(Keep refreshing for latest... More photos and details later today...)
Just a quick update: estimates are that 2,500 walked the line at Universal on Bring-A Star-To Picket-With-You day organized by the striking WGA. "It was crazy beyond belief," one writer gushed. "I couldn't turn without seeing a star. There were a lot of stars..." Early sightings coming in to me are of Ben Stiller, Seth Green, Laura Linney, Lisa Edelstein (House), Minnie Driver, Doug Savant and Dana Delaney and Felicity Huffman and Nicollette Sheridan (all of Desperate Housewives), Lisa Kudrow. I'll have more details and photos later today.
I’m more interested in seeing a resolution than a celebrity…
Comment by NewtotheWGA — November 13, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
The whole cast of CHUCK was there. I was actually starstruck by the cutie lead. please resolve this, I need more episodes!!!!
Comment by Carol — November 13, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
Valerie Harper & Edie McClurg were there. We were a Jason Bateman away from a “Valerie” reunion!
Comment by One Time Sitcom Writer — November 13, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Is this for real?
Does the WGA really believe actors are going to help them? Bringing millionaires to stand with millionaires on the picket line? Working people are not going to give a shit what happens to you. Think it through.
Also stop all the gushing over people you work with. No wonder actors have such huge egos, and since when has Minnie Driver been a “Star”?
This is making a mockery of the situation
Comment by someone — November 13, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
Nicki:
Don’t forget Bill Paxton and Jeanne Tripplehorm from BIG LOVE!!! It was a blast today. It was crowded beyond belief and so many showrunners were there with their casts. The HORNS were non-stop from supportive fans and the press was all over it. Nothing Nick Counter says is credible. The days of his salacious and cynical press releases are over. No one is buying it any more Nick, give it up and come back to the table.
Comment by Will Scheffer — November 13, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
Tv stars are nice, but let’s get real. It’s the movie stars that will generate the buzz. The WGA needs to focus on turning them out. Stiller is a good start. I know there are movie stars out there willing to get quality face time for the cameras. Fighting for the little guy does a lot to polish their images. It can be done.
Comment by workthephones — November 13, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
I think it’s smart that the WGA is using recognizable faces. This will resonate more than w/ the TV audience aka “The Customer.” After all, the Studios can ignore the writers who are merely employees, but when they get the viewers against them, then it’s trouble. I only wish we could start picketing more than just studios. Let’s organize a boycott against the companies where it hurts them the most: Disney Merchandise, Theme Parks, Sony Electronic and video games, GE Appliances– this is where the corporations make tons of money. What would they do if every TV fan decided not to spend their money on the above this Xmas?
Comment by boycott the corps! — November 13, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
It was a sight to behold and I was extremely proud of the solidarity and brotherhood shown by our SAG supporters.
To quote the sign of a Sarah Silverman cast member: Nick Counter Eats Farts.
Comment by TV WRITER — November 13, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Is there one person running the WGA that has a clue? Actors on the picket lines are going to only make your cause look more pathetic to the general public? These people get paid even more money than writers and do even less work. The caption should just read “More Millionares Join the Picket Line.” Not to mention the fact that every star than steps foot on the picket line puts you one step further away from negotiating a deal. The SAG agreement ends in June and if the studios think that there is a chance the actors will also use this ridiculous strike tactic they are going to hold out and break the WGA.
Comment by :) — November 13, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
just a comment to Someone from above
Minnie Driver is quite fantastic in The Riches and her emmy nod was well deserved.
Comment by ML — November 13, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
Kevin James of KING OF QUEENS walked with us at Radford at 6AM this morning, without fanfare or photo op intentions. Actors are as committed to this, too.
Comment by ben — November 13, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
Alexandra Paul (Baywatch) was at CBS today. She is so pretty in person!
Comment by Bob — November 13, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Stop being so cynical, people. Anything to get morale up and to show that we in the entertainment industry are not as committed to destroying what’s left of television as the AMPTP is is a good thing. Thanks to all of the actors who showed up without their security and hair and makeup to show their support. I’ll take any friends we have now.
Comment by Jeff Astrof — November 13, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
WGA friends — don’t pay any attention to the drivel posted by some of the above posters. You can’t win with the trolls on these boards — if SAG stars come out to support you, they dismiss them as out-of-touch “millionaires” (never mind the fact that 90% of the actors out there today were rank and file, middle class actors like myself) — and if SAG stars didn’t come out to support you, these posters would cheerily boast that you have no support with other Guilds. So just keep your eye on the prize and pay no attention to them. Your adversaries will do and say anything to try to demoralize you. Don’t let them.
Comment by David — November 13, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
if i’m not a WGA member but actually a grad student from Northridge’s screenwriting program, am i able to help out by picketing?
Comment by pete — November 13, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
I think the lack of reporting on this on even the “entertainment” news shows is ridiculous. It is sad that Kanye West’s mother died as a result of plastic surgery, and sympathies to the family. But all of “Hollywood” is impacted monetarily by this strike, and ALL OF AMERICA is impacted by the changes to TV. If that isn’t entertainment news - what is? So why is their so much coverage of Mrs. West and so little or none on the strike?
And to everyone who talks about millionaires striking - Writers, like actors, gamble on their talent. They spend years working two jobs - a day job and a creative job - just barely making it or having to borrow money. All in the hopes that one day they will be able to make a living wage off their art. And they will be able to support their families and have health insurance and a pension. They live lives of feast and famine (if they are successful, which is rare) - where they must make money on a project and have it tide them over until the next project. Many of them are not well off. Just because the entertainment industry is glamorous and some people make a lot of money doesn’t mean that the majority of union writers and actors are in that same situation. In fact, many of them are just hoping for gainful employment and the ability to work one job at a time to support themselves.
Comment by SB — November 13, 2007 @ 8:04 pm
Hey — in response to Pete’s question: YES! Show up at any studio at any time and ask for a strike captain. They would be more than happy to hand you a sign and a baked good…
Comment by Tara — November 13, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
Pete, We’d love to have you picket– bring any friends, too. Show up at any of the major studios starting at 6 a.m. and grab a sign and an Otis Spunkmeyer muffin.
Comment by Jeff Astrof — November 13, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
“if i’m not a WGA member but actually a grad student from Northridge’s screenwriting program, am i able to help out by picketing?”
Show up to your favorite studio and grab a picket!
I’m a CSUN alumni myself. So I say the more the merrier!
Comment by Anonymous — November 13, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
From what I understand the average income for a staff writer is like 30,000 to 35,000. If there are folks out there that consider that a millionare’s salary; then there is a serious math problem in America.
Comment by Melissa — November 13, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
It amazes me how badly the WGA is mis-reading the situation. Does anybody really think putting tv stars on the line will get the AMPTP to do anything? And if the goal is to get the public on their side, it’s going to turn as many people off to the cause, as it turns on. Seriously…go to any “general entertainment” site like ew, eonline, etc, and read the comments. I have, and it really runs 50/50 between fans that support the writers, and people in middle america that don’t like what Hollywood is putting out and could care less. Use the time you’re not on the picket line to look outside the box, outside of town, and gain a little perspective on hat people not in LA or NYC think of us.
Comment by reality check — November 13, 2007 @ 10:53 pm
I agree with Jeff Astrof (as seen on channel 7’s coverage of today’s strike just now) - there’s nothing wrong with actors coming out & putting a “face” to this debacle. Any and all support is appreciated!
Comment by One Time Sitcom Writer — November 13, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
The reporting on this is horrible - ABC news had a brief story and the only star they showed was Nicollette Sheridan, who wasn’t the most articulate.
Comment by steve — November 13, 2007 @ 11:17 pm
Hey, Reality Check– if 50% of the population support the writers, then it’s huge. You think any US Corp wants to upset half of America? They’d fold over far less. And folks in middle America don’t need to care about writers– they just need to care about their favorite shows that writer’s write.
Comment by for reality check — November 13, 2007 @ 11:31 pm
I was at the picket today. For a celebrity count, I saw the cast of Desperate Housewives and Mark Cherry. Some of the Office cast with Greg Daniels and the writers of the Office. The cast of CSI, the cast of Army wives, the cast of the Game, the cast of Everybody Hates Chris, several of the cast from Big Love (Jeanne Tripplehorn and Bill Paxton), the full cast of the Big Bang Theory, Jay Leno, Andy Samberg, Lisa Kudrow, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, the cast of My Boys, two of the guys from Always Sunny, the mother from Titanic (Francis Fisher?), Vanessa Marcil, “Greg” from Dharma and Greg, Rob Lowe, “Newman” from Seinfeld, Zak Braff and Donald Faison, Ben Stiller, Jon Cryer, TR Knight, Sarah Silverman and Kathy Griffin and those are the people I remember off the top of my head.
I have to thank all of the actors who came out in support of the writers. We are all in this together and your support makes a big difference.
Comment by Sitcom Puncher — November 14, 2007 @ 12:14 am
>>I have, and it really runs 50/50 between fans that support the writers, and people in middle america that don’t like what Hollywood is putting out and could care less.<<
So, there are no fans in middle America? What exactly is happening in middle America if there are no actors, writers, Democrats, media outlets or television fans?
For the most part it seems to me that the public is generally behind the writers. It also seems to me that on the internet you will *always* have the swarms of people ready to take the opposing viewpoint. That’s what the internet breeds. I like blue? Well, of course you hate blue and love green. I like McDonalds? Obviously it sucks and the only thing you’ll eat is Jack in the Box.
The only thing I see that the guild needs to subtley get out there (because it’s clearly lost on some of the people griping here about yesterday’s event) is that writers aren’t generally millionaires. Beyond that, I’ve seen them do nothing wrong. At all. The solidarity is inspiring.
Comment by Anonymous — November 14, 2007 @ 5:11 am
I am an I.A.T.S.E post production crew member that was called an asshole for crossing the picket line. Hey writers I am just finishing the work you have all ready been paid for and will receive residuals for after this srike resolves. You swoon over the actors that join you, they have been paid for the week, walking with you costs them nothing. They and you benefit from the publicity. Oh and those teamsters that are helping you out, they punch in at a time clock before they refuse to cross your line. So please think before you condemn someone else. My contract says I can’t support your strike without being replaced, and trust me they would replace us. I abide by my union just like you do yours. We TV post production people were out of work most of this summer while you were selling this season’s scripts. We will be out of work soon enough and we don’t have a 12 billion dollar strike fund, residuals, or for the majority of us a nest egg to fall back on. We will loose money, pension and health benefit’s qualifying hours and we won’t get them back when you settle. I supported your cause but being called a asshole has made me pause and rethink my position. So remember the majority of us crossing the line are just trying to earn a living just like you do. P.S.I am in the sound branch what good are your words if they can’t be heard, your scenes if the can’t be seen. There are a lot of I.A.T.S.E. crew members that make your script come to life, even polish it sometimes. So remember the next time you choose to taunt someone they might just be or have been an ally.
Comment by IATSE Crew — November 14, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
The actors walking with the striking writers has already served its purpose. They bring attention to the strike. They are there to get photographed and bring press attention to the cause. They are not there to be sympathized with, they are there to bring public attention to what’s going on, and the tactic has succeeded, or we wouldn’t be talking about it here.
Also, they are walking with the writers as fellow union members, albeit of a different union. IATSE crew, you’re right - you should not have been taunted like that, especially since you could be severely penalized for walking off your job. At the same time, consider that there are also IATSE members who have CHOSEN not to break the strike DESPITE the peril to their jobs because they see the big picture of this being about all unions. You shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss that point of view either. For some, there are things that are more important even than a paycheck.
- Teresa
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Comment by Teresa — November 15, 2007 @ 12:29 pm