Writers' Strike, Cont: Studios Back Out of Negotiations

[Algol Devilstar]

Originally Posted by Lowk

The article Akileese posted is also in the new your times if you were questioning the validity of it. I know i did at first.

Is this a new newspaper or a reference to my time? =D

[Lowk]

Its a newspaper that documents your new time. Old time is a dime a dozen now a days so when in the market for new time that will become yours it's important to stay updated on the market.

edit- fuck spell check for not telling me i spelled a entireally different word that what i had intended

[GaliemVaelant]

Originally Posted by Lowk

edit- fuck spell check for not telling me i spelled a entireally different word that what i had intended

People are rare, who act immediately on their word. Bravo.

[Lowk]

Conan O'Brien Statement

"For the past seven weeks of the writers' strike, I have been and continue to be an ardent supporter of the WGA and their cause. My career in television started as a WGA member and my subsequent career as a performer has only been possible because of the creativity and integrity of my writing staff. Since the strike began, I have stayed off the air in support of the striking writers while, at the same time, doing everything I could to take care of the 80 non-writing staff members on Late Night.

Unfortunately, now with the New Year upon us, I am left with a difficult decision. Either go back to work and keep my staff employed or stay dark and allow 80 people, many of whom have worked for me for fourteen years, to lose their jobs. If my show were entirely scripted I would have no choice. But the truth is that shows like mine are hybrids, with both written and non-written content. An unwritten version of Late Night, though not desirable, is possible – and no one has to be fired.

So, it is only after a great deal of thought that I have decided to go back on the air on January 2nd. I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers and I'll do the best version of Late Night I can under the circumstances. Of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible. My sincerest hope is that all of my writers are back soon, working under a contract that provides them everything they deserve."

hmmmm

[Lowk]

And just cause i love hating Carson Daly

Last night a group of striking writers, including a couple of recognizable names, infiltrated a taping of “Last Call With Carson Daly.” The program was wrapping up the final two episodes of the season before going dark for the rest of the year.

During an interview with former NFL great Jerry Rice, a writer pretending to be an audience member heckled Daly, claiming he “needed a writer” to ask better questions. Production assistants and NBC security swooped upon the scribe and escorted him, without resistance, from the building.

A clearly disconcerted Daly asked whether Rice would be willing to start the interview over again, which he did.

After reintroducing Rice to the audience, who replicated their cheers, another incognito writer stood up and loudly declared: “I feel so bad for the striking writers! Can I please leave?” The scribe also pointed out Daly’s use of cue cards, plaintively asking who was writing the show now.

NBC security, still expelling the first troublemaker, instantly scrambled back into the studio, then hurriedly ejected three more.

Daly, visibly rattled, appropriately enough had no witty impromptu comments to offer the perplexed audience. Rice was also addled, audibly asking: “What’s going on?” A tense Daly responded with a nod, only offering: “I know what this is about.”

After that, someone associated with the production took the stage and declared: “Anyone else interrupting the show will be prosecuted.” This same person also advised “any other striking writers” in the crowd to “leave now.”

Over twenty people scattered throughout the stands rose and dutifully shuffled out. The audience gasped at this. Daly visibly paled.

Ironically, one of this departing group had been awarded a prize moments earlier for being “such a great audience member.” The prize was a gift certificate to El Pollo Loco.

Moments later, a traumatized Daly asked Rice whether he’d “mind starting the interview again.”

[Kuriin]

I don't know about you, but I feel sorry for him.

[Angerz]

Originally Posted by Kuriin

I don't know about you, but I feel sorry for him.

I also feel sorry that Jerry Rice needs to be on that show.

[Gaereth]

You have to think that a lot of the staff on most of the shows that are dark are hurting pretty badly. Think about how you would do if your work closed up shop for a few months without pay at Christmas and you are not sure when they will start back up again.

People should have a few months in savings, but the reality is that most people wouldn't last a month without a paycheck. I do understand the writers point, but look at the numbers of people effected by what they are doing. 80 people on Conan alone and this strike is effecting every show on tv and movies as well. And its not like you can take your expertise and go get another job in what you are currently doing...you have to go outside of your field and work.

I would find it entertaining if some sort of class action was brought by all those that aren't working against the WGA.

[Faille]

god forbid the studio should accept any blame for the situation.

[Yutnopash]

What can you say, the lack of coverage or in most cases SLANTED coverage to paint the WGA in a negative light seems to be working on those that aren't following the strike's day to day happenings etc...

Writers and Advertisers Talking

Last week a coalition of WGA members went to NYC to talk with the seven largest media buyers on Wall Street.

These ad buyers are the large corporations (like Proctor & Gamble, Johson & Johnson, etc.) who advertise on TV and pay the networks' bills.

Our WGA crew, lead by Matthew Weiner, showrunner of "Mad Men," laid out our position to the advertisers -- who for some reason might not be getting entirely accurate forecasts from their corporate customers like CBS.

The event was a success. The coalition of media buyers agreed that our demands are reasonable and that it was "irresponsible on the part of the networks not to settle this dispute immediately."

Our hope is to enlist advertisers as our allies -- settling the strike is in their interest as well as ours. They agreed to put pressure on the conglomerates to do the only thing that will end the strike: come back to the table and negotiate a fair deal.

Jack Myers reported in his article "Advertisers and Agencies Meet with Writers as Long Strike Seems Pre-Ordained" about the meetings, and quotes Sarah Fay, CEO of Carat U.S. and Isobar:

"The strike is a huge issue for advertisers. It seems like the networks are intent on burning their own house. And ours! Not only that, but it also appears that the industry press, and of course the news channels, won't cover the writers' side fairly because of politics. They [The Writers] are now talking to people like me because they want us to know how dire the situation is."

Myers goes on to discuss deals that Writers are making directly with advertisers as they migrate away from the studios and networks, and to the internet.

In the interim, Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane has contracted with Google to develop a series of sponsored five-minute mini-programs. Rather than residuals, McFarlane will retain 50 percent ownership of the copyright. Other WGA members are forming ventures to take their work directly to the internet, allowing them to deal directly with advertisers.

The media buyers get it. The public gets it. The congloms appear to be the only ones who don't understand -- their determination to keep internet revenues all to themselves is damaging their own businesses, and even the rosiest predictions about ad revenue are starting to be questioned.

Sooner or later, Wall Street is going to get involved -- advertisers shareholders, media conglomerate shareholders. Burning down the house -- everyone's house -- for the sake of corporate greed isn't going to fly.

The AMPTP needs to come back to the table and negotiate in good faith. And we're not the only ones telling them to do it.

[Aegdaien]

Daily Show and Colbert Report are returning Jan. 7th without writers: link

Thank god.

[VariaVespasa]

Nods, I wasnt looking forward to the idea of an election going by without Daily Show and Colbert Report to highlight the bullshit, for sure.

[spronk]

I wonder if any advertisers are looking at their ad spending, looking at their sales (and any changes since the writers strike), and realizing hey... maybe advertising on TV isn't always a good way to spend our money...

[Kolle]

tv commercials do not influence my spending

[Arbitrary]

They influence my spending. If I have to watch a television ad before my previews when I see a movie I do not buy, ever.