Now that almost all the other late night hosts are returning right after the new year, the latest news is that Jon Stewart (a WGA member) and Stephen Colbert (also a WGA member) are headed back into the studios on January 7th. The good news is that this could make the 2008 Presidential race that much more interesting. The bad news is that the shows won't have available to them the WGA writers who would make the shows that much more interesting. Both late-night shows were shuttered after the Hollywood writers strike began seven weeks ago. The comedy duo join late night hosts Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel returning behind their desks on January 2nd.
Only David Letterman, whose Worldwide Pants owns both his The Late Show and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, is trying to get back on the air with writers by asking the WGA for an "interim agreement". On Friday, leaders of the striking writers guild confer with Dave's production company. My latest info is that WWP's Rob Burnett is flying to Los Angeles tonight to personally meet with the WGA "because he thought this was too important to just leave up the lawyers," an insider tells me.
Here's the Comedy Central announcement that is slowly beginning to circulate:
" The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report will resume production on January 7 with both shows returning to air that night without their respective writing staffs. The January 7 return follows a scheduled two-week, end-of-year hiatus that was previously built into the shows’ production calendars. We continue to hold out hope for a swift resolution to the current stalemate that will enable the shows to be complete again.”
And then there's this joint statement by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert: “We would like to return to work with our writers. If we cannot, we would like to express our ambivalence, but without our writers we are unable to express something as nuanced as ambivalence.”
Meanwhile, the WGA issued this response to the news: “Comedy Central forcing Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert back on the air will not give the viewers the quality shows they’ve come to expect. The only way to get the writing staffs back on the job is for the AMPTP companies to come back to the table prepared to negotiate a fair deal with the Writers Guild.”
Huh? Are JS and SC members themselves? Who will be writing their material? (I mean, they both are fantastic writers… but are they allowed to provide non-spontaneous “writing” on those shows?)
Just curious…
Comment by Writer — December 20, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
I want these guys back on TV as much as anyone else, but I can’t see how it’s possible to do either show without writers.
Comment by Andrew — December 20, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
I’m at a loss as to how Jon Stewart could possibly come back and do his show considering he’s a WGA member. I don’t mean that he’s a scab for daring to return to work. I mean that his show is completely written and so I don’t see how he’s actually able to do what he’s been doing all these years WITHOUT a script.
And anything he writes is scab work because he’s a WGA member and there’s a writers strike, no?
Comment by Francine Fishpaw — December 20, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
They should have their writers as guests, and talk about all the funny jokes they’re not able to write.
Comment by stuck in development — December 20, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
Look, I believe that WGA hyphenates can and should engage in non-writing activities (directing, acting, catering) if and when they feel it is justified, but how can someone who uses words for a living NOT be writing as they go? Fashioning a joke in one’s head is writing. Even if you don’t open Final Draft and type it out.
Comment by Ted Striker — December 20, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
I expect to see the same kind of venom and hate you all spewed at Ellen and Carson Daly in these comments now that your precious Stewart and Colbert are doing the same exact thing.
Annnnnnddddddd……GO!
Comment by step it up boys and girls — December 20, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
I think both shows will rely much more on the interview segment — either doing two each episode or extending the usual one. I could even see Jon Stewart bringing his correspondents (all good at improv) and doing a roundtable type thing (that mocks that kind of show.)
All the authors of non-fiction books about politics must be ecstatic as they can finally get some publicity again! Not to mention John McCain, who has been on the Daily Show more than any other guest.
Comment by Michelle C — December 20, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
I can’t wait until all showrunners return to their shows without a deal.
Comment by Anonymous — December 20, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
I guess they’ll have to stick to doing only unscripted interview segments. Which have the dangerous tendency of turning into dead air if the guest isn’t up to it.
Of course this moves fits the AMPTP philosophy of: “We don’t need stories, scripts, or anything like that. All we need are highly paid stars.“
Comment by Furious D — December 20, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
As soon as these guys set foot on the air the truth will out about what they think of writers and unions. And it’s not going to be pretty.
Comment by was there — December 20, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Huh. Isn’t anything either one says that’s not a direct question for a guest in essence…writing? In fact, the questions are typically scripted to lead to “amusing” anecdotes. In addition, improv is still writing, isn’t it - the lack of the page is semantics. And anyway, most improv is based on rehearsals with scripts. I don’t see how this works for Stewart at all.
Did he do a Speechless video?
Maybe he’ll be doing a 30 minute one on Jan 7th.
Comment by Harris — December 20, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
“Completely written?” Not the guest segments.
Comment by Anonymous — December 20, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
Ah, Guys, Johnny Carson never crossed the picket line because he was NOT a member of WGA so that bullshit won’t wash. You are crossing the picket line.
Just who is forcing you to return? Tell us, we want to know. Tom Short? Your IATSE Contract?
You are now handing The gloating Companies with a huge fuck you to the WGA, you see it in the trades already.
This makes me sick. I was okay with Dave if he had an agreement with WGA, but I won’t be should he return without an agreement.
If Johnny was a Member of WGA he would have never pulled this shit. He had principles. He would never reward a Company who treated him as we are being treated. He advised as much to Dave if I recall.
So, I hope your shows suck, as they should with no written material, no skits, no monologues and NO jokes. I hope your ratings suffer a bigger ratings loss than the funny, well written, higher quality reruns. And if there are any jokes just who is gonna write those jokes guys? If it’s you, you are a scab.
And who is going to appear on your show? Actors? The same brothers and sisters we are sacrificing for, the next group in line to be treated as we are?
Pat, Dave, John… You have lost this round boys… unless the Public refuses to watch this crap.
SAG, we are watching and waiting. Do not reward these asshole Companies. There is NO reason why you or these “WGA” Hosts need to support the Companies.
Comment by PJ - Writer — December 20, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
Shill alert! Shill alert!
Comment by PJ - Writer — December 20, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
No venom, just the truth. Jon Stewart, as a WGA member, is a scab for crossing the picket lines. I’m extremely disappoint in his cowardice. I don’t know what to think about Colbert. I guess he wanted his big salary more than he wanted to help his writers.
Comment by galveston — December 20, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
As both a fan of TDS/TCR and a supporter of the strike, I feel very conflicted about this news. On the other hand, I do respect the difficult situation that Stewart and Colbert must be in, being both writers and producers of their respective shows, and having a responsibility toward their non-writing staffs to consider.
It will be interesting to see how they handle their shows without their writing staffs. (My guess? Lots more interviews.)
Comment by Jess — December 20, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
a scab is a scab by any other name - ellen, jon, carson, stephen, jay, conan, jimmy - scabs all (the verdict is still out on davey but he’s looking awful scabby) - they will, when they go to the big green room in the sky, have to live with their what me worry choices… i, on the other hand, must choose to never watch the greedy scabs again…
Comment by a — December 20, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
Okay — let’s see how many people can pledge to never, ever watch the Daily Show and the Colbert Report again?
We’re all in this together, right?
Let the count begin:
One.
Comment by MichaelInLa — December 20, 2007 @ 6:55 pm
There’s a specific AFTRA exemption that allows these guys to go back to work. They can’t perform (or write) anything that was prior to the strike written by the staff (which I think means basically no opening monologues, but they can interview guests and do whatever off-the-cuff quipping they usually do). I expect they will honor the rules set for this scenario by WGA and AFTRA. Not a great situation, but the scab-calling in this thread is misplaced. They are no more scabs than are say, DGA/WGA hyphenates who have been directing movies over the past two months but not writing on them.
Comment by Mike — December 20, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
sorry mike… unlike the DGA/WGA hyphenates who have been directing movies, they provide a “face” to the public by being back on the air that says f’ the guild, we’re back and we don’t care who gets screwed over so long as it ain’t us. i.e. they are scabs in deed. scabs who make a living pretending they are superior beings in all their cool cleverness. well ain’t they sumthin’ now. sure their mommas are dang proud.
Comment by ArizonaKid — December 20, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
AFTRA SMAFTRA, They are supporting the Companies and prolonging the Strike if their shows create an increase in Ad revenue for the Companies.
That means The Companies will benefit from their actions. It means they can wait it out longer and increase the damage to WGA, BTL Families, the local Economy, etc. That is big time scabby to me.
Comment by PJ - Writer — December 20, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
I know this isn’t going to be a popular opinion, but I think the WGA should have given waivers to the writers of both these shows weeks ago. The writers of TDS and TCR are masters at skewering egos and throwing eggs at the “powers that be”… like the AMPTP. They could be bringing our fight to TV screens across the country four nights a week.
And frankly, I don’t care if it’s not fair to other writers (myself included). I’m not as good as these guys and granting me a waiver will not further our cause. I think probably 99.9% of us can admit that.
This is a battle for our livelihoods. These guys could be powerful weapons if we let them be. I’ll shed a tear for “fairness” when it’s all over.
Comment by DLJ — December 20, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
Scab issues aside, format-wise these shows don’t work without writers and I would really be careful about asking studio audiences to cross the picket lines with me if I was Stewart. If they were my shows I would send the hosts on the road following the primaries doing interviews with politicos and regular folks to avoid the previously mentioned issues.
Comment by ReelBusy — December 20, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
Okay, everyone, let’s hear the ’scab’ talk now. Your two iconoclast heroes, both WGA members, are happily crossing the picket line and returning to their shows. Of course, you’re blaming Comedy Central for “forcing” them. With what, a threat to replace them with Carrot Top? I saw this coming a mile off.
Soon, they’ll both be requesting “waivers” to allow their writers to return to work (and they’ll get them). Everything else will fall into place, i.e. “well, since he went back, I guess I can too…” You think Stewart was going to give up hosting the Oscars? I don’t care if he hosts The Daily Show and bashes politicians everyday. He’s a hired employee, not Che Guevara.
This will all fizzle out by late-February after AMPTP strikes a New Media deal with the DGA and the WGA goes along with it.
Next time you throw a strike, don’t do it the way you’d write one for a movie. Just because it looks cool on paper doesn’t mean it works in real life.
Comment by tom reynolds — December 20, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
None of these hosts is a scab (nor will Dave be a scab when he joins them witout his writers.) A scab is ONLY someone who is getting paid to WRITE for a signatory company during a strike. So hosts, guests, directors, musicians, caterers, camera men, talent bookers, etc. who work on a show or movie during a writers strike are NOT scabs.
Yes, the hosts are providing increased income for the studios at a time when it would help the WGA’s position for them not to do so, but they are also keeping hundreds of people employed (people who in Jay, Conan and Dave’s case have been with them for over a decade. Hell, with Dave for over two decades.) It’s a very tough decision they’ve made, but as all these hosts have been pro-writer for years, I am giving them the benefit of the doubt.
And the reason Ellen and Carson Daly got so much heat (Ellen especially,) is that they were seen as going back awfully quickly– thus hurting the WGA’s position more immediately. But they were never scabs.
For Teamsters and other union members across the country, calling someone a scab is the worst possible insult you could throw at someone. A pity people on this board are so quick to use the term.
Comment by Martin D — December 20, 2007 @ 7:34 pm
The level of rhetoric on these blogs is amazing to a “non-pro”. You are the same people who champion freedom of speech all over the world……..except if its at odds with your union goals.
I don’t get it.
Comment by robert kates — December 20, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
Harris wrote: “In addition, improv is still writing, isn’t it - the lack of the page is semantics. And anyway, most improv is based on rehearsals with scripts.”
In 12 years of performing improv I have never seen improv “based on rehearsals with scripts”. It’s improvised; that’s the point. Incidentally, it may be writing but it isn’t scripted; that’s why Equity doesn’t consider performing improv to be a case of working in a non-union production.
Comment by TC — December 20, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
off the cuff quipping is essentially writing
big difference between that and directing
these guys are scabs scabs scabs and no tap dancing of words changes that
karma will get them because they will stink and people will tune out, hard to get viewers back once you’ve lost them, no matter how good you are
just ask letterman - who lost millions of viewers after one appearance by hugh grant on leno, and letterman has never recovered those viewers 12 years later
Comment by anons — December 20, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
It will be interesting to see how they handle their shows without their writing staffs. (My guess? Lots more interviews.)Aren’t the questions for interviews…scripted?
Comment by Sara — December 20, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
Anonymous 6:20 said: I can’t wait until all showrunners return to their shows without a deal.
Come on, don’t they pay you by the word? You couldn’t muster two sentences.
These Fabiani and Lehane people are so obvious. They know nothing about showbusiness. Let me give you a tip, boys: the word “showrunner” is not used for comedy-variety shows. But obviously, you were paid to get out that very thought somewhere, so you had to stick that comment onto whatever posting was available.
If you guys are gonna get paid a hundred grand a month by the amptp, could you at least do a better job for them?
Comment by works in tv — December 20, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
Mike wrote,
There’s a specific AFTRA exemption that allows these guys to go back to work… They can’t perform (or write) anything that was prior to the strike written by the staff…I expect they will honor the rules set for this scenario by WGA and AFTRA.
mike, you’re right about Jon being allowed to be on and do interviews. I hope you’re right about him honoring the clear strike rules the wga has published. when jon stewart starts doing jokes he will lose much of his liberal audience who will realize he is nothing but a scab and a union buster. as for colbert, he is a character, and characters are scripted. even if stephen colberT the actor is improvising as the character, that’s still writing and not allowed under the strike rule.
jon stewart does not automatically violate the published strike rules just by going back on the air, but colbert clearly does and will be punished by the wga and its membership for this. severely.
Comment by won't take it no more — December 20, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
Well I for one am certainly looking forward to them back on the air, just to see how it fares. If it falls flat, I’ll just stop watching…at least until the writers come back.
Comment by Rei Mehari — December 20, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
I think this could be a good thing - unless Comedy Central (Viacom) censors the hell out of them, they’ll be on television taking the WGA’s side. This could help educate those who don’t understand the strike.
Comment by Katrina — December 20, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
do you guys not for a second think that the writers on those shows won’t write from home and secretly get paid retroactively once the strike ends?
Comment by come on! — December 20, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
No MichaeliInLa. Make it two.
Regretfully, I must say, “fuck Jon Stewart and fuck Stephen Colbert.” I am SOOOOO disappointed.
I will never watch their shows again if they do this.
No matter how good they are. No matter how excellent the writing when the WGA members get back. They must be blackballed for life.
There is no other choice.
These are two brilliant men who have chosen to piss all over their fellow union members and for this, they must go into the desert alone.
If I will eagerly vent my spleen against the disgusting Jay Leno and the idiotic, infantile Conan O’Brien, I have no choice but to learn to hate Stewart and Colbert for so utterly caving.
THIS is the disheartening thing I was hoping wouldn’t happen before Christmas. Thanks alot, you creeps.
Nobody has carried the water for the AMPTP like you two just have.
Fuck you forever.
Comment by anotherWGAmemberer — December 20, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
I will only enjoy picketing your Oscar ceremony that much more, Mr. Stewart.
Lick it up, baby, lick. it. up.
Comment by Norm A. Rae — December 20, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
Nikki printed these a few days ago but now that everyone’s headed back they need to be emphasized yet again. These are the official WGA strike rules:
NOTICE TO ALL WGA MEMBERS WRITING FOR COMEDY/VARIETY SHOWS
The Council of the Writers Guild of America, East, Inc. and the Board of Directors of Writers Guild of America, West, Inc. (collectively the “Guild”), have adopted Strike Rules which will go into effect if the Guild calls a strike. The Strike Rules, among other provisions, prohibit Guild members from performing any writing services during a strike for any and all struck companies. This prohibition includes all writing by any Guild member that would be performed on-air by that member (including monologues, characters, and featured appearances) if any portion of that written material is customarily written by striking writers.
That couldn’t be more clear. The hosts can write nothing, because there was nothing they wrote all by themselves before the strike. Furthermore, the Daily Show can NOT do correspondent pieces, as som have suggested they might, because a writer is ALWAYS assigned to those field pieces.
This could get ugly. Fast.
Comment by Knows the rules — December 20, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
I’m one WGA member who is glad the hosts are going back. Because when the studio chiefs see just how bad these shows are, they are going to, for the first time, realize that writers really do something.
Comment by Bring it on! — December 20, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
Harris,
Writing questions for guests is not the work of a WGA writer. It is done by staffers called “segment producers” and under the strike rules it would be permissible for staffers to write these questions for guests since it’s not a job that was partially done by WGA writers. The only time those people ever get a writing credit is when they whine like a puppy for a year for it.
Comment by wga talk show writer — December 20, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
I love both these guys and admire their shows immensely. I mean, when the strike first started, for a moment I forgot about myself as a striking writer and wondered what life would be like without my daily dose of THE DAILY SHOW. But dammit what’s next? Tina Fey will do 30 ROCK without her writers and get away with it? We’re on strike people! If you’re a WGA member and you’re working in any shape, form, or manner, you’re contributing to making these companies who refuse to bargain with us even richer. Oh, and you’re crossing the picket line.
Comment by tired feet — December 20, 2007 @ 8:32 pm
DLJ said, “The writers of TDS and TCR are masters at skewering egos and throwing eggs at the “powers that be”… like the AMPTP. They could be bringing our fight to TV screens across the country four nights a week.”
DLJ — aren’t you making a big assumption here? Namely, that Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert would be willing to take on their employers.
And if you think they would do that, then you don’t know them.
Comment by no pipe dreams for me — December 20, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Humm, I guess it depends on what they do. Though I don’t think I’ll watch it.
Maybe they’ll spend their episodes trying to talk about how the WGA is right. Wouldn’t surprise me… of course who knows if they’ll even air that…
Hell… I’m going to wait till it happens to pass judgment.
Comment by Beo — December 20, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
won’t take it no more:
That’s an interesting point re: Colbert, but I don’t think it carries, or at least AFTRA would argue that Colbert’s in-character improvisations falls under their agreement, not the WGA’s. Plus, you know, it’s a gray area, unless you want to argue that Jon Stewart is *exactly* the same off camera as he is on-.
But, also, it’ll be really interesting to see if Colbert *can* keep the character up w/out a writing staff. I don’t think he can, and I bet he knows that, and will tone it down a good bit.
Comment by Mike — December 20, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
Sara: interview questions on these sorts of shows are usually worked out between the interviewee and the (non-WGA) talent booker. So while they might be ’scripted’ in some sense (though not really in the sense meant by the WGA Constitution), they aren’t under the purview of the WGA members on staff, so interview questions and prep are still kosher.
Comment by MikeS — December 20, 2007 @ 8:52 pm
Bravo Martin D!
I agree with you completely! Conan, Jay, etc are not scabs! They are being forced back! They are all good talented people and they want the strike to be over! They want a new fair deal for the writers!
The slanderous insults should stop immeadiately! I think a pack of us loyal Conan fans should go down to the studio and protect Conan and Company from any back lash they might receive on Jan 2!
We should protest the protesters if their are any! I’ll see how many Conan fans I can enlist for our cause! Conan fans are nothing if not Loyal! Nobody better mess with our King of Late Night!
Cindy Loves Conan
Comment by Cindy Loves Conan — December 20, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
A silver lining to this situation is that I’m sure they will rerun a lot of sketches and bits to fill the time… for which their striking writing staffs will receive residual checks. (Though not as hefty as the checks they’ve been receiving for the past two months for the full-episode repeats, so I guess the lining just got less silver-er.)
Comment by Mike — December 20, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
To works in tv at 7:48 PM: Just out of curiosity, why do you think that someone who doesn’t know the precise meaning of the word ’showrunner’ is more likely to be a paid shill than a bona fide member of the general public? For crissakes, I’m a tv drama writer, and *I* didn’t know that the term is never used in variety shows. This is the kind of shill-calling that gives WGA members a bad name and does indeed hurt our public perception.
Comment by Mike — December 20, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
Compare the two statements
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert: “We would like to return to work with our writers. If we cannot, we would like to express our ambivalence, but without our writers we are unable to express something as nuanced as ambivalence.”
WGA: “Comedy Central forcing Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert back on the air will not give the viewers the quality shows they’ve come to expect.”
What’s wittier - the statements by 2 guys without writers or the organization with 12,500 writers?
Comment by maybe professinalism is over-rated — December 20, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
So now Stewart and Colbert are back - let me add go ahead and add two more shows that the WGA will not picket, in addition to Jay and Conan.
If we don’t picket ALL OF THESE shows EVERY DAY, SAG members will cross to be guests - plain and simple.
But I guess all the Jay and Conan staffers who lurk and post here don’t want to see their shows get picketed.
The WGA will never win the bigger picture if we cannot look past our own shows.
It’s easy to say you’re for the greater good of the WGA, but it’s another thing to put your money where your mouth is.
Comment by Even More Fed Up — December 20, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
I admire, respect, and support both Jon and Stephen for the work they do, their talent, their brilliance, and their ability to make us laugh until our faces hurt.
I do not support this decision.
No matter how you slice it, when it’s put in terms of any other strike that ever occurred since the beginning of organized labor (transit workers strikes, teacher strikes, etc.), crossing the picket line is always frowned upon. However, if they are both honoring the strike terms set forth by the WGA, I wouldn’t consider them scabs–they wouldn’t be so unless they wrote and performed pre-written material (ergo, filling in the writers’ jobs, which is, technically, what a scab is) which is not in their intention.
I do feel, though, that unless both of them use their shows as platforms from which they can bring a great deal more attention to this strike (as it’s hardly being covered by the media), and perhaps initiate a conclusion to it, that it would do nothing but hurt the solidarity and unity that’s been generated by the WGA, SAG, and (I guess, sorta) the DGA so far.
You’d think for die-hard Colbert fans (like myself) that an announcement like this would be celebratory — unfortunately, it’s far from it.
Comment by Lisa — December 20, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
Anons,
If “off the cuff quipping is essentially writing” then according to you, not only the hosts but all the guests who go on talk shows should be paid as writers, too, as they provide off the cuff quipping. But they’re not, because it’s not a written segment of the show.
(not that some of them couldn’t use writers…)
Could we stay focused on the real villains here? The heads of the studios who would rather put thousands of people out of work during the holidays rather than return to the bargaining table that they walked away from.
Comment by Jenny M. — December 20, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
I am AWFULLY TIRED of TV hosts crossing picket lines “for their crew.” There are something like 180 shows and 180 crews out of work. What about them? These hosts returning definitely prolong the strike, thus hurting the vast majority of crews.
These Comedy Central assholes really burn me. Time Warner is the most hawkish conglom when it comes to the strike.
The crews of talk shows are no more special than the crews of the other 175 dark shows. These guys are the French turning over the keys of the city to the Nazis, so their family businesses would be spared.
Stewart, how do you explain yourself?
Comment by Sickandtired — December 20, 2007 @ 9:48 pm
The WGA should give these guys waivers… only on the condition they devote 5 minutes each night to covering the strike, what dicks the AMPTP are, and the writers/BTL workers who are hurting.
Comment by Andrew — December 20, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
For those of you losing heart here, for those of you with a little question in the back of your minds, remember:
The people that want you to lose this strike want you to lose your health plan. They want you to lose your pension, and your income.
All else is conversation.
So… Stewart and Colbert are coming back…?
All else is conversation.
On behalf of the writers with their eyes on the prize…
(yawn)
Comment by Greg — December 20, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
The WGA is a guild, not a union. A lot of these posts seem to miss that. While they are similar, the WGA cannot tell an employer not to hire somebody or tell someone not to work.
Comment by tommyboy — December 20, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
> off the cuff quipping is essentially writing
Trivia question: Who off-the-cuff-quipped the Declaration of Independence?
Comment by sp3c1al1st — December 20, 2007 @ 11:04 pm
I assume Stewart and Colbert will do jokes, since that is the nature of their shows. If they write a joke before the show, they are scabs, pure and simple. If they supervise the editing of a clip and create an amusing comment based on what they saw, they are scabbing. If they come up with anything amusing which is placed on a cue card, they are scabbing. And of course, if they hire non-union writers, they are worse than scabs. As fans, I don’t see how they can do the show without doing some of these things. The other performers on these shows perform set pieces, all clearly written.
Similarly, if Conan or Leno do monologues, they are scabbing. You can interview guests and say amusing things during the interviews, but that’s it.
As for Dave, I feel for him. He is trying to do the right thing here and I’m confident he would sign whatever deal we could give him. The problem, I assume, is that he doesn’t control the distribution of his show via new media and can’t negotiate any rights or fees in that area. He can hardly pay writers for use of their work on the net when he neither controls the distribution nor the money involved. I don’t know how this can be solved.
All of these shows should be picketed and our friends in SAG should make it a point to not appear on them.
Comment by Old Guy — December 20, 2007 @ 11:05 pm
The revenue from late night talk is not gonna make or break the AMPTP. Let Stewart, Colbert, Letterman, and Conan come back and put the strike on the air every night. They have to talk about it and even if somehow they don’t, they’ll have to drastically change format, which will also bring awareness about the strike.
During the 80’s strike, Letterman used to come out and do “Network Time Killers” where he’d just ask the director what he was wearing that night because there were no writers. It was funny, kept me watching, and educated stupid high school kids like myself about what the writers did on the show.
So the networks’ll get some late night ratings back — who cares? It’s going to put the strike in the spotlight and I think it’s worth it.
Comment by DLJ — December 20, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
Well this SUCKS! Although, I knew it would happen–the moment Jay and Conan said they were coming back–Jon and Stephen were screwed. Of COURSE CC would want their shows to come back to compete in the “cut throat” late night ratings. If Jay and Conan had said “NO! We will not come back!” Than Jon and Stephen wouldn’t have either. The moment ONE of them “broke”–all the others had nothing to wait for! And even if they WANTED to stay away, the Corps that own the shows wouldn’t allow it! They can point to the “Tonight show” and say “Hey, Jay’s back, so if you want to keep your show, then you’re back too!”.
Sucks! I REALLY wish they’d stay off the air…even though I miss TDS and TCR desperately!
Comment by Suffering from TDS withdrawals — December 20, 2007 @ 11:13 pm
When the strike started, I thought it was a given that if it didn’t come to quick conclusion, the late night shows would likely come back before the end of the strike. I thought I read that’s what happened in ‘88. Carson, Letterman and whoever else was on did unwritten monologues and it was mostly because they were forced to. At the time I was 12 and there was no internet, so maybe it was frowned upon then just like it is now.
I also seem to remember there was talk about all the late night shows coming back in early December. They’d come back at the same time without writers, and I thought then that maybe it would be okay because at that time I think it would have been clear that they were only there because they were forced back.
I may be naive, I don’t know the entertainment business or the hosts in question at all, but until recently I thought that Leno, Letterman, Conan, Stewart, Colbert, and Kimmel have all gone out of their way to support the strike and their writers. I was talking to a friend of mine who hasn’t been watching strike news very closely and he said he was impressed by Leno because Leno was shown on the first day of the strike handing out donuts to writers. I was impressed by Kimmel because he quietly paid his writers.
I like to believe that the hosts are in a particularly difficult position. I think of them as a strange type of hyphenate, they are writers and the face of the show. Without writers you can’t produce Grey’s Anatomy, but because Leno is a comedian and interviewer, he should be able to tell jokes and talk to people (I know I’m simplifying the host job, but I’m trying to make a point). I think because of that, it’s easier for the networks to force them back to work. And I like to think that the hosts don’t want to be in the position they are in. I can’t imagine that any of them will be excited to go to work on Jan 2 or 7.
Comment by just an observer — December 21, 2007 @ 12:22 am
I’m a fan. But this is a very bad move.
I wont watch them.
I will picket them. With gusto.
I’d love to hear their justification for scabbing.
The rest of us have put our jobs on the line. Where are their balls?
Sickened by the whole lot of late-nighters.
Pathetic.
Comment by LKB — December 21, 2007 @ 12:29 am
What’s with the scab-labeling witch-hunt? I can understand the anger, but as a viewer I gotta say, it’d be idiotic for WGA hard-liners to try to alienate and tear down Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. That would only be a sure way for the union to lose a lot of the public’s goodwill. Assuming the WGA cares about that. Right or wrong, you just don’t ask the public to choose between a labor union, and two men as admired and popular as Stewart and Colbert.
I support the writers but we know the world ain’t black and white. We know these hosts are in a lose-lose situation through no fault of their own. Go writers, get your fair deal swiftly, but save your vitriol for the ones who actually deserve it: the media conglomerates.
Comment by Erika — December 21, 2007 @ 12:43 am
Hey, I didn’t know Jon Stewart was a Republican!
Comment by Jenn — December 21, 2007 @ 12:56 am
Y’know, Carson Daley found out what can happen when you scab in front of a live studio audience, didn’t e?
Do you really think these other shows will be taped in front of anything but the producer’s and network execs cousins, moms and aunts?
Comment by anotherWGAmemberer — December 21, 2007 @ 2:24 am
Hmm, what’s a funny word for scabs? Stuart and Colbert are crossing the line. We know it. They know it. End of story.
Comment by quickieq — December 21, 2007 @ 3:43 am
When Stewart was at MTV, he was a corporate guy. He’d do anything they wanted, and they fired him ANYWAY. I doubt that type of corporate huggy bear has changed.
Every word uttered on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report will have been written by Colbert, Stewart, and the other scabs they will be supporting.
Stewart is a scab. The Daily Show will be his ongoing scabbing event. The Oscars will be his highlight scabbing event.
Stewart is a company guy. Make no mistake about it. Anyone who thinks he doesn’t support his corporate master is a fool.
I don’t know much about Colbert personally, other than he works for Stewart. Stewart isn’t known for valuing diversity in opinion in the workplace, so I doubt Colbert differs much.
And please stop pretending that these talk show hosts will be using their shows as bully pulpits for the strike. The WGA strike will probably be mentioned for a total of 2-3 minutes when you add all of the shows together. It will be mentioned, if at all, on the first night that they return and that will be it.
Comment by Stewart is a Company Man — December 21, 2007 @ 3:46 am
So, let me get this straight. If you post here but you work for Leno, O’Brien, Stewart, Colbert or Kimmel you are a “lurker?” Um, I’ve got some news for you: this is NOT a WGA site; it’s a news and opinion site. Non-WGA people have just as much right to post their valid opinions here as you do. If you want the strict party line with no dissent, go to a WGA-only blog. And if you can’t bear to see comments from people who disagree with you I suggest you turn off your computer. Your attitude (and that of those who are quick to scream “shill” or “troll” a the merest whiff of an opposing viewpoint) is sad and elitist and if supports the public perception that Hollywood (and the WGA) are out of touch with reality. I don’t happen to agree with that perception but you are helping to propagate it.
Comment by music box steps — December 21, 2007 @ 5:14 am
How about something positive…..
Like where we (viewers) who want to support the writers can write/call/e-mail to voice our displeasure at these shows for coming back….
I’m not happy — and I watch both shows via the Internet ( and yes I think writers should get paid when I watch the shows and their adds on the net)
Also instead of sending pencils to the studio’s (who won’t accept them) How about sending them to the sponsors/advertisers on these shows or the advertisers on the shows web sites where I watch them…. asking them if they wan’t to be associated with breaking the union.
How about a Facebook group or myspace page….Colbert had one when he was running for president. How about some postings on the wall of this group expressing the displeasure about his strike stance…
How about starting a facebook group group to end the strike……
I am interested in seeing who the guests are…. I would send them penciles as well. If it is writers (book authors), I would visit them at their book signing events and ask them if they think they should get paid if you post their book on the internet and see what their answers is?????
If its actors, I would ask them if they would be on the show when the SAG goes on strike or do they only cross picket lines of other unions?
Just some thoughts….
Comment by JEd — December 21, 2007 @ 5:39 am
Just wanted to offer my thoughts, as a viewer. I certainly have the utmost respect for what the WGA is fighting for, and I completely understand the passions of those who have been out walking the picket lines for something approaching two months now, but I have to say, some of the screeds about JS and SC being scabs are off-putting.
They obviously support you in your fight, and from their statement, intend to make that clear once they are back one the air. Frankly, blogs aside, you need the publicity.
Second, I’m sorry, but to me, TDS and TCR have become an essential part of the public political discourse, and their absense is having a major impact on the election season thus far. As a viewer and an American, it is frankly more important to me to regain these shows, in whatever shitty form they make take. Ranting about scabbing makes you seem petty in the face of larger concerns, especially since JS and SC remain publicly supportive of your agenda.
That said, stay strong, and I continue to wish and work for you to get a fair deal from the studios ASAP!
Comment by Rebecca — December 21, 2007 @ 6:11 am
I didn’t know about the questions for guests…but I too have done improv, per someone’s response, and typically during the rehearsals we at least had “arenas” in which to practice - so when, for instance, the audience shouted out a suggestion, we had a base point to start with. I understand it’s categorized differently, but ultimately it’s entertainment, right? And Stewart, as a member, really can only be described as crossing the line. Of course he doesn’t want to lose his show. I don’t want my stalled projects to die. Staffers on loads of new TV this season must be sweating bullets, wondering if they will return, and if in fact they do, if audiences will follow. The whole thing blows, but at this point I’d hate to see it end with a whimper. Reality TV is one thing, but what’s to stop NBC from, say, giving Chris Rock an improv show? Etc. And as several have pointed out, we slammed Carson, but let’s face it. We LIKE JS and SC a lot more than that TRL douchebag.
Comment by Harris — December 21, 2007 @ 7:00 am
If I had the power to not devastate the lives of my coworkers, I would do it. And I would hope they would do the same for me.
Has it not dawned on anyone that despite whatever efforts Jon and Stephen make, that TDS and TCR will almost certainly be trainwrecks when they return? And that perhaps a nightly trainwreck will do a lot more for the strike than reruns? And that they likely *know* this?
I’ve been on the writers’ side 100% through this, but the comments here demonstrate why I’m typically anti-union. Quit with the victim complex and focus on the people you should be fighting against. Based on what I’m reading here, it’s almost as if someone is trying to divide and conquer, and succeeding. Hmm.
Comment by Anonymous — December 21, 2007 @ 7:06 am
Sickandtired -
Comedy Central is a part of MTV Networks, which is owned by Viacom, not Time Warner.
Comment by MJL — December 21, 2007 @ 7:08 am
The Golden Globes and Oscars will be as star-studded as a foggy night. Picket lines can be set up at the talk shows to keep guests away. That and no jokes will make them less attractive viewing. Nets drinking from primetime hits are soon tapped out. No settlement by the Spring will sink upfronts and cost them billions.
A few major players will come to their senses in the interest of self-preservation and know they can come to the table and start making proposals that amount to a real win-win deal or throw huge business in the trash waiting around for Counter or other CEOS to do something. If you deserve your job running a company, you don’t sit around waiting for someone else to ru(i)n your business for you.
Comment by Anonymous — December 21, 2007 @ 7:09 am
Wow:
“The crews of talk shows are no more special than the crews of the other 175 dark shows. These guys are the French turning over the keys of the city to the Nazis, so their family businesses would be spared.”
Really? Is that the comparison you want to make?
The WGA is fighting for residuals on new media. There’s no question that if the writers deserved residuals in the old medium, then they should deserve the same in the new medium. But to equate this to WWII… well, I leave it to you to judge whether it’s an apt comparison.
Also, to clear up some misconceptions: The Daily Show is not like most TV shows. While there are a dozen or so officially-recognized WGA “writers,” there are many other people who contribute directly to the creative content of the show, including actual written material. When the “writers” joined the WGA, these other writers and creative-content-producers were not invited, and it’s those people along with a hundred additional crew members who are being asked to sacrifice their paychecks so that the highest-paid people on the show - the WGA-covered “writers” - can get new media residuals solely for themselves, residuals for which they arguably not solely entitled.
Very few of the issue surrounding the strike are black and white, and the situation with The Daily Show is especially grey.
Comment by js — December 21, 2007 @ 7:20 am
Grant Dave the waiver. Let his show be the one with writers. Let the country see what a difference that makes.
Comment by Anonymous — December 21, 2007 @ 7:23 am
Sickandtired — “I am AWFULLY TIRED of TV hosts crossing picket lines “for their crew.” There are something like 180 shows and 180 crews out of work. What about them? These hosts returning definitely prolong the strike, thus hurting the vast majority of crews.”
I have to agree with you. Nice of Stewart and Colbert to show compassion to their non-writer crews, but the real compassion in this situation would be to hold out in support of the writers. The shows going back on the air is pretty much the same as a company going back into production with replacement workers — except that in the shows’ case, they don’t even have the expense of the replacement workers’ salaries.
So now it’s on the WGA members to picket these shows, and (one hopes) shut down their production.
Comment by Stuart Creque — December 21, 2007 @ 8:01 am
I’M ON STRIKE AND SO CAN YOU
Stewart and Colbert are scum, not scabs.
DLJ thinks they will be “bringing our fight to TV screens across the country four nights a week.” That’s interesting. Neither one of them showed up on the picket line even ONCE. (I suppose Comedy Central forced them not to go.)
The most you’ll see out of them is some “heartfelt” opening statement along the lines of “not being able to do it without their writers” (which they will then proceed to do) and then every time a joke bombs, they’ll blame it on their lack of writers.
The strike is not moving to late night television. No late night host is going to have more balls on the air than they did off the air. The public is going to think the strike is over, or as good as over.
Are they wrong?
Comment by The Write Stuff — December 21, 2007 @ 8:08 am
I think it’s important to remember two things.
One, some of these guys paid a LOT of money out of their pockets to keep there staffs being paid.
We should be thanking them for that and not throwing the word scab around.
Second, by staying out this long they did manage to hurt the studios ability to have stars promote their holiday/prestige films on the air, which is an important part of the marketing of those films.
For those two things I am grateful.
That said, I am sadden they are going back. But let’s take a measured approach before we label them heroes to scabs. The bigger picture is the shows will be lame hopefully, stars will be very conflicted about being on there if sag and wga make the right announcements.
Finally, there will still be mainly reruns of all the other shows for the majority of the public that doesn’t watch talk shows but scripted shows. They will still be fed up with no new programing. The DGA talks will start, and public opinion is going to get louder in shareholder meetings.
Let’s keep a level head, it’s frustrating they are back but not the severe blow the suits hope it would be.
Tiger Woods shot a commercial early on in our last strike after doing his big photo op with us pledging support, Elisabeth Hurley made a commercial then plead ignorance of our ‘unions’. We have never forgotten them for this. I still hiss when I see his face. In the end, those that have caved or crossed will be long in their union brother/sisters memories and have to live with their decisions.
Comment by Sagmember — December 21, 2007 @ 8:25 am
Given Colbert’s on-screen personna, he should have the WGA leadership on to be interviewed and then, by taking the side of the AMPTA, lampoon the hell out of the studio leadership.
Comment by Rich Drees — December 21, 2007 @ 9:02 am
To Sickandtired:
The difference with these shows is simply the fact that they can function, though possibly not well, without writers. Any form of previously scripted drama or sitcom has no chance of working without writers, even something Like Curb which is ‘improvised’ is densely plotted.
In my mind none of these people are scabs until they break union rules, as has been reiterated to them. If they are subsequently found to have violated their agreements, then, and only then, are they scabs.
Comment by Grimoald — December 21, 2007 @ 9:03 am
Take some comfort in our cause and efforts, my fellow Writers.
Despite these “WGA” Hosts disingenuously hiding behind Johnny Carson, a NON WGA Member, in supporting the Companies by returning to their Shows to Increase Ad Revenues and thus prolong the Strike and all the Damage AMPTP has wreaked on Writers, BTL, Local Economy, etc
There is some comforting News to tide us over:
This From Don Ryan, VP of TNS Technology and Media.
“While the effect of the strike has not affected mainstream viewing habits, the decline is quickly approaching,” said Don Ryan, VP of TNS Technology and Media. “We will begin to see an overall cut in TV viewing by 10%-20% in the next few weeks, once many shows begin airing reruns of recent episodes.”
Comment by PJ - Writer — December 21, 2007 @ 9:20 am
(amended re-write of post)
Where is the confusion? The AMPTP and the handful of conglomerates they owe their allegiance to want to destroy all the entertainment industry unions, get rid of all the benefits all the unions have fought so hard for over the past decades, get rid of minimums, pension plans, health plans, residuals and everything else that so many in the industry seem to take for granted. They will do it. It is happened in so many other industries in this country and it will happen in the entertainment industry. Look at the hours, wages and conditions of non-union reality crews and that is the future for everyone who works in the business except management and stars.
The only way to hold off on that is to show unity and to hit the conglomerates where it hurts and the only way to do that is to keep them from making new shows to sell until they come to the table and negotiate in good faith. The end. Case closed.
The Conans and Lettermans and Stewarts who soften the blow to the conglomerates are hurting the cause and should be made to feel pain for it in any legal way possible until it’s harder for them to aid the conglomerates than it is for them to help force them to the table.
In the name of everybody who works in this industry that isn’t a star or a corporate executive: Stick together and fight! Fight the conglomerates and fight everybody who gives aid and comfort to the conglomerates (even if you like their TV shows). Your future, your families’ future and the future of all those who follow you into the entertainment industry is on the line!
Picket these shows! Boycott these shows! Get the word out to the public how damaging it is to the entire industry to have these people go on the air in the middle of a strike!
Don’t just pick on Carson Daily, who nobody ever heard of anyway! He’s not hurting the cause. Letterman is! Conan is! Jay is! Colbert is! Show them this isn’t a joke!
Comment by writer — December 21, 2007 @ 9:48 am
I feel like I’m on the I-110 trying to merge onto the I-5 and half the A-holes on the road are zooming past and cutting in at the last second, effectively screwing over the good people patiently waiting in line.
John, Stephen, Conan, etc: We’ve all got somewhere to go. Your bottom line isn’t any more important than the rest of ours. Why are you acting like it is?
Comment by Mike — December 21, 2007 @ 10:07 am
They’re not really crossing the picket line. They’re making an ironic commentary on the very concept of crossing picket lines. It’s called satire, people!
Comment by Simon Scowl — December 21, 2007 @ 10:09 am
hey, jenny m
there are many things you don’t comprehend, and your ‘argument’ is fallacious and limited
the guests who go on these shows are not wga members - huge difference there
and you clearly don’t understand that these late night guys being called out for being AMPTP puppeteers IS addressing the real villains
you must work for one of these shows
Comment by Anons — December 21, 2007 @ 10:22 am
We cannot believe some of the moronic pro-AMPTP comments planted here (this means you Mike, Cindy Loves Conan, etc)
Comment by Middle America loves writers — December 21, 2007 @ 10:24 am
I’m dissapointed in them. As sickandtired pointed out, returning to work will prolong the strike. And saving one staff of 100 is only going to hurt the other thousands of staff members that are out of work.
I don’t believe they were seriously threatened with cancellation- they’re easily Comedy central’s highest rated shows. And if their staff was layed off, would it really be so hard to contact them to return once the strike was over?
Comment by Jen — December 21, 2007 @ 10:25 am
Solution: Don’t watch their shows, when they come back.
Comment by rOY — December 21, 2007 @ 10:26 am
I have to say that I’ve been an enormous fan of these shows since their respective inceptions…BUT I come from a Union background. I am myself a member of a union, I have family in UAW, UFT, IBT, Local 1 and others and it seems to me that what these guys (and the other non Worldwide Pants shows) appear to be doing is dangerously close to scabbing. If you’re striking, you’re striking. You don’t ‘get forced back to work’. No such thing in a strike. If you get ‘forced back to work’ then the union has been broken, right? My question as a business outsider (but a Union guy) is this: what are you WGA members going to do about this? Just because you admire these guys doesn’t give them the right to break you union, trample your future and belittle your struggle. Unless, that is, your union isn’t very serious about this strike…in which case, why did you go? If your strike works (which is looking A LOT less likely from the outside, now that this shit is happening) these guys should be removed, for good, from the parts of the industry you work on. If you can’t do that, then you can’t strike. A strike isn’t a joke, and crossing the picket line needs to be dealt with harshly and quickly. From where I’m sitting that is.
Comment by UnionT — December 21, 2007 @ 10:53 am
I’m so sick of the double standard for these late night dingleberries. It has gross Hollywood/Harvard mafia written all over it. If you’re on strike, be on fucking strike.
Who cares if a bunch of talk show hosts are going to lose their jobs? How about all the writers and below-the-liners who are out of work?
Get your precious fucking late night asses on the picket line and grow some balls.
God. The douchebaggery of this industry never ceases to amaze me.
Comment by Fussy Protocol Droid — December 21, 2007 @ 11:01 am
I think this is a major mistake by Comedy Central. These shows ONLY work because the writing is top-notch clever. Hanging Cobert and Stewart out to dry on national TV is not only going to kill their current ratings, but may have the undesired effect of killing their reputations as “witty, off the cuff” comedians, as well.
Bad talk show host performances don’t bode well for the talent involved. I have two words for you - Chevy Chase. I fear for your futures, and I’m saddened by the very real possibility of seeing you fall flat.
(This must be some Bush-administration back door scheme to kill these shows! Don’t fall for it, Comedy Central. Save your cash-cows!)
Comment by Mojo — December 21, 2007 @ 11:01 am
As a big time Stewart and Colbert fan, I was initailly stunned when I heard they’d go back. In principle I think it’s wrong; but then again I would love to hear those guys railing against AMPTP every night. That would ge funny and effective; but don’t think they won’t throw in a few jokes about the scribes as well - hey, they’re funny guys. I’ll watch the first few nights to see if they give the producers the business, if so, I’ll keep watching. If they try to pretend nothing in going on, I won’t watch - honest.
Having produced a similar type show, I can assure you authors are very easy to come by - there’s a crowd waiting to plug their (political) books. It fits their shows and gives them a chance to do off the cuff jokes. But it’ll get old, and I figure the longer the strike the lower their ratings.
Speaking of the longer the strike - I’d say it’s a mistake not to be out their marching. You guys need ALL the presence you can get. Nobody expects you out there on Chrismas day; but as one who has organized my fellow union members to join in solidarity; well, where are you? The last day at my gate was Monday. (12/17) You need to get out there and get loud!
Comment by Eastgate — December 21, 2007 @ 11:04 am
I’m not a writer.. although I”d like to be, someday.. but I am a fan.. I’m a huge fan of Jon and Stephen.. however, I still will not be turning on my tv..
I am appalled at the amount of slinging going on here.. has anyone thought that maybe Jon and Stephen are being forced to go back? How about that Comedy Central has barred them from making any additional comments on the issue? I would say that it’s probably more along the lines of Jon and Stephen being told that if they don’t go back, then there won’t be a show for the writers to come back to when the strike is over.. these guys have huge hearts.. they don’t want anyone to lose their jobs..
I am still hoping that David Letterman and Worldwide Pants can strike some kind of deal with the WGA.. as that may force other companies to do the same.. which will bring writers back to work under a contract.. and hopefully will fragement the AMPTP…
Comment by Rikimae — December 21, 2007 @ 11:42 am
All the AMPTP thinks they need are ’stars’ to attract attention from the other media outlets (all owned by AMPTP parent companies) to attract foreign equity investors to keep their companies afloat.
I’m sure they’re probably bragging to these investment funds about all the money they’re saving from not paying writers.
However, without stories to tell and sell, they’re going to shoot themselves in the wallet in the long run. Of course they all intend to cash in their multi-million dollar stock options by then, so long term destruction of their industry doesn’t really matter to them.
Look at how audiences are walking away from movies and TV, and turning to the internet and video games.
I can understand Colbert and Stewart allowing themselves to be forced back to work. They have swank lifestyles to maintain.
Comment by Furious D — December 21, 2007 @ 11:51 am
Shameful… This is why the WGA loses strikes. If we do not aggressively picket these shows (and scabs Stewart and Colbert), then we might as well disband the union. Seriously. There should be NO special agreements during the strike and ALL writers - no exceptions - should honor the strike. How can the WGA keep making demands on the average working writers (like me) that are hurt most by this strike, if they don’t go after the big guns whose actions actually prolong the strike and undercut the negotiations?
Shame on Stewart. Shame on Colbert.
Comment by dante writer — December 21, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
>>Okay — let’s see how many people can pledge to never, ever watch the Daily Show and the Colbert Report again?<<
Considering only about 1.8 million people watch Jon Stewart’s show, I think people stopped watching it from day one. Seriously, the critics act as if the show is the biggest show around yet next to nobody watches the shit. If it was a network show, it would have been cancelled long ago with those piss poor numbers.
Comment by Sherilyn — December 21, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
We need to wait and see what they do on the show, but if they have any prepare material for events AFTER the Nov. Strike Date — Kick ‘em out of the guild. Fine their asses and prevent them from employment in the future as writers as you would with any SCABS.
David G. a proud WGA member.
Comment by David G. — December 21, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
Now that the over-rated Stewart and Colbert (who are treated as if they’re the second and third coming of Christ) will be shown for the talentless idiots that they are when they don’t have their words written for them, perhaps people will stop hailing them as such.
Comment by Sandy — December 21, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
The return of Stewart and Colbert annoys me a lot more than that of Leno, Conan, or Letterman. Those guys, even Conan by now, are pretty much just cogs in the big-show, big-network system. In my imagination, the shows are fully written and then the host pops in to perform them. But Stewart and Colbert are supposed to be the ones who are still in the trenches, integrally involved in the crafting of their own material, shoulder-to-shoulder with their staffs. (Yes, I realize they need to be shoulder-to-shoulder with their crews as well. But it’s not their fault that the IATSE leadership chose to play Tony Blair to the AMPTP’s George Bush, rather than join the WGA in putting pressure on them and ending this thing quicker. Anyway…) Any statement they make about why they’re coming back, even a witty one, comes off as suspicious and disingenuous.
I mean, suppose it were theoretically possible for Tim Kring to start up production on Heroes again without writers and put out a show that was only 40% as good but still somewhat watchable. Wouldn’t be any different than what the late night hosts are doing now. NBC would probably put pressure on him to do it, but I’d like to think he wouldn’t.
I hate to say it, but it would have almost been better for the cause if none of the hosts had walked off the job in the first place. They let the Guild think they had their support, which encouraged them to fight harder and be more stubborn, and now they pull out when things are getting serious and the WGA needs to retain solidarity the most. And I don’t care to hear about who went back to work in 1988. This is a different year, different strike, different stakes — but most importantly, a more powerful and ruthless AMPTP who don’t hesitate to bend the truth at every turn and spin every single event in their favor. They have beloved public faces now that they can point to as evidence that the WGA is wrong and should give up. “Jon Stewart went back to work, now it’s time for the rest of them to follow,” and shit like that, is being typed up on AMPTP flack computers as we speak. And that sickens me.
Comment by Nick — December 21, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
Look at it this way: the WGA will have a couple of brilliantly loud-mouthed, caustically exact, and immeasurably effective warriors going out into the battlefield, representin’ them 4 nights a week. These 2 comedians have their funny bones on the pulse of the nation more than anyone else. I think the WGA’s position will be strengthened with the 2 queens (as in a Chess analogy) coming out to play 4 nights a weeks, in some way or another, surely vocalizing and/or dramatizing the cause of the writers striking for a humongous audience.
Comment by Kiran Mehdee — December 21, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
I’m not jumping to conclusions on this one. They’re going back either way, and I’ll wait and see how they deal with it. If they are performing content that’s clearly been scripted? Off with their heads. If they find another way around things… We’ll see.
With Ellen and Carson, wasn’t the issue more that they were pretty callous about brushing off writers? Ellen by only going off-air for a single day, and Carson by joking about the situation. But all the others seem to be trying to balance between the WGA and the below-the-liners…
The WGA leadership aren’t calling for the late-night heads; I’ll wait and see what’s actually airing.
Comment by Nina — December 21, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
hey “maybe professionalism”,
you’re an ass.
how’s that for witty?
Comment by nick — December 21, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
Well, at least now we know this about Stewart and Colbert: for all their posturing as mavericks, outsiders and rogues unafraid to “speak truth to power”, when push comes to shove it’s all an act. The only truth their willing to speak is apparently “DON’T TAZE ME, BRO!” when power actually asserts itself.
They may be funny again, but they’ll never get their integrity back.
Comment by Simon Jester — December 21, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
I am not a member of the entertainment industry, but I am a member of the television viewing public, and I want to say to all members of the WGA and the AMPTP.
If you’re not gonna negotiate to try and end this strike, then shut up complaining about how the other side isn’t playing fair. You sound like a bunch a whiny kids in a sandbox. If the AMPTP really wanted to negotiate, as they claim they do, they would consider ACTUALLY NEGOTIATING! To negotiate, by definition, is to actually engage in conversation and discuss terms, as well as offer compromises and solutions. It seems that none of these people who are doing the negotiating are actually familiar with what that means. So to negotiate, you first have to sit down and actually TALK, without storming out of the room.
And to the WGA, to refuse to accept anything other than unconditional surrender from the AMPTP does not qualify as negotiation either. So to both groups, I say, either sit down and talk it out, or quit bitchin’ about it.
Comment by Quityerbitchin' — December 21, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
To “Scabdy Loves Conan”: Are Fabiani and Lehane paying you to “protest the protest”?
Because you just have to wonder: What is a “pack of us loyal Conan fans” doing in a discussion of issues surrounding the WGA Strike?
Oh that’s right: It’s your job to pollute the on-going dialougue with your scripted “just wondering” posts from Lehane & Fabriani. Having seen these scripted posts in every possible permutation, I give you my TOP FIVE LEHANE and FABRIANI TROLL POSTS:
(1) “We should protest the protesters if their (sic) are any!” (You must be living under a rock to write that);
(2) “They [Conan, Jay etc.] are all good talented people and they want the strike to be over.” (So Conan and Jay should not be held to the same standards as other members of the WGA? And the rest of us, enjoy being out of work?)
(3) “I can’t wait until all showrunners return to their shows without a deal.” (Do you actually think that ABC, CBS, NBC aren’t just a little nervous wondering how they are going to repair their relationships with the highly talented showrunners/creators who made their networks Billions of dollars?) Because if not, think back to that moment when ABC was airing “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” for five nights per week. Or NBC: Now. “Deal or No Deal”, anyone?
4. “You are the same people who champion freedom of speech all over the world……..except if its at odds with your union goals.” (A very nostalgic post: It reminds me of me of 7th Grade.)
5. “. . .the hosts are providing increased income for the studios . . .but they are also keeping hundreds of people employed” (Let me know how you feel when the studios decimate all unions to the point that the only employment status left is that of the trolls on each comment section: Permalancer).
A WGA SUPPORTER
Comment by A WGA SUPPORTER — December 21, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
I think it’s great. You want pro WGA news about the Strike going out over the airwaves? Tune into Comedy Central, Jan. 7th.
Let’s make some lemonade out of these lemons!
Comment by redblack — December 21, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
The shows I’ve found myself missing most since this whole thing began have to be ‘The Daily Show’ and ‘SNL’. So, I’ll to admit to feeling a little happy at the thought of fresh political snarkiness in the evening when I first read this announcement.
Then I watched Fox News.
Some representative of the Heritage Foundation was speaking about the return of Stewart/Colbert. He was using a lot of the same words I’ve seen on this thread: “scab” “hypocrasy” “greed”. Only, he wasn’t angry about it; he was all but dancing in his chair. The just of the argument was that not only were these bastions of liberalism willing to cross a union picket line with, as far as anyone can see, no fight, but they were willing to cross their own union’s picket line.
See what you’ve done, Jon Stewart? You’ve made Fox News happy. As a longtime viewer, I’m very disappointed.
Comment by Anon — December 21, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Hello, writers ~
A viewer here. For several weeks I’ve come to this site to get updates on the strike and throw my virtual support behind the writers. I’m signing off now but before I go, here are a couple of “outside looking in” predictions:
1) Political pressure to resolve the strike will increase as presidential campaigns intensify. No TV equals no distraction. No distraction means an populace that’s informed… and engaged.
2) Eventually, the WGA will learn that many of the most virulent comments on this site and elsewhere were posted by studio-paid PR people. Why? Because while people on extreme ends of issues love vitriol, nothing turns off those in the middle more than endless games of Whose Is Bigger?
After 20 years in PR, I can tell you this: If I worked for the studios, my first task would be to change the public’s perception of writers as reasonable and creative people who, pushed to the brink, are finally standing up for what is right (a very American philosophy, by the way.) You can better believe I’d have someone hammering out “Carson Daly is the devil’s spawn” comments every day.
3) Within a year, both the studios and the WGA will discover that they both missed the New Media issue by a mile. Small groups of writers, directors and actors will form what amount to mini-studios and take new content directly to the Internet (which, if you have Apple TV, plays beautifully on your 52″ flat screen.) Audiences will subscribe to the sites directly (much cheaper than cable) and studios will be left in the cold. Since you don’t have to be a WGA signatory to create a web show, the WGA will be out there with them unless it finds ways to add value to New Media writers.
4) A significant portion of the network TV audience that defect during the strike(s) won’t come back. Good news for MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, et al. Not so for a lot of others. Were I to put my corporate hat on (yep, I did “corporate” PR. Ugh!) I’d have to assume that folks at the top know the network model is an anachronism and that they have a timetable for migration to other areas. If their golden parachutes are ready and the strike(s) move things along faster, so be it.
Ultimately, this whole thing reminds me of a quote that went something like, “Those without power complain about the rules. Those with power change them.”
I’m just saying…
Comment by Adios por ahora — December 21, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
Hey writers and producers both: stop wasting your breath on useless vitriol, stop railing against Stewart or Colbert as if this situation were their fault. Get back to the table and NEGOTIATE. You’ve had two months and you’re not even talking?! And while you’re not even talking you’re asking other entertainment industry professionals to give up their livelihoods, in a fight that will gain them absolutely nothing?! It’s ridiculous.
This strike is the fault of two entities: the WGA and the AMPTP. Everyone here should stop worrying about TDS and TCR, and start focusing your ire on the letters that really matter: WGA and AMPTP.
Comment by JS — December 21, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
Maybe they are scabs but at least their workers will get paid. Nobody appears to give a damn about them
To the AMPTP: Quit being greedy bastards and get back to the table already,GEEZ!
To the WGA: Yes they’re greedy bastards but putting in demands that you know they’ll NEVER accept in a million years isn’t helping.
Comment by Zack — December 21, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
Debate all you want about who is and who isn’t technically a scab. What you can’t do is deny their actions constitute an attack on the WGA. Every one of them. They deserve to be scorned accordingly.
I’m just a viewer, and I was hoping not to become an ex-viewer, but it looks like my Sirius music channels will be getting an even harder workout than they already do. Fine by me. I’d rather listen to music than watch these millionaires pretend they’re something other than pampered waterboys for the studios and producers. Screw these self-centered jerks with their fake humility and fake benevolence. They *are* The Man. And dirtbags, all.
Comment by Arvin Hill — December 21, 2007 @ 11:32 pm
“They can’t perform (or write) anything that was prior to the strike written by the staff”
Yeah, well, the thing IS EVERYTHING on these shows is written by the staff. Do you seriously believe they’re going to switch to an all-interview format?
“Jon and Stephen being told that if they don’t go back, then there won’t be a show for the writers to come back to when the strike is over..”
Oh please. What is Comedy Central going to replace them with, more Redneck Comedy Tour? LOTS of writers’ jobs are on the line here. How about soap writers? That’s a dying genre and there’s no guarantee those shows won’t be cancelled. There’s no guarantees for anyone. It’s not a damn excuse for two multimillionaries to cross the line because their shows might be cancelled and they’d have to get another job (uh, even if there were a snowball’s chance in hell of that happening). I think they can. We’re all sacrificing a hell of a lot more than Jon and Stephen, so yeah don’t really see why their greed and need to think of themselves first at our expense is an excuse.
I don’t want to be harsh, but some of these “don’t call Our Heroes scabs, they can do whatever they want because we like them and we’ll turn against your entire cause if you keep it up!” comments remind me of that old adage about liberals, 10 degrees to the left in good times, 10 degrees to the right if it affects them personally.
Comment by Anon — December 21, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
>>The Daily Show is not like most TV shows. While there are a dozen or so officially-recognized WGA “writers,” there are many other people who contribute directly to the creative content of the show, including actual written material. When the “writers” joined the WGA, these other writers and creative-content-producers were not invited<<
So why do seemingly 1,000 writers pile up onto the stage every time the writers of that show pick up an award?
Would the WGA really allow non WGA members to pick up writing awards for a WGA signatory show?
Comment by Francine Fishpaw — December 22, 2007 @ 6:24 am
I happen to KNOW that a few members of the non-writing staff of one late night show (not Colbert’s or Stewart’s or kimmel’s) have been assigned to perform “writing duties” for the host when he returns Jan 2. So there is going to be prepared material on the show. And some of these temp “writers” may potentially prove so adept that not all members of the writing staff will be welcomed back. This is in effect an audition. I’d report this to the WGA but after reading their “Welcome back” missive to the hosts I don’t think they’d give a shit.
Comment by Jordan W. — December 22, 2007 @ 9:25 am
Anon writes:
“Do you seriously believe they’re going to switch to an all-interview format?”
I seriously believe the format will be something like: 30 seconds of improvised quips, then a ‘classic’ clip or two of a previously broadcast remote segment or sketch, and then an interview. And I expect about a 20-30% drop in ratings.
Comment by Mike — December 22, 2007 @ 9:47 am
Did you guys honestly think that after all the other late night hosts announced they’d be returning Jan. 2, that Jon and Stephen would not. They stopped their shows for 2 months, they obviously support their writers, but you’re not even negotiating! I understand you want a fair deal, and you deserve one, but other people’s families are at stake as well. After the other hosts decided to come back, the damage was done and I think they did the only thing they could. The shows will not be as good without writers and after watching both for years I trust that they will help the WGA somehow. They’ve never let me down before
Comment by hb — December 22, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Francine, those are all writers. It’s a big staff.
Comment by Mike — December 22, 2007 @ 3:53 pm
Francine Fishpaw-
The comment in which you quoted from (by “JS”) is 100% correct. There are 10-12 writers on the Daily Show staff who are part of the WGA. When the show wins an Emmy for Best Writing, only those individuals go up on stage to collect their trophies. Not “1,000 people.”
As “JS” also mentioned, there certainly ARE other people on the Daily Show & Colbert Report staffs who contribute creative content to the show (but were not invited to become WGA members). They are various producers, correspondents, etc. The staffs are comprised of more than just the dozen WGA-sanctioned writers.
And as mentioned, a good number of the aforementioned non-WGA staffers are contributing directly to the creative content of the show. Does that mean they “write?” Well, define the word “write.” Yes, they are putting words down on paper. Yes, they are using their brains to generate ideas ahead of time. But they’re not officially identified as “writers.” At least not in the a unionized guild sort of way.
So don’t get your panties in a bunch, Francine Fishpaw: only WGA members are collecting writing awards. But there is still other creative work being contributed by non-WGA members. And I would hope those people get to continue doing that work when shows resume on Jan 7th (without being called “Nazi scabs”). They will NOT be doing “struck work.” I highly, highly doubt anyone will allow them to take on the WGA writers’ work– the bulk of the writing for those shows (headlines segments, etc). The Daily Show & Colbert Report folks have enough sense than to let that happen.
But all this “scab” talk aside, let’s not forget that there are now two more television show staffs (mostly modestly paid young folks) who are able to collect paychecks again because of these hosts’ (reluctant) decision to go back on air. I think that’s commendable.
And let’s please stop with the WWII comparisons! Last I checked, this was television we’re talking about. Not the holocaust. If you’re not happy with these hosts’ decisions, don’t watch the show. Express your disappointment. But lay off the Nazi comparisons!
The WGA & the AMPTP have had two months to work out a deal. And for most of those two months, ZERO progress was made as they stubbornly refused to talk… instead engaging in a heated game of “My Penis Is Bigger Than Yours.” It’s not fair for these non-WGA staffers to continue to put their jobs, their paychecks & their livilihood on the line when they will gain NOTHING from this strike! NOTHING! So enough already! Let Jon & Stephen & Jay & Conan go back on air so they can employ their numerous NONWRITING staffers!
And for all the WGA members “lurking” on this site (yes, I can use the term to describe you, too… for this is NOT a WGA site!), it would be nice if you used your energies to get your people back to the bargaining table so that this awful strike would end, rather than spewing vitriol about television show hosts & non-sympathetic commenters.
Comment by tv staffer — December 22, 2007 @ 10:07 pm
To the LEHANE and FABRIANI …, I mean TV Staffer @ 10:07:
I’m now expanding my TOP 5 LEHANE and FABRIANI Troll Posts to the TOP 10 LEHANE and FABRIANI TROLL POSTS (always SUPRISINGLY posted in a 8 Paragraph-Typo Free Post):
6) “It’s not fair for these non-WGA staffers to continue to put their jobs, their paychecks & their livilihood on the line when they will gain NOTHING from this strike!” (So you think destroying the WGA will HELP these non-WGA writers or any other GUILD? And your statement is 100% wrong: anyone who is employed to Write on a WGA Signatory show is accorded the benefits and rights of the WGA MBA, whether or not they are members of the WGA).
7) ” . . .let’s not forget that there are now two more television show staffs (mostly modestly paid young folks) who are able to collect paychecks again because of these hosts’ (reluctant) decision to go back on air. I think that’s commendable.” (If these “modestly paid young folks” take these paychecks, my bet would be that they will pay for this for the rest of their lives. Because if they plan to be writers, some day they will realize that they didn’t support the only union which will give them a pension, a health plan, and decent working conditions: the WGA. But more to the point, the fact the you used the word “commendable” in an 8 paragraph typo-free post before 10 A.M. tells me that you work in P.R.)
(If these people “modestly paid young folks”–Conan, Stewart, Colbert etc.–want to accept terms that the WGA has rejected and interfere with the strike action, then they should take responsibility for their actions: They’re Scabs. If the WWII comparasion is to Old School, we can refer to them as Union-Busters or AMPTP Terrorists. But what’s the problem: Are these scab people feeling bad?)
9. “THe WGA & the AMPTP have had two months to work out a deal. And for most of those two months, ZERO progress was made as they stubbornly refused to talk… instead engaging in a heated game of “My Penis Is Bigger Than Yours.” (A Very Sexist Statement. .. But I’m sure that you know that the AMPTP has demanded that the WGA give-up 6 major postions before THEY will return to the bargaining table . . . or from Aspen .)
10. “. . .it would be nice if you used your energies to get your people back to the bargaining table so that this awful strike would end, rather than spewing vitriol about television show hosts & non-sympathetic commenters . . .(What would you prefer we do . . drink? And why is it that whenever a pro-WGA poster points out the garbage that you LEHANE and FABRIANI Hacks are posting, we are accused of “spewing vitriol” or not beiing a champion of “freedom of speech?”
A WGA Supporter
Comment by A WGA Supporter — December 24, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Carson Daly = Jon Stewart = Stephen Colbert
Comment by Maynotlast — December 24, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
A WGA Supporter:
I swear to you, I’m not LEHANE and FABRIANI. I’m assuming they’re other requent posters on this site.
I’m a television show staffer who reads these boards often, but only posted a few times.
It may be hard to swallow, but there ARE more than two people with growing frustration towards the WGA.
I will say that it’s not only the WGA I’m losing patience with. It’s the AMPTP too, of course. I’m just getting fed up with both sides. I wish they’d get back to the bargaining table! The AMPTP may be greedy, but the WGA press releases & the stalwarts on this site are getting a little too cocky for my tastes.
Comment by tv staffer — December 24, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
To TV STAFFER @ 6:13 PM: Of course your an AMPTP /Lehane and Fabriani EMPLOYEE HACk. Who else would call strike-breaking by those “modestly paid young people”–Conan, Stewart, Colbert–”commendable”? There is a certain pattern and language to the Fabriani and Lehane Posts: And you are “commendable” and “reasonable” guy/girl, always pointing out that the the “evil” David Young/Patric Verrone are taking money out of the mouths of “commendable” and modestly paid-young SCABS: Conan, Steward and Colbert. Your collegues portray ANGRY BTL GUY, the one who posts crap like “I can’t wait to see the showrunners without deals” or “You people talk about freedom of speech, expect when we dare to critcize (=destroy) your union” or “if the posts on this board are indicative of the WGA members work, it’s no wonder the AMPTP is happy to be rid of you.” It’s very obvious. You Fabriani and Lehane Hacks have 3-5 dominate themes, and if you read the scripted comments of your collegues, it’s always the same crap: (1) Verrone/Young are unreasonable or over-matched; (2) Any Scab — Conant, Colbert, and Stewart– is “reasonable” and for “the little people”; (3) Everyone thinks that the writers are: overpaid, lazy, worthless, commies, militants, weak, idiots, unnecessary hacks, rich egotists etc.; (4) The AMPTP is: stronger, smarter, already won, no longer interested in writers, no longer interested in television, making deals with writers in Bulgaria, Brazil, Iran etc.; (5) The WGA is Refusing to Return to the Bargaining Table blah blah, blah . . .
It’s always the same CRAP. And Your Post, “commendable” as it was (and your swearing not to be a P.R. hack aside (very touching, but they always do that also) is just the same scripted CRAP that that the P.R. Hacks have written since the beginning of NOVEMBER.
A WGA Supporter
Comment by A WGA Supporter — December 26, 2007 @ 9:02 pm
This is hard - unlike Letterman, who owns the company that produces his show, there’s a potential for Stewart/Colbert’s staff to be fired if they don’t return. The quote from the writers guild about their return mentioned Comedy Central “forcing” them to go back on air. In other words, the official WGA ire seems more aimed at Comedy Central. My guess is this has more to do with Jon/Stephen’s own contracts as on-air talent. Most likely, they will be using an all-guest format or improvising, unlike people like Carson Daly, who returned deliberately flouting the WGA by requesting people to write jokes for him.
And then they’ll do it all over again once the SAG has its strike…
Comment by Jenny — December 26, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
I expect that in order to meet the strike rules TDS and CR will have to be basically improv shows and probably also have extended on-set interviews with guests. Of course, it’s an open question who will be willing to be a guest on a struck show.
It’s a real shame. I really hoped that Stewart and Colbert find a way to either continue with the strike or deliberately produce such a substandard show that CC can’t put it on the air or are pressured to go to the negotiating table and make a Letterman-style side deal.
Comment by Andy — December 29, 2007 @ 9:56 am