Or, Leno should have on a band called “The Scabs,” and all the lyrics would be jokes from Jay’s monlogue that night.

This strike isn’t an excuse to have fun walking around in a big circle to prove that we’re all equal. There’s a reason behind it.

Those of us on the non-A list, as you put it, won’t be able to continue in this business if the studios and networks are able to roll back residuals by switching to primarily web-based distribution. The fact that a handful of writers are earning paychecks while other are not is beside the point, who the hell cares, the real issue is that the paychecks that sustain us between jobs will be gone forever in a few years’ time when the technology improves.

Nothing has changed about that underlying issue, also known as the reason more than 90% voted to authorize. We’re not “splitting” by losing a handful of disingenuous idiots who were never on our side in the first place.

Yeah, wow, you’re right. Not only would that put these hosts in a unique position, no other show that’s off the air is in danger of cancellation, um, it’s also true. The Daily Show, Colbert, The Tonight Show, Late Night, uh, all in imminent danger of cancellation. Really, could happen. Easily I mean, for one thing it’s not like NBC gets beaten by local access cable and the late night shows are all it has to keep it afloat. So, yeah, good point. And comedy Central has 14 year old South Park reruns and larry the Cable guy specials, so they don’t need their flagship shows one bit.

Seriously, can’t you people hire better shills? Have some standards. Actively drooling or unironically suggesting that Leno’s show is funny would be reasons to move on and hire someone else, it’s not that hard.

Wondering–Stewart’s a scab, but our leaders aren’t going to do a thing about it.

moderatewriter, nonshill extraordinarie, fine, blagh blagh, doom gloom. So, what do you suggest? Everyone but you is stupid and misguided, how can we save ourselves from our own stupidity? Do tell, O Swami. Don’t tell me…refuse to go back under side agreements, insist on going fi-core like the brave John Ridley instead? (I do agree with you though–asking experiences negotiators to negotiate? Crazy talk. We should have asked someone kind and friendly, like Elmo). Oh, and please get it right–the late night scabbing has nothing to do with side deals, They were going back before any side deals were made.

In contrast, his sucessor still has his stike beard and starts off every show mentioning how much he misses his writers.

The problem is the AMPTP refuses to negotiate with us on new media. THAT is the problem and THAT is where we need to keep our focus.

How is Stewart doing his show without writing it? Or is he?

- Writer

Re: the other story: George Clooney’s patronizing statements are absurd. Don’t let him near a bargaining table.

This strike and the tactics behind it was a joke when it started (with regards to what we hoped to (and are) accomplishing in relation to our goals) - now it’s becoming a sad sad commentary on misguided leadership.

Wake up people - this strike is not getting us what we deserve. The DGA will make a deal and we will accept it - I guarantee it (perhaps the other side will throw us a small extra bone to save face but I highly doubt it). How much do you want to bet that Patrick Verrone is not voted in for a second term - and how much to do you want to bet that the next time we have to negotiate with big media it is not a garment worker negotiator like Young, or a carpenter union negotiator like strike captain Jeff Hermanson who is representing us.

I love my guild - I think our leadership are so off track that it makes me ill for all the jobs that have been lost in the interest of looking tough. You can throw a million sharp pebbles at King Kong and all he does is giggle.

John Ridley may or may not be a coward - BUT - he is standing alone for something that many of us believe in. And remember, in 1988 the guild signed 100 side contracts (like we are doing now with UA and WWP and the Weinsteins) - and it had no real effect in ending that strike. That strike ended when a powerful lobby of showrunners threatened to go fi-core - and rather than suffer such a public split in the guild - the strike ended soon after the threat circulated.

These side deals do nothing in terms of dividing and conquering - it’s a nice dream, but it’s bullshit. UA is a deal that allows Robert Towne to finish rewrites on Cruise’s new film - that’s all - and it allows him a big fuck you to Sumner Redstone. BFD. (0h, and maybe Ridley will get a huge paycheck to rewrite Pinkville for Oliver Stone at UA) Whoopy! The Weinsteins who are suffering big time now get to move ahead on a couple movies and flip the bird at Disney - their old partners. Yay! All the night time hosts get to write their own stuff - some admit to it (Leno) and others do not.

We’ll make more side deals and before too long, like in ‘88, there will be a few dozen writers back at work while tens of thousands remaining out of work. Anyone who believes the rank and file will sit still so A-listers can returns to their multi-million dollar paychecks is high!

The guild is splitting - quietly - and it’s splitting within the ranks of what could be called the die-hard supporters. I walk the line - and I am one who may benefit from a side deal - as one of my projects is on hold at a company currently negotiating with the guild. I will be glad to go back to work if I’m lucky enough to - and I will believe as I collect my commencement check that they rest of you on out on the picket lines are being screwed over by a very misguided leadership.

Conan is clearly on the side of the writers, and he makes a very carefully worded, very polite statement about that at the beginning of the show, but he acts as if he’s a guy walking on a tightrope over a pit of alligators when he talks about the strike.

On the one hand, it’s sad to see these guys going to work, and sadder when they seem to ignore the strike.

On the other hand, why didn’t the WGA get the post-production people on board, and why doesn’t it do so now? If the editors were striking and locking the shows in the Avids, then the hosts of the shows wouldn’t be in such an awkward position. If the WGA were working with the editors, then the hosts wouldn’t be tempted to cross picket lines, because it would be impossible to complete a show, and maybe difficult even to make the little shows to old shows necessary to air reruns.

Thats becuase NO ONE CARES. Thats why you all have to come here to have your pity party. No one else cares. It doesnt affect the public. Stewart as much as said so in his second episode saying how many emails he got about his first show with people that were pissed off at a 30 min advertisement for the WGA. The WGA unwillingness to give on any of their negotiating points only hurts you. There has been 2 mentions that there is still a strike going on in the news once when a Republican crossed the picket line (no one seemed to care when Sharpton did it to go on Kimmel but god forbig Huckabee does) and when they were cancelling the Golden Globes. Thats it.

Letterman owns his show so he can say and do whatever he wants because Letterman isnt funny. He only does his show to amuse himself.

Kimmel, Leno, Stewart, Colbert, Obrien all had to go back on the air or there would be no show for writers to go back to. Kimmel’s writers are glad he went back on and they are glad he plays past segments so that they get royalties.

But you guys “Stand United” all the way to the homeless shelter with your families. Im sure your sons and daughters when eating a discarded peanut butter sandwhich will say “Thank you for standing up for your principles, now its like camping every day”

The WGA doesnt care about its members otherwise they would have settled this deal already. They care about not being the first to blink. The first side to come to the table looks weaker and the WGA refuses to do that. The AMPTP sure as hell isnt going to be the first to blink. They will give a reality show to a dog before they will be the first.

Common sense has to win out over pride. You have to say hey lets get the Internet money and forget animation and reality as they were poor decision.

After the clip there was a moment of stunned silence from the both of them. Words were not needed. The expressions on his and her’s face said it all.
“Our careers are screwed?”

Didn’t Pammy used to be the one “Celeb” The Tonight Show would call when a “Bigger” name would drop out at the last minute. Now she’s the biggest name he can get. What does that say? Who wants to take bets that Howie Mandell will show up again within the next 2 weeks?