UPDATE! PART IV: NBC Rejects WGA's Investigation Of Jay; SAG Urges Actors To Go On Dave & Craig
PART II: The Writers Guild Of America acknowledges that its meeting with Jay Leno took place on December 31st but has significantly different details from NBC's account of the confab with the WGA West president and other guild members. (See my previous, PART I: NBC Claims Jay Asked For & Received WGA Permission To Write Monologue At Secret Monday Meeting With Verrone.) "No, Patric Verrone did not say 'We're going to look the other way,' I don't recall him ever saying anything that could be construed as giving Jay the OK to write a monologue," the spokesperson designated by the WGA to talk to me because he was at the meeting told me tonight. "NBC is trying to stir things up. I think they want to take the focus off their own refusal to bargain in good faith. And instead of having people aware of the real dispute, which is between NBC and the WGA, they want to put Jay Leno in the middle."
According to the guild's version of events, the confab described by NBC wasn't about Jay's monologue. The union told me that Jay Leno requested the meeting with WGAW president Patric Verrone in the wake of the WGA making an interim agreement with David Letterman's Worldwide Pants to bring back The Late Show with his writers. Since NBC owns The Tonight Show, Jay can't make the same deal so he was coming back without his writers. "The meeting was about his feeling that he was being mischaracterized as the bad guy for going back and doing the show. He wanted the guild to get the message out that he supported the writers. And we certainly agreed with that," the insider told me.
Leno attended the meeting accompanied by his striking Tonight Show writers, "I think they came out of loyalty to Jay and hoping to see Jay's concerns taken seriously by the guild and resolution found," the source said.
"But it wasn't until close to the end of the meeting, when we had gotten to the point where Jay understood our position was that we were not trying to make him look like a bad guy, that he said, "OK, I'm going to do the show, and I'm going to do my monologue.' And what I think Patric said was, 'You're taking one for the team. And we understand that.' "
When I asked what was meant by "team", the insider said, "For the guild." And that was the end of the meeting.
But here's what I can't understand. Leno tells the WGA he's going to do his monologue. And that doesn't ring a bell for the guild members to ask him HOW he's doing that monologue?
"In retrospect, it should have been clarified right then and there," the WGA spokesperson admitted to me. "But the exchange came at the end of a long and difficult meeting and we were wrapping it up and it was one of the last exchanges in the meeting."
It's clear that, on Monday, the guild did not repeat the warning about "no monologues" which it had issued the day NBC announced that Leno and Conan O'Brien were going back on air. (See my previous, WGA Reminds Returning Jay And Conan: No Monologues.) But it's also a he said/he said situation whether or not the guild actually gave Leno a pass on writing his monologue. "I don't believe I heard Jay saying he was 'writing' his monologue. I thought I heard him say he was 'doing' his monologue," the guild insider specified. The source added that he himself thought that Leno was going to ad-lib his signature standup opening and not write it because that would break his writers union's strike rules.
Today both the WGA and NBC issued dueling statements after I posted here on Deadline Hollywood Daily that Jay admitted last night on the air during his first show back from strike hiatus that he had written his own monologue -- an act tantamount to strike-breaking. First, the WGA said publicly that "a discussion took place today between Jay Leno and the Writers Guild to clarify to him that writing for The Tonight Show constitutes a violation of the Guilds’ strike rules." I was told by the guild that Leno explained to the WGA he thought he was following the WGA rules because of a provision in the Guild's so-called "Minimum Basic Agreement" that allows for a performer to write for himself. But then the union made "very clear" to him that the pact also clearly states that this provision does not apply to a Guild member who also happens to employed on the show as a writer. (Leno is both a credited writer and producer of the NBC-owned Tonight Show as well as host.)
Then, NBC complained publicly: "The WGA agreement permits Jay Leno to write his own monologue for The Tonight Show. The WGA is not permitted to implement rules that conflict with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the studios and the WGA."
Said the WGA insider, "NBC is wrong. And we have made it clear."
So tonight Leno performed his monologue again on The Tonight Show. Is the WGA going to investigate how Jay is preparing that standup routine?
What makes the situation so delicate is that the WGA perceives Leno as very supportive of striking writers. He's been delivering food and drinks to the scribes walking the line for two months now. So the WGA, which has repeatedly made it clear it's picketing NBC and not Leno, may not want to make an example of a high-profile member like Jay for breaking its strike rules. Earlier today, a WGA spokesman told me: "We are not interested in a battle here between Jay and the Guild," and doubted there would be any probe. Now the WGA seems to be backing away from that position. "If our members decide that there's been a violation of the strike rules, there is a procedure that will be followed," the WGA insider told me.
Well, Leno is doing his monologue again.
Comment by stillConfused — January 3, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
Well this comes as a big Duh to me.
Anyone familiar with the behavior and character of each side can hardly believe what NBC has claimed.
Tell me, who are you gonna believe, the greedy, lying, cheating companies or the WGA?
Who hired political smear merchants Fabiani and Lehane to launch an attack against Dave Young after THEY walked out? Who is now trying to paint Patrick Verrone as the bad guy to deflect attention from their abhorent behavior? Who in their right mind would believe the WGA leadership would consent to letting Jay break the rules and for whose benefit?
Who do you think are the professional liars in this?
Who walked away from the table twice? Who has been consistently lying to the public?
Who does the public support by 70%?
Who is deperately trying to change that? Isn’t that why you hire scumbags like Lehane, to change public opnion and the political landscape, it’s what they do.
What late night Talkshow cannot survive without a monologue? What Company do you think pressured or suggested Jay do this? What company benefits?
The answers are clear.
Again, Jay knows the rules. Jay is NOT a stand up guy, he is a Company whore. He has been warned, let’s see how he responds.
Comment by PJ - Writer — January 3, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
this is splitting hairs to a ridiculous degree. they should be concentrating on more important things.
who really cares how jay leno creates his monologue? that battle was lost when we got back on the air. use him as a public mouthpiece, don’t alienate him.
this doesn’t really bode well for the future, does it……
Comment by referencetone — January 3, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
WHAT? I am heartsick to learn that we are disputing anything coming from he struck company that employs our biggest supporter ever. I hope we took time out to praise him to the skies and make it clear that NBC is forcing him to not only go along with this lie about the meeting, but also to continue to do a monologue.
Comment by Anon — January 3, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
This sucks. I will never walk a WGA picket line again. I won’t cross one, but I won’t support the WGA. Why bother? It’s clear they play favorites.
Comment by Angry about this — January 3, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
Jay has obviously decided to listen to those attorneys at NBC who are telling him it is legal to perform “his own writing”. (Note quotes.) Based on what the WGA stated (”strike rules reminder”) after the hosts announced they were returning to the air, it is clear to this observer that he and The Tonight Show are thumbing their noses at the WGA at this point.
If the intent of giving the deal to Worldwide Pants was as a strategic move to “encourage” NBC to either push AMPTP to return to the table or to reach a deal of its own, then it is necessary to oppose, in the strongest possible terms, the actions of The Tonight Show and Jay Leno in continuing to perform, by Jay’s own admission (Wednesday show) and clearly to anyone who knows anything about comedy writing (Thursday show), written material.
It now appears that the WGA does not know how to make effective strategic moves and is instead flailing about badly. The actions or lack thereof that the WGA ultimately determines to take in the handling of this Tonight Show issue will show the AMPTP/networks how sharp its how sharp its “teeth” are regarding obvious, admitted violations of strike rules. They will be watching this one closely. They may have even had a hand in provoking it just for this purpose. If the WGA doesn’t handle this issue properly, the strike will be considered a joke, no serious negotiation will take place, and writers will slowly but surely end this strike by returning to work, with nothing significant gained.
It’s sad to say it and will be much sadder to see it come to pass, but its the obvious conclusion to draw in looking objectively at the actions of the WGA, AMPTP/networks, and shows/hosts who pay lip service to the WGA cause but whose actions speak volumes otherwise.
Comment by anon — January 3, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
Good for him! He is so much better than Letterman, without writers!
Comment by Pam — January 3, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
Let’s say it together: Jay Leno is a SCAB! (we point fingers) SCABBER JAY! SCABBER JAY!
I think Leno has revealed himself to be (just as his history demonstrated he would) the self-seving, company man, we knew he was all along.
All that, “I support the writers” stuff was pure bullshit. Leno cares only about himself and revels in his insider status. GE/NBC and Leno deserve one another.
Comment by Jake Hollywood — January 3, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
what are the odds nikki that your being given disinformation just to lower the morale of the guild
Comment by wondering — January 3, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
The Union busted itself. The writers at Letterman should stay off work, until all the members go back to work.
What point are these lines, when some return and others do not.
Comment by Bill Nelson — January 3, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
I have to side with Leno on this one. It sounds like Verrone is changing his tune. Probably due to other memebers raising a stink that he didn’t anticipate. NBC sound extremely confident about what was said in the meeting. Something tells me Verrone has just been caught trying to flip flop.
As supportive as Jay was when the show wasn’t around, I can’t see him ignoring the demands of the WGA so he can do a barely funny monologue.
If it turns out that Verrone messed up and is trying to save face then you could see mass picket line crossings by writers who already feel that they are being betrayed because of the Letterman deal.
This sucks, because I want the writer’s to get everything they’ve asked for, but something tells me they may have made a colossal mistake.
Comment by steve — January 3, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
Stay mellow folks.
Jay Leno giving a monologue at the beginning of his show is just a small thing.
Read the Op-ed in the LA Times today to get a little perspective.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-taylor3jan03,0,2812372.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail
Be well and see you on the line.
Comment by Writer / Producer — January 3, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
Unfortunately, to cater to Jay means there’s a tier system of celebrity within the Guild. It is sad but it is true. Jay the biggest supporter? I would venture to offer that Dave is by showing that a Production Company hasn’t got a problem with giving into the kind of contract the Guild is fighting for.
Jay shouldn’t have said a thing about writing his own monologue. He should have let it lie. All he did was expose a bad decision potentially made by the Guild and therefor has helped Big Media out.
Jay’s boasting has put everybody in a poor position, except NBC. NBC gets to sit back and watch the infighting.
Comment by Joe — January 3, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Looks like Jay did a good job and much better the Letterman!
As for the WGA talking out of both side LOL look at what they pulled when they were talking about new media in the contract and now its about new media and how they want all reality show writers to be WGA and that was never on the table.
Seems like the WGA does not know what they are doing and need to get back to the table and work out a contract and get this town back to doing what we all miss and that is WORK!
WGA please drop your must have this and that and get back to the real job and that is getting a good contract for your writers!
Comment by MItch — January 3, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
when you look at the fact he refused to pay his staff until he was shamed into it, was the first real host to cross the picket line, has proven himself to be a huge hypocrite (re doughnut delivery) and now thumbing his nose at his own guild AND his own writing staff, it’s obvious that Leno is - not a good man. He doesn’t have good character and his values are lacking.
Is there any word about Colbert and stewart and how they plan to approach their shows? I am guessing they opt for the Conan O’Brien route of not trying too hard thus not showing up their own writers, which is the classy approach.
Comment by Jordan Wagner — January 3, 2008 @ 9:15 pm
Who cares if Leno was allowed to write his own monologue or not? What is important is:
1. Leno still beat Letterman.
2. The networks are now making money again in late night. The Tonight Show is going to sell it’s ad time for the same amount as before but without the cost of it’s staff, so NBC’s strike burden is significantly reduced. The other networks have also reduced their strike burden. NBC and ABC probably make most of their profit from their morning and late night shows. The studios now see their negotiating position as stronger than before. The WGA’s leverage is now reduced.
3. The idea that the American public is behind the WGA and their cause is now officially dead. If the public cared about the strike and supported the WGA, Leno’s numbers would be down not up, due to the mass boycott of his non-guild approved show.
4. This new WGA strategy, if you can call it that, is failing. Guild members and many, many others continue to suffer due to the incompetence of the WGA leadership.
5. New people need to take over the negotiation from David Young and Pat Verrone.
Comment by Gavin Polone — January 3, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
Whom should I believe … Patrick Verrone or some sleezy NBC lawyers? Sadly enough, after months of being lied to by Verrone and his loutish sidekick David Young, I’m inclined to put more faith in the sleezy lawyers.
Comment by usioned — January 3, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
anon: “It now appears that the WGA does not know how to make effective strategic moves and is instead flailing about badly.”
I hate to say it, but I think you’re right. Winship of the WGAEast sends out a letter to his membership that essentially apologizes to Leno, O’Brien and Kimmel for deciding to picket their shows. The WGA makes a big to-do over its divide-and-conquer strategy to fracture the AMPTP, but only does a deal with World Wide Pants when it becomes clear that Letterman and Ferguson will go back on the air even without one; then the Guild refuses to do a deal with Dick Clark Productions because picketing the Golden Globes is more important than making good on its declared strategy.
What can the Guild do about Leno now? Any real disciplinary action will just force him to go fi-core. Doing nothing will send a message that not all WGA members are created equal. The best that they can probably muster is a lukewarm statement of disapproval, which won’t accomplish anything and will anger both Leno and the strikers.
I’m getting the impression that the Guild assumed the strike would run two weeks, tops, and that they wouldn’t have to deal with these situations. It’s pretty clear they didn’t plan adequately for them. It looks like the Guild has no end game.
Comment by Stuart Creque — January 3, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
I dunno… I’m sympathetic to Jay’s situation, but I like the guy. I would think though that as soon as it was understood definitively that he shouldn’t be writing, that he stop and do some improv with the audience or something… there’s a middle ground…
Comment by Writer — January 3, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
A note to Jake Hollywood:
Cool it. This is the entirely predictable outcome of the WGA decision to cut a side deal with Letterman.
We muddied the waters. We put Leno in an impossible position. What was he supposed to do? Let his own show go down the tubes, while ever-so-cool Dave gets a free pass?
And please, before someone out there starts in with the usual “shill” accusations, I’ve been a produced member of the WGA for over twenty years. I went through the ‘88 strike, and suffered tremendously. It took almost three years to regain what I’d lost in terms of momentum and fans in the studios, because so many of the executives who were championing me got fired.
I support the strike. The downloading/streaming issue is imperative. But I also believe that the Letterman deal was a huge tactical error - from allowing the studios to promote their wares, to allowing the networks to recoup their losses (Did you see the overnights on the late night shows? NBC and CBS are thrilled today,) to causing the kind of guild-splitting unrest that we’re starting to see as a result of this.
From my POV, the audience couldn’t give a damn about any of this. In the best of times, more watch Leno than Letterman. All they got from last night is that the hosts are back, there’s some kind of strike going on but it doesn’t seem to have had any effect, and tomorow’s jokes will be about Hillary and Huckabee.
Leno ain’t the problem here. And maybe you ought to think about it, before you continue cartwheeling across these pages screaming scab and shill.
Comment by A Member of the WGA — January 3, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
But wait. Jay isn’t writing his own monologue. He’s getting some wannabes from the comedy clubs to do it for whatever he pays a pop. Of all people, Jay should support writers since he is not one.
Comment by Alvin!!! — January 3, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
Jay is a scab whose biggest concern is ceding his late night crown to a MUCH funnier Letterman.
Comment by Jim — January 3, 2008 @ 9:44 pm
The unfortunate reality is that Jay is a scab who is boosting NBC’s ratings by returning to the air and therefore prolonging the strike.
Comment by Danny — January 3, 2008 @ 9:47 pm
The rhetoric about Leno supporting the writers is so empty. He brought donuts to the picket line, and as far as I can tell, he then left. He didn’t picket or invest any time into the strike. (Someone correct me if I’m wrong.)
He paid his staff while they were off. That was a great thing, but it doesn’t constitute support for the writers.
So what is this vaunted “support”. You buy a few donuts and say “I support the writers” and then go and _write_ when you’re supposed to be on strike? That does NOT add up to support, and people need to stop playing that card.
Comment by Jose — January 3, 2008 @ 9:48 pm
I have said all along that the WGA leadership is out of its league battling the AMPTP. There have been many examples, but lets just examine this one…
If the WGA gave WWP an interim agreement to send writers back to work as a strategic manuever, how in the hell did they not consult Leno beforehand and discuss this strategy??? The only way this move could help the WGA is if Leno was on board to tank his show. Clearly thats not the case. Thats just a blatant strategic blunder and now not only is it not dividing the AMPTP, but it might be the start of a divide amongst writers.
I said from teh begining that I could positives and negatives for the WGA making the deal with WWP and I would reserve opinion as to whether or not it ultimately was a smart move or not. I still will wait to see the ratings numbers after several weeks, but it appears that the WGA severley limited the chance of this working at all by not having Leno on board with the plan from the beginning.
Comment by Intrigued — January 3, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
This will just push Jay to declare Fi-Core status.
He understands that his time on the Tonight Show, HIS Tonight Show, is limited and does not want to strike it away.
Jay is Jay. Trying to balance everything for everyone. Everyone knows that - why is anyone shocked?
And NBC is NBC, again not a big shock.
NBC will push the monologue issue to the brink and then come up with a modified format. Laughing all the way.
They are just so glad to have a fresh horse in the race right now - in late night TV there is no such thing as bad publicity. They even managed to interject themselves into the Iowa Presidential race. With a WINNER no less!
Really do not see a win in this either way for the WGA. What ever they decide will alienate some group of members. I am not sure if the “no publicity is bad publicity” holds true for Striking Guilds or Unions.
Comment by Enough Already — January 3, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
Getting into a pissing contest with Jay Leno is only going to deflect the eyes on the prize.
If the WGA really wants to keep everyone focused on the big issue, they need to drop fighting with Jay now.
Continued fighting with Leno will only serve to keep people focused on a small issue instead of the big issues that really matter.
Is this strike about New Media or about Jay writing his own monologues?
Comment by liz — January 3, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
Let’s all step back a moment and learn one thing from Fabio and Labia, who are really good at what they do:
Simplify the message.
Infighting about this issue will get the WGA nowhere. I’m a writer, I know that we love details and nuances but the simple legal fact is that as a member of AFTRA (who is a variety performer as “host”) it is legal for Jay to perform his material, outside the juristdiction of the WGA. That’s a pre-existing contract for him. The WGA strike rules were created after Jay signed that AFTRA contract, and so Jay is in a bind in many, many ways. As an AFTRA member he has every right to perform his own material. If he did a stand up special for Comedy Central performing his stand up, he wouldn’t be paid as a WGA writer, he’d be paid as a variety performer, under an AFTRA contract.
This situation has many split hairs and the WGA should drop it. There is a reasonable case to be made for Jay’s position. He’s a supporter. Let’s not turn him and his bully pulpit against us.
We, as WGA members have walked a similar line with our sister union SAG, and have managed to get real solidarity out of it. We need to focus on the BIG PICTURE.
Look at what was most effective with the audience in last night’s Letterman broadcast, which was when Robin Williams started making fun of the idea that there is no money to be made from itunes. THAT the audience understood, and THAT is our fight. Nobody in America likes fat greedy selfish moguls who insult everyone’s intelligence by pretending that there is no money to be made, or shared, from the vast unfettered marketplace of the Internet, which is the future and everyone knows it.
It’s the Internet, stupid.
That’s the message that needs to be gotten out there, constantly, and Jay can, legally within his pre-existing contract, help us do it. Let’s not turn this into a civil war. That’s what NBC and the AMPTP would love to see us do.
I’m sure that Fabio and Labia are effectively guiding their hands in this. Let’s not play into them, shall we?
Drop it, move on, focus on the real fight, allow Jay to continue to be on our side.
Comment by WGA Writer with Business Sense — January 3, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
Well, I support the WGA, but their story sounds kind of strained.
I think they gave Jay the go-ahead and then the powers that be at WGA decided this was a big mistake.
Comment by Jamie — January 3, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
Glad to see the support for someone who paid staffers out of his own pocket being villified for the evil corporate demon he is. Down with the charitable jerk who supported his people and went back on the air to make sure that his showrunners got paid. Evil Evil Man.
Comment by Steve — January 3, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
OK, so if Jay broke the rules what could happen to him? Would he be fined?
Kicked out of the WGA?
I don’t think he would care if either happened.
Does someone know the answer??
Comment by Jeff — January 3, 2008 @ 10:09 pm
Oh great - now were battling the big media conglomerates…and Jay Leno. We’re really moving things along here. So very excited to be striking so that we can determine whether Jay Leno is breaking guild rules. Anyone else scratching their heads?
I’ve been questioning the negotiating strategy of our leadership from the get go. Now I’m no longer questioning - I’ve concluded. We have lost our way.
Comment by moderatewriter — January 3, 2008 @ 10:12 pm
Jay is scum. A scabby, scabby scum.
Comment by renilives — January 3, 2008 @ 10:13 pm
What? This is becoming a real joke…
Comment by Tom — January 3, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
Leno has a history of screwing people over, then trying to act like Mr. nice guy who’s shocked anyone would be angry at him
Leno and NBC have absolutely destroyed a golden legacy, The Tonight Show
Johnny Carson hated Leno and refused to appear on the show. Carson made very funny appearances on Letterman , whom he wanted as his successor. Also, Carson often sent Letterman jokes for the show.
As another commenter aptly said, Leno has always been a self-serving company man.
It is clear how bad of shape NBC is in from these desperate tactics. NBC. NBC was terrified Letterman would gain an edge and surpass Leno in ratings. They’re playing dirty - inventing stories that the WGA permitted Leno to write the monologue. They are probably paying writers under the table to write for Leno.
NBC also seems to have started a shill campaign on DHD - laughably writing in that Leno is America’s most precious tv personality, etc
Comment by Anonymous — January 3, 2008 @ 10:15 pm
Yo “Jake Hollywood,”
Calm down. Every post I read of yours has me more convinced you’re an elaborately disguised AMPTP shill posing as a hysterical and spineless guild member.
If I’m wrong, you’re still…hysterical and spineless. Do your guild a favor and take a break from the internet.
Comment by I suggest medication. — January 3, 2008 @ 10:16 pm
First of all, can someone tell me when this strike devolved into bickering about the late-night talk shows?
Secondly — and I’m sure many will dismiss me, like anyone else with a varying point of view, as a “shill” — Patric Verrone has lied to Leno several times. He lied when he told Leno that the Guild would not grant Worldwide Pants an interim agreement. He lied when he told Leno that the Guild would “look the other way” if Jay wrote his own monologues. He lied when he told Leno that the Guild would have no issues with SAG members guesting on his show. And that meeting on Monday was real, and Verrone absolutely said one thing and, later, denied it — I, and many others in the Guild who were there, heard him and believed him. In hindsight, we were fools.
At this point, Jay feels abandoned by the WGA, and he WAS one of our biggest supporters. Letterman spent zero time on a line. Same for Ferguson and Conan.
But, whatever, SAG is ultimately going to win this small battle for us when they tell all the Hollywood flacks tomorrow to only book their clients on Letterman or Ferguson. Verrone may “look the other way,” but no one will be looking at the struck shows once they’re reduced to reality-show hosts and carnival acts.
I question the wisdom of our leadership, but somehow we seem to be moving in the right direction. Here’s hoping the DGA doesn’t fuck anything up.
Comment by Max — January 3, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
Unfortunately, it appears that Patrick Verrone has let his mouth outrun his brain once again (witness his vow that reality and animation would be part of the next contract - sorry, I thought the dispute was about new media). As an interested observer (husband of a striking writer who has faithfully walked the picket lines as we witness our savings begin to erode) and a proud member of the performing arts unions, I am also appalled at the invective being hurled at those across the table or those who dare to voice alternative opinions to the WGA line. This is business. Personal attacks and name calling will not serve any productive purpose, or get teh moguls back to the table any sooner.
Comment by ebrooks — January 3, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
Technology…it directly relates to the writer’s strike which is all about content delivery. Leno feels like a nice distraction from what the strike is really all about — the future. Leno and late night television are the past. Sorry if that’s a too painful truth.
In the next two weeks, there’s the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show followed a week later by MacWorld where Apple rolls out new products. It’s gadgets galore — also known as ways to deliver content — and every kid in America is paying attention. (I really hope the WGA is trying to reach out to writers in the gaming community.)
Lenovo is releasing a new laptop geared towards ‘mobile entertainment’ Meanwhile rumors Apple is releasing a new ultra light weight portable with a docking station. Eyes on Google who wants to bid on a spectrum license for wireless broadband — nationwide.
The key to getting everyone back to the table for talks IS the technology. At least, in my humble opinion.
Comment by s — January 3, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
Hey, I’ve been on strike for two months now and have been very, very supportive of my union. I’ve also brought donuts and coffee to the line to show my support. Does that mean I can go back to work too? Let’s be honest, folks, Leno is a strike breaker who brings us snacks. That’s all. Maybe if we got snacks from the AMPTP we’d be happy to get screwed by them too.
Comment by Bobby — January 3, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
Leno has a history of screwing people over, then trying to act like Mr. nice guy who’s shocked anyone would be angry at him
Leno and NBC have destroyed a golden legacy, The Tonight Show. The show is an embarrassment.
Johnny Carson wanted Letterman as his successor
NBC was probably terrified Letterman would gain an edge and surpass Leno in ratings.
NBC also seems to have started a shill campaign on DHD about how great it is Leno came back and screw the unions.
Comment by scab Leno — January 3, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
Only one other person said it cleanly, so I have to add my vote: CHILL OUT, EVERYONE!
In the long run, there is nothing to gain about splitting hairs over Leno.
Giving WWP an interim agreement was a risky move, no doubt. The upside is that all late-night hosts did not go back to work, business-as-usual. We split their ranks.
The downside is that all late-night writers did not go back to work, business-as-usual. And if we let them, they (meaning the AMPTP) will split our ranks.
The larger point is that WE (the WGA) voted for this leadership by an overwhelming majority, and WE voted for this strike by a similar majority. We need to trust both decisions, and not micro-armchair-backseat-quarterback every damn thing the leadership does.
To quote Benjamin Franklin - a guy who knew a thing or two about resistance - “We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
Comment by Seth Striker — January 3, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
I have been a monologue writer for one of the involved hosts. I find it hard to believe that Jay wrote all those jokes himself. Someone on the inside at the Tonight show who is sympathetic to the WGA needs to leak or post where Leno is getting these jokes from.
One man, who has to spend his day preparing for the guest interviews, is not writing the two to three hundred jokes from which 25 are typically chosen. Simply can’t be.
Comment by wga comedy writer — January 3, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
“He wanted the guild to get the message out that he supported the writers.”
Hey, Jay? The guild is not your personal PR firm. They have other matters that need their attention right now, honey, and the whole wide world does not completely revolve around you. If you want to get the message out that you support the writers, there’s a simple, easy way that you can do it yourself–support the writers! Stop scabbing! That would work wonders. If you don’t want to be portrayed as the bad guy, don’t BE the bad guy.
And what I think Patric said was, ‘You’re taking one for the team. And we understand that.’ ”
Okay, and this is the account from our side? Is there such a thing as strike-induced insanity? Gosh, I hope Leno doesn’t crack up completely under the strain of all he’s sacrificed–maybe the weight of all the mash notes and flowers and candy our people have sent will crush him. And of course, there’s the mental strain involved in figuring just how many strike rules it’s humanly possible to blatantly violate. And I hear that he thought about showing up with Krispy Kreme’s dayolds but bravely chose instead to go with the fresh ones, those cost like $3.
“This is the entirely predictable outcome of the WGA decision to cut a side deal with Letterman.”
Oh, bs. The WGA decided to cut a side deal with Letterman BECAUSE all the other hosts were crossing. Get the chronology right. We didn’t make the deal until long after NBC made the announcement.
“What was he supposed to do? Let his own show go down the tubes, while ever-so-cool Dave gets a free pass?”
Um, hello? First off, Leno basically no longer has a show. NBC is taking it away and giving it to Conan. Second, this is a strike. We’re worrying about our next meal, and we’re supposed to care that Leno can’t take the fact that he might slip .3 or .4 behind Letterman for a few months in pursuance of a strategy to end this quicker? Well, gosh, if Leno’s self-esteem is based entirely on getting a 5.2, then we’ll just have to hand $10 million dollars a month to a struck company and deal with the fact that it’s going to lengthen the strike for the rest of us. Our livlihoods are one thing, Leno’s fragile self-esteem is something else. In a strike, everyone sacrifices, but Leno isn’t just anyone. If he actually supported the strike, he’d get over this pathological obsession he has with beating Letterman and figure out that for the next few months, it just doesn’t matter and there are more important issues at stake. What would they do to him if his ratings slip for a while–give the show to Conan harder? We want his ratings to slip to put pressure on NBC to give him back his writers plus end the strike faster, doesn’t that help him in the long run? Everybody else is under the same restrictions as jay, most of us are far worse off financially than Jay, and if we did what Jay was doing we’d be removed from the guild. Some excuse, cry me a river.
“He lied when he told Leno that the Guild would “look the other way” if Jay wrote his own monologues. He lied when he told Leno that the Guild would have no issues with SAG members guesting on his show.”
Is jay a complete moron? Look, I get that the guild has been sucking up to him, coddling him, babying him like there’s no tomorrow, for some unexplained reason. But again, this is a STRIKE! It is not Jay’s personal therapy session to work out his abandonment issues or his need to be liked. Even if someone did say such crazy things, why would Jay believe them? It’s a strike. Why in the hell would he believe that his show wouldn’t be picketed, or he’d be allowed to do a monologue when it was already pointed out that it’s forbidden? Because we just like him so much we’d rather make him feel safe and secure than conduct this strike effectively? That makes no sense. He understands that the only way we can gain leverage is by disrupting revenue streams to struck companies, correct? I’m sorry, but this isn’t that complicated. This doesn’t pass the smell test.
Comment by anon — January 3, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
seriously, can’t you hear the amptp guys sitting in a room and chuckling over verrone’s little late night vietnam?
Comment by soullesstvexec — January 3, 2008 @ 11:08 pm
I think everyone needs to stop bickering over this and leave it to Jay Leno to decide what he wants to do with his monologue now that the WGA’s and NBC’s positions have been made clear. If he truly supports the writers as much as he says he does, he will stop writing monologues and do something else to fill the time. If he decides to keep writing, everyone needs to just shrug it off and move on with things that really matter.
To WGA members: you didn’t go on strike to keep Jay Leno from doing his monologues. You went on strike to get a fair deal, and that’s what I hope you’re focusing on. Don’t let a bunch of bored people bickering at each other in the comments section of a blog distract you from the real goal.
Comment by Fan — January 3, 2008 @ 11:10 pm
When I listened to Leno’s monologue last night, I didn’t think he was thumbing his nose to the WGA, I thought he was publicly telling everyone that he wrote the monologue without other writers (WGA or otherwise) because he felt responsible to the other 160 people in the crew. Even that statement, I don’t think was intended to place blame on anyone, but to say that this was a tough decision. I tried to catch as many late night opeing monologues as I could, and I thought that Leno did the best jobs of supporting their writers and the strike. Kimmel was another standout in that he supported the other hosts.
While ratings were up for both Letterman and Leno, compared to prime time ratings, neither of theirs look very impressive. And by that I mean that where this strike is going to hurt the networks most is prime time, especially with February sweeps starting in less a month.
Leno has also managed to bring some exposure to the strike that I hadn’t expected. Every news story I saw on Wed and Thurs talked about Hackabee crossing the WGA picket line. A few mentioned Hillary’s cameo. My point is, Letterman is expected to be the great hero and mouthpiece for the strike. I think that Leno could do the same. As long as he’s not using other WGA writers or bringing in scabs. As long as he’s writing his own stuff, let him work for you guys.
Comment by Just an Observer — January 3, 2008 @ 11:27 pm
Max, Patric Verrone lied when he told Leno the Guild would not grant WWP an interim agreement? Uh….what the %^&* was Leno doing trying to interfere in negotiations between the WGA and a company he’s not a part of in the first place? And what the $%^& was Verrone doing letting Leno in on private negotiations with a separate party and granting him veto power over negotiating committee decisions?
I’ve never heard of anything so self-centered and power-crazed. So you’re saying this realy happened, and the part that concerns you is…Verrone wasn’t telling the truth? I think the better question is what could possibly make Verrone think he was doing the right thing if he he had been telling the truth. Unless Leno become the supreme ruler of the universe while I wasn’t looking, if that’s true, we’ve got some serious problems. Anyone want to chip in for a writing course for Alan Rosenberg? Please, Alan, become a hyphenate.
Of course, you’re also parroting the line that someone who’s rubbing the guild’s nose in his strike rule violation and was the first to cross the line is our biggest supporter because he showed up with a pizza and, presumably, because he was finally guilt-tripped, kicking and screaming, into paying his staff long after all the other hosts, so maybe I’ll take your account with a grain or two of salt, but study up anyway Alan.
Comment by Ohplease — January 3, 2008 @ 11:32 pm
The real test for Leno will be if the strike continues. Three or four weeks from now, or maybe less, either Jay’s going to be recycling his oldest jokes or he’s just gonna run out of steam. And it won’t be pretty.
The other thing he’s going to run short of is name guests. There’s only a finite number of Republicans too stupid to realize they’re crossing a picket line.
And BTW they didn’t print it but I told the LA Times reporter interviewing us on the line yesterday that we love Leno so much we wish NBC would give him his writers back.
Comment by MHeister — January 3, 2008 @ 11:36 pm
I watched Leno and Conan tonight. Their shows were very funny. I don’t think America misses you writers.
Comment by Late Night Viewer — January 3, 2008 @ 11:57 pm
Leno is using writers to write his monologue.
Comment by Anon — January 4, 2008 @ 12:15 am
If Leno gets to write material, it sure diminishes Letterman’s efforts to get a deal signed. It’s also curious that Conan, Kimmel, and even Carson Daly “got it” in terms of not doing a monologue or comedy bits, but Jay has carved out some kind of exception. Sure, he’s between a rock and a hard place in terms of his Tonight Show gig. But aren’t they “retiring” him next year? Isn’t he signing on with Fox, ABC, or syndication afterwards? Doesn’t he make way more millions from his outside gigs? Out of all of the latenight hosts, Leno should be the one who feels the least pressure to kowtow to corporate demands. And yet…
Comment by JJ — January 4, 2008 @ 12:22 am
Jay Leno is performing writing services for a struck company.
Remind me again why I am sitting here unemployed?
Why am I living off my savings?
The WGA has a MAJOR problem here and my faith in our leadership hangs in the balance.
Comment by actual pissed off WGA writer — January 4, 2008 @ 12:23 am
As an AFTRA member I can definitely say that not once, on any of the numerous occasions on which I have performed comedy on television, have I been compensated as a writer for the material I have performed by myself. The WGA takes no interest in the writing process of comedians, and we are not considered writers by their standards. If Mr. Leno’s WGA contract supercedes this, than that is another thing entirely, but I think he can certainly argue that everything he is doing is covered by his AFTRA contract as a performer, and not his WGA contract as a writer. Even if I were a WGA member, they would still not be covering my standup material. I think Leno can argue that this is the case here as well. I am not familliar with the WGA’s rules. Perhaps I’m wrong. I am open to being enlightened if this is the case.
Either way, I hope the writers’ get what thet want.
Comment by AFTRA Member — January 4, 2008 @ 12:31 am
Gavin,
it’s Dave Young and Patric Verrone, not David and Pat. If you’re going to feign personal familiarity at least get the names right. Also, the fact that Leno’s ratings beat Letterman’s for one night (or two, for that matter) does not more generally indicate that the American public no longer supports the WGA. Repeated opinion polls (with sample sizes larger than 1 or 2) have shown solid support for the WGA v the AMPTP, not the WGA v Jay Leno. I’m guessing you failed stats class?
Rick
Comment by Rick Wasserman — January 4, 2008 @ 12:49 am
Are you kidding me?
How long do you want to claim conspiracy theory? Conan O’Brien is doing a barely adequate job of floundering (and I say that as a huge fan of Conan’s), and Jay is showing up, written material in-hand.
Anybody ever suspect that it’s not NBC behind this, but instead the ego of a Late Night host who’s afraid to try as hard as Conan does?
I’m just saying, Conan’s following rules, doing his best, trying hard on-camera, and barely succeeding. You think Jay’s got that integrity? Of course not.
However, HE IS Jay Leno. And amidst all this stink, he’s helped define that line in the sand:
Jay will do a monologue. Written or not, that’s where he stands. It makes him look good. WGA, the ball’s in your court. Do your worst (as a displaced member of the production community, I know you will. Jackasses.).
Comment by Pissed-Off PA — January 4, 2008 @ 1:05 am
“As long as he’s not using other WGA writers or bringing in scabs. As long as he’s writing his own stuff, let him work for you guys.”
Just an observer, I’m sure your heart is in the right place, but a) he is using scab jokes for that monologue b) even if he weren’t, which, btw, he is, he’s scabbing himself by writing for his show, and we can’t turn a blind eye to violations just because the violator is personable, wealthy, and famous, that’s a really unfair double standard c) bringing “attention” to the strike isn’t really helping. NBC doesn’t care at all that attention is being brought to the strike as long as it’s offset by the vast sums of money the late night shows bring in. Leno’s audience isn’t going to persuade NBC to settle, in fact by watching the show they’re bringing in revenue that’s going to allow NBC to hold out longer. Leno can’t help us by bringing attention to the strike (neither can letterman, btw), and as long as he’s violating the strike rules, which he’s doing in an effort to make his show more appealing and make more money for NBC, he’s hurting us.
The only way he can help us is by doing what Conan appears to be doing, trying to tank his own ratings by booking subpar guests, adhering to the strike rules, and trying to make his show as unwatchable as possible. That might encourage NBC to make a deal, what Jay’s doing sure as hell won’t.
Comment by Rinserepeat — January 4, 2008 @ 1:06 am
It is so clear to all except the very naive, that making a side deal with WWP was a very bad stategic error. The obvious concern over writers being pitted against writers seems to have been missed by union execs for some reason. I have to wonder what real world model they based thier decision on.
Comment by chips — January 4, 2008 @ 1:30 am
One of the reasons lawsuits (a form of public dispute) are to be avoided is because of the way they reveal damaging private matter.
What is important regarding fracases such as the current Leno/Verone matter is how they publically reveal many of the internal faults of the guild.
Therefore, it is not a trivial matter, whatsoever, as other commentators have opined.
From personal experience (and shared stories from fellow writers) the WGA definitely is a tiered system. Writers’ claims for non-payment, for example, are often handled in an entirely discriminatory manner. (e.g. a claim by Akiva Goldsman, if it were to exist, would be expedited. A lesser writer’s will often be effectively ignored, buried by untrained clerics’ procedural inexperience, or worse).
Arbitration procedures have long been suspect to questions as to the way in which they are handled, giving unfair preferences, at times. (Only recently is the authorship of arbitrated screenplays disguised). Worse, there is no true recourse for writers who feel they have been unfairly treated. By being a WGA member they sign away the normal procedural rights they would have in the legal system (for copyright infringement, etc.
And, to make matters worse, as an arbiter-member (I have done my share) we are forbidden to ever speak out against arbitrations we have participated in (and have found to be unfairly handled procedurally) or risk losing our membership.
Many members quietly state to each other that, in effectm ‘the guild is owned/controlled by the studios’. Obviously, as a generality, this makes no sense. (The strike is an example). But in certain ways there is merit to this. The recent class action suit (against the Guild by some of its own members) regarding residual buy-outs outside of the U.S. is evidence in support of this.
Frankly, I believe the Guild isn’t controlled by any group. That’s the problem. It’s a mess. It’s out of control (and, perhaps hasn’t been in control for a very long time, if ever). I’m also a member of the DGA, and I have not felt similar worries and concerns.
So, perhaps, in some way inept events such as the Leno/Letterman matter, in addition to the very early calling of the strike while West coast negotiation was on-going (an event which never should have occurred - likely triggered by the loose-cannon WGAE which apparently jumped the gun) will reveal to the members the house-cleaning that needs to occur if this Guild is really to function for its members.
In other words, maybe all this drama (over ‘little things’ like late night waivers, etc.) is the necessary straw to break the back of a psychologically troubled (and, therefore, troubling) camel.
I’ll keep picketing, but I won’t stop thinking about all of this… and wondering.
Comment by pundit — January 4, 2008 @ 1:35 am
I began reading this post:
Who cares if Leno was allowed to write his own monologue or not? What is important is:
1. Leno still beat Letterman.
2. The networks are now making money again in late night. The Tonight Show is going to sell it’s ad time for the same amount as before but without the cost of it’s staff, so NBC’s strike burden is significantly reduced. The other networks have also reduced their strike burden. NBC and ABC probably make most of their profit from their morning and late night shows. The studios now see their negotiating position as stronger than before. The WGA’s leverage is now reduced.
3. The idea that the American public is behind the WGA and their cause is now officially dead. If the public cared about the strike and supported the WGA, Leno’s numbers would be down not up, due to the mass boycott of his non-guild approved show.
4. This new WGA strategy, if you can call it that, is failing. Guild members and many, many others continue to suffer due to the incompetence of the WGA leadership.
5. New people need to take over the negotiation from David Young and Pat Verrone.
My first reaction was that it was by far the most cogent post up to that point in the thread, though there were others that made good and similar points as well. And then, I got to the commenter’ name.
As usual, it seems that Gavin Polone has the tightest handle on the situation. Because so many writers hold him in disdain his views are unpopular, but his predictions are uncannily on target with only the rarest and most minute exceptions. Can anyone honestly deny that? And this thread, finally, seems to have comments that are much more on point.
Since when, in America, is it a crime to question leadership? It is one of the key foundations of our country.
I am all for loyalty - when it is deserved. I would love to be able to say that I support the tactics of the WGA, but I have yet to find reason to. The WGA leadership has undermined the negotiations with bad decisions and inept strategum. This is a business negotiation. Not a war of words and might vs. right.
I think the controvery over Jay Leno is having an unanticipated positive effect. Writers are now beginning to look at the big picture rather than getting obsessed with minutia, and vendetta inspired vernacular and strategy.
Every day that the WGA leadership stays intact and unchalllenged is another day the writers lose ground that can likey not be regained. While there still remains the possibility of damage control, why not take it? If you are in this to win, seek leaders and negotiators who have a track record of winning.
Rah Rah speeches, blind loyalty and solidarity chants aren’t going to end this strike.
Please, writers, put emotion and bitterness aside (I know that is difficult considering some of the tactics of the AMPTP but it must be done) and embrace a clear business perspective and the tactics that that would entail.
Comment by EBraun — January 4, 2008 @ 1:36 am
They didn’t hear Leno say, “I’m writing my monologue”. They heard him say, “I’m doing my monologue”?
WTF did they think Leno meant?
Obviously, the Guild leadership is spinning this one. Great. Now we have a face-off between two liars — the WGA, and the AMPTP.
May the best liar win!!!
Comment by oh-my-god — January 4, 2008 @ 4:12 am
Jay can serve food and drinks to the striking writers on the picket line, but if he really supported them, as opposed to just acting like he supports them, wouldn’t he steer completely, 100 percent clear of anything even barely resembling a monologue?
Even Ellen did that much. And, she got ragged on even for that!
So, does Jay support or not support the writers?
Or, is he taking whatever is the Path of Least Resistance happens to be at any given moment?
Comment by Dave — January 4, 2008 @ 4:13 am
Unless the membership changes its mind and demands a change from the Guild, I believe this event will be looked back on in five years and will be seen as what a badly-handled opportunity ended up screwing any chance of getting a real deal because once someone as visible and with as many booking slots to fill as Jay Leno ignores (and flaunts) the rules by writing, using writers, and performing material that would normally be written, it is only a matter of time until others follow. Unfortunately, WGA blew the “strategic value” of its decision badly and AMPTP/networks will see this and know it is only a matter of time until the chips fall to their side of the table. This is business, not personal, and regardless that Jay has spoken about his need for and support of writers, his actions speak very differently. DGA will come in and do a deal and WGA will get stuck with it. Unfortunately unless the pressure is turned up quickly to not allow any SAG crossing to struck shows thereby putting real pressure on NBC/Universal, this strike will only damage those who continue to pursue it. The Letterman/WWP deal had the potential to create a side-deal with NBC. Giving Leno a pass is encouraging them to not do so. Only way is to do whatever can be done to make Leno’s show into a [temporary] ratings disaster for NBC, and unfortunately I believe the WGA powers that be have decided this is not an option they are willing to pursue. No matter what is said, the (non)action of the WGA shows that it is in fact “looking the other way”.
I am sorry for those in the Guild who counted on their leadership to pursue this in the best way for their entire membership, not a small segment who doesn’t want to offend Jay Leno. This is business.
Comment by anon — January 4, 2008 @ 4:22 am
Some of the comments above are obviously WRITTEN bu WGA WRITERS!!! How dare they WRITE during the strike.
Oh wait, they’re not WRITING, they’re TYPING…
My bad.
Comment by JM — January 4, 2008 @ 4:26 am
Just curious - what exactly does Jay Leno gain by being a member of the writer’s union? I really hope all this bullshit is over dental insurance.
Comment by Curious — January 4, 2008 @ 4:34 am
If Leno’s material is funny, he didn’t write it.
Comment by D Choda — January 4, 2008 @ 4:37 am
I don’t watch Leno on a regular basis but like many others, I tuned in (Tivo’d) to see how different it would be, how the show would suffer without it’s talented writing staff.
Can anyone see any difference between last nite and last September?
The whole beginning of the show up to the introduction of the first panel guest IS WRITTEN.
And who’s writing those guest intro’s that Jay is obviously reading off cue cards!
OK, call him a scab. Anyone in their right mind believe he’s writing all that stuff himself? PLEASE!
And strangely, none of his writers has had peep to say about Jay having kneecapped them.
My theory:
NBC, in order to “save the franchise” is paying Jay’s writing staff under the table.
“Why should you, Jay Fu*king Leno, be at a disadvantage because of some dumb strike?”
Dem Scab-O-Fax machines be a-hummin’.
Jay is all about Jay. Just because he is the whining crybaby he was portrayed to be in The Late Shift, doesn’t mean he’s dumb enough to think, that by putting on an unaltered all scab all the time show and thus helping NBC, they’ll reconsider booting his ass next year.
“Hey FOX…Check out my ratings!!!”
As for the WGA:
Start a war without a real plan in place?
Prosecute the little guy while looking the other way when it comes to the rich & powerful?
When did you go Republican?
This has had to have pissed off Do-The-Right-Thing Dave.
It sure seems to have pissed off a lot of WGA members
Your doin a heck of a job Verroney
Comment by timbrehse — January 4, 2008 @ 4:42 am
This week may very well end up being known as the week the WGA blew the strike. I totally saw and agreed with the WGA’s philosophy of setting up a side deal with WWP to try and split the other side… in retrospect it has totally backfired — the networks are now making money on late night. Letterman has his full show and his writers are getting PAID. Now either the WGA is looking the other way for Leno OR is just too spineless to take him on. If I were a writer I would be so upset at the people who are getting to go back to work while I didn’t — that for some of celeb status if the rules are broken, not only are they not enforced but not even a fight is put up.
I don’t blame Jay at all for what he is doing (other than if he is paying writers) — Letterman has writers — it’s only natural he’s going to want to do a quality monologue so his show doesn’t go down in flames while Letterman gets his audience. But that has to so burn some of the writers’ on the lines — whose shows are or have gone down in flames due to the strike.
The WGA leadership has shot itself in the foot and is now bleeding from a slow wound. They’ve got no leverage for negotiation and from what I’ve read it sounds like this strike will be over when the DGA finalizes a contract — and when they do, what will all of this have been for?? The writer’s could have just gone non-contract and waited for the DGA — now they’ve lost more than what they are supposed to gain over the next 3 years from the new deal — how does that make sense at all??? The general public generally supports the writers, but they’re not going to turn off Jay or Dave out of principle, or any of the other shows that replace union shows — the only thing that will matter to the public is the quality of the shows. If I were a WGA member right now I would be so upset at my leadership — but hindsight’s 20/20 — they took a risk, it just backfired instead of paying off.
I wish you writer’s luck because I agree with your need to be paid for net distribution (not your grab for reality and animation tho). It seems like luck is now irrelevant. This strike will last til the DGA signs an agreement. After that the rank and file will demand a settlement at those terms or threaten to go fi-core. How many writer’s are going to be asking themselves ‘this is what we went on strike and lost so much for?’ once they realize the whole strike was pretty much POINTLESS in terms of their long term gain. If anything once the strike is settled one way or the other, like someone else said so many writers are going to be set back in their careers because of it — projects cancelled, connections lost.
Unfortunately for you writers, at this point your leadership has no choice — if they were to give in now the producers would know you caved and try to give you a worse deal than they already offered I’m sure. You guys are going to have to wait this strike out until the DGA gets their contract — for no real reason. I guess they could end the strike and go non-contract for a few months but that would require them admitting that they lost. Heaven forbid they do that and let the writer’s get paid rather than making the writer’s suffer for their egos.
Comment by John — January 4, 2008 @ 4:48 am
Are you kidding me???? Jay Leno isn’t suppose to “write” his monologue but he can “do” his monologue?? Does this sound ridiculus to anyone? I think Leno’s show was better in the last 2 days WITHOUT the writers.
America is sick of this kind of nonsense. You are not in touch with reality. Maybe you should drive through the “fly over” part of the country and find out what it’s like in the real world outside of Hollywood.
I could care less if the writers ever come back. When people get sick of the reruns and reality shows, maybe they will start spending their time doing something constructive like play with their kids.
Comment by gbgirl — January 4, 2008 @ 4:55 am
Nikki, please get this straight… The guild did NOT issue Worldwide Pants and INTERIM AGREEMENT. They signed a full three year contract… Nothing interim about it… So please refer to Worldwide Pants as having struck a full contract with the WGA, making them the first signitory to our new MBA… David G.
Comment by David G. — January 4, 2008 @ 4:59 am
“I find it hard to believe that Jay wrote all those jokes himself. One man, who has to spend his day preparing for the guest interviews, is not writing the two to three hundred jokes from which 25 are typically chosen. Simply can’t be.” - wga comedy writer
Did WGA writers create Jay’s material when he began his career as a stand-up comedian? I seriously doubt it. And if WGA comedy writers are so great, why are only 25 jokes chosen from 200 or 300? Maybe Jay has time to do all he has to do because he only write 25 jokes and uses all of them.
Oh, by the way, I’m writing my own comments, but fortunately I live in a “right-to-work” state.
Comment by DH — January 4, 2008 @ 5:13 am
Leno is a 1st class scab. His character was exposed before he got the job, in his own admission he was hiding in a closet to overhear executives on who was going to replace Johny Carson what kind of moron does that? He brags he has never spent any tonight show money in his whole career, just spending his other money from weekend shows at comedy places. No kids just Mavis his wife, what a waste of a life and resources.
Comment by Marc — January 4, 2008 @ 5:16 am
When all is said and done, only one fact remains: whatever action the union takes now will probably be seen by a considerable number as being “wrong.”
If you turn a blind eye to Leno’s antics, then he not only gets what he wants, but what’s to stop all the other hosts of late night shows to start writing their own material or having someone ghostwrite it? There’ll be a snowball effect of ignoring the union’s strike rules and the union will look impotent.
If you come down on him, then the AMPTP and NBC (and possibly even Leno himself) will play this “We were lied to by the WGAW president” line for all it’s worth, and the WGA looks like the bad guy who deals in bad faith.
It’s a lose-lose scenario for the union…
WGA could issue a public statement that Leno’s in violation of the strike rules and leave it at that… for now. Does anyone know how quickly the union has to act against a member who’s in violation of the strike rules?
My point being this… maybe there could be a meeting between the union, all the late night talk show hosts whose shows are being struck, and possibly even the media (no more of this closed-door crap where it’ll boil down to one side’s word against the other when there’s a dispute) in which it’s made clear that the union will be taking action against anyone who violates strike rules… just not now.
Will it work? *shrug* But from where I sit, it looks like pretty much the only option on this topic.
As “WGA Writer with Business Sense” said above, the real issue is new media. Don’t allow NBC to split the union over this Leno business. Regardless of how you feel about what Leno did, let’s all agree to drop the matter FOR NOW and focus on the real issue of fair compensation. As far as any of us know, there’s nothing that says the union has to take swift and immediate action now. Wait… allow time to clear away our passions, leaving only cold reason in its place. And then act.
One last thing: to avoid any possible misunderstandings like this from cropping up in the future, pay for a court reporter or legal secretary to take down lengthy notes or a transcript of ANY meeting between the WGA and other parties (like the AMPTP, NBC, Leno’s people, martians from outer space…). That way you can’t fall into the they said/we said trap that caught the leadership this time…
Comment by Clare — January 4, 2008 @ 5:27 am
The union may be technically correct but it sure makes them look like a bunch of idiots when they say Leno can do a monologue but he can’t write it down. Is he allowed to think about it ahead of time and memorize it? Can he use an Etch-a-Sketch?
Comment by Dave — January 4, 2008 @ 5:30 am
To “ohplease” –
First of all, Jay wasn’t trying to interfere with the WWP negotiations; Verrone offered up his lie with no provocation.
Secondly, please acknowledge that the WGA leadership has withstood a number of missteps. Including absurd, and childlishly naïve, sessions with Leno, Kimmel, Conan, Stewart and Colbert
I support this strike with all my heart, yet it’s saddening to see our struggle reduced to the level of sophomoric bickering. Fuck!
Comment by Max — January 4, 2008 @ 5:40 am
I support the WGA and all the writers 100% — a lot of my friends are in the guild and are hurting right now. But I personally feel the moment ALL the late night hosts hit the airwaves Wed. night that the strike was over and the WGA had lost.
The networks are getting what they want and the public is responding. Ratings are going up the the late night shows, new shows, although reality or canned scripted are appearing and the public is happy to see new stuff on the air. If the ratings for these new shows are respectable it’s going to spell more trouble for the strike.
I want the writers to get their due for DVD and for Internet/streaming (I’m in New Media and I know the kind of profits that can be had online) but in the long run I have a nasty, nasty feeling that the DVD residuals will go no higher than 5 cents and that Internet will be a lost cause. I pray that it doesn’t, you deserve it, but my gut feelings tell me otherwise.
Comment by WGA Supporter — January 4, 2008 @ 5:41 am
When the WGA screwed Jay over by making an exception to Dave — HIS COMPETITION — what did they expect him to do? Roll over and let his show get destroyed?
Jay was a stand-up comedian for two decades… he can easily come up with five minutes of material every night, probably without actaully writing anything down!
99% of America could care less about Hollywood writers, they just want their entertainment. The WGA lost this battle the moment they made a smoke-filled room deal with Dave.
Comment by Dan — January 4, 2008 @ 5:43 am
So, Leno says I am going to be doing my monologue and it didn’t occur to him to ask Jay to clarify because he was tired? The WGA just did a hand waving “okay” and let it go? Now its Leno’s fault because he wasn’t more specific. Should he have been? Maybe. But they sure as hell should have asked what he meant.
And how is cutting seperate deals going to help the cause in the long run? Its not. Dave caved because he knew that he couldn’t compete with Leno sans monologue. Same thing for Ferguson, who is great at delivery and a funny man but is untested in the unscripted vs. unscripted department.
If a few more studios cave in but the rest stand firm, it will have the reverse effect for the WGA. As those who can’t go back to work sit getting hungry with bills piling up watch others in the guild working and getting paid it will destroy loyalty. Unions have power because they remain united. Divide yourselves into the getting paid/not getting paid at your own risk.
Also, cut the deal already. Instead of demanding guarantees on unproven income sources hammer out the DVD and electronic download sales (such as iTunes) and write into the agreement to visit the issue in 2 years when the tech has had time to develop into something that is actually profitable.
From the outside, the WGA looks like a bunch of disorganized children throwing a tantrum and making demands without any understanding of economics, marketing, and tech development.
Besides times have changed since ‘88. The top TV shows are Dancing with the Stars and American Idol. Lesser seen but still well known non-scripted cable shows also are out there. In addition to attracting viewers it offers the late night people a wide range of folks to tap into. Mythbusters, Survivorman, and the Deadliest Catch from Discovery Channel; all well known but not highly watched and unscripted in nature. Paula Dean, Emeril, Alton Brown, and Rachel Ray — all well known and unscripted.
The longer the strike goes on the more likely you are to drive viewers to the various basic cable channels for such entertainment. Some of these shows will hold viewers cutting down network profits from scripted television and in turn cutting into budgets used to pay the writers they will blame rightly or wrongly for the loss in viewership.
I supported the WGA in the beginning, but as their demands have evolved I have lost respect for them and what they are trying to do. I am not alone. Be careful you don’t burn all those PR bridges and leave yourself completely isolated.
Comment by GrouchoMarxist — January 4, 2008 @ 5:45 am
The more you guys go after Jay the more the rest of America could care less about the writers guild. The rest of America knows that when you agree to work for someone you owe the an honest days labor but you also owe them a certain amount of loyalty. You don’t have to work for people if you don’t like the conditions. You don’t have to work for someone ifyou don’t like the pay. No one twisted your arm to take those jobs. I bet eevreyone of you was thrilled when you were first hired as writers. Imagine being paid to do something you obviously have talent for.
The more you guys whine the more I am disgusted with the lot of you. I wirk for a living. I know going in that if I come up with something that makes the company I work for a lot of money they are under no obligation to reward me beyond my salary. However they also know if I get unhappy I can go work elsewhere. This is the balance the rest of the real world works with and understands. I do think that you have legitimate issues, however a strike only works to errode your support.
Comment by Subpilot — January 4, 2008 @ 5:46 am
Again I ask — where were all you people when Letterman and Carson were scabbing during the ‘88 strike? Why is Leno the only bad guy here? Is it because he isn’t hip? Or that he’s consistently beating Letterman in the ratings?
Comment by Skip Rooney — January 4, 2008 @ 5:51 am
What the Union is doing to Jay Leno is not fair. Both Leno and Letterman are members, but they give Letterman back his writers (not ready to concede that as an advantage considering some of the junk they produce, but anyway) and then they are going to hassle Leno for writing his own monologue? I think they are just mad because Leno by himself apparently is a better writer than Letterman’s “staff of professional writers” (perhaps one of the “professionals” can correct whether the period at the end of this sentence should be inside the closing quotation mark).
Comment by Frank — January 4, 2008 @ 5:52 am
First off…
1. Your union management is still getting paid while your on strike. Why don’t they donate their “full” salary to the picket line.
2. Why are you blaming Jay when union management cut a side deal with Dave. That’s a little odd isn’t it? What competent union manager would allow 1/2 of the best late night shows to return?
3. For the union members writting here are you allowed to right for this show? Better check the regs.
Second…
1. You should demand at the next meeting that union management donate 100% of their salary to the line. Now that would be supporting the line. But they won’t do it.
2.Dave’s special pass should be cancelled so both Dave and Jay can go back home till this is over. But again the Union won’t do it.
3. If union manangement had a meeting with Jay and knew he was going to give a monologe then they knew and he’s not a scab. You guys throw the word scab around like it has no meaning.
Finally,
If union and management would act in good faith you folks wouldn’t look so ridiculous. Both of you.
Send it to arbitration and get this resolved so the corps can make money and in turn pay your salary. It’s interesting how you criticise the “dirty” corporations but you’ll go right back to work for them after the strike. If you were true to yourself you would quit and start your own company, but that another comment for another time.
Best wishs.
Comment by Loud and Clear — January 4, 2008 @ 6:14 am
I guess Leno will have to drop his monologue to appease the WGA. He won’t even be able to speak, because anything he says would be his own material, which apparently, under union rules, he is not allowed to use.
So, Jay will resort to performing mime on his show. His first piece will be entitled “Help, I’m trapped inside a stupid invisible box built by the WGA.”
Yes, that’s a ridiculous scenario. Almost as ridiculous as a union restricting the constitutionally-protected right of freedom of speech.
Comment by DH — January 4, 2008 @ 6:25 am
Letterman praisers/ Leno bashers need to keep in mind one thing. Letterman did NOT agree to the WGA demands. He just agreed to take whatever deal is there when the dust settles. That is not the same thing as showing the producers that their demands are not unreasonable. Leno would have gladly done the same thing.
There is nothing brave in the slightest about what Letterman did. There’s no reason to position it as such.
Mike Binder
Comment by Mike Binder — January 4, 2008 @ 6:36 am
Everyone still perfectly sanguine about having a couple of comedy writers with no operational business experience negotiate a nine figure new media deal instead of hiring a professional like Ken Ziffren? Ok, good, just checking…
Comment by Pete Aronson — January 4, 2008 @ 6:43 am
I hope the WGA enjoys their “public support” while it lasts. If they go after Leno for doing a simple monologue they can kiss it goodbye and — quite honestly — it’s all they have left.
Comment by Marc — January 4, 2008 @ 6:43 am
Anything that Leno writes, with or without writers, is better than the ubiquitous anti-faith diatribes that Bill Maher tries to pass off as ‘commentary’ at every available opportunity. Yawn. At least Leno’s & Letterman’s stuff isn’t just vengeful agenda-based output.
Comment by Bob — January 4, 2008 @ 6:43 am
I sympathize with the writers. They produce much of the fuel a huge business empire uses but get a comparatively small cut of the pump profit, so to speak. If they can pry a few more coins from the tightly-clasped palms of the carnivorous apes that are entertainment executives, more power to them. It isn’t as if the executives at NBC or CBS would deserve a whole lot more than minimum wage in an ideal world.
The comments on this article are much more interesting than the article itself, but then the article really only tells us that the Writers Guild is surprisingly inept. For a group of creative people, they certainly boxed themselves in negotiating with Letterman in the manner they did. And trying to split hairs that because Leno credits himself as a writer on the show as well as producer means that as a performer he cannot write his own material is laughably, transparent desperate. He was a standup, if anyone recalls, and a good one at that. I watched him from the same stage do a homecoming pep rally at my alma mater a few years (ehmm) back, and probably three-quarters of what he did was off-the-cuff.
Finally, to the posters who assert that Letterman is soooo much funnier than Leno: I must disagree. Leno actually is a comedian. Dave has an entertaining style and an obviously well developed dry wit, but he strikes more as a game show host (with apologies to Sygorney Weaver and Bill Murray and their writers) as much as anything else. He frequently rides the same joke well past its prime and all of the faux-inside humor between he and Regis, et al, is a little tired. If he did one Dan Quayle joke he did a hundred thousand. The guy hasn’t been original for years and it is obvious he relies on his writers much more so than Leno. If anything, he needs new writers.
Comment by Anonymous — January 4, 2008 @ 6:44 am
The WGA needs the blow by this entire issue. They should just say that there was a miscommunication, what’s been done is done, and that he’d hope that from here on in Leno would stick to the WGA’s “No Monologue” rule. Wasting another second trying to explain what happened (or cop pleas like “it was at the end of a really really long meeting”) is not only a waste of time but it is yet another no-win situation for the Guild. If they prove Leno did write his monologue, what happens?
It’s a pointless battle that will only make it seem like this is a war that can’t be won.
Comment by Kevin — January 4, 2008 @ 7:04 am
Fact: Verrone said he’d look the other way if Jay wrote his monologues.
What is Verrone doing? I’m quickly losing faith in our guild’s leadership as they continue to flip-flop, lie, and squander rank and file’s faith in them. If they can’t handle these trivial late night matters how can I assume they’re doing the right thing in negotiations? Get your act together Verrone and Young. Make a stand. Make a policy and stick by it. Your members want strength. They want clarity. They want integrity.
Comment by Horeful — January 4, 2008 @ 7:06 am
What would Johnny Carson have done?
Comment by Miss Tia — January 4, 2008 @ 7:08 am
I think its BS that Letterman got special treatment but Leno didn’t. When politicians do it its called corruption. Play fair. Nobody likes the strike, both sides are losing money. But don’t play favorites and give passes to some shows and not to others. Thats strike breaking by the WGA and not fair to the still-striking writers who don’t work for Letterman and not fair for every other party.
Plus i think its complete BS that Leno can improv but can’t write his own material down. Its his thoughts, his lines, his freedom.
If you think he’s cheating then get a third party to watch him prepare the material himself to make sure its really his.
Comment by anon — January 4, 2008 @ 7:09 am
Dear late night viewer,
To quote from another NBCU show, you are a frack’in plant and do you REALLY think he’s not a scab?…Not working with scabs??…He’s on the outs with NBCU what the frack does Jay care???
Comment by P. Lee — January 4, 2008 @ 7:18 am
Let’s put this fire out quickly…
Verrone needs to put in writing what the policy is for Jay doing his monologue. This way everyone can stop guessing what was said and what the rules are, etc.
If Jay’s not allowed to do his monologue and goes on doing it then it’s very simple, he must go fi-core. That’s his option.
Let’s stick to the rules. Stop the name calling and infighting and move on to much much bigger issues.
Comment by Michael Steinberg — January 4, 2008 @ 7:21 am
I hate to say this, but this could be the first step in the attempt to break the Guild. NBC knows what it’s doing, Verrone…not so much.
There needs to be a Guild executive that understands they scope of the battle and the power of the opposition. Bg Media isn’t Universal Studios, it’s GE. In other words….very deep pockets.
And yes, side deals is only going to split the membership, and it is doing that.
Jay is only important in what he exposes, which is a true tier system within the Guild.
Jay is also important in that he brings up the Fi-Core issue. If someone with real celebrity status goes Fi-Core, others will follow, and that, is another way they break the significance of the Guild. Break the significance, break the whole organization.
This is really much bigger than internet residuals. I don’t think Verrone gets any of that.
Comment by Joe — January 4, 2008 @ 7:21 am
“Tell me, who are you gonna believe, the greedy, lying, cheating companies or the WGA?”
The companies.
Comment by Buzz — January 4, 2008 @ 7:21 am
How did the strike get to be a WGA vs Jay Leno? People like Jay and it looks to us like the union is picking on him. To be told that someone can’t write down their own thoughts is insane. Based on the quality of the writing as seen on TV the last few years, some of us don’t care if the strike lasts forever.
Comment by Not Invol ed — January 4, 2008 @ 7:23 am
This is great news! Now I can work on that script for Paramount and not have to worry about getting kicked out of the Guild!
If the Guild will not discipline Leno for breaking the rules, surely they will have no legal ground for disciplining me. Right?
Right?
Comment by Scab is as scab does — January 4, 2008 @ 7:24 am
As a viewer I fall down on the side of the writers, and I don’t trust Jay Leno. The movie of what went down between him and Letterman years ago exposed Jay as someone who would do anything to get ahead, while hiding behind others and still trying to come across as the good guy.
I hope the writers wind up with an equitable outcome since they are the ones who are really the money behind the celebrities.
Comment by Christine — January 4, 2008 @ 7:25 am
I think what Letterman’s writers are doing is far worse then Leno writing his monologue. Letterman’s writers came back to work because they got a deal with Letterman but their fellow union members are still on strike. If they aren’t willing to stay on strike to support their own union members, why should anyone else honor the picket line?
Comment by Rod — January 4, 2008 @ 7:27 am
Why does Leno need the rules enforced in the first place unless… ?
His loyalty to the writers is a sham.
His returning to air so his staff could stay employed is a false claim. (Rather loathsome no? To do something selfish and claim it’s for a generous purpose.)
The donuts did not equal true love.
Why would he need to be asked more than once to stop writing?
Donuts don’t buy you a ticket to scab. Stop doing union work during a strike.
Comment by Who cares what NBC says? — January 4, 2008 @ 7:27 am
I think this is proving the writers are overpaid. I thought Conan was as funny as ever.
Comment by Rod — January 4, 2008 @ 7:28 am
For those well-meaning amateurs who have taken the time to comment on this site (and excluding the numerous shills for the AMPTP who are showing up on every comments page,) we Guild members thank you for at least taking to time to get involved, but we ask you to realize this:
If Jay Leno is going to continue to claim he and he alone is writing his monologue, then he’s the King of Fantasy Island.
It would b impossible for him to do that on a daily basis.
As any standup comediam will tell you, their act takes years to perfect. Comics spend months honing each joke, figuring out the best way to set up the story and deliver the punch line. The act of a comic like Leno is the culmination of a thirty year career, not something he put together that day on the back of an envelope.
Now do that five nights a week. It can’t be done. He has to be gtting input from other writers. He has to be gtting help. And if he is, then he is breaking the rules.
Comment by anotherWGAwriter — January 4, 2008 @ 7:32 am
I agree, both Leno and Conan were excellent, there was definitely a fresh energy to the shows that is usually absent. Perhaps this has more to do with just being eager to come back after two months. As far as wondering who wrote the monologues, seriously, is it so hard? We get it already, Clinton likes the ladies, Bush is dumb, J-Lo has junk in the trunk, Larry King is old, Al Gore is boring, Paris Hilton is loose, and so forth. It must have been a lot of work re-writing all those fat jokes once Brando was gone.
Comment by Tom — January 4, 2008 @ 7:56 am
What a bunch of hypocritical bullshit!
The WGA grants Letterman & Ferguson a waiver because his Production company owns the show.
So what? CBS finances the show, CBS broadcasts the show and it’s CBS that is profiting from the show.
Who’s fooling who?
Comment by Dixon Steele — January 4, 2008 @ 7:57 am
So Verrone shoots himself (and the WGA rank & file) in the foot in front of witnesses and then tries to cover it with a weak denial. His guy says “I think he said take one for the team”. Right…..
However you feel personally about Jay the fact is America loves and trusts him. This will be really hard to spin if the WGA tries to call him a liar and campaigns to discredit him. This will play badly for the WGA if Verrone tries to save face and of course don’t expect the NBC legal team to sit quietly either. I I ws in the guild I would be mad as hell with my leaders right now - they are really blowing it. Hard to watch this unfold as a member of a collaterally damaged trade.
DGA’ s turn I guess - go get ‘em guys!
BTL - 399
Not on strike
Out of work
Losing my home
Comment by Bill — January 4, 2008 @ 8:05 am
Look how Jay got The Tonight Show gig in the first place by hiding in a closet and kissing corporate ass. Jay has never been a stand up guy. Oh, and look NBC is forcing him to retire. LOL
Scab Leno is right!
Comment by Jason — January 4, 2008 @ 8:06 am
can I get a secret meeting with verrone and be allowed to go back to work? Why are there “secret meetings” going on?
Leno has to stop doing a monologue.
Comment by brian — January 4, 2008 @ 8:08 am
Leno is writing his own monologues and anybody who says otherwise is misinformed or just angry that he can write better than most of his writers.
The union was broken when Letterman was able to get “his” writers to come back. So some writers can negotiate their own deals, you know like the free market, and others get to walk picket lines earning nothing.
Like anything else in American life, if you are worth it you can negotiate your own deals with the so called greedy corporations but if you are substandard then you will get what they offer you. Blaming a corporation for not getting what you ‘deserve’ is ridiculous. Good Directors can force these same corporations to show their movies and shows without editing, without having their credits stripped off, talked over etc.
If you are worth it and you’re writing is that good than you can negotiate for even more that what the union as a whole will ever bargain for you. Negotiate you own residual deals while signing your contract to write the shows, movies, commercials etc.
Many of you would do much better, some would do about the same and let’s face it, some of you should consider a career change.
Comment by Entertainment Analyst — January 4, 2008 @ 8:13 am
anon: “He understands that the only way we can gain leverage is by disrupting revenue streams to struck companies, correct?”
Why should he understand that? The WGA leadership certainly doesn’t. If they did, they would have instituted a work-to-rule slowdown six months before the strike deadline to deny the AMPTP companies an inventory of filmable scripts, rather than allowing their members to rush piles of materials in under the wire. If they understood it, they would have had pickets up at 12:01 AM on Nov. 5, and kept the pickets up on every studio gate they could man (or woman) to shut down production to the greatest extent possible, as quickly as possible.
It seems to me that the WGA strike strategy was based on a fantasy that nothing can happen in entertainment without the services of a WGA writer. It’s not for nothing that real trade unions put up real picket lines and prevent other union workers from crossing them — far from resenting that treatment, the members of the non-striking unions respect it and see it as a promise that the strikers won’t cross their lines if they have to strike in future.
If you’re going to call yourself a trade union and hire an Executive Director from the trade union movement, if you’re going to call a strike like a union does, then act like a union, not an association of professionals who can’t fathom why their greedy capitalist bosses aren’t rushing to turn up the money taps for them.
Comment by Stuart Creque — January 4, 2008 @ 8:16 am
What was with Leno chum Bill Maher appearing on Letterman, last night? I like Maher and his appearences on Leno was the only thing of Leno’s show that would have me watch it. I’ve been watching Dave for 20 years now. Dave has one thing Leno doesn’t have in the industry - RESPECT. Jay gets the bigger stars but it’s only because TTS reaches a larger audience.
But if it was a question of Maher choosing Dave over Leno in favor of supporting the WGA kudos to him.
I really would have liked to hear Bill go off on Les Moonves, though. Oh, well.
I hear Howard Stern is appearing soon.
And this is a couple days old, but shame on Huckabee.
Comment by JasonTHX — January 4, 2008 @ 8:19 am
Screw the guild. They are putting a lot of people out of work and don’t give a damn about them. Props to Jay, Conan, and Jimmy for coming back. Jay took heat because he initially was not paying his staff…NBC staff. It was not his responsibility but he stepped up.
Keep up the good work Jay!
Comment by Chas — January 4, 2008 @ 8:21 am
To the wga comedy writer at 10:48 pm
Who would be picking from the 200 jokes for the monologue? Its not a group project like a pre-strike show.
Jay writes about 10 minutes worth of material. He is deciding what goes in the monologue. If he thinks its funny then its in. Period. He doesn’t have to worry about anyone else’s thoughts and opinions and egos.
Will he lose steam? Of course. Even with writers the show goes through ups and downs. Clunkers happen all the time.
As for his interview prep. Its not like he is interviewing world leaders about international policy issues. Its not MSNBC. His questions have always been softballs and his discussions have always been marshmellows. That’s what the show is. At 11:35 PM very few people are looking for a serious discussion. People use this as an light and easy way to end their days.
Jay understands the importance of the Tonight Show to the entertainment business. Its a big FREE commercial for TV shows, movies and musicians. And it needs to be on the air to keep the audience tuning in - its a year round show not a seasonal show like sitcoms and dramas.
Yes, The Tonight Show makes money for the network but that money is used to carry other TV shows that need time to build an audience - like The Office and Seinfeld.
Jay has made many mistakes in his career - and many during this strike but the WGA could have been smarter in handling this situation.
If they had just issued a statement before the show aired saying that “Jay was going to do his monologue and use it to educate the viewing public on the concerns of working writers” they would have showed that they are in control. And taking the high road. Two things the AMPTP has said they lacked.
Instead they got outfoxed again…………
Comment by Late Night Watcher — January 4, 2008 @ 8:22 am
From Nikki’s post: “Earlier today, a WGA spokesman told me: ‘We are not interested in a battle here between Jay and the Guild,’ and doubted there would be any probe. Now the WGA seems to be backing away from that position. ‘If our members decide that there’s been a violation of the strike rules, there is a procedure that will be followed,’ the WGA insider told me.”
This pretty much proves that the WGA leadership is out of touch with its rank-and-file. They don’t seem to have any read on the attitudes of the members on the lines, nor do they seem to have any interest in trying to shape those attitudes through honest communication of their strike strategy. I guess all executives have a tendency to arrogantly assume that their underlings will do what they’re told without question or complaint — and I guess the WGA executives are learning that their arrogance doesn’t play well with the rank-and-file. (The