I've just received the private message which Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, sent to her below-the-line crew on both shows before Christmas:
"December 20, 2007
"I know this holiday season isn't easy for any of us. With the strike rolling on, the future feels murky and uncertain. Along with the other writers, I have been spending time on the picket lines. None of us is enjoying this and we worry and discuss and worry and debate and complain... but mostly worry.
"About all of you. And how you are doing. How your families are doing.
"I'm incredibly concerned about how deeply this is affecting you all. The crews are foremost on the mind of every TV writer and actor I encounter. And, while i do believe that the fight the WGA is fighting is a good one, I wish like crazy that it could be over so
that we can all get back to work.
"I don't know that a note from me will make anything better. But I did want you to know how important you all are and how much you are in my thoughts as we head into the New Year. Let's hope we are all back together soon.
"My best to you and your loved ones,
"Shonda Rhimes."
According to the below-the-line worker on one of her shows who relayed her words to me, "There was no money enclosed in the envelope."
i was hoping for a check to fall out of mine…thanks shonda for the kindling.
Comment by btl — January 1, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
“I’m told there was no money enclosed in the envelope.”
That was kind of below the belt. It was a pretty sincere note. Even with the money she’s made so far, she doesn’t have THAT much money. What is she going to put in the envelope that wouldn’t seem like an insult, pay-off, bribe and so on?
Comment by Jamie — January 1, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
Was the “no money in the envelop” absolutely necessary?
I’ll remind you that it’s the AMPTP who fire people, cut back on bonuses to their employees (and I’ve yet to hear of any of the AMPTP heads taking a cut in pay or refusing their stock options/bonuses), or negotiate with the WGA for a contract that’ll will essentially only cost them [the AMPTP] pennies…
It’s easy to blame writers for this who bad business, but WE don’t own the studios or put on the shows and movies, that’s the AMPTP. They have the power to treat people fairly, yet they consistent treat the backbone of their respective companies like shit.
If you want to take issue with somebody, take issue with the heads of the AMPTP.
Comment by jake Hollywood — January 1, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
Hey Shonda why don’t you pay your crews the way all the late night hosts did? Why aren’t any of the A-list showrunners paying their crews? Can someone answer this? Or is it a forbidden subject? Why should only the late night hosts be expected to pay their crews out of their own pockets? Shonda is a multi-millionaire now. If she really cared she’d do a lot more than just send them a Christmas greeting.
Comment by Anonymous — January 1, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
why should there be money in the envelope? The note was so lovely and caring, why is the money thing always overshadowing sweet notes? I swear the crew who recieved this lovely gesture better not be bitching about not getting cash!!
Comment by who cares — January 1, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
sometimes a letter of acknoledgement of how others are doing is better than money. I wish all showrunners would have the basic decency to send an email or letter like this to their crew letting us all know, that while they have do dig into their millions to weather this strike, they do realize that their actions have caused sever economic hardship to those who pour their creative enrgy and soul into making then filthy rich, oh, uhm, excuse me, I mean into to helping them realize their vision. Cheers to you Shonda Rhimes for such a classy and human act of empathy!!
Comment by bbelowthelineguy — January 1, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
Nikki, was the crack about “no money in the envelope” really necessary? I don’t know this woman, but it seems like she is honestly concerned for the people who work for her. What about the showrunners who don’t give out all their money AND also don’t write notes? Are you going after them? At least she is showing some compassion. Talk about no good deed going unpunished.
Let’s not forget that this thing will be over eventually, and the hardest thing will be getting over the anger and animosity that nowadays is so easy to come by. Not everyone is an evil monster. Except maybe Jeff Zucker.
Comment by Al — January 1, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
And it arrived on the 26th, mailed on the 24th. Cheers.
Comment by Fred McCrew — January 1, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
“I’m told there was no money enclosed in the envelope.”
Now that defines a cheap shot!
Comment by Independant producer — January 1, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
Any showrunner that didn’t put aside an episode or two’s fees to be divvied up between all the below-the-lines during this holiday strike season lacks foresight.
Come to think of it, I wonder if any of them DID think to do this? My parents would disown me if I were in their position and didn’t do something like that.
Which of our richer members besides the late night guys have been doing something like that? It would certainly help our cause if we could show that the showrunners are more compationate than studio and network execs.
Comment by anotherWGAwriter — January 1, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
Nikki, I click “refresh” obsessively on your site and live in your thrall, but shame on you for being so catty. “No money in the envelope”? Shonda Rhimes is not the unemployment insurer for her crew. The deep pockets here are Touchstone and ABC, not the writer. Why don’t you take _them_ to task for not offering their employees some dough? They’re the ones making tens of millions off Shonda Rhimes’ creation. And they’re the ones who won’t pay her fairly for it — the reason we’re on strike.
I don’t know when it became assumed that high-profile writers would pay their crews’ salaries, but it really needs to stop. Why hasn’t one single multi-billion-dollar company stepped forward to pay one thin dime of support to its incredibly hard-working and deserving crews? That might be a better question.
Comment by Ashley Gable — January 1, 2008 @ 9:13 pm
Shonda Rhimes, I love you sister gurl but that was too depressing. Why didn’t you just send gift certificates to Ralph’s for food… or light bill money - a little gas card will do as well.
Remember you can deduct $50 off your 2007 taxes for Christ sake. I swear to God once I start making show runner money I will never send a Dear John letter to my crew without HOPE!
I love you sister gurl but DAMN -can you spare a Walmart gift certificate.
I’ll see everybody on the line at Jay Leno tomorrow - K? Be there or be square… Heck, I’ll even throw in Free Laugh Factory Tickets - Jamie Masada is my angel friend.
Ring in the New Year right!
The Guild is looking for picketers on January 2, 3 and 4 for the return of the “Tonight Show”, without writers. Shifts are 8-11, 11-2, 2-5, 3-6 — we want to make sure any guest stars have to cross a line to get in.
NBC is at 3000 W. Alamenda in Burbank; check-in table will be on Bob Hope Drive (Johnny Carson Park).
Comment by Chris Jackson — January 1, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
Sorry no sympathy for Shonda she’s a selfish greedy egotist and it’s clear she doesn’t really care about her crew. She should have sent every single crew member $5,000 she can easily afford that much. All the series creators of hit shows are earning mega money and guess what? They are to blame for this strike. They are selfish and they are hurting their below the line workers out of pure greed. You can blame the networks and the studios all you want but we already know they are soulless corporations. I thought Shonda was slightly more humanistic than a mega-corp. Guess not. She pretends to be with her writing but when push comes to shove she only cares about her own bank account. I have zero respect for her now. This has been very enlightening. Same goes for every other hit show runner all of whom are worth millions.
Comment by Anonymous — January 1, 2008 @ 10:49 pm
I can’t be alone… After reading Shonda’s letter - one thought entered my mind: “Did she include money???!!”
When I reached the end of the article, I knew Nikki was brilliant. She knew I’d been wondering & asked the question and gave me the answer. G.D. good journalism — NOT A POT-SHOT!
You guys suck.
Comment by Come on — January 1, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
Nikki -
I am 100% with you 99% of the time. So here’s the exception.
I’d like to echo previous commenters here who have pointed out the responsibility rests with the AMPTP, not Shonda Rhimes. She has not been at this anywhere near as long as other showrunners who have dug into their own pockets. She doesn’t own the shows she runs, unlike David Letterman, for example. On top of that, unlike Jay Leno or Jimmy Kimmel, she has two fully-crewed shows she would have be fair to.
Judging Rhimes for not cutting everyone a check really does put her in a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t situation, and really it’s not fair to her.
I don’t expect you to cut her a check Nikki. But a note would be nice.
Comment by MHeister — January 1, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
In all fairness to Shonda Rhimes and all of the other showrunners (one hour drama, particularly), carrying their crews would be impractical. I don’t have experiences with late night talk shows, but their staffs are smaller and work on a slightly lower wage scale. The average network one hour single-camera drama employes 150-175 full time people on average. The usual weekly payroll (with fringe) is nearly $500,000 per week (below the line). Yes, Ms. Rhimes and her peers make great money. But there is no way they could realistically cover their crews for a long period of times.
There are some great showrunners out there (mine included), who worked very hard to get as many scripts ready as possible, so their crews could work after the strike was called. That was their gift to the crew.
Nikki, your money in the envelope comment was a misguided swipe at Ms. Rhimes and showrunners.
Give them a break.
Comment by DGALP — January 1, 2008 @ 11:10 pm
You want job security? Get a government job. Why should Shonda be expected to send everyone cash? Gimmie a break.
Comment by TAG — January 1, 2008 @ 11:36 pm
I, too, reading the letter wondered ‘where’s the money’.
So I found Nikki’s editorial last line on target.
Comment by pundit — January 1, 2008 @ 11:40 pm
I agree - Nikki was absolutely right to ask the question that many were thinking…I’d actually be curious to know if ANY showrunners are helping out their assistants/staff…
Shonda should have done SOMETHING for her staff. A weak letter like this… what did she think it would accomplish? At the rally at Fox Seth McFarlane expressed the sentiment that something should be done to help the assistants who, along with the rest of the crew, are the first ones tossess overboard and are the ones that feel the REAL pain of the strike. I would actually go as far as to say that show runners have a moral obligation to make some kind of payment (even if it is nominal) to their assistants (and staff) during the strike. When the strike is over, Shonda will be back to making her subtantial salary (and earning it - everyone knows she’s a tireless worker) but the hardship caused by this action will be felt for a long time by assistants and crew. Treat ‘em right…
Comment by dante writer — January 1, 2008 @ 11:46 pm
Wow, Nikki I love you but does every showrunner now need to pay for their entire staff and crew throughout the strike?
I never understood why the talk show hosts were expected to do this (was it maybe because their crews had been with them for so long?) And I don’t understand why the head writer of any show would be expected to do this.
The showrunners didn’t fire anyone (in fact they hired them) and for them to pay makes it look like they feel guilty. I don’t feel guilty about being on strike at all. Some issues are worth fighting for and not rolling over. I think Teamsters would agree that when someone is among other things trying to rollback your health insurance and break your union you fight back.
While I don’t feel guilty, what I do feel is extreme sympathy for any person who is out of work and wish the WGA’s (and soon SAG’s) struggle didn’t effect anyone but the studios directly. As a writer, like most writers, I’ve been out of paid work for months or longer at a time (thank God for those residuals that the studios want to get rid of.) Being out of work sucks completely and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
But the idea that the writers are responsible to pay for their crews implies that they are responsible for the work stoppage. And they are not. Writers have tried day and night to negotiate a reasonable contract, but the AMPTP refused to negotiate in good faith in the months leading up to the end of the WGA’s contract and have since walked away from the negotiating table (25 days and counting. Thanks for the Christmas gift, Nick Counter!) The AMPTP is responsible for there being a strike in the first place and for it going on so long.
What would you want next, Nikki? A blacklist of showrunners who don’t put up what you consider enough money for their crews? A website where we can see how much each showrunner has given and penalize those who don’t give enough?
I know, why not ask Nick Counter and the other members of the AMPTP why they aren’t paying the crews and all the small businesses they’ve hurt? That’s who should indeed be feeling guilty.
Comment by WGA Writer — January 1, 2008 @ 11:54 pm
Just curious, but why are btls especially deserving? There are plenty of people in LA who are worse off, if Shonda has a moral obligation to pay $5,000 to every crew member, how come they don’t have an equal obligation to pass that along to a homeless shelter or something? Isn’t that selfish and greedy too, by this definition? I make less than many btls, but I don’t need shonda’s money, I can get a job to pay my bills if I have to, like btls I have marketable skills. If you’re going to give money, give it to someone who truly needs it to survive.
Comment by Gotohell — January 2, 2008 @ 12:47 am
At least she thought to send a note. Not everyone did as not everyone has taken care of their beloved below the line crews. Truth is they are part of the Upstairs, Downstairs world of production, seen when working and not heard afterward. As for the money, bills must be paid. It may sound unseemly to say we are in it for the money, but do you really think that Jeff, Les and the rest do it for emotional fulfillment?
Comment by bporter — January 2, 2008 @ 3:02 am
According to the below-the-line worker on one of her shows who relayed her words to me, “There was no money enclosed in the envelope.”
I am dreadfully sorry to actually have to point this out, but Miss Finke did what a good journalist does.
She QUOTED.
Some of those commentators here are quite incapable of making a distinction between a direct quote and an editorial comment… kids, go back to school and get taught again on quotes, direct speech and comments. Or didn’t they teach you that?
Comment by Thomas — January 2, 2008 @ 5:07 am
Nikki, that “money” quip was low.
She wrote an earnest letter. To respond to it with such cynicism is so… depressing. And off the mark, in my opinion. And to all those BTL-ers demanding compensation from showrunners: Where is your pride? Hard workers want a job, not a handout. Don’t succumb to fighting over beans, while the moguls dine on steak.
Comment by an observer — January 2, 2008 @ 5:17 am
“There was no money enclosed in the envelope.”
What gall.
I have a question to all those BTL’s who whine about Shonda… how many of you sent cash to your show’s PA’s? Or give money or food to your studio’s security people (who are paid a hell of a lot less than you)?
Let me guess. Zip. Zero.
Becuase it’s easy to bitch about not getting, but much harder to give.
Comment by Writer/Director — January 2, 2008 @ 6:33 am
How dare this bitch send a nice note?! It didn’t have money, therefore it was worthless! Damn the selfish showrunners!
Seriously, I get more embarrased by the commenters here every time I come.
Comment by Caitlin — January 2, 2008 @ 7:13 am
Please - she doesn’t have to pay them their salaries but its CHRISTMAS!!!
Doesn’t she give the crew Christmas bonus checks or gifts every holiday season? Out of respect and thanks for what they do the entire year? Didn’t she budget for it?
Yes, the strike has been distrupting lives for 2 months but what about the rest of the year when the crews/staff worked for her?
It doesn’t mean she is cheap - just that she lacks an understanding of being a true manager, boss and leader.
Many shows have still given their traditional holiday gifts to their crews/staff……they get that a LONG successful career in this town is built on relationships. Staff, cast, crews, writers, producers are a team.
Look at the pounding Gavin has taken on this site - he gets the numbers, can pick successful scripts and can somehow get the deal done but then always screws it up because he doesn’t get the human side of the business.
Shonda rethink this one - the strike will end - and where will this put you?
Comment by Looking for an end — January 2, 2008 @ 7:35 am
I’ve heard from members of the CSI crew that Carol Mendolsohn has written a number of heart-felt letters to the crew AND sent each of them a substantial check for being laid-off. Additionally, Ms. Mendolsohn has raised money from the other producers and actors and sent another substantial check to each crew member for Christmas. I don’t believe she did this out of guilt but out of a true concern and appreciation for her crew and for how difficult a time this is to be out of work.
As for you, WGAWRITER @ 11:54PM, your post is full of S#*&! Your facts are wholly inaccurate and you sound like an air headed cheerleader.
Happy New Year! Lets hope this ends soon.
Comment by get real — January 2, 2008 @ 8:32 am
There is a difference between paying the crew’s salary for the duration of the strike and sending a Christmas gift to struggling co-workers. I don’t think the expectation Shonda enclose some sort of monetary gift is commensurate with blaming the WGA for the strike and loss of jobs.
It’s easy shoot off a note saying how sorry you are things are rough, but would have been far nicer if something were included. There is a long social tradition that supports someone in Shonda’s position, with her wealth, giving some form of money gift to employees beneath her.
Comment by Carla L — January 2, 2008 @ 8:36 am
I agree with the posts that say the check comment was below the belt. In a town all about $$$ but where everyone privately yearns for acknowledgment, I think her note was quite wonderful. I’d work for Shonda every day of the week and Sundays too. My showrunner? Away on vacation. Have I heard from her? Nada. So let’s back off someone in Hollywood who shows a bit of class, alright?
Comment by anon — January 2, 2008 @ 8:41 am
There was no money enclosed in my weak-ass Christmas card from my boss, either. We don’t need your moral support. We need rent money.
Comment by Anonymous — January 2, 2008 @ 9:40 am
As I read the first line of Shonda’s letter I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I think she should have left herself out of the equation that “This holiday won’t be easy for any of us and the future is murky and uncertain.” Balderdash! She is pretty much set for life no matter how long this strike goes on!
This whole situation reminds me of that commercial where the CEO says he wants to “stick it to the man” and his assistant reminds him “You are the man!!!”
Yes, the big bad corporations have all the power and money…a given. At the same time, I have been in this business for 25 years and have seen many a writer/producer go from obscurity to multi-millionaire overnight (so to speak).
I’m sure you all read about Les Moonves’s multi-million deal and got angry. Did any of you get angry when Phil Rosenthal signed a five year $50 million development deal 3 years ago? Just asking!
All of this David and Goliath ranting is getting old for a lot of us below-the-line. It is unconscionable
that 3 weeks went by over the holidays with no talking
on either side and none on the horizon.
Whatever it takes….Get back to the table, please!!!!!!
Comment by Stuck in the Middle — January 2, 2008 @ 9:42 am
Steve Levitan, Christopher Lloyd, Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton and James Burrrows of “Back To You” sent a nice check weeks ago to their crew. Classy folks.
Comment by anon — January 2, 2008 @ 10:43 am
As someone who sympathizes with the WGA, I will say that showrunners should take some responsibility (albeit not all, and not necessarily in a monetary sense).
The AMPTP are dicks. But they’re not responsible for the strike, the people striking are. If the WGA didn’t decide to strike these people wouldn’t be out of work.
That being said, the strike is a noble one, and you WGA members deserve what you’re asking for, it’s only fair. But I do feel to push this all on the AMPTP is kinda like someone saying
“Yes, I shot my boyfriend in the leg, but he forced me to do it because he was cheating on me”
the guy definately deserved it, but ultimately it was their lover that made a very conscious decision to pull the trigger.
The AMPTP don’t owe those people money because if they could have it their way everyone would be working tomorrow, the writers would still be getting the shaft, but the wheels would be turning.
Comment by Anonymous — January 2, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
“Any showrunner that didn’t put aside an episode or two’s fees to be divvied up between all the below-the-lines during this holiday strike season lacks foresight.
Come to think of it, I wonder if any of them DID think to do this?”
Can’t speak for anyone else, but we did do this on our show.
There’s no evidence that Shonda didn’t do the same for her BTL staff and crew. But given the language of the letter, I would tend to doubt it.
Comment by Kit Sargent — January 2, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
What a bitchy post. I think it was a nice gesture. More writers should be as thoughtful as Shonda.
Comment by B. McGee — January 2, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
As a crew member of Grey’s Anatomy I was touched to know that Shonda thought enough to send each of us this letter. When I read all the comments about our show runner I got really upset. You all don’t know her and haven’t worked for her. So mind your own business and leave our family alone. THANK YOU SHONDA!
Comment by Grey's Anatomy Crew Member — January 3, 2008 @ 11:42 am
Perhaps along with those “heart felt” wishes of support to her below-the-line crew, Rhimes too should send each and every Grey’s Anatomy fan a sincere letter of apology for the show she has delivered to her fans last season and sadly this one as well. Perhaps the strike, while certainly tragic, will give her the time she needs to drop the ego and start caring about her work again. It’s nice she cares for her workers while giving poor quality work to the fans the put her on the map to begin with.
Comment by Every day I write the book — January 3, 2008 @ 3:52 pm