Comments on: 'Old Christine' Remembers Its BTL Crew

By: frank

frank — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:52:15 +0000

Why do I find Julia Louis Dreyfus so obnoxious and a spoiled smart ass, and whereas no one else does? I liked her on Seinfeld…

By: FORGOTTEN

FORGOTTEN — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:39:21 +0000

I am a BTL that is very disappointed in the lack of thought or consideration the actors(and there are ALOT of them) on one of THE biggest shows on ABC,has had towards their hard working crew. Its times like this(and when your in the hospital) that you really see just how irrelevent,you are to them.I won t even get started on the writers who don t even say “Boo” to you after 4 years.We are ALL humans,or so I thought.

By: pat cracks

pat cracks — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:29:54 +0000

All those benefits and partys are for the big shots in the business, nobody thats low on a totem pole gets a piece! I worked on cashmere mafia, they threw us a wrap party and said hope to see you after the strike good luck.

By: Almost Unemployed

Almost Unemployed — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:21:22 +0000

SNLworker - I’m surprised that no one on the SNL staff helped out. There was a big SNL reading at UCB in New York a few months ago that was supposed to raise some cash for you guys. Did that ever get to anyone? It sounded more like a party for exclusive celebrities and guests than a tangible way to help out the crew. Sorry you guys didn’t see that money. Hang in there.

By: collateral damage

collateral damage — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:31:09 +0000

Greg Daniels, the Executive Producer of “The Office”, wrote a generous personal check to each member of the crew for Christmas. It was a thoughtful gesture to his crew.

By: Peggy Lane O'Rourke

Peggy Lane O'Rourke — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:03:48 +0000

Cindy,

“You appreciate Ellen.”

I don’t. She took off for one day and came back the next day and chose not to do a monologue out of “respect for her writers”. Well that “respect” lasted one day because on day 3 of the strike she was back to doing what sounded like a scripted monologue and dancing away as though none of the rules apply to her. Not even one picket line appearance or quote! And this from a woman who accepted an Emmy for WRITING the Puppy Episode.

And even though Leno himself seems to have dis-regarded the no monologue rules and is clearly doing scripted material without sanction, he was the first guy out on the picket lines calling attention to the writers demands. He made an effort. At a time when virtually everyone in this business has paid a price in this strike, Ellen seems to have done NOTHING! Maybe she has been brave enough in this lifetime, but I certainly have lost respect for her. That’s one less Season Pass in the Tivo for me, one giant loss for the strike.

Peggy Lane O’Rourke

By: cindy

cindy — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 06:57:55 +0000

I am disappointed in all the stars appearances, no mention of the fans.

I appreciate Ellen, Jay, Jimmy, Conan, Carson, John & Steven with caring about the fans, and their crews.

I totally support the writers, but this has gone on too long, people have lost their jobs, and some their businesses.

I wish everyone well.

By: JM

JM — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:59:41 +0000

What a nice billionaire.

By: OC Crewmember

OC Crewmember — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:43:45 +0000

The check was a very gracious gesture–totally unexpected and deeply appreciated at a time I was beginning to feel abandoned and forgotten, but even if the writers and producers got off their tuchuses and settled today I will still be facing foreclosure and loss of benefits. I’ve been in the biz for over thirty years, survived the last strike at the age of 40 by taking a job with the city, but at the age of 60 and in the current economy its next to impossible to find work.

I’m more than hoping the WGA and AMPTP will start thinking of someone besides themselves. This strike is hurting thousands.

By: eaglmaniac

eaglmaniac — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:36:52 +0000

Wish the show I was working for before the strike would do something like this!! I have gotten nothing from the show, the producers, my union, or whoever!! Hope this whole thing ends real soon!!

By: Max

Max — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:17:44 +0000

Wow. $1,000. Maybe that will pay for a fraction of one month’s mortgage. So lame.

By: Stuck in the Middle

Stuck in the Middle — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:00:48 +0000

What a great thing to do!!!
I am sure that everyone on “Christine” who received a check is most grateful!

While handing out credit for exceptional behavior, may I add that Greg Garcia, executive producer/creator of “My Name is Earl” and all around great guy… wrote everyone on the crew a generous personal check a week before Christmas.

May other producers and show runners continue to be generous and thoughtful of their crews in these difficult times and let’s get back to work soon!

By: Jack McCrew

Jack McCrew — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:31:26 +0000

Good for the BTL people. Heard something like this happened on SUPERNATURAL, but then again, these are some of the biggest shows on TV, and the producers can afford this for their “indespensable” crews. Not so much on little shows like McShow… but I keeed!

By: Anon

Anon — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:51:37 +0000

my show offered us…that’s right, nothing. and our creator and show runner are two of the most vocal WGA members.

i really want to go back to work

By: Anther Strike Casualty

Anther Strike Casualty — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:36:32 +0000

Ahhh, that’s so sweet. I wonder if the WGA will do the same for all the hard working people who they took cash from. They can make my check out for $20,000. And about $800 million to the other hardworking folks (writers included), that the brilliant leaders of the WGA stuck it to with there genius.

Way to show those produces; take jobs and money away from the common worker and blame it on the hand that feeds us? “We want more money” so we are going to lose money by striking, along with everyone elses money (which we’ll never get back) to try and accomplish your more than fair, petty risidual raise? WOW. Next time Patrick, you and your contract benefactors should just tell us how much you want, we’ll all write you a check and in doing so, keep our jobs, make money, support our families, stay out of debt, keep our homes, benefits etc, etc, etc!

Other than that, happy for the folks at O.C. We need more stories like that. Cheers.