Writers' Strike, Cont: Studios Back Out of Negotiations

[Jedah]

Originally Posted by Gaereth

Well.....an individual writer should get paid for their work since they receive no pay otherwise. JK does not get paid for how many hours she spends typing, she gets paid for how many books she sells.

I look at the writers of the shows as part of a team that are building a product, not a product in and of themselves. How much of what these writers put onto paper would you spend money on??? Just the paper mind you. Would you download a weekly written script to get your fix of House??

They are a cog in the wheel of visual entertainment. If any other entertainment union was on strike we would have the same situation we have here, the shutdown of productions. If a book writer goes on strike...what...they get to see more of their spouse?? They use less electricity?? What??

Hell, I have no problems with people being paid ongoing rights type stuff, but the arrogance to demand it astounds me. You strike a deal with your employer and off to work you go....if your a great writer and structure a long term deal then good for you. Otherwise, put in the hours for your paycheck and call it good.

What are you babbling about? It's about what the employees want, and what the studios are willing to pay. The writers are owed whatever they demand that the studios agree to; that they're bargaining collectively doesn't change that a bit.

[tad10]

Originally Posted by Ham n Cheese

Why would you say he can't use one Tad? Just because he's a stand up comedian doesn't mean he doesn't want his job to be easier. The show clearly suffered from his lack of writers imo.

I assume you mean can't use a teleprompter. If you use a teleprompter you have to write something down and that falls under the WGA (which is striking).

Craig Mazin posted a good summary of why writers were different then say producers (producer is a title, a writer is someone who wrote something) on his site. But fuck me if I can find it, maybe because I'm three vodka drinks in to the night.

Anyway, I'm sure they do something that skirts the spirit of the strike but I doubt the WGA will do much since almost all the late night guys (Kimmel excepted) seem to be strong supporters of the strike (Conan, Letterman and the comedy central guys in particular).

Edit: And don't ask me why they can't use a teleprompter but can put up little titles/graphics (e.g. any Colbert Report episode).

[Arbitrary]

They are probably doing everything that a news program is allowed to do. Trying to make it funny doesn't give it a different distinction.

[spronk]

Does anyone watch Real Time with Bill Maher? Ironically I find his show now without writers much better than in the past, when he had writers... I'm split on Daily/Colbert, I think the old written stuff was good (word, field report interviewers, etc) the new format works out almost as well, and in a few more weeks I'd be used to it.

Wonder if the writers for these shows are walking the picket lines thinking "fuck... did I just strike myself out of a job?"

[Zeste]

So John Oliver and Samantha Bee are Canadian/English, so I presume they have work Visas (like oliver said) and it's illegal for them to strike, so can they write their own segments and such? They've been the only ones doing any pieces.

[Everlast]

I really liked the Colbert Report tonight

[Angerz]

Originally Posted by Everlast

I really liked the Colbert Report tonight

The final song was at least 146% epic

[Mist]

Originally Posted by spronk

Does anyone watch Real Time with Bill Maher? Ironically I find his show now without writers much better than in the past, when he had writers... I'm split on Daily/Colbert, I think the old written stuff was good (word, field report interviewers, etc) the new format works out almost as well, and in a few more weeks I'd be used to it.

Wonder if the writers for these shows are walking the picket lines thinking "fuck... did I just strike myself out of a job?"

Bill Maher's show is better than it ever was. It is way more discussion, way less jokes. If they dropped the openning monologue it'd be even better. Daily Show is not the same at all. It's still good but not anywhere near as good. Colbert is the same as always and it would be funny no matter what. It's the character of Colbert that makes it funny whether there is content or not.

[Soriak]

I love Maher interviewing people about what candidate they support or why... the guy last week was hilarious, first arguing for one candidate then saying "well, I really plan on voting for " after the discussion

[slitz]

Any info on whenever this bullshit is going to end?
One of the parts should at least notice the lack of income by now... 8/
I miss The Office 8(

[Kolle]

well at least we have british shows. decided to d/l and watch life on mars. i'm still troubled, but at least it soothes the pain.

[Dynalisia]

Life on Mars seems ok yeah, also been watching a show called 'Spooks', which is sorta like a dressed down version of Alias, but still pretty good imo. It's nothing we haven't seen before, but fills the time.

[Zarcath]

Originally Posted by Everlast

I really liked the Colbert Report tonight

I thought it was slightly in bad taste that he accused his out of work writers, but I wonder if his ploy to get them to write in a response is kosher?

[Yutnopash]

Fuck you Monkey-Squirrel.

Hah. Bright spot; Informal talks are going on and seem to be going in a positive direction. Think the face to face meetings will take place soon and a deal will probably be worked out since I think 7? individual Production Co. have signed deals with the WGA on their own.

[Astrocreep]

shame on the networks and writers both for letting this shit go on for so long. 2008 is now totally fucked because of them.