept such an interim agreement. If the WGA will not concede to this reasonable request, then we would ask that your clients reconsider their position and attend this year's Golden Globe Awards presentation as planned.
Very truly yours,
James M. Lichtman
Senior Vice President, Litigation
NBC Universal Television Group
The big concern I heard when rumors of this were going around was that a non-televised version of the Golden Globe awards might “accidentally” leak onto Youtube…
So allowing NBC to “push the airdate” carries with it a risk.
What’s the odds a “non-airing” Golden Globes show might happen to appear on nbc.com (And as one writer quipped to me, “wouldn’t that be ironic?”)
Comment by A WGA Writer — January 5, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
What a great and busy weekend Nikki! Every initialed group is working this weekend except the AMPTP negotiating committee. I guess that means all the smart people are busy….
Comment by ReelBusy — January 5, 2008 @ 4:21 pm
Once again, simple:
Make a fair deal with the writers, NBC, and the awards go on as originally planned.
Comment by Klaatu — January 5, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
A non-televised golden globes? What the hell is the point of that? Look who is giving the ultimatums now! Hypocrites. Seriosuly! Now it’s the WGA who is putting everyone, including fans of the Globes (sorry, Nikki Finke) into a tough position. Someone should tell the WGA to stop taking advantage of the total headlock they put Hollywood in right now.
Comment by Gregory — January 5, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
As to NBC telling Hollywood, “If we’re going down, then everybody is going down with us” - that’s nonsense. NBC is just playing their strongest hand - from their POV a refusal to allow a non-televised event to take place only puts pressure on the WGA.
Comment by rp — January 5, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
Want your cake and eat it too I see. I can see no compelling reason for NBC to change it’s mind, if Hollywood wants the Globes, then maybe the WGA should grant a waiver. If not, they shouldn’t blame NBC, they are in the entertainment business and do have a contract.
Comment by Chips Down — January 5, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
A serious question….What would happen if NBC or DCP hired Worldwide Pants to produce the Globes??? Would WGA let it proceed? I’m starting to get the impression that if it weren’t on NBC that they might have made a deal with poor Dick Clark….
Comment by chucker — January 5, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
THIS is to easy…
“Perhaps your clients could request that the AMPTP come to the table to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the WGA on the same terms to which it was willing to agree in dealing with Worldwide Pants….. If the AMPTP will not concede to this reasonable request, then we would ask that your clients reconsider their position and attend this year’s Golden Globe Awards presentation as planned…so that NBC can still make a lot of money and prolong the suffering of so many looking for a fair deal .”
Just made the SIMPLEST of changes to the statement released and it reads so much better, don’t you think?
Comment by actorinsupport — January 5, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
@Mr. Lichtman:
Perhaps your employer could request that the AMPTP come to the table to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the WGA on the same terms to which the WGA was willing to agree in dealing with Worldwide Pants. If the AMPTP will not concede to this reasonable request, then we would ask that your employers reconsider their position and enter into an interim agreement with the WGA.
Very truly yours.
…
Seriously, though, why does anyone think the WGA would give a waiver or interim agreement for the Globes?
All it does it help NBC, and it doesn’t put writers back to work (for any more than a night, maybe)… WHICH IS THE WHOLE POINT OF THE INTERIM AGREEMENTS (see the WWP deal, which put two late night show staff back to work until such time as the shows are taken off the air or there’s another work stoppage). It’s not a slight against Dick Clark Productions. But how does it help the union’s cause to enter into such an agreement? Or to back down in a case where it actually has some leverage?
Comment by Wanna-Writer-Be — January 5, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
The moguls continue to be the Grinch. I heard that with the drop in revenue, Mr. Zucker isn’t able to buy the new Buggati Veyron this New Year. Please help out: Give to the united mogul way, and don’t let the obscenely rich be just Rich. Thanks, and God Bless.
Comment by Mark — January 5, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
Haha…is the letter a joke?
NBC is complaining that the WGA won’t negotiate?
Are you kidding?
LOL.
Comment by Jimmy — January 5, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
They’re after George…who is never afraid to speak his mind…gotta love GC.
From The Sunday Times
January 6, 2008
George Clooney boycott threat to Oscars
John Harlow
THE Hollywood star George Clooney is being credited with inspiring an actors’ boycott against film award ceremonies that threatens to reduce next weekend’s Golden Globe Awards to a shambles and is jeopardising the most important event in the Hollywood calendar, next month’s Oscars.
This weekend the Screen Actors Guild announced that the 70 actors shortlisted for awards at the Globes will not be attending the ceremony in sympathy with scriptwriters who have been on strike for two months.
Officially, television network NBC, which splits millions of advertising dollars with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, organiser of the Globes, says the show will go on. Both bodies said on Friday they were in “an extremely difficult position” and would try to woo the actors back.
Behind the scenes NBC is split between those who are in despair seeking to salvage the festival and those raging at the “disloyalty” of actors.
Special ire is reserved for Clooney, 46. “We know Clooney is a major force behind this decision. He has been earbashing others who may have been willing to cross picket lines,” said one NBC executive.
Sources close to Clooney have laughed at the image of “Red George” as a strike-organiser. “He does not earbash, he is far too easy-going for that,” said a business associate.
Comment by letemhaveitgeorge — January 5, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
WHO THE HELL does the WGA think they are? Going after the Permit Agency? Jay Leno? Agreeing only with Letterman and possibly United Artists (hello? Tom Cruise?)
What do they think they are accomplishing by putting more people out of work, pissing off the general public i.e. the non-”union town” folk who don’t give a rats ass about what WGA want and the rest of the folk who are in this “union town” who are tired of getting credit card duns, default notices and losing benefits?
There is a striking (no pun intended) resemblance to a potentate state, WGA in charge no doubt.
Keep the AMPTP crap to yourselves, no one is innocent in this battle to destroy this “union town.”
Good for NBC, stand tall! Don’t cave into the despot(s) =psssst that would be you WGA=
GET BACK TO WORK AND QUIT WHINING.
Comment by Who Cares Any MOre — January 5, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
RP, I’m not sure how NBC not allowing a non-televised event puts any pressure on the WGA. The WGA wants them to televise the awards. Because they’d be incredibly dumb without the actors, and it would bring attention to their cause.
The WGA does not have a beef with these awards, simply that NBC, a struck company, would reap the benefits of the awards through the advertising revenue.
The news of the Golden Globes being cancelled because of the strike, or even postponed, is the national news NBC does not want. Because that news story will contain the strong SAG support for the WGA, which is much more relatable to average Americans. (”Wow, if the hot chick from Grey’s Anatomy won’t accept an award because of the writers, then those writers must have a point!”
And it would show that the talent community does actually have some say about what happens in Hollywood.
Not sure Zucker’s ego can handle that.
Comment by Jimmy — January 5, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
I sware this strike is more interesting than any scripted show on TV this season.
Comment by Intrigued — January 5, 2008 @ 5:54 pm
Oh, that’s rich. NBC claiming that the WGA refuses to negotiate. That’s right, NBC. How does it feel? How about this: you negotiate in good faith with the guild and the guild will return the favor. What a bunch of loud mouth cry-babies.
Hope you like your American Gladiators, America. That’s as original as its gonna get until the strike is over.
Comment by Bean Counter — January 5, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
The question here is who blinks first???
Will it be NBC?
Will it be WGA?
Will it be SAG?
Will it be the HFAPA?
The answer to the question will say a lot!!!
Comment by Intrigued — January 5, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
I feel bad for Dick Clark Productions. It’s rather unfortunate that this Independent Production Company stands in the middle of a predicament fostered by both the AMPTP and WGA.
I do agree that giving DCP an interim agreement with which they can continue producing and putting on the Golden Globes helps NBC for February sweeps. What if, for a compromise, an interim agreement could be considered for June? How about letting DCP put on their show right before the actors’ strike? That way, everyone can have their one last hurrah, viewers can have their star fix, and the AMPTP can continue their stonewall through the six months until June.
Obviously any delays to gratification for the AMPTP members will probably not result in a return to the negotiating table, but by June the leverage will be stronger, and then everyone can have that one last breath of positivity until another descent into the open empty space of waiting at an empty table begins again.
Comment by Frustrated Bystander — January 5, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
I think NBC, as part of the AMPTP, are the bad guys in the strike; but the WGA are the bad guys on the awards shows.
The shows would go on if the WGA would let them. They drew first blood on this, then point their fingers at the network for not allowing people to accept their awards??
C’mon, they can surely writer a better script than that!
Comment by Unemployed and pissed — January 5, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
Frustrated Bystander: “I feel bad for Dick Clark Productions. It’s rather unfortunate that this Independent Production Company stands in the middle of a predicament fostered by both the AMPTP and WGA.”
Dick Clark Productions is a member of the AMPTP. They are a struck company. They are not in the middle of anything.
Comment by Jimmy — January 5, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
Actually there’s a bit of a link in the Golden Globes and the United Artists stories…
Dick Clark Productions is now owned by Daniel Synder (his Washington Redskins got pounded today by the Seahawks)….And, until he was bought out late last year, guess who else he was partners with? Tom Cruise and United Artists!
Small world, ain’t it….
Comment by DW — January 5, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
So NBC/Universal is begging the WGA to come to the table and negotiate?
That’s rich.
Comment by righter — January 5, 2008 @ 6:45 pm
>> What if, for a compromise, an interim agreement could be considered for June? How about letting DCP put on their show right before the actors’ strike? That way, everyone can have their one last hurrah, viewers can have their star fix, and the AMPTP can continue their stonewall through the six months until June.>>
How ’bout they negotiate an interim agreement for right _after_ the actors’ strike? And in it, reserve the right to go on a sympathy strike with SAG?
That way, NBC can have the Globes…but only if they reach a deal before the actors go out, too.
kdb
Comment by Kurt Busiek — January 5, 2008 @ 6:46 pm
Logic, people. Why would the WGA grant a waiver for a program that is used as a worldwide promotional platform by the very companies that they are striking against?
It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better. So far, it’s been television that’s been hit hardest…2008 pilot season is already in serious jeopardy. wait until the networks have nothing to push or the upfronts. and then, give it a month or two more when the in production feature pipeline is dried up.
Nice to see the writers sticking to their guns, unlike the lawn chair-like folding of ‘88.
I know people that are in financial trouble who aren’t writers, some of them understand and agree. This is important.
I forget which actor said it, but he was “write.” Without the writers, there’s no need for anyone else (and it’s that way all around).
Comment by WGA Supporter — January 5, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
“As I noted, NBC understands that dcp has already proposed and stands prepared to accept such an interim agreement.If the WGA will not concede to this reasonable request…”
Oh, so now, according to NBCs James Lichtman, NBC knows that Dick Clark Productions (DCP) understands how reasonably fair the WGAs contract requests are and are urging the WGA to make an agreement with DCP because DCP is giving everything to the WGA that they are asking for.
So reasonable and fair, apparently, that NBC WILL NOT AGREE TO THE SAME WGA REQUESTS!!!??? HELLOOOO?? If you AMPTP partners KNOW that WGAs requests are as reasonable and fair as you say then do the right thing and make the deal!!! Either as an entity united (preferred) or individually. Make the damned deal before it’s too late for the majority of us drawing from window “E”.
Angry at AMPTP’s insane childishness.
Comment by Tom — January 5, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
Why not let DCP get the waivers and broadband it out over GooTube? Does NBCU even have contractual rights for broadband usage? I’d check that contract, pronto!
To gregory - WGA headlock on Hollywood…PLANT! Or even worse…PLAYER!!
To lax25 and diablo - Why so serious?
To rp - Have to agree with Jimmy that NBCU is the problem not the guilds. Nice try at a red herring…PLANT!!! Or even worse…WANNABE!!!!
Comment by P. Lee — January 5, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
Um the WGA needs to stop concerning itself with the Golden Globes and nail down a contract and let us all get back to work.
Comment by Sick of this — January 5, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Interesting that the NBC lawyer’s remarks didn’t mention NBC making an agreement with the WGA, which is of course the issue. The WGA’s beef is with NBC, not with poor Dick Clark, who finds himself caught in the crossfire. If Jeff Zucker has any leadership abilities, now would be the time to show them.
Comment by Walk The Line — January 5, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
Unemployed and Pissed,
It really is fun to find the Fabio and Labia shills, but you make it too easy. You are “unemployed and pissed” and yet you are crying in your beer because there is no glittery award show? No, no, no, silly…your character is, “Just a viewer.” “Just a Viewer” is the one whose life comes to a tragic halt because he doesn’t get to see if Angelina Jolie is wearing Versace.
The character “Unemployed and Pissed” should be complaining that UA only makes one film a year (although, they have only released one film they have a 500 million dollar production fund and even with a Tom Cruise tent pole thrown in that’s quite a bit more than one film). Also, if the head of MGM had to approve this deal, could MGM (to whom the WGA’s deal would cost the least) be far behind?
And look out, here comes those sparky Weinstein boys, and Lionsgate, and whatever network that cares more about winning than sitting at the popular table at Mortons (BTW good news, Morton’s is closed! The popular table doesn’t matter, let’s be the number one network instead!)
Hey, it’s the weekend and I’m feeling better than I have since this whole thing started, so let’s play “Find The Shills” on Deadlinehollywooddaily” and every time you find one you get to take a shot.
This will be a better drinking game than the classic “Bob” drinking game on reruns of the old “Bob Newhart Show.”
Thanks for the tequila shot “Unemployed and Pissed!” Skol!
Comment by WGA Writer with Business Sense — January 5, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
NBC is asking WGA to come back to the table? How outstandlingly stupid are they? The world knows the truth. Screw em, guys! We’ll do without the awards, and we’ll understand why. Focus on getting our shows back- that’s all I give a damn about.
Comment by Caitlin — January 5, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
It’s amazing the studios don’t think that actors and writers have any power. They are the people CREATING the very product the companies sell. In the NBA and NFL the athletes — you know, the guys who actually play the game — get as much as 50%-60% of the revenue. The studios are complaining that the writers want 2.5%. They are pathetic.
Comment by Paul — January 5, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
I’m confused by some of the comments. Why would the WGA grant a waiver for the Golden Globes?
For the people being honored? If the nominees thought the award was more important than the issues surrounding the strike, they would cross the line. They are apparently not too upset about this.
For the advertisers? Ummm…. right…
For the viewers? OK, so we’ll miss out on one night of glitz and glamor, no big deal. Seriously, it’s not like they’re doctors refusing to operate on a sick child until the hospital gives them a huge raise. The American public’s voyeuristic pleasure is not more important than people being paid a fair wage.
Granting the waiver benefits NBC more than anyone else.
Not granting the waiver puts pressure on NBC to negotiate and actually end this strike. If NBC would allow it to continue un-televised, all the parties would still go on. All the behind the scenes people would still get that income. And all the nominees would be honored. The viewers would get plenty of red-carpet interviews, pictures of the dresses, and gossip about who talked to whom. The only people hurt by not televising it is NBC.
Comment by A Viewer — January 5, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Let’s not forget that the actors who will (or won’t) be receiving these awards are on the WGA’s side in this.
It’s not like the whole town/country is desperate for a televised awards show. Most of us couldn’t care less about the Golden Globes, but most of us DO support the writers.
Oh, and Dear Mr. Zucker,
If you really want to see the Golden Globes on TV that bad, why don’t YOU make a deal with the WGA?
Comment by Fan — January 5, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
Good for George Clooney, good for Tom Cruise, good for David Letterman! Its nice to see some actual smarts and integrity in these Hollywood guys.
The Golden Globes show is like one long, tipsy promo with comercials. Aside from the gossip factor and the fashion designs — I’m not goiing to miss it.
You go, WGA!!
Comment by Anon and Anon — January 5, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
As dumb as some of the things that the WGA has done over the course of this strike, the one they seem to realize is that the best bargaining leverage they have is the ability to withhold stars from celebrity-crazed Americans. What will America do, or Hollywood for that matter, when the covers of magazines, the evening news, and the gossip shows are no longer graced with the latest fashions, foibles, and flashy smiles of the beautiful people? We can only hope that they’ll look in the mirror and see themselves again. It’s been a long time since they’d looked, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll begin to like what they see.
Comment by warrior ant press — January 5, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
Wow…I can’t believe so many of these posts are so incensed at the idea of not having any Golden Globes!
Poor DCP…what?? Yeah, poor NBC, too, fighting the good fight against the “despot,” the WGA. Poor conglomerates, having to pay their workers fairly. Poor CEOs, having to part with some of their piles of shiny, shiny money.
Someone’s been reading AMPTP.org a little too naively. Where do you people come from? I mean…it’s pretty clear that the only people involved in this matter who REALLY don’t care when anyone gets back to work is the AMPTP.
As a tv/movie fan, I can’t wait until the GG date comes and goes…the strike controversy surrounding the event will certainly be more interesting than the normal ceremony. Anyone complaining about how the WGA ruined their awards show…wow. Grow up.
Comment by Just Plain Missing 30 Rock — January 5, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
I don’t know who is the bad guy in all of this, but at one corner we have the striking WGA which is saying that you don’t deserve awards because we are striking and you had your chance to save these Golden Globes. In addition, the SAG isn’t going to attend in solidarity with the WGA.
In the other corner, we have NBC which is a member of the AMPTP and wants the awards show in order to promote its lineup.
Stuck in the middle we have Dick Clark Productions which wants to produce the awards and wants a waiver in order to do so.
I am guessing everybody is the bad guy. The WGA and SAG will hurt the five fans of the Golden Globes if there are picket lines, but will be hurt if they grant a waiver to DCP for the awards if NBC promises to not air them on TV which means the awards will air on at NBC.com.
Overall, NBC is the bad guy because they have decided to not negotiate with the WGA. The lesson, if you want the awards, GO BACK TO THE FREAK’IN TABLE AND HAMMER OUT THE DAMM DEAL. THE SAME GOES FOR YOU TO DISNEY.
Comment by Jessy S. — January 5, 2008 @ 8:18 pm
I think it is hilarious that people are so concerned about the awards shows. - One night of screwing up traffic - One night of people seeing “stars”. Mostly - Its a way or studios to push their profits up for nominated and wining shows ( Which They will not share fully with all the unions - because they will manipulate the accounting numbers and under pay residuals and health and pension payments.
The really sad thing That I have been picking up from the threads here is that people - in all walks of life - routinely think that as a business person, it is perfectly understandable and acceptable to cut wages, jobs and minimize pay to maximize profits - and the expense of real, live people. We routinely accept that profits and property rights (real and intellectual) are more important than Human Beings. It will probably remain the same, even after this strike is resolved - but maybe a few will start to reevaluate what we stand for and what is truly important.
Comment by Bran — January 5, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
“NBC isn’t allowing the HFPA to hold an untelevised awards show by arguing that the media group is contractually obligated to have the network broadcast the Golden Globes on January 13th or a pushed-back date.”
Contractually obligated? Does this mean the HFPA the only entity in Hollywood that somehow doesn’t have a force majeure clause in their contract? Because I’m thinking a 9 week running labor action would probably qualify, and force majeure works both ways.
Comment by Huh — January 5, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
If it’s reasonable according to NBC for DCP to cut an interim with the WGA meeting all the WGA’s demands, why oh why isn’t it reasonable for NBC to do the same?
Comment by Mheister — January 5, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
Frustrated Bystander: “I feel bad for Dick Clark Productions. It’s rather unfortunate that this Independent Production Company stands in the middle of a predicament fostered by both the AMPTP and WGA.”
Jimmy: Dick Clark Productions is a member of the AMPTP. They are a struck company. They are not in the middle of anything.
The WGA would be happy to negotiate with dick clark productions as part of their divide and conquer strategy. Unfortunately, as stated before, airing the Golden Globes mainly benefits NBC — who refuse to negotiate with the WGA. For that reason, the WGA has declined to grant HFPA a waiver or dcp an interim contract.
Comment by cabri — January 5, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
I wish they would put away their differences for one night and let some one like Nikki Blonsky have their big night that might not ever happen again.
Comment by Just a regular guy — January 5, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
We should gather all the nominees for globe awards on the night of the 13th, stream it live with the help of google, and let the fans pick their winners live. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of big rooms available when all the GG parties get cancelled. We can sell ad time and beef up the strike fund.
Comment by Mike — January 5, 2008 @ 10:24 pm
What is up with NBC asking the WGA to make the same deal with dcp that it did with Worldwide Pants? Any logical thinking person must ask NBC, why not just make the same deal yourself?
Comment by Ethel — January 5, 2008 @ 10:33 pm
You know, I keep reading comments (on here and other places) about the award shows and how the people that win won’t be honored because the shows won’t be broadcast… They’ll still get their awards if they don’t show up. It’ll be sent in the mail, they’ll get the awards, the winners will be announced to the media, they just won’t get an open bar and 30 seconds of TV time to say thanks to their agents. They still get the statue, they still get to say “Gold Globe winner” or “Oscar winner” they just don’t get that 30 seconds on stage in front of the mic.
It also means they won’t have to sit for 3 hours in uncomfortable shoes and dresses/suits, listening to tired jokes and waiting for the night to end. The only people that get hurt by this is DCP and NBC. The die hard fans of award shows (which makes up maybe 1 percent of the viewers of these things) will be hurt because they can’t watch a 20 second interview with Ryan Seacrest talking to Will Smith. The actors/directors/writers, still get an award sent to them.
As for everyone that always talks about the other unions in Hollywood that are suffering (lighting guys, sound, makeup, and the rest) All of their unions have overwhelmingly supported the writers. On top of their support, they actually benefit if the writers get what they’re looking for. All the other unions (not the WGA, SAG, or DGA) have their retirement and health care paid for out a pool of money that is provided by the big three unions. In the workers contract they have it set that if the writers, actors, or directors get more money, that they too get a percentage increase in their benefits. They may be hurt in the short term (as are the writers) but in the long term it means better health coverage, and a better retirement for those lighting, sound, catering, makeup, ect… unions.
I just don’t get people that are against the WGA on this. The majority of the writers don’t make $200,000 a year like the AMPTP says, 5 to 10 percent of the WGA make millions a year, the rest make 45k. If that. They don’t live in mansions, they aren’t set for life, they have to work hard every day to make sure they can pay the rent and pay for food. While technically the AMPTP was right to say the average income is $200,000… it’s the same logic as having a room of 10 people, each of which makes 35k a year. Then in walks Bill Gates who’s worth somewhere around 50 billion dollars. Now if you did an average, you’d think everyone in that room is a billionaire, but the reality is that one guy’s a billionaire, the other 10 are just getting by. Unions aren’t created for the millionaires, they’re for the ones that don’t make as much.
When the actors go on strike, they won’t be striking for George Clooney or Brad Pitt, but for the actors that are in commercials, or that actor who’s biggest claim to fame is saying 3 words on and episode of Law and Order. The writers have always been mistreated by Hollywood, they’ve taken their lumps, they’ve taken cuts for the greater good in the past… how long are they supposed to just go back to work without getting a fair deal? How many times is someone supposed to just role over and take one for the team? At some point you have to stand up and get what’s fair… that’s what they’re doing. It’s been 20 years in the making, 20 years of not have a fair deal, 20 years of the writers waiting to strike because they don’t want to hurt their co-workers. I think 20 years is enough, and it’s time for the AMPTP to give them the fair deal that they’ve deserved for 20 years. As someone above said, in the NFL or any other sports league, the players get 50 percent of the income, the writers are asking for 2.5 percent (if that) I think that’s more than fair… and if you want to be mad at someone because you can’t watch new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, then blame the AMPTP for continually screwing over everyone that make their business run.
-Jason
Comment by Jason — January 5, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
First, it would be great if the AMTP people here could identify themselves as such. If they were here as themselves, rather than as fake fans/fake below the line people, maybe they could serve as some kind of back channel negotiating team.
Second, the idea of the WGA caving on this issue is absurd. Why on earth should or would the WGA give up a source of clout to help a corrupt, half-assed awards fee that doesn’t even provide a steady income for below-the-line folks? If Worldwide Pants can take over production of the show and get it on the air that way, great. Otherwise, no way should the WGA compromise on this issue.
Third, why can’t the Golden Globes producers just do the show at the scheduled time without all of the stars? It seems as if there are probably ways to do the shows with historical clips, montages, etc. without having many stars on hand. Personally, I would be a lot more likely to watch a weird, wacky, star-free Golden Globes ceremony than I would be to watch a boring, normal ceremony.
My favorite talk show is Late Night with Conan O’Brien, for example, and, in the short run, a writer-free, star-free show is pretty hilarious to watch.
Comment by a spouse — January 5, 2008 @ 10:49 pm
I guess I have a different take on this story than most of the other posters, but I find the double-standards of all this to be hilarious.
First of all, everyone in this business knows that people love getting awards. And I find it amusing that all these so-called activist SAG members would turn out in droves for a chance at attending the party, as long as it was sanctioned by the WGA. And, to quote the esteemed Nikki, “Hollywood wants (the ceremony) to proceed.” Of course they do! Whether the show is aired or not, the studios will still hype the “results” in advertising. Whether the show airs or not, it’s still, ultimately, a marketing tool.
Secondly, I find the cherry-picking approach the Guild has employed when it comes to awards shows to be mildly baffling. The Spirit Awards — okay, fine, those movies deserve whatever exposure they get. And IFC, owned by Cablevision Systems, isn’t a struck company. Then again, contrary to a couple of earlier posts, neither is dick clark productions. Yes, the network that airs the show — NBC — is. But the WGA made a deal with WWP that ultimately benefits CBS. Why the double-standard?
And, lastly, I appreciate the transparent gesture of granting a waiver to the SAG Awards — a program that airs on TNT, owned by Time-Warner, a struck company.
So much hypocrisy, so much wanting cake and eating it, too. As I said, hilarious.
Comment by Max — January 5, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
To all those saying “who cares about the Globes,” well the 18-20 million that watch them every year probably care. You know, the same people that prefer Jay to Dave, watch 2 and a half men, and make the un-cool CBS number 1 every year? The contempt you show for them comes through in every post you make here, nearly every new show that comes out, and the neverending stream of preachy war movies. When a deal gets made (hopefully soon for all the people out of work,) you’d do well to break out of your bubble and think about trying to entertain these people, instead of treating them with such contempt…you know, they do make up half the country. You might even be able to turn around your falling tv ratings.
Comment by just a middle america rube — January 5, 2008 @ 11:49 pm
For one thing, Max, Dick Clark Productions produces more than just the Golden Globes and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. If they’re willing to make a company wide deal, then we might be willing to consider it, but only if the benefits to us potentially outweigh the cost of providing revenue to struck companies.
This is all about balancing interests. The cost-benefit analysis involved in each case is different.
The strategy involved in dealing with WWP was to put pressure on NBC to settle. NBC wants the WGA to make a deal with Dick Clark Productions, we want to make a deal with NBC. We’d really need a pretty compelling reason to do anything to benefit NBC now.
It’s counterproductive to our goal, and DCP isn’t offering enough in exchange to make the tradeoff worthwhile.
What we want to do is be strategic, not shoot ourselves in the foot by agreeing to anything proposed so you’ll think we’re sweet and fair.
Comment by For real — January 6, 2008 @ 12:57 am
God damn. I don’t know what they’re smoking at NBC, but it is definitely the good stuff. Demanding the Globes air when they are largely the one behind the AMPTP preventing it from doing so. At first it did seem like Warner was being the most radical but it now seems clear that NBC/Universal is the truest problem. It’s not like the Guild is demanding things that are unreasonable. I believe the Guild should put together a formal, long-term plan to develop new production signatories in the “new media” realm. Perhaps even offer some type of incentives to encourage people to invest in such ventures and put these broadcast asses out of business once and for all. Many of the big media companies have already made deals with the big names in the Internet space… likely in an effort to prevent them from making deals with the WGA, etc. (Oh whoops, I forgot … there’s NO MONEY in the Internet. haha) But for every (successful) Internet company who is out there, there will be ten more in just a few years. And while broadband may not yet have the same reach as the networks, that is quickly changing. Put a few smart Internet guys in a room with this as a goal and it can be done. Done correctly, it could crush broadcast television by pinpointing advertising in a way simply not possible by the networks. It would eventually eclipse the networks because of the superior targeting of advertising and opportunities for enhanced interactivity with the viewers. It should be done. For many years the Guild has only had one set of “customers” for their writers. Times are changing, and the Guild should put effort into developing these new potential “customers” in new media. Someone who comes up with a really effective platform to deliver quality content and monetize the same could be the next Google, Amazon, or eBay. The possibilities are endless for such a venture.
Comment by WGAguildSupporter — January 6, 2008 @ 2:41 am
Jeff Zucker is a CLASSIC case of failing upward. He single handedly destroyed the top network on television and set up a bunch of fall guys so the stink wouldn’t be on him. He’s the George W. Bush of the entertainment industry. What else would you expect of this whiny toad?
Comment by not surprised — January 6, 2008 @ 5:19 am
If NBC/Universal wants the Golden Globes to proceed as scheduled, all NBC/Universal has to do is break with the AMPTP and sign an interim agreement.
Failing that, it’d help if NBC/Universal and the rest of the AMPTP negotiating team would simply return to the bargaining table that they walked away from (twice!).
The WGA is still sitting there, alone, but we can’t negotiate with ourselves.
Come back to the table, AMPTP, and negotiate.
Patrick Meighan
Culver City, CA
Comment by Patrick Meighan — January 6, 2008 @ 5:41 am
“While technically the AMPTP was right to say the average income is $200,000… it’s the same logic as having a room of 10 people, each of which makes 35k a year. Then in walks Bill Gates who’s worth somewhere around 50 billion dollars. Now if you did an average, you’d think everyone in that room is a billionaire, but the reality is that one guy’s a billionaire, the other 10 are just getting by.”
Comment by Jason — January 5, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
Jason, you have it exactly BACKWARDS. The AMPTP says that WORKING writers make $200,000 a year. The Guild counters with a statistic of AVERAGE income. The Guild’s average assumes that those members who are not deriving their primary income from writing activities are deriving no income from any source, which is patently untrue. Many Guild members who make zero dollars from writing are highly successful lawyers, businesspeople, what-have-you. They are making considerably more than $45k/year — in fact, considerably more than $200k/year — but, for the purposes of the calculation of an “average” Guild member income, they are said to be making $0k.
Sorry, but the only meaningful income statistic is the one thr Guild refuses to divulge — the average income of members who derive their primary income from writing. Until the Guild is willing to come forward with the facts, the AMPTP estimate is the only reasonale benchmark.
Comment by jasongetreal — January 6, 2008 @ 5:47 am
Max:
Are you five years old? Let me spell it out to you. See, grown ups (writers) do things for a reason while children (AMPTP) issue ultimatums and walk away. There’s no “double standard” but an ability to see each individual case as –and this will blow your mind–an INDIVIDUAL CASE.
Letterman was going back on the air anyway so it made sense to make a side deal so the writers could go back, too. If you haven’t seen what they agreed to, go to the wga page and look at it. If every company made that deal, it would be great. The Golden Globes may not go forward without wga and sag participation…hence, no waiver. As for the sag awards, they are our sister union and we want to be nice to them.
Neither of those decisions represent hypocrisy. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a great writer (although not in the wga), once wrote “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” I’m sure if we were foolishly consistent, your little mind would be happier. But the wga way of doing business makes sense to those who are more mature.
Comment by unitedwesit — January 6, 2008 @ 6:28 am
Picket the awards show.
WGA should sponsor a big party and invite all the nominees to attend.
As winners are announced at the empty show, recipients give speeches at the party.
Internet broadcast the party through WGA websites ONLY.
The WGA can even hire dc productions to shoot the party for the webcast.
This would draw attention to the writers side of the story, and show NBC a thing or two about how necessary big networks are in the internet age.
Comment by steve — January 6, 2008 @ 7:05 am
Max, I think you’re right about double standards, but I think it’s also not a situation where the WGA must be held to a single one.
Each situation is different, and can be treated differently. The reason there is a “double standard” is because, uh, there are two different things.
Letterman had been off the air for two months, paying his staff, and was a staunch supporter for the writers. He was going to be forced on the air anyway, and making the agreement did more for the WGA and their claim they were reasonable than it does for CBS revenues.
The Golden Globes are a one-time event put on by Dick Clark Productions and NBC. Both are struck companies, but I don’t see either as being pro-writer in any public way as WWP was and still is.
The reason WWP wanted to make a deal with writers is because they wanted to express their support. The reason DCP and NBC would is because they want their lucrative awards. Apples and oranges.
Also, with the help of SAG, the news of the problem with the Globes will get the word out nationally in a big way. Just google it and you’ll see how many stories there are about it.
Although this is also the case with WWP, the idea that movie and tv stars would forego an award to support the writers is something that is a giant step past not showing up on Leno or Conan.
Since the Globes could be cancelled or postponed, unlike like broadcasts of Letterman and Ferguson, the news value of this one packs a wallup.
So yeah, they are cherry picking depending on the situation, the support of the people involved, and the power it has helping end the strike.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
Comment by Jimmy — January 6, 2008 @ 7:12 am
‘Just Plain Missing 30 Rock’ meet ‘Who Cares Any MOre’ oh wait you already know each other…Identical, say I didn’t know that…Nevermind just move along…Oh, you can’t because your PLANTED….LOL!!! That’s all right, I’m ROOTING for the WGA ya putzs!!!!
Comment by P. Lee — January 6, 2008 @ 8:46 am
The fact that the WGA is holding these shows hostage is sickening, and proof of how power-hungry the WGA is. It is literally trying to control every small detail of what goes on in Hollywood. For 2 months, the WGA can not stop crying about every thing that goes wrong in their strike, and now they try to take it out on the award shows. It’s time to show the WGA who has the real power in this town by boycotting the SAG awards. That way, when the SAG awards registers its lowest ratings ever, the SAG will have the WGA to thank for it.
Boycott the SAG awards, at least until the WGA comes to its senses and decides to fight fair by letting the Globes and especially the Oscars back on the air.
Comment by tired alreadt — January 6, 2008 @ 9:04 am
How much are you AMPTP/Fabiani&Lehane shills getting paid for all these anti-WGA comments here? Do they pay you by the hour, or by the comment?
Either way, you seriously need to step up your game. It couldn’t be any more obvious who you are and why you’re here. And you’ve convinced absolutely no one. You’ll need to do a lot better than you have so far.
Oh, wait. That’s right. You can’t… you’re not writers.
Comment by Stewart — January 6, 2008 @ 9:31 am
There’s no hypocracy.
They gave a waiver to The Spirit Awards because it’s about independent (i.e. non-studio) films.
They gave a waiver to SAG because SAG has been supporting them.
If you pay attention this stuff is easy to figure out.
Comment by Paul — January 6, 2008 @ 9:45 am
Dear mr Zucker
if you think that DCP should enter into an interim agreement the you must think the terms are fair, so why not sign an interim yourself, your network is in fourth place, if you start putting original programs on first that might change(maybe heroes will recover its loss in viewership from S2)
you know it is a fair deal so grow some balls and break away from “the Club”
Comment by dave c — January 6, 2008 @ 9:53 am
Why didn’t this attorney send the major publicists of this town a one line letter:
ACTORS ARE STUPID.
Because with this insulting letter, that is what he is saying. He is saying that actors, who are brave, savvy entrepreneurs are so stupid that they will actually believe that it is the WGA who is “walking away from the table.”
And to the whiners who say that the Guild is “cherry picking” whom to give interim agreements to:
Uh, yes. They are. This is a strike. We were willing to negotiate. We have asked the government to enforce the labor laws that the companies are violating by walking away from the table.
The UAW can agree to work for GM and picket Ford if they want to, for no reason other than they see it is to their strategic advantage to get competitors to sit down to a table and hammer out a fair deal.
That’s what we’re doing. We’re saying no to Golden Globes and yes to SAG. And yes, what a tragedy it is that a lot of well-toned people won’t be walking around in pretty outfits. But that tragedy is the collateral damage of a group of companies who came to the bargaining table in July with the demand that “all residuals be rolled back.”
At the time, that was thought to be a joke, an opening low ball ploy. Now we see that it’s not.
And by the way, MR. NBC Lawyer, actors aren’t stupid. Actors are some of the bravest, smartest, most rejection proof people you’ll ever meet. They are the very definition of self starters, who understand the long game. They get rejected far more than they get accepted, even when they are major stars. They each run their own independent business, the business of “them,” and as savvy businesspeople they understand that what’s being done to the WGA will be done to them. And they are showing courage and wisdom in taking this unanimous stand.
And the companies are shocked. They never anticipated this. The actors understand that the writers are where it all starts, but the world understands that movie stars are the movies. And now the world is seeing, that each and every actor thinks this strike is an unprecedented power grab by eight companies.
And the actors are joining with the writers in saying, “Without us you are nothing. You are banks and distributors. You don’t make movies, we, the artists with our crews, do.”
“If you don’t respect and treat fairly the means of production, the artists and the crews who depend on artist residuals for their pension health and welfare, you will be destroyed.”
That is what the writers and actors, in a astonishing display of fearlessness are saying. Not one of the so-called moguls predicted this. This Scroogy Christmas was meant to freak us out, panic us, get us all to cave and agree to anything.
That’s the plot point despots always miss. If you are an over-the-top tyrant, it only makes the freedom minded stronger. Do you think the sort of people who face enormous risks and rejection to be artists in Hollywood aren’t, above all, freedom minded?
Hey, silly moguls, isn’t that how America started in the first place?
Comment by WGA Writer with Business Sense — January 6, 2008 @ 9:54 am
NOW Jeff Zucker is asking that the WGA “come back to the table” to deal with Dick Clark Productions and refers it as a “reasonable request???” That’s hysterical. The same man who, as part of the AMPTP, had their puppet lawyer throw a hissy-fit and storm out of the WGA negotiations — and has yet to return. The same man who is part of the group who is still refusing to “come back to the table” and deal with WGA, and has stalled all of Hollywood. The same man who has aided in treating writers like crap, helped instigate rollbacks on what they have earned, and offered a laughable $250 per each movie on the internet to writers while the studios and networks will make billions in “promotion?”
This dingo’s arrogance knows no bounds. Oh, my God.
Comment by Michael — January 6, 2008 @ 9:59 am
cabri say:
The WGA would be happy to negotiate with dick clark productions as part of their divide and conquer strategy. Unfortunately, as stated before, airing the Golden Globes mainly benefits NBC — who refuse to negotiate with the WGA. For that reason, the WGA has declined to grant HFPA a waiver or dcp an interim contract.
Ok, well gee, doesn’t airing Letterman and Ferguson mainly benefit CBS, who also refuses to negotiate with WGA?
Out of the hundreds of comments and posts I’ve read about this, no one has sufficiently explained what the difference is, other than the WGA just likes Dave.
I’ve read where people said that DCP wants the deal only for one show, that is incorrect. They have stated they will sign a deal for every show they produce. Anything WWP produces will benefit a struck company, so that’s no different. The companies will use the Globes as a marketing tool regardless, the day after they are announced you will see “Winner of xx Golden Globes” in the ads, so that’s not really a concern.
This really seems to me like a childish move by WGA, akin to the kid that gets mad and takes his ball and goes home.
Comment by YouGotSomeSplaininToDo — January 6, 2008 @ 10:02 am
Maybe arrogant NBC and their favorite fi-core threatening son, Jay Leno, should have kept their mouths shut before the Globes were scheduled.
If he hadn’t written that monologue, bragged about it and NBC become threatening over it, they might have worked something out.
Comment by OriginalJoe — January 6, 2008 @ 10:32 am
I dont get WGA’s logic. It doesn’t have a problem with CBS benefitting from airing Letterman, but it has a problem with NBC benefitting from airing the GG. CBS is to NBC as WWP is to DCP, yet the WGA is unwilling to negotiate with DCP. Does the WGA really have a thought-out plan or is this all random, picking-favorites posturing?
Comment by saywhat — January 6, 2008 @ 10:38 am
Webcasting it would be so ironic
I wonder what Google would do if the ball was to land in their court? It would be a great experiment using Google Adsense to see what kind of revenue a live webcast could generate.
Comment by GF — January 6, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Writer with business sense,
What the hell are you talking about? Is it mutually exclusive to be an unemployed crew member, pissed off about it (but still generally on the WGA’s side), and upset about the symbolism and hypocrisy of not allowing an independent production company to sign the deal that WGA says “anyone can sign?”
And for a guy who claims to have business sense, you seem to have very little.
The very shows and movies that will be advertised during this show, and awarded during this show, are WGA shows and movies. I’m not aware of HFPA giving an award to best heavily-edited “reality” show.
Give an Award to The Office and remind viewers that they don’t get to see The Office because AMPTP’s not at the table.
Give an Award to Mad Men and remind viewers that it won’t be back this season, because AMPTP won’t negotiate.
Give an Award to No Country For Old Men and remind viewers that without writers like Joel and Ethan Coen, you don’t get ground-breakingly great movies.
You insult everyone’s intelligence when you claim that you can’t give a deal (not a waiver — a deal, as in the same one WWP signed) to this program because it would help NBC’s bottom line and allow them to advertise.
By that logic, WWP should not have gotten a deal, because late night talk is the biggest, cheapest form of advertising upcoming releases and currently airing shows that is available to the AMPTP. And CBS gets to promote all of their “reality” replacement shows.
A better drinking game might be to take a shot every time anyone who remotely disagrees with WGA gets slammed as a shill or a troll or whatever the hell else you want to call me.
If the WWP deal is THE DEAL, then WGA should be gleefully offering it to ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SIGN IT. Divide and conquer, right?
Comment by Unemployed and pissed — January 6, 2008 @ 11:06 am
So if they have a non-televised show, they can still tape it for future use? Will they be using WGA writers? I’m confused.. Work is work whether something airs now or later…
Just cancel all the awards shows. They are so incredibly boring to watch. And being there is even worse. A bunch of grown-up kids still hoping for that sports trophy.
Comment by victoria — January 6, 2008 @ 11:35 am
“WGA is keeping at arms length any side agreement with Globes producer Dick Clark Productions on grounds that the awards show is a worldwide marketing tool for studio and network product.” !!! Most who appear on Conan or Letterman are using these shows as a marketing tool for a film, TV show or other product. If dcp is willing to sign an interim agreement, which would also cover all their other productions, this provides work for writers & others on the terms WGA wants. Why allow Worlwide an agreement and not dcp - it’s a small minded act on WGA’s behalf.
Comment by BckyS — January 6, 2008 @ 11:53 am
If Zucker were to destroy the Golden Globes, considering his already abysmal record at NBC, it would be a crowning achievement.
You can do it Jeff!!
Comment by B. Real — January 6, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
I don’t know anyone in the business who can even stand Dick Clark so I guess him getting screwed now is comeuppance for all the shit he’s pulled for the past two hundred years.
Hilarious to think that the AMPTP is apoplectic about some tacky awards show but won’t negotiate to put the entire town back to work.
Talk about ass backwards!
Comment by Sandy Daley — January 6, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
Quote:
wish they would put away their differences for one night and let some one like Nikki Blonsky have their big night that might not ever happen again.
Comment by Just a regular guy
Nikki Blonsky isn’t running for Prom Queen at your local high school. The woman now has a career. I’m not feeling too badly for her. I don’t feel too badly for anyone.
I had friends who didn’t get to go to the USSR for the Olympics in 1980 because of a boycott. Them, I felt sorry for.
No awards show should be given an exemption. SAG officially suports the boycott and that is all that the Guild needs to know.
The rest is all distractions.
Comment by OriginalJoe — January 6, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
Tired alreadt is right. Boycotting the SAG awards is a fantastic idea. It would give the WGA a taste of its own medicine.
As for Zucker, he should back off and let the Globes proceed untelevised. But I think it is apphalling that he had to be put in this position. He basically has a gun to his head on this one. I think it is wrong for WGA to picket these shows in the first place.
Comment by Daemon — January 6, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Enough of this Jay Leno, David Letterman, Tom Cruise and Golden Globes. How about putting the focus on getting back to the table and making a deal. I have been out of work for seven weeks now…..I need to make a house payment and feed my family.
GET FOCUSED……… WE ARE LOSING JOBS —-THERE WILL BE NO PILOT SEASON, NO SERIES NO NEW FEATURES TO DEVELOP… REALITY WILL GET GREAT RATINGS AND LESS WORK FOR THIS TOWN…..
GET A GRIP PEOPLE……. WE NEED TO BE MATURE —-
AMPTP/WGA - put aside your egos and MAKE A DEAL…WE ARE ALL SUFFERING……
Comment by Anonymous — January 6, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
PR battles are designed and won way downstream. as a wga supporter, here’s what i’m worried about;
you watch - nbc will decide to tape the GG’s. it will preserve potential ad dollars and throw a wrench into the perception of whether the WGA’s strategy here worked at all. unless somebody can correct me - i don’t believe the wga mentions “no taping’ as a precondition to their not picketing. when this happens, stars (who lets face it - really want to go) will jump in their limos thinking that they won’t be crossing picket lines. mission was accomplished. then nbc will broadcast the GG’s the following week and that will be that. they loose 7 million viewers but preserve 15.
or -
nbc decides to tape the event. sag and wga smell a rat and call them on it and refuses to cross. then nbc starts crying foul suggesting that the wga has betrayed SAG on their promise not to boycott as long as the show isn’t broadcast. wga will say, “but you will broadcast in the future!” nbc will say, “no we’re not. we’re preserving our contractual rights for archival purposes and we have no present plans to air this broadcast.” (they’ll be lying of course). wga will argue that taping is akin to broadcasting and nbc will call them on the specificity of their statements; that “taping the event was not a precondition for calling off the pickets.”
of course, this will all take place 5 days before the broadcast so as to create a pr storm cloud that will allow for maximum dissension amongst as many stars and writers as possible.
there are huge egos and revenue dollars on the line here and these moguls didn’t get where they are without a fight. so there’s more trouble a brewin’ folks… stay tuned. (how’d i do nikki? want a resume?)
Comment by Adigga — January 6, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
If SAG won’t let actors appear on the Golden Globes then will SAG keep quiet and allow Jimmy Kimmel to be a guest on Leno’s Tonight Show and let Leno be a guest on Kimmel’s show?
Kimmel thinks that because he sent us some burritos he can cross our picket line at will and try to bust our strike? And Leno thinks that because he gave us Krispy Kremes he can scab and break our union?
These guys will both be seen as the enemies of writers for a long time because of this.
Comment by wga talk show writer — January 6, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
The most shocking thing about this is that anyone gives a crap about the Golden Globes.
It’s hard to take anyone who does seriously.
Comment by Anon — January 6, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
I’m curious about all of those who claim any dissenting opinion is a shill or studio plant; are you saying that Nikke is gullible? She has to approve all responses before they go public.
Comment by DBHughes — January 6, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Man… you are so full of crap.
First of all– Jason is exactly right that the 200K “average” income figure the AMPTP uses is completely misleading and unrepresentative of a typical writer’s salary in exactly the way he says… which is why no one respectable uses averages to describe “typical”. For that, you would use the MEDIAN income. I’d tell you to go look up the difference between “average” and “median” if I had any doubt you weren’t a shill for the AMPTP, which I don’t, so I won’t.
Oh, and by the way–you absolutely SHOULD include those members of the WGA who make zero income on writing in any given year for BOTH median and average because those zero-income writers’ interests are fully represented by the guild, those zero-income writers are still out there picketing, and those zero-income writers stand to gain or lose IN YEARS IN WHICH THEY DO MAKE MONEY from the result of the strike.
As to your red herring about whether or not such writers derive income outside of the writing business– it’s wholly irrelevant. This strike isn’t about supplemental income (except to the extent that it’s not covered by residuals) and it shouldn’t matter if a writer not making income is a trust fund baby or busking for change on 3rd street. This strike is about writing.
Regarding your last ludicrous “point”, I expect you to share with the group how you think the WGA has access to the non-guild covered earnings of its members. Do you think we send a copy of our tax statements to the WGA? If you were an actual writer instead of an AMPTP whore, you’d have considered that.
Blow me, troll.
Comment by A WGA Writer — January 6, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
Here’s an idea. Why not have SAG and the WGA get together and have their own award show, basically an Oscar awards that they control. Get someone big like Microsoft or Google on board, and have it webcast on either their own sites or one they designate, and even have advertisers pay for ads like they do on Hulu. And, possibly, get together with the Pay Per View people, assuming they have nothing to do with the AMPTPA, and have it available on Pay Per View for a nominal cost ($2 or $3). I don’t know if the economics of the Pay Per View works out (I have no idea how that end works), but this would allow people who don’t want to watch it on their computers to do so on their TV’s like they usually do. And everything above what the production costs could be given to the strike funds for the guilds. You could put on a kick ass show, raise money for the people hurt by the strike, and you could completely go around the AMPTP companies. I would definitely watch something like this.
-Greg
Comment by Greg — January 6, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
Is there really such a thing as a “fan of the Golden Globes?” I thought that was the kind of thing people watched if there was nothing else on.
Comment by Chris — January 6, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
Bean Counter said: “Oh, that’s rich. NBC claiming that the WGA refuses to negotiate. That’s right, NBC. How does it feel? How about this: you negotiate in good faith with the guild and the guild will return the favor. What a bunch of loud mouth cry-babies.
Hope you like your American Gladiators, America. That’s as original as its gonna get until the strike is over.”
Bwahahahahahaha!!! Do you WGA clowns actually believe that “According to Jim”, Letterman’s Paris Hilton jokes or all-new (Ripped from the Headlines! [TM]) episodes of Law & Order constitute original programming? Many of us in the viewing public are starting to realize that we’re not missing your crappy “original” work all that much. Our cable, DVDs and internet are working out just fine, thanks. Goodbye.
Comment by Neal — January 6, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
YouGotSomeSplaininToDo, the logic behind the WWP deal has been explained approximately 14 million times, you guys just won’t listen.
That’s why everyone thinks there are so many shills, because some many people ask the same questions over and over and over, never listen to the answers, and come right back with the same tired talking points.
Maybe we should stop wasting our breath and create some kind of FAQ page we could link to for both shills and the genuinely confused.
Comment by For real — January 6, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
Neal, since you’re one of them, you of course understand that the reason television sucks is because of retarded network and studio executives, not writers who regularly sit back in shock at the changes you execs insist on.
Comment by gimme a break — January 6, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
Oh Neal, that is so sad….Lets think this through, shall we? So you are happy with no new movies? No new HBO shows or whatever is around the corner? Original programming on cable networks concerns that exact same companies as network TV, so those pipelines are drying up too. Several features have stopped production as the scripts need tweaking. All the good stuff on the internet is professionally written as well. Get a clue, please.
I support the writers, and I’ll support the actors when they wind up on strike too. Sure a lot of crap gets made…but the studio execs pick what airs, now don’t they? It’s not all bad shows, after all, the Sopranos got made too. And David Chase, a longtime WGA member created that. Not a studio exec.
I support the TALENT.
Comment by sidelined — January 6, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
I am from a union family, and support (supported ?) the writers 100%, but their actions lately of cherry picking, and only giving “waivers” to whom they choose has really pissed me off.
Why not give ALL the awards show “waivers” — or NONE.
Now the stars want to have a “non-televised” awards show, because they just can’t live without it, screw the fans.
I hope Zucker doesn’t allow the Golden Globes to proceed without being televised.
There should be NO awards if there are NO shows, you’d see how fast the stars would cross the pickets lines.
Comment by kris — January 6, 2008 @ 5:29 pm