(keep refreshing for the latest... new items will keep appearing throughout)
Perhaps the Biggest News is that strike captains are exchanging emails claiming WGA president Patric Verrone is privately saying "an ex-President" wants to get involved in the negotiations. Don't jump to any conclusions. Sure, ex-Screen Actors Guild president Ronald Reagan is still dead. But one of #41 George Bush's best friends is Jerry Weintraub, the Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen producer based at Warner. (Remember, Verrone didn't specify which side...) Jimmy Carter owes his presidency to the very early political and financial support of the legendary Lew Wasserman at MCA/Universal. And then Bill Clinton still has a coupla pals in Hollywood. Those same emails quote Verrone as saying that the AMPTP is still refusing to let Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in on the mediation. (Meanwhile, we learned today that Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger is declining to do anything to help. Or else he's holding out for a stunt double.)
The Big News of WGA Strike Day 2 is actually an announcement of what's going to happen on Day 3: that the Writers Guild Of America has organized 75 of television's top showrunners to gather en masse and join their fellow union members walking the picket line between 9 and 11 AM Wednesday at the main gate of Disney/ABC Studios at Burbank's West Alameda Avenue. Not only is this intended as a photo opp but even more so as a demonstration of strength. After all, WGA is counting on all these striking showrunners to shut down TV primetime production at the studios and networks.
Immediately, the producers' side gave me this wisecrack from them about the above staged event: "We're telling the Guinness Book Of World Records to go there for the largest gathering of millionaires on a single street."
#1 Favorite Picket Line Chant was at Fox: "How much you earnin', Peter Chernin?"
The above photos of Matt Groening (The Simpsons) and Larry David (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiam) were taken on the Fox Studios picketing lines. The below photos also taken there show the entire writing staff of House, including creator David Shore behind the gal with the raised fist, and two writers on Bones.
Ellen DeGeneres just came back and taped Friday's show and here's how she addressed the writer's strike. Tonight, I was slipped a mini-transcript of what she says:
"I’ve got to say this is a strange show for me to do. This is weird. Weird. It’s a weird show. Channeling Johnny Carson all of a sudden. [Imitates Carson] “Very Weird. Weird. Weird.” Here’s what the deal is. It’s 'sweeps', which is a very important time in television. That’s when you do your best shows, your funniest material, you pull out all the stops and you’re doing everything you can because you want everybody watching. Now at this moment, we’re in the middle of this strike. There’s a writer’s strike going on, and here in Los Angeles it’s a huge story. I don’t know where you live, but it’s a huge story in Los Angeles. I want to say I love my writers. I love them. In honor of them today, I’m not going to do a monologue. I support them and hope that they get everything they’re asking for. And I hope it works out soon. In the meantime, people have traveled across the country. They’ve made plans. They’re here. I want to do everything I can to make your trip enjoyable and give you a show. Otherwise you’d just be wandering around and circling Bob Hope Drive.
At the Fox picketing lines, Endeavor agents Matt Solo and Thomas Wellington arrived to personally deliver cookies to clients and others. (Photos of Endeavor tenpercenter in a suit on the scene.) Also, United Talent Agency trainees fanned out to all 15 strike locations and handed out cookies for the morning and afternoon shifts. Kaplan Stahler agents also handed out Dr. Scholls footpads and survival kits for their clients and others. A striking screenwriter there left a voicemail for me, asking, "I wonder where my CAA agents are?"
At Universal, Steven Spielberg was smiling and waving at picketers as he drove onto the lot. Director Garry Marshall did a walk up and down Lankershim, saying hi to all the picketers and even giving a little speech in support. The "me too" honking was crazed since it's some kind of corridor for heavy truck traffic. "You really get the feeling that your picket is a touchstone for general frustration with corporate power," a striking writer stationed there emailed me. "And that's not just because they stop, lean out their car, and tell us to stick it to 'those corporate fuckers' (which they do, a lot)."
I'm told that most of the cast of ER, the show run by John Wells who has been asked by both sides in this walkout to help effect a settlement somehow someday, were slated to picket at 3:30 PM outside the main Gate 2 of Warner Bros Studios. John Stamos, Maura Tierney, Mekhi Phifer, Parminder Nagra, Linda Cardellini, and Scott Grimes were to walk the line alongside the show’s writing staff. "This is a very powerful showing of SAG support," one of the show's execs emailed me. Hey, lemme know if it happened.
Jeez, it suddenly occurred to me that the next weeks and months will be a wonderful time for tourists from around the world to travel to Los Angeles and see celebrities in their new natural habitat: the picket line. Maybe an uptick in tourism dollars could make up for the inevitable downturn in the city's economy as Hollywood production goes increasingly dark. I'm not clever enough to come up with a new slogan. But I bet you are.
I'm told the writers picketing one area are planning trips to Costco "ASAP" to see about buying airhorns in bulk.
ABC's Desperate Housewives was forced to shut down a location shoot today because the picketers disrupted the location shoot in Toluca Lake today. Teamsters were holding up cell phones so union colleagues on the other end of the calls could hear the shouting. "It was just one shot, but it was from a garage that was to open onto the street and reveal a hearse, and they couldn't get it done," a Teamster told me. "The AD [assistant director] appealed to the LAPD, but the cops said the picketers were exercising free speech in a public area." Meanwhile DH creator Marc Cherry has joined the picket line, very publicly, and production on ABC's hit show will be shutting down. Ouch.
My #2 favorite picket chant of the day: "We write the story-a / for Eva Longoria".
Sandra Oh of ABC's Grey's Anatomy is honoring the picket line. I'm told the show won't finish Episode 411.
Teamsters brought striking writers Dove bars on one picket line.
Warner Bros security guards are saying that Teamsters on WB productions are crossing the picket lines line in drive because "it's Christmas" and they say no way are they losing money heading into the holiday season.
I just got this angry email from a an assistant on the Fox lot who "just battled the picketers to enter the lot at the Pico entrance. Do they realize that all Fox assistants, as well as any coordinators who would receive it, lost overtime pay because of this strike? I don't appreciate being yelled at while I enter where I work when I am already paying for their strike. Another thing, they cost me an extra 15 minutes by doing their best to block the turn-in entrance. So thanks, strikers. Not only did I lose my overtime because of this strike but you also cost me 15 minutes of pay."
There was a plan outside CBS today to "make studio and network executives drive over the dead bodies of WGA members to go to and from their offices" The chalk outlines of writers were going to line the sidewalks there and other places, like turning the stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame into the "Walk Of Shame". "This is our homage to CSI and all the other shows now halted in the strike," I'm told. "We won't give up this fight ... not over our dead bodies!"
Strikers are reporting to me that they're roping in freelance writers and actors and family members to join in picketing.
A straight-from-the-picketing-line video on YouTube featuring the sardonic strikers from The Office: "You're watching this on the Internet -- a thing that pays us zero dollars."
Entertainment Weekly, owned by Time Warner which also owns Warner Bros and New Line and 1/2 The CW TV network and all the Turner Broadcasting cable properties etc, runs this first-person Diary Of A TV Writer On Strike that -- surprise, surprise -- doesn't ditto the views of the WGA.
WGA East strikers picketed outside Silvercup Studios in Queens, the site of shooting for NBC's 30 Rock and The CW's Gossip Girl. The guild announced its next three NYC strike locations: Chelsea Piers on Wednesday, Time Warner Studios/Time Warner Center on Thursday, and News Corp headquarters on Friday. Also, WGA East has called a membership meeting for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in NYC.
More WGA-SAG interactions: Jeff Garlin was at the Paramount front gate picketing early at 9 am. A few hours later Valerie Harper came out, too. John Lithgow on Monday night called up his old writers from Third Rock From the Sun, Mike Schiff and Bill Martin, and asked how he could help -- then joined them and the writers of their current show, Cavemen, on the line today.
Showrunner Remi Aubuchon among those who've started a strike blog and posts this from the line: "My favorite moment was when a black Mercedes slowed down to our line -- I couldn’t recognize the face of the woman inside, but she stretched out her hand toward us and flipped us the bird! My impression was that of a bejeweled raptor’s claw extending itself in frustrated powerlessness -- unable to tear at its prey."
Lily Tomlin and Albert Brooks walked the line at CBS Radford Studios, where the noise level from all the honking is pissing off everyone. A woman from an office building came over to the strike captain and asked if he could stop the cars from honking. ( "We support you guys totally - but we can't hear ourselves think!") Lots of support from passing cars, inclduing a Hansen Soda truck that pulled up to Radford and unloaded tons of free soda for the writers. Also, a CBS Channel 9 news truck pulled up at Radford and the driver asked how could he help. He told the strikers that the news writers at Channel 9 were all wearing T-shirts supporting the WGA strike. I'm trying to verify this.
An insider at Culver Studios admits that the noise level from the honking was truly frustrating: it interrupted all business and made them nuts. All phone calls were impossible to hear.
I just heard that some folks on the Disney lot have taken to blaring music from the rooftop of one building to drown out the horns and the rally cries at the Alameda gate.
Strikers at Sony picketed close to an executive building. The line drew honking from passing motorists. I'm told that, around 11:45 a.m., Culver City police appeared without warning and ticketed a car for sounding their horn in support of strikers. The cop car doubled back, parked in front of the Sony gate, then informed picketers "in a blatantly intimidating tone" that there was a complaint about the noise, and that they were going to ticket anyone who honked. "The message was clear -- leave the gate or innocent people would be penalized. Before we could even process the shock, another hapless WGA supporter tapped their car horn. True to their threat, the officers took off after the offending vehicle. This time one of our writers had the presence of mind to chase after the cop car, and offered to pay the ticket for the motorist."
Also at Sony, a teamster parked his truck in the left-hand turn lane of the Sony main gate and just left it there from about 10 AM to 11:30 AM this morning. Here's the photo that was sent to me as proof:
I'm hearing anecdotes how striking writers all over Hollywood are ratting out higher-ups on their own TV shows to the WGA to the point where the atmosphere of paranoia is getting quite toxic on series still in production. When this walkout is over, it may take a long while (or a lot of group therapy) for the comraderie on some shows to get back to normal.
At Disney today, Greg Berlanti, the showrunner of three Disney-owned ABC one-hours, joined today's march. So did Sean Cassidy. So did Jay Leno who's ubiquitous pulling up in that classic motorcycle-with-sidecar and passing out donut holes..
Some dude at the Raleigh Studios gate today was handing out cards to strikers advertising a "unique business opportunity" that would help them earn "residual income."
Here's an interview with screenwriter/director/producer/mogul Judd Apatow about the WGA strike as he walked the picket line set up at the Sony gates. "I'll be out here a fair amount," he said. "We're in the final stages of sound mixing Walk Hard. But all the writing work is done and the sound mix is actually done this week, so I have plenty of time to give."
Several writers walking the line and who have kids at expensive Westside private schools discussed wearing red strike shirts when they drop off and pick up their kids as a means of sending a message to studio execs and moguls who are dropping and picking up their own kids at the same schools.
At CBS on Beverly Boulevard (the Genesee Gate) on the morning shift, Tom Bergeron, the host of Dancing With The Stars, came out to greet picketers and handed out Starbucks gift cards as token of support. Then, a teamster driver for Yellow Transportation pulled his 18-wheeler to a halt and said he would not cross the picket line to deliver to the lot, eliciting cheers from the picketers who gave him their Starbucks gift cards. Below is a photo of two "Red Bull Girls" driving up in their tricked-out Mini and handing out Red Bull to the picketers:
Finally, responding to all you worried commenters, I will now do what I totally forgot: to include an update on that Sunset and Gower picketer nearly run over. In case you didn't read it elsewhere, Tom Johnson, head writer for Talkshow With Spike Feresten, suffered a broken leg. LAPD is investigating. Once again, here is the photo I ran of his mangled shoe at the crime scene complete with chalk marks that a picketer shot Monday:
Actress/author Jamie Lee Curtis blogs on HuffPo about the WGA strike.
Here's a round-up of strike action in NYC.
While Guinness is at it, they can check in at 10201 West Pico for the largest gathering of dickless wonders in a single studio.
Comment by Norm A. Rae — November 7, 2007 @ 12:21 am
“We’re telling the Guinness Book Of World Records to go there for the largest gathering of millionaires on a single street.”
Funny line, studio stooge. Except not all of these showrunners are millionaires. Not even close. And even if they were. Isn’t that impressive that they would stand up for the vast majority of their fellow WGA members who are working hard to maintain solidly middle-class lives?
No, you wouldn’t understand that.
Comment by grimes — November 7, 2007 @ 12:26 am
And The Record book people told the Producers to go to Silicon Valley to see the largest group of millionaires. Those people are owners, these writers are just hired help.
Comment by A Reader — November 7, 2007 @ 12:28 am
Hopefully, the strike will be settled soon because I would like to see a large gathering of millionaires. The show would be the Late Show with David Letterman, The Place a pizza palace in New York, and Dave would be trying to see how many millionaires fit in there. My guess, about 30 including a cameo by Donald Trump.
However, I am willing to wait months to see this act.
Comment by Jessy S. — November 7, 2007 @ 12:28 am
the producers’ side gave me this wisecrack from them about the staged event: “We’re telling the Guinness Book Of World Records to go there for the largest gathering of millionaires on a single street.”
Come on! Where is the WGA hitting back on this salary stuff. Talk about losing the PR battle. I’ll bet you that the $84.8 million that Tom Freston got to walk away from Viacom is more than everything the WGA is still asking for. Why doesn’t the WGA hire a compensation consultant to detail all the moguls’ pay and grade them on their performance. Maybe Les Moonves deserves big dough for turning CBS around, but how much did Jeff Zucker get paid to take NBC from first to last?
You want to talk salary? Let’s talk salary. Oh, and how much did Nick Counter get paid to bungle the first remotely difficult negotiation of his career? If he’s getting paid per miscalculation, then I’m guessing he’s doing pretty, pretty well.
Comment by Gimme a break — November 7, 2007 @ 12:33 am
Uh, no. Measured in sheer dollars, that would be when the AMPTP heads meet to caucus.
Comment by Smartass #2 — November 7, 2007 @ 12:37 am
Counter and the boys are driven by greed…so they assume everyone else is too.
Comment by Jimmy — November 7, 2007 @ 12:43 am
The name-calling from the studios on writers’ pay checks is ridiculous. Not only do the studio heads make much more money, but they’re the ones that write the checks for those writers.
The strike is about minimums. So how does the fact that the richest hollywood writers, those who negotiate their own deals and aren’t affected, are willing to lose their careers to help out their fellow writers become a bad thing? It’s really a testament to their resolve that those who are already protected and risking everything to help those who can’t protect themselves.
Comment by Simon — November 7, 2007 @ 12:43 am
Dear Gimme
The writers have lost the PR campaign. LOST it and will not win it back. You see, the millionaires crack only works because of the hypocrisy of picketing your bosses when you are freaking rich. Counter and Freston are not on strike and are not arguing that “management is unfair”. Paul Haggis is. John August is. Laeta Kalogridis is. That is laughable. If you don’t like the deal, WRITE FOR SOMEONE ELSE. Go write an indy. But to the rest of America, you sound like spoiled asswipes fighting for MORE money than the average worker makes in ten years.
Also I keep hearing the working writer argument. But WHO SAYS that the guy making $20k a year has some god given right to write movies? He doesn’t. Go write for the pennysaver.
The game is lost. You poor sods just haven’t realized it yet.
Comment by Bouncng Castle — November 7, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Guinness is actually coming to LA to witness the largest gathering of near-billionaires (Iger, Zucker, Chernin, and short-ass Moonves) try to f*ck over thousands of working-class people who’ve made them rich and shiny.
Cracks like those of said studio stooge (love the term, grimes!) only serve to solidy my commitment to do whatever we can to hurt those f*ckers.
Comment by slk writer — November 7, 2007 @ 1:06 am
From the L.A. Times:
Studio executives said the writers have no one to blame but themselves, though they declined to be quoted by name.
“In firing the bullet from the gun, they’ve declared war,” one top executive said.
What did they think? That by not giving us a single thing we were asking for we would never go on strike? If it’s idiots like this who are calling the shots behind the scenes, we’ll still be striking when holograms supplant the internet.
Comment by anon writer — November 7, 2007 @ 1:09 am
Yeah, thanks Ellen. But if you supported your writers, you wouldn’t shoot the show at all. Ask Dave, Jon, et al.
Unless there is some legal issue that I’m unaware of. if so, mea culpa. Otherwise, thanks but no thanks!
Comment by Fun Joel — November 7, 2007 @ 1:16 am
Ignore the comments of Norm A. Rae, the twelve-year-old with acne who writes into sites all over the web and makes what he thinks are pithy comments. The fact he’s wasting time like this indicates he’s not now, nor with a shitty attitude like his ever will, get laid and he’s just plain angry.
As for Ellen, her comments have to be what the stars of all the shows are feeling.
Here’s an idea — why don’ THEY get together and force an ending to this mess? Show runners? Nice guys but the stars are the one true irreplaceable item in Hollywood.
Louis B. Mayer (or one of his cronies) used to say that a studio is the only place on earth where all the assets go home at night. If 50 stars of TV shows got together, THEN the WGA’s side of things would get into the news. Then the true story would come out.
Comment by anotherwriter — November 7, 2007 @ 1:26 am
Endeavor Contest:
Writer: “Come on, you can’t take credit for the strike!”
Agent: “No, seriously, I called Patric Verrone and told him you’d be perfect for it.”
Comment by I'm into it — November 7, 2007 @ 1:33 am
Bouncng Castle said: “The game is lost. You poor sods just haven’t realized it yet.”
Uh… you guys said TV production would go on for months. It’s been two days and it’s pretty much all shut down. Movies are next. If this is losing, I hope we get our asses kicked!
Comment by Giimme a break — November 7, 2007 @ 1:37 am
CLIENT
Seriously? There is a bar called Residuals?
ENDEAVOR AGENT
Yeah, in Studio City, If you get there before 8, its two for one!
Beats marching!
Comment by Matt — November 7, 2007 @ 1:40 am
i think it’s funny that everyone is so focused on the PR campaign. it has nothing to do with anything. as a writer, i am certainly not afraid to admit that the show-runners are well compensated. that in general writers are well compensated. it’s okay to admit that. the strike is NOT about the writers saying “we can’t put food on the table under our current deal.”
it’s the writers saying “we think we deserve to be paid more (to get even richer than we are) for the service we provide and we think we have the power to make that desire a reality.”
to me, it’s completely irrelevant if the person is getting wga minimum or drives to the strike in a bentley. and it’s completely irrelevant what the producers, the press or middle-america thinks of that writer and his/her wealth.
the only thing of interest at this point is “do the writers have the power to get what they want?”
Comment by rodg — November 7, 2007 @ 1:43 am
“But to the rest of America, you sound like spoiled asswipes fighting for MORE money than the average worker makes in ten years.”
I don’t think you’re able to see just how much money the writers are making for the people on top. What the highest paid of them are making is a slim percentage of that. What the lowest paid are making can’t even be represented in promiles.
Comment by Realist — November 7, 2007 @ 1:44 am
Client: “Any news on the AMPTP side of things?”
Agent: “Well, they like how you all cluster into groups. Very retro.”
Comment by Rory L. Aronsky — November 7, 2007 @ 1:48 am
PHOTO CAPTION:
CLIENT: Can you believe Ellen? Crying about a fucking dog. Yet, when we strike, she’s as cool as a cucumber.
AGENT: Um, this is awkward. Iggy is my client.
Comment by rootinforwriters — November 7, 2007 @ 1:57 am
Ellen gives a monologue telling the audience she’s not going to deliver a monologue.
Not unexpected from Ellen. She’s nobody to depend on under pressure. Time and again, she always folds up and does something stupid.
Comment by Universia — November 7, 2007 @ 1:59 am
People travel across the country to see the Ellen show? Hahahhaha! Does she seriously think people will be tripping if they miss sitting in the audience. There’s plenty of better things to do in Southern California than sitting in some lame ass talk show audience.
Comment by Jenn — November 7, 2007 @ 2:17 am
Rodq, the war in the press IS the war. The only way to get these bastards is to convince the public to join us and this may be where the new media is the future. The WGA should be flooding the internet with one minute videos. Writers talking about how they only make enough to pay the rent, etc. Guerrilla tactics. Then add “go to youtube.com” for the truth to the picket signs.
We HAVE to get our message out and we should be using the new media we want a piece of to do it.
Comment by anotherwriter — November 7, 2007 @ 2:29 am
I agree with anotherwriter that the writers should use the internet to reach the fans. Joss Whedon is doing a wonderful job posting about the strikes on Whedonesque.com. There are so many fan sites out there, and the fans are dying for information. Use these non-corporate owned sites to galvanize the fan base. I told one of “The Office” fan sites about the video on the WGA’s youtube link, which has the writers from the show discussing “promotions,” and the fans were outraged. We won’t be viewing shows online or purchasing anything from itunes.
Comment by Jessica — November 7, 2007 @ 3:04 am
“But to the rest of America, you sound like spoiled asswipes fighting for MORE money than the average worker makes in ten years.”
Speaking from Georgia, that’s completely untrue.
Comment by EricKane — November 7, 2007 @ 3:18 am
WRITER: Hey, you guys have been pretty quiet - how come you didn’t take a side in this?
AGENT: Oh, we did.
Comment by Dr. Snarkenstein — November 7, 2007 @ 4:16 am
WRITER: Wow - these are great doughnuts. Thanks!
AGENT: Figured it would be a nice change after getting paid in peanuts.
[With apologies to Tom Wellington, who is actually a nice guy]
Comment by SJRuby — November 7, 2007 @ 4:18 am
WRITER: Thanks for the doughnut.
AGENT: I’ll need 10% of it back now.
Comment by writer — November 7, 2007 @ 4:51 am
Matt Groening looks mad and feisty.
Comment by Danny Cohen — November 7, 2007 @ 5:53 am
I support the WGA 100%. The folks at AMPTP are not being fair. I’d even say selfish and greedy.
Comment by Cij — November 7, 2007 @ 5:58 am
Writer: “At least the strike fund will start giving $22.00 a week to live after the first three weeks!”
Agent: “Uhhh I get 10% of that right?”
Comment by realworldperson — November 7, 2007 @ 6:00 am
RALEIGH GATE REPORT
Lotta stuff goes on Raleigh: More than rap videos and Guild screenings. Who knew?
Wanna give a shout out to the actors on our show (”My Boys”) who joined us at the Raleigh gate yesterday: Reid Scott and Mike Bunin. Well, played - you’ll get a few extra jokes if/when we go back to work. Betsy Thomas - our showrunner - WHO JUST HAD A BABY - busted out a sitter at hit the line for the duration of our shift. I’m thinking that “Owen” will join us soon. (He was at the Convention Center… all eight pounds of him.)
We were “supposed” to start writing our second season this past Monday. Good times!
Big ups to the other SAG folk (Vince Ventresca, Nia Vardalos, and Sgt. Rizzo from “Police Academy”) who marched in line. We landed more snacks from Vanessa Williams, too.
We also heard that Ugly Betty did not show up for work on Tuesday. This… after joining us for a bit on Monday.
Up the Irons.
Comment by BJS — November 7, 2007 @ 6:47 am
Client: You can’t be serious? The coffee card was a gift…
Endeavor: And a taxable benefit.
(At least in Canada it would be)
Comment by Joe — November 7, 2007 @ 7:03 am
You won’t hear this on the sidewalks:
TV hit its high water mark (as far as eyeballs watching scripted content) in the 80s. It is an industry in slow decline. Although you know this, you want someone to assure you that it ain’t so.
The motion picture business hit its high water mark (as far as number of butts in the seats) just after WWII. It is an industry in slow decline. Although you know this, you want someone to assure you that it ain’t so.
Oligopolies controlled the films and the TV shows, and it was this concentration (aka, no alternative for people other than what was fed to them via limited channels) that allowed the product to command a high price. Networks and studios got rich from “monopoly rents,” and writers cut themselves decent deals.
These deals were cut at the top of the cycle.
The heyday — and the big revenues - from TV and film has passed. By the way, it also passed for autoworkers and steelworkers. It isn’t coming back. Although you know this, you want someone to assure you that it ain’t so.
Take a look at the top 25 shows on TV; compare them with the same list from 1988, or even 2000.
The WGA has a weak hand. Yet, via decent leadership playing its hand well, this strike just might be the most effective strike in the history of Hollywood. IF — big “if” - the guild cuts a deal before Thanksgiving.
If it doesn’t, then (i) no settlement will happen over the holidays, (ii) the DGA will become the de facto bargaining unit, instead of the WGA, and (iii) the studios will (and are already) awakening to the reality that the strike solves a lot of problems for them. A lot.
The difference in profit for their “content divisions”, strike vs. no-strike, is maybe a 3% to 4% swing. Compared against the overhead elimination, it may actually result in higher profits.
Although you sorta know that something like this is the real case, you want someone to assure you that it ain’t so.
Well, there is it. I hope the WGA leadership turns this lemon into the sweetest lemonade ever made. In 2 weeks, it will all be spoiled.
-BD
Comment by BD — November 7, 2007 @ 7:15 am
I get it that stars of shows are in a difficult position, but c’mon, Ellen! IF she has to do her show for whatever reason, she shouldn’t say in honor of my writers I won’t do a monologue…that’s cowardly. She shouldn’t have said anything rather than offer a meaningless gesture and citing stupid reasons like the audience will be disappointed…
Comment by Alex - the assistant/wannabe — November 7, 2007 @ 7:42 am
CLIENT: Uh, I was thinking half a dozen glazed and half a dozen sprinkles.
AGENT: No, it’s glazed, glazed, glazed…nobody’s looking for sprinkles these days.
Comment by striking writer — November 7, 2007 @ 7:54 am
AGENT: How come everyone here knows I’m an agent?
WRITER: Perhaps because you wore a suit to a strike…
Comment by Hatgirl — November 7, 2007 @ 8:00 am
Interesting analysis BD. Except that it it ignores emerging technology- the exact thing that the Writers are striking over.
Before televisino was the dominant entertainment medium, radio was. But as TV grew in popularity and radio declined, all the writers and performers in radio didn’t just up and disappear, they moved on to work in the new medium. If traditional television and film continue to decline as you claim, then everyone will transition over to what is taking film and tv’s place.
Everyone realizes that there is a coming sea change in how content is being delivered to audiences. Your own thesis admits it. Some studios have already begun exploring the possibilities (ie., profitability) of direct to DVD productions like the recent AMERICAN PIE series of DVDs, the recently released BABYLON 5: THE LOST TALES disc and the two upcoming STARGATE:SG-! direct to DVD movies. Concrete examples of film and television properties having their franchise extended into a new medium. Traditional TV series finding new life beyond the already determined rerun residual formulas are finding new life and income through DVD and online distribution.
Why shouldn’t the writers profit from these new streams in the same way they did in the old technological paradigm?
Comment by Rich Drees — November 7, 2007 @ 8:08 am
client: You got me a meeting at the main Fox gate?
agent: Yes, but just be aware, they ARE seeing other picketers.
Comment by ifwestrikeletsmakeitcount — November 7, 2007 @ 8:12 am
Writer: I thought you wouldn’t charge me since I’m not employed?
Agent: Sorry kid, that’s the business we’re in.
Comment by scriptmaniac — November 7, 2007 @ 8:18 am
Writer: You get 10 percent of that, too?
Agent: Just the actual Starbuck’s check. You keep all your tips, those are like residuals used to be.
Comment by Mike M — November 7, 2007 @ 8:23 am
Agent: I just got a call from Fox. They’re looking for someone to perform some of Shawn Ryan’s producer duties until the strike is over. We had business affairs go over the WGA strike rules and…
Writer: You’re starting to scare me again.
Agent: What? Oh come on. You really think that I would suggest…? So. How are the kids?
Comment by Shayne R — November 7, 2007 @ 8:24 am
Writer: “Now that we can’t talk business, I don’t really have anything to say to you.”
Agent: “Now you know how I feel when we can conduct business.”
Comment by Drew Vaupen — November 7, 2007 @ 8:27 am
A CBS assistant was mentioning yesterday that there is a lower gate at CBS, nearer to The Grove, a southern gate, that was NOT being picketed and that “the dumb writers don’t know about it”. Maybe someone should picket there today - especially around lunchtime. The assistant said that was their “sneaky” way in and out of their offices.
Comment by Will — November 7, 2007 @ 8:30 am
WRITER: This is the most exercise I’ve gotten in years.
AGENT: Mazel tov.
Comment by Byrd — November 7, 2007 @ 8:32 am
No matter who gets what in the end, it’s coming out of the crew’s pocket. I’ll be interesting to see if any of the writers will walk for IATSE when their next contract is up. Health benefits - cut. Overtime - cut. The list will go on and on.
Comment by poor crew — November 7, 2007 @ 8:49 am
Writer:
I get ‘em in a three pack at K Mart… All cotton so they breathe when I’m walking for my .003% … Good deal too — $4.99
Agent:
I like a nice French lace thong, but it chafes and rides up a bit when I walk… Oh.. there’s my limo! Bye!
pb
Comment by pb — November 7, 2007 @ 8:54 am
WRITER:
Don’t you have to get back to your office?
AGENT:
Well… no, not really.
Comment by Anonymous — November 7, 2007 @ 8:58 am
was scheduled to shoot on location next week. It is the last script they have, and they only have white copy. The neighborhood stood firm.
They do not want picket lines in their neighborhood. Period!
The comment on set, “This is getting ugly”.
Comment by regardingCane — November 7, 2007 @ 9:11 am
WRITER: Eva Longoria, Tina Fey…
AGENT: Ooh! Ooh! Carmen Electra, she here?
Comment by Evan — November 7, 2007 @ 9:27 am
@ Bouncng Castle:
What you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
The whole idea of collective bargaining is that heavy hitters like Haggis, August, and Kalogridis can throw their muscle behind writers at the bottom of the totem pole who aren’t remotely close to being millionaires. If only the struggling writers went on strike the studios wouldn’t give a shit, but when writers such as those listed above stand with them, they have a bit more leverage.
Comment by colinsmith — November 7, 2007 @ 9:37 am
At least Ellen’s other employees are still being paid… you know, hair, makeup, assistants, caterers, etc….
if the writers don’t want to work and want to strike, that is their right. But it is hurting the rest of shows employees if they go dark.
My sister was fired from Paramount on Monday. She used to be a writer’s assistant. This strike will do her no good at all. It has already cost her her job. Now she is unemployed because the writers want four more cents. That just sucks.
Comment by EJ — November 7, 2007 @ 9:43 am
I’ll have to agree with the above comments about Ellen Degeneres and add my own, that she isn’t so much honoring the strike by not doing the monologue but resigned to not doing a monologue because HER WRITERS ARE ON STRIKE.
Comment by Enrique — November 7, 2007 @ 9:43 am
I don’ know that he wants any “press” per se, but yesterday Jimmy Kimmel treated all the strikers at the Disney gates to an awesome Mexican lunch, including horchata. Good times.
Comment by Ted Striker — November 7, 2007 @ 9:45 am
The reports of Counter being a madman sound promising. We should keep poking him in the belly with a pointy stick until he flips out like a wild bear. Then he’ll have to be shot in the ass with a dart gun, netted and dragged off, back into the woods. Then, with any luck, he’ll be replaced with someone more reasonable.
Comment by middle class writer — November 7, 2007 @ 9:57 am
WRITER: You repp Satan, right? Who’s he siding with?
AGENT: He’s all pissed, ’cause Fox just sent him a suspension letter for his development deal.
Comment by Al Gore — November 7, 2007 @ 10:05 am
I think the WGA needs to hire a crackerjack internet publicist to hammer the writers’ POV into the head space of all TV fans and engender their support. If this whole issue is about new media, then play the game with the tools at hand.
Comment by zagyzebra — November 7, 2007 @ 10:17 am
MOFO LAPD ought to lay off the ticketing. Maybe someone can tape them doing their dirty work of stalking honking motorists and put it on Youtube. That will get them off our backs!
As for the millionaire row photo-op, let’s not make it a routine. I would love to picket with Paul Haggis beside me walking the line, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to give the other side that much ammunition.
Comment by Mark S. — November 7, 2007 @ 10:20 am
Writer: “We’re strong, we’re united, we’re prepared, we’ll stay out weeks, months, more, whatever it takes–(sniffing) What’s that smell?
Agent: “I just shit my pants.”
Comment by Anonymous — November 7, 2007 @ 10:21 am
I love your column! This is the best place to get the real info on this strike. Variety and THR are completely useless. Thanks for your great work!
Comment by Sam — November 7, 2007 @ 10:22 am
That EW “tv writer diary” is as about legitimate as the fake FEMA press conference during the southern calif. fires.
Comment by LWW — November 7, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Writer: “Did you call?”
Agent: “Yes. Steve Levitan loved your chant, but said they have something like it already.”
Comment by Anonymous — November 7, 2007 @ 10:24 am
I think the producers should give in to the WGA demands but add a penalty clause for not delivering scripts on time. Imagine the fallout from that.
Comment by Steve Drake — November 7, 2007 @ 10:26 am
Writer: “Any word from the studios?”
Agent: “No, but I really wish you guys would go back to work. You’re killing me. You got me ordering the blue plate special at Craft.”
Comment by Nick — November 7, 2007 @ 10:27 am
Everyone keeps talking about all the money that writers will lose because of the strike, but that’s unfair and one-sided. The moguls are going to lose even more because if they let the strike drag out much longer it’s going to push LA’s giant real estate bubble over the precipice and the moguls will lose hundreds of millions in mansion equity.
Comment by Perspective — November 7, 2007 @ 10:32 am
I daresay your analysis, BD, falls under the “Shut up and take what we give you — and be happy you’re getting that much” school of thought, which frankly, isn’t flying anymore.
Television business is in slow decline? The financial pie is shrinking? So be it. But the writers damn well have the right to their full share of that pie, shrinking or not.
Ultimately, it’s not visual storytelling that is in decline — it is the traditional distribution mediums of theatrical film, and broadcast television. A long strike will only hasten this decline, and help expose new mediums as people turn elsewhere for their entertainment. As this transition happens over the coming years, writers will still fill a need in creating content; the same cannot be said for many on the studio and network side.
Comment by Gabe — November 7, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Anyone at the SEC follow this website? Isn’t it time to look into the false and intentionally misleading material disclosures that the media company CEO’s were making about how production would never shut down when they knew damn well it would and were preparing written plans for exactly the type of television production shutdowns that we are now witnessing?
As a shareholder of several major media companies I feel ripped-off and hope that there are some major shareholder derivative-suit lawyers taking note of this.
Comment by Misled — November 7, 2007 @ 10:38 am
I just walked around to all the gates here at disney, the showrunners are out in full force. Must be over 120 people overflowing the sidewalks! Heard more deals will be suspended by end of day today…there goes my job.
Comment by DISNEYwqorker — November 7, 2007 @ 10:47 am
Wow, I can’t believe that it should matter that a person does well enough to get paid more UPFRONT.
I don’t think the Haggis’ etc are getting a higher residual from the MBA. It’s the same residual. It’s like any other career, some people make more than others.
That doesn’t mean that the definition of fair changes.
I, personally, am working hard to be a paid writer and though I had some good prospects, I am also on strike. I will still write but I just lost my copy of the HCD and my PC can’t navigate to IMDB Pro anymore for some reason.
Comment by Christian Howell — November 7, 2007 @ 10:55 am
EJ said: “My sister was fired from Paramount on Monday. She used to be a writer’s assistant. This strike will do her no good at all. It has already cost her her job. Now she is unemployed because the writers want four more cents. That just sucks.”
It sucks that your sister got fired. But this strike is about way more than “four cents.”
Since your sister was a writer’s assistant, I’m guessing she wants to be a writer. The issues at the heart of the strike, i.e. writers getting paid when their work is reused on the internet, will have a HUGE impact on her ability to make a living as a writer in the future.
Comment by Laura — November 7, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Writer: “I’m really impressed that you would come out to support the strike.”
Agent: “Wait–strike? I thought this was the line for Coffee Bean. I’m outta here.”
Comment by Josh K. — November 7, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Except for a handful of assorted morons and trolls, the tone around the internet and even in much of the mainstream press is overwhelmingly pro-WGA.
It’s going to be difficult all around in the coming weeks or months, but despite the AMPTP’s nasty little press releases, I see no indication that they’re close to winning the PR war. Apparently writers are the only ones actually *talking* to NPR, etc.
Comment by NYer — November 7, 2007 @ 10:58 am
so, um, the writers’ assistants are getting fired, hmm? gosh, writers are responsible for the incomes on the top AND bottom of the food chain? what kind of all powerful subspecies is this?
i mean, writers are pretty much rock stars as far as i’m concerned (especially since so many of them represent nerdiousity so well) but are they that OMNIPOTENT?
i guess so cuz where there is juicy host meat, parasites abound.
WGA, just rock the heck on.
Comment by blog nerd — November 7, 2007 @ 11:01 am
Not sure how this got eaten, but I’ll post it again.
AGENT: “Did you know that the executives at the top five AMPTP companies earn a combined $100 million a year?”
CLIENT: “So, you get why maybe they could cut some expenses to pay us fairly?”
AGENT: “What? No. I’m dropping you to rep Les Moonves.”
Comment by Jimmy — November 7, 2007 @ 11:03 am
Writer: So you think you could get meeting to picket over at CBS?
Agent: Not possible. You’ve only picketed at Universal, so there’s no way anyone will ever see you as someone who can picket CBS.
Comment by lost 1 pound so far from picketing — November 7, 2007 @ 11:06 am
It is tragic that the choices workers have against their conglomerate bosses are either 1) to cave, or 2) to force a reallocation of the middle class.
If the writers win, and I hope they do, the big moguls won’t give up a penny of their compensation. They’ll just cut some of the middle management, cut development deals, cut assistants, and make the consumer pay for new forced expense.
But I guess the third choice is even worse. To do nothing.
Comment by Jimmy — November 7, 2007 @ 11:08 am
WRITER: This is terrible. Looks like we’re in for a long stand-off.
AGENT: Yeah, it looks bad.
WRITER: Then why are you smiling?
AGENT: Mark Burnett just sent me a hilarious email. Sorry, what were you saying?
Comment by One Time Sitcom Writer — November 7, 2007 @ 11:12 am
CLIENT: Glad to see you Endeavored out here. Haha…
AGENT: And you ask why I can’t get you work. You should thank God for this strike. Now go network.
Comment by AnxiousAsst — November 7, 2007 @ 11:12 am
Um, Nikki, dear—didn’t you misspell Sean Cassidy? Isn’t it “Shaun” Cassidy?
Unless we are talking about someone different….
Isn’t it wonderful how these millionare celebrities are so supportive…. I imagine Felicity and Bill, Jamie Lee etc… are all preparing to throw open the doors of their mansions….
…because they care so much, naturally.
Seinfeld is on his way in the private jet. Where’s Jack Nicholson and Beatty? Oh, I’m sure they are all in a huddle, figuring, planning…
Yeah, these Celebs behind the iron gates care all right. They’re losing a lot of sleep at night, over this.
Comment by Cold-hearted Mogul — November 7, 2007 @ 11:18 am
@EJ: I feel sorry for your sister… losing your job due to circumstances beyond your control is indeed a shitty thing to endure. The same thing happened to me when I was an assistant at USA Network during the NBC-Universal merger. The companies combined, and whole divisions got sacked in the name of efficiency. Such is the nature of the business: if you value job stability, Hollywood is simply not for you. In my case, I became unemployed so that billionaire shareholders could get a bigger dividend the next quarter. In your sister’s case, it was so writers (most of whom barely make subsistence wages) could fight for their fair share of revenues. Those are two of the million reasons that someone can suddenly find herself jobless in Hollywood. In the end it doesn’t really matter if one is nobler than the other, but the point is, unfortunately, these things happen.
Comment by Nick — November 7, 2007 @ 11:23 am
Writer: Why should I turn around?
Agent: Because if you don’t, I’ll just have to stab you in the side.
Comment by Benny Ace — November 7, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Am I the only one finding these client/agent bits lame? If this is a display of writing talent in Hollywood, maybe the lot of you should call off the strike and just get real jobs.
Comment by x — November 7, 2007 @ 11:31 am
AGENT: When this thing blows over, come in for a meeting. I’d love to represent you.
WRITER: You already DO represent me, you asshole!
-Michael Jamin
Co-Executive Producer, “Rules of Engagement”
Comment by mI — November 7, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Client: “You know what? You’re all right in my book.”
Agent: “Shhh! you’re embarrassing me in front of the other agents!”
Comment by Shaun — November 7, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Re: the “one very funny and ridiculously tall writer” who came up with “Single Writer Picketing” –
He is VERY tall, yes. And he’s mildly amusing… but “very funny” is pushing it. I’m just saying — let’s not spread rumors.
Comment by Mr. Turtle — November 7, 2007 @ 11:43 am
Writer: So do you think you can get me a meeting to picket over at CBS?
Agent: That’s impossible. You’ve only picketed at Universal, no one will ever see you as someone who can picket at CBS.
Comment by i've lost a pound so far striking — November 7, 2007 @ 11:45 am
ALL ACTORS. Please consider joining us. You are the face of this industry. I’ve marched at 3 strike sites so far and have seen only 2 SAG members. If you’re not working, come out. Join the crowd! You could be next.
Comment by anonymous — November 7, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Agent: How long will the strike last?
Writer: As long as it takes.
Agent: What happens if the producers hire scabs?
Writer: Take a look at the dialogue they’re writing in the comments on Deadline Hollywood Daily.
Agent: (Shudders)
Comment by colinsmith — November 7, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Writer: “10% of zero is zero.”
Agent: “Wait, my Blackberry has a calculator. That doesn’t sound right.”
Comment by Gibbons — November 7, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
Client: You want to pitch a reality show?
Agent: Look at the talent we’ve got here. It’ll write itself.
Comment by Stephan — November 7, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
AGENT: Good news. You’re next in line for the new horror assignment everyone’s talking about.
WRITER: What’s it called?
AGENT: FORCE MAJEURE.
Comment by dude — November 7, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
AGENT: Hi. Tom Wellington. Nice to meet you.
CLIENT: I know, Tom. You’re my agent.
Comment by Mike R. — November 7, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
These jokes are hilarious… But, one question, if they were written by WGA members are they now in violation of strike rules?
Comment by vicki — November 7, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Please report that Dave McNary’s articles on Variety.com are not printing all the comments in the comment section.
I wrote a profanity free comment, that was all about how Dave is incredibly biased and seems to essentially be a mouthpiece for the AMPTP and of course the comment never appeared.
There was no reason for this comment to be censored, and people should know that even in READER COMMENTS Variety is biased toward the AMPTP.
Isn’t it enough that the articles are biased?
Comment by WGA TOKYO ROSE — November 7, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
“I think the producers should give in to the WGA demands but add a penalty clause for not delivering scripts on time. Imagine the fallout from that.”
Hmmm. Imagine that? Imagine the fallout from Producers giving notes in a timely manner. Imagine the fallout from producers and studio drones actually giving good, coherent notes? Imagine them actually reading a draft of a script ALL THE WAY THROUGH in a timely manner? Imagine them not asking for free-rewrite after free-rewrite? Can we penalize producers for all of these things too? Imagine if you looked at things from another perspective once in a while, Chump.
Comment by Anonymous — November 7, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Writer: I’m writing a novel.
Agent: Yeah, neither am I.
Comment by skoonix — November 7, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
I also appreciate Finke’s work but I also feel she just parrots the producer’s side a little too much - right now Counter and his goons want nothing more than to spread fear, so when Finke writes stuff like “strikers can meet, fall in love, marry and have kids by the time this thing is over’ just sends alarm bells ringing in many writers’ ears. How does she know how long it will go? No one knows. But as a WGA member who has been out picketing everyday, I am not pleased to read that no negotiations have been scheduled. I understand a “cooling off” period but you are a NEGOTIATING commitee - so negotiate. I know Counter and his gang are not pleasant to deal with but we have no choice - they are the ones you must sit down with. So do it. We have to try and work things out.
Comment by viiolentgum — November 7, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
SPOILED ASSWIPES IS RIGHT! A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHEN THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE RISKING THEIR LIVES TO SAVE YOUR MALIBU BEACH HOUSES DID YOU STOP TO THINK THAT YOU’RE PAID MORE FOR ONE EPISODE THAN THEY WILL MAKE ALL YEAR. ARE YOU GUYS INSANE? THE THOUGHT OF THESE SHOWRUNNERS WALKING THE PICKET LINE IS A JOKE - WHILE THEY’RE OUT THERE WHY DON’T YOU ASK THEM HOW MUCH MONEY THEY’VE MADE OFF OF THE EVIL GREEDY EMPIRE? BY THE WAY, WE HERE IN DEVELOPMENT HAVE ALREADY STARTED RECIEVING CALLS FROM AGENTS WHO HAVE NON UNION WRITERS THEY WANT US TO READ. GOOD LUCK WITH THE WAR YOU’VE CREATED!
Comment by WRITERS GREED OF AMERICA — November 7, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
@Nick: “If you value job stability … ” Please do tell: In what industry is there job security? And secondly, your are straining your credulity by claiming most writers barely make a subsistence level income.
I completely 100% support the writers in this case. That’s not the issue. But the type of polemic Nick throws around hurts, not helps, the case. The idea isn’t that the writers make too much or too little, it’s that they don’t get fairly compensated for the work they do. It’s not about how much, it’s about equity (and sometimes sweat equity).
Comment by NYC Line Producer — November 7, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
“SPOILED ASSWIPES IS RIGHT! A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHEN THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE RISKING THEIR LIVES TO SAVE YOUR MALIBU BEACH HOUSES DID YOU STOP TO THINK THAT YOU’RE PAID MORE FOR ONE EPISODE THAN THEY WILL MAKE ALL YEAR. ARE YOU GUYS INSANE? THE THOUGHT OF THESE SHOWRUNNERS WALKING THE PICKET LINE IS A JOKE - WHILE THEY’RE OUT THERE WHY DON’T YOU ASK THEM HOW MUCH MONEY THEY’VE MADE OFF OF THE EVIL GREEDY EMPIRE? BY THE WAY, WE HERE IN DEVELOPMENT HAVE ALREADY STARTED RECIEVING CALLS FROM AGENTS WHO HAVE NON UNION WRITERS THEY WANT US TO READ. GOOD LUCK WITH THE WAR YOU’VE CREATED!”
I’m writing this from my palatial house in malibu, strangely it looks like an apartment in west hollywood I share with 2 other tv people. Anyway, due to few comedies on the air, I haven’t worked in almost two years, so trust me those fire fighters will make more than me this year. Good luck hiring those non-union writers because baby writers are known for creating and launching succesful network shows. wait a minute, they’re not. So after the strike you’ll ask a union showrunner with experience to oversee them or else your show will suck so hard… funny how that works.
Comment by striket striker punch — November 7, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
To the phony who posted under Writers Greed of America? It’s “receiving.” Good luck with your non-union writers. You sound like you’re good at your job.
And in other asshole news, did anyone else read Michael Eisner’s comments on how this is a stupid strike because there isn’t any money yet in the Internet–and we should’ve waited three years?
This from the guy who ran ABC into the f*cking ground. Please, Mike, get back to pasture you were retired to and chew your cud.
Comment by slk writer — November 7, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
It’s seem to me this is turning into nothing but a photo op for some people. 9-5 picketing give me a break… Hanging out and calling the teamsters your friend when you spent years making them the racial epitath of your industry jokes. When are the so called leaders going to step up and become leaders and get everybody back to the table they should have never gotten up from.
Marc Cherry and Shawn Ryan you two have put your face on this strike as your mission, if that is truly the case put down your signs and rally the troups and get back to the table and if you want i’m sure the teamsters and the other crafts that are going to suffer greatly by this strike will block the door so the AMPTP and the WGA won’t leave until an agreement is reached.
Comment by DATMAN — November 7, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
To WRITERS GREED OF AMERICA:
Put your real name out and stand behind your statement.
If you have the courage that is…
Comment by Anonymous — November 7, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
Dear “Writer’s Greed…”
Good luck sorting through all those non-union scripts.
And just remember - someone will do YOUR job for a lot less money than you, too. Everyone is expendable.
Don’t play the greed card on us. Look who we’re up against.
Comment by Ted Striker — November 7, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
I am not in a union, and I live paycheck to paycheck. And I care not one whit how much the writers make. They are skilled creative workers, and they absolutely deserve what they are asking for. Personally, I have an easier time understanding this writers strike than I do the grocery workers strike. I mean, anyone can work in a grocery store, so it’s harder for me to understand how a strike like that works. (Coming from a non-union background.)
Let them go on and on about how writers are already well paid - Well, damn, I certainly hope so or America is seriously broken. And we all know that we’re going to be downloading or streaming our television shows and movies straight into our homes - and we’ve known that for years. AND they are already doing it and monitizing it!
Seriously, this situation is nuts, and I hope they strike for a year if that’s what it takes. Every creative in town should walk, this is so ridiculous.
Comment by lizriz — November 7, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
Has anyone else noticed how all these “Actors” that are showing up on the picket line are in full makeup and wardrobe? They’ve crossed the lines to get to the makeup trailers, and then join the line…(cuz god knows a media opportunity when one sees one)
Pathetic
Comment by Anonymous — November 7, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
Client: What the hell do you mean I owe you money?
Agent: I’ve got lost earnings here pal, who’s gonna make my Ferrari payment?
Comment by Anonymous — November 7, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Writer: Hey, I’m Jamie, nice to meet you Tom Wellington.
Agent: I know who you are, I’m your agent.
Writer: I thought Paul Haas was my agent?
agent: Oops, he dumped you down to me and that’s why his phone calls have become more and more sparse. But I have my own clients I personally signed to deal with so I’ve actually dumped you down to… hold on the name’s coming to me…
WAIT A SECOND THIS ISN’T FUNNY CAUSE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.
Comment by true story — November 7, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
Endeavor douches - Guy on left- “do we represent all these writers?” Guy on right “I sure hope not. Than I’d have to do a lot more work and avoid a lot more calls.”
Comment by brya — November 7, 2007 @ 11:39 pm
Agent to writer: As your “literary agent” I commend you for standing up for your beliefs and striking with your fellow writers.
Writer to agent: thanks Ari.
Agent to Writer: as your “asshole” - You’re fired!
Comment by The Rick-ster — November 8, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Open:
Tracking shot to the back of two white guys. One in a suit (Agent) the other in jeans and an Ironic baseball cap to cover his pattern baldness.
Agent to client: “As your agent I commend you for sticking up for what you believe is right.”
Client to Agent: “Thanks Ari” (or Joel, David,)
Agent to client: “As your asshole agent - consider yourself dropped”
Scene.
Comment by Eric F. — November 8, 2007 @ 1:02 pm
Writer: Eva Longoria took my picket sign.
Agent: I’m sorry, she’s with CAA…
Comment by Butch Johnson — November 8, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
I wish the writers luck-you will need it. In the last strike so much was lost by many. The early 90’s brought an onslaught of clips shows, reality shows, (real)cop shows, Discovery Channel, TLC, History channel-types/clones, etc. found a footing and began to flourish and not a one was a ‘union’ show nor signatory to the guilds. The Mike Darnell’s and Mark Burton’s of the world flooded the market to FILL UP AIR TIME for the nets. America’s Funniest Home Videos was the first-get regular folks to send in their videos (Content delivered to the production FOR FREE-how great is that?)give the family (”supplier” of raw ftg) a bit of $ and maybe a trip to Hawaii-but most important to them: their 15 minutes of fame in Hollywood.
The nets always find a way around the creators, they have a hungry beast to feed every second, and the name of the beast is: AIR TIME
I am a native of LA, it’s the last company town on the planet that millions continue to flock to where your dream can come true AND you can get paid well while you live your dream working in a dream factory.
Comment by devin — November 8, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
The writers have lost the PR campaign. LOST it and will not win it back. You see, the millionaires crack only works because of the hypocrisy of picketing your bosses when you are freaking rich. Counter and Freston are not on strike and are not arguing that “management is unfair”. Paul Haggis is. John August is. Laeta Kalogridis is. That is laughable. If you don’t like the deal, WRITE FOR SOMEONE ELSE. Go write an indy. But to the rest of America, you sound like spoiled asswipes fighting for MORE money than the average worker makes in ten years.
Also I keep hearing the working writer argument. But WHO SAYS that the guy making $20k a year has some god given right to write movies? He doesn’t. Go write for the pennysaver.
This is insane. Your argument is, if you don’t like the terms of the deal, don’t do the work.
What exactly do you think is happening now?
Comment by giles bowkett — November 14, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
The American factory worker has been crushed under a wave of offshore manufacturing. American service workers are paralyzed by the mere threat of outsourcing. The “creative worker” — typified by the writers on strike in Hollywood — represents the rare breed of American worker with enough economic leverage left to resist the complete annihilation of the American middle class. The fact that these people are reasonably well-paid (as were American blue- and white- collar workers until recently) only speaks to their value in a global marketplace.
I am saddened by the vicious comments aimed at the strikers by so many people, most of whom seem offended by the high incomes (some but not all) of these writers earn. What the anti-strike ditto-heads refuse to see is that well-paid workers – and writers are workers — represent the last battlefront for a middle-class lifestyle (nice home, good schooling, meaningful health benefits) that is being erased from our national consciousness by the ongoing WalMart-ization of America.
Some media executives will sell their infant children to make WalMart happy. It’s their job. The writers are an antidote to that capitulation. If you don’t your living from dividends or a trust fund, you should support these strikers with all your heart.
Comment by Don D — November 15, 2007 @ 1:15 am
When will the studio bigwigs realize that they would have NOTHING without the writers??? I, for one, think the writers deserve everything they are asking for, because there would BE no TV without them!! So get off your collective butts (and checkbooks) and give them what they deserve!!! I want my shows back!! Fair is fair. THEY made you millionaires…it is time that they were paid what they deserve. END THE STRIKE!! GIVE THEM WHAT THEY DESERVE!!!!!!
Comment by Susan — December 1, 2007 @ 8:11 pm