Comments on: Writers Guild West's L.A. Picketing Plans

By: chrissypoo

chrissypoo — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:16:24 +0000

Just take a look at the schedule redblack, and you’ll see why the number of scripted jobs are fewer and fewer. Reality shows are here to stay and the WGA better get a hold of them before it becomes the latest way for networks to avoid their union agreements.

By: redblack

redblack — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:30:35 +0000

Last thing…for now…

Aren’t animation writers a bigger priority?

By: redblack

redblack — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:48:45 +0000

So why aren’t we picketing ALL SHOWS? I’ve seen plenty of “packages” during Monday Night Football. Surely THOSE are written. My point is, I believe in the CORE issues of this fight, but when you start comparing the people who write, “We’ll be right back after this” with the people who write “The Office”, personally, I think you’re diluting our goals.

I have worked in many genres of TV and I really believe that the job of putting together “Reality show arcs” and writing Host copy and game show questions - just ain’t the same as writing scripted television.

When we lose our focus, we lose.

By: Another Hyphenate

Another Hyphenate — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:35:18 +0000

Freemantle is actually supposed to cover any game show — these are already covered under the Minimum Basic Agreement with the WGA. Freemantle and others have found a way to twist certain programs into the “reality” category when they are game shows. It’s just not true. Their writers (and yes, you’re right, there are plenty of writers) should be covered, but the company just won’t do it. They deserve to be picketed!

By: tlperl

tlperl — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:11:59 +0000

Of course, there’s real writing done on “American Idol.” Someone is writing Ryan’s host copy and putting together those behind-the-scenes packages, and it sure ain’t Simon. Fremantle also runs a number of game shows that’re certainly written and provides no health insurance, residuals or pension to those writers. Solidarity, people!

By: marjorie David

marjorie David — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:08:12 +0000

Thanks, Nikki, for publishing picketing plans. Anybody who’d like to join us is welcome. I hope everyone will remember that the WGA cannot afford to lose this fight. If original online programming isn’t covered by the WGA, for instance, nothing will end up covered — all delivery will be via some form of the internet; it isn’t far away. And that is only one issue. I hope anyone who believes that all working people have the right to fair payment for the use of their work (and reuse — that’s why there’s copyright), decent health and pension benefits and all that, will understand that we are being subjected to union busting techniques, and that you will be next if we fail. Also — for people who say “I don’t have these benefits, why should you?” What’s wrong with you? What you need to say is: “They have these benefits — why don’t I???” We want to keep them. We want everyone to have them.

By: redblack

redblack — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 05:48:06 +0000

Oh, and can we mellow it out a bit on the “singles” Day picket and Party Picketing. I mean I get it, the days are long, walking in a circle is boring, but we are on strike, not on the prowl for hook-ups. No wonder the BTLers are getting pissed.

By: redblack

redblack — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 05:43:13 +0000

Wanna know how Drew Carey is good to the Writer’s who are on strike right now? Just go to SWINGERS restaurant show ‘em your WGA card and order some food. Then leave a nice tip, and smile everytime you hear the name Drew Carey. He is a mensch.

By the by, how much real writing is on “American Idol?” Just doesn’t seem like a WGA fight.

By: Dreamer

Dreamer — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:25:12 +0000

I wonder if Drew Carey, who was so good to his writers on his sitcom (good to the whole crew, actually — cruises, etc.) will stick up for his new writers on The Price Is Right? I bet he has the clout to get them into the Guild. He’s pulling in great numbers, so the producers need him.

And I wounder if we can convince cold-hearted Simon and the hosts of Idol to do the same? They have the clout too.