[BadKosh]

Leno and Letterman are crossing the picket lines...or are THOSE down now. So much for UNION solidarity. The entertainment industry has no guts. They ALL lose.

[MacosNerd]

They're on strike - oh jeez I didn't even notice.

I don't know if I'm a typical view or not, but I really have not noticed any impact. I suspect that most people are not that "tuned in" (sorry for the pun) to the strike either. A lot of strikes really depend on garnering public sympathy and support, I'm not seeing too much of that in this labor action. I'm not saying the writers are right (or wrong for that matter) but that the average tv watcher could care less.

[Chuckit]

Uh…you'll care when there aren't any TV shows on. Most programs have already aired their last episodes of the season.

[andi*pandi]

meaning, we'll care when we get sick of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.

and paper mario.

[osiris]

I'm not a big tv person, so I didn't notice anything.
Oh, does porn count? No one actually writes those, right?

[Big Mac]

It's a more prominent concern here in Southern California than I would expect it to be elsewhere in the country. I support the writers because I think their demands are reasonable and the studios are piggish, but the studios will probably prevail soon since they can afford to starve the writers out.

[Shaddim]

I was kinda looking forward to The Sarah Connor Chronicles, but it's really not a big deal. I don't watch very much commercial TV, except Smallville.

Maybe this will be a good thing, people can take up reading again. The fact is, there's nothing on TV that compares to a good book.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Shaddim 

I was kinda looking forward to The Sarah Connor Chronicles, but it's really not a big deal.

Sarah Connor Chronicles is still coming on since it was filmed for the normal season but then bumped to midseason. Don't know how many episodes they've made, though. I heard Lost only has like eight lined up.

[Jawbone54]

I've missed Craig.

[Chuckit]

By the way, I don't think the talk-show hosts are being scabs. My understanding was that they aren't actually part of the WGA, but they shut down out of solidarity. The hosts themselves are fine and could retire now if they wanted to, but their employees still need to get paid, so staying off the air indefinitely is a problem.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

By the way, I don't think the talk-show hosts are being scabs. My understanding was that they aren't actually part of the WGA, but they shut down out of solidarity. The hosts themselves are fine and could retire now if they wanted to, but their employees still need to get paid, so staying off the air indefinitely is a problem.

Agreed.

Another part of the problem is that while CBS, NBC, and ABC are running late-night reruns, people are tuning in to other networks. They'd rather watch anything than constant re-runs of late-night shows that are usually only entertaining once.

It's possible that the Big 3 might be pushing a return on the hosts as well.

[Cold Warrior]

The Letterman deal is good strategy for the writers. Divide and conquer.

By securing a deal with Letterman, it benefits CBS and gives it a competitive advantage over the other networks. Even though CBS is still siding against the writers, the other networks will have no choice but to see CBS indirectly benefit from Letterman's exclusives with big stars and better material.

As CBS draws in bigger ratings in late nite, the other networks will feel even greater pressure to make a deal, far more than they would've without the Letterman deal. Since all the execs are fundamentally self-interested, their solidarity will crumble, either one by one or collectively behind the scenes. However, the writers must stay united and patient for that to work, and they should seek out a couple more Letterman-like deals.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Uh…you'll care when there aren't any TV shows on. Most programs have already aired their last episodes of the season.

uhh there's more stations then network stations. I've not missed anything thanks to cable.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

uhh there's more stations then network stations. I've not missed anything thanks to cable.

What are you talking about? It's not just the major networks. No new shows can be written, period. Also movies.

[MacosNerd]

I'm talking about the fact that I'm still watching the shows on cable. Sorry if its seemingly an obtuse idea but the shows I've been watching, have not been effected. Mostly stuff on espn. period.

As for movies, I'm still seeing some pretty good movies on HBO

[Chuckit]

OK, yeah, sports don't need writers. But a lot of people watch actual shows. Personally, I was looking forward to this TV season — with Lost, Heroes, Pushing Daisies, Battlestar Galactica, Chuck and Gossip Girl, it had the most shows I've been planning to watch in a long time — but now most shows won't even get a dozen episodes. Even if you don't watch as much as I do, I think people will notice (or at least stop watching) if their favorite shows suddenly disappear for a year or more.

On top of that, movie studios had to rush buying scripts before the strike, so there's a time coming soon when there won't be much to see in the theater.

[MacosNerd]

Since we're in a busy sports time, and the movies on hbo are fairly fresh I've not missed a thing. I also watch a lot of cooking shows and while they do use writers I don't think they start any new series during the holidays. They just recycle old ones so I've not noticed anything there also.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

What are you talking about? It's not just the major networks. No new shows can be written, period. Also movies.

That's simply not true, it's not so simple, and there are weird definitions of what's considered writing.

Many shows (especially those on cable networks) don't even use WGA writers. Many have non-union writers, and/or writers from other unions like the IATSE.

Some writer/producers are in a conflict, because as WGA members they supposedly can't 'write', yet as SAG members/IATSE members/and-or producers they can (and by contract, must) perform their duties under their other titles, which lets face it, means also continuing to write.

A huge amount of writing for cable TV shows is actually done under the guise of 'editing'- IE: virtually any show you see with compiled footage and a narrator- and so falls under editors unions, if any.

I myself am caught in the middle of this whole mess- I'm an Animation Guild- IATSE member working on a primetime network show with WGA writers. We're about to shut down production entirely on the 25th for lack of scripts, yet my own union is at all-out war with the WGA, declaring that it'll take the WGA to court if it attempts to ban WGA writers who are also IATSE members from working.

But count on it, all TV or movie production hasn't halted, far from it- there's a lot of people just using their 'dual' union status, or non-union status to work around the WGA.

In a way, it sucks, because personally I support the WGA strike. The studios are corrupt greedy bastards who don't even report their true income and sales accurately. The strike would have more strength if it weren't for the fact that there isn't really any kind of across the board solidarity -not even close- even among other unions, let alone non-union, to really make the strike that effective.

Tons of production will go right ahead, as scheduled. I doubt the WGA will actually get a very good deal worked out for all the effort, because the studio position is far too strong.

[stevesnj]

Letterman is not crossing the picket line he is not WGA and he owns his show not the network, Jay Leno is part of WGA and NBC owns his show and should abide by the strike he is crossing the picketline. He was giving out food in support of them then now he does this...what a scum!!

[Big Mac]

That's very intersting, CRASH. What show do you work on? The Simpsons?

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Nope, Family Guy.

[Demonhood]

i've been reading this for updates.

[Arty50]

Originally Posted by stevesnj 

Letterman is not crossing the picket line he is not WGA and he owns his show not the network, Jay Leno is part of WGA and NBC owns his show and should abide by the strike he is crossing the picketline. He was giving out food in support of them then now he does this...what a scum!!

AFAIK, Letterman has also signed an interim deal with his WGA writers basically giving them what they're asking for. Letterman is far from a scab.

[Shaddim]

Ferguson is still the funniest guy on late night.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

I'm talking about the fact that I'm still watching the shows on cable. Sorry if its seemingly an obtuse idea but the shows I've been watching, have not been effected. Mostly stuff on espn. period.

As for movies, I'm still seeing some pretty good movies on HBO

affected, not effected.

[RAILhead]

Thanks you -- I was fighting the urge not to correct that.

Now I'm off to drop a tanker into the ocean...

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by RAILhead 

Thanks you -- I was fighting the urge not to correct that.

Now I'm off to drop a tanker into the ocean...

Thanks cool guy! Keep us posted with your BMs, I look up to you my friend.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Shaddim 

Ferguson is still the funniest guy on late night.

I can't stand Ferguson. Conan's way better.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

I can't stand Ferguson. Conan's way better.

I used to be a huge Conan fan, but he got a bit repetitive, especially in the opening monologues.

Now I'm a Craig guy.

Ferguson 2, Conan 1

[Dakar the Fourth]

What little I've seen of Craig is repetitive. And now Conan has a beard, a la Castaway.

Conan 2, Ferguson 2

[KeriVit]

Gave up on Conan. Just. Not. Funny.

Ferguson 3, Conan 2

[Dakar the Fourth]

If you can't appreciate a masturbating bear, I feel sorry for you.
just kidding

[Big Mac]

Originally Posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE 

Nope, Family Guy.

No offense meant to you personally, but FG stinks out loud. Sorry, had to say it.

[- - e r i k - -]

Are you one of these Crash?

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

No, I'm not one of the WGA manatees!

(I loved that episode of South Park by the way!)

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

No offense meant to you personally, but FG stinks out loud. Sorry, had to say it.

None taken. I've no personal stake in it. People either love the show, or outright hate it.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE 

None taken. I've no personal stake in it. People either love the show, or outright hate it.

I have found a few things a bit over-the-line, but generally the show is frickin' hilarious. Cool to know you're one of the writers.

[Dakar the Fourth]

He's in the animation guild.

[Jawbone54]

Oh...

Forget it then. I hate the show.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Hahaha, you're so funny. You should write for Family Guy.

[Jawbone54]

Now you've gone too far.
Kind of like that time when Joe Montana ate too much lettuce while riding on Santa's sleigh.

[subego]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Hahaha, you're so funny. You should write for Family Guy.

Yeah, like that time when you...

[MacosNerd]

I wonder how much longer they'll be striking. I'm still not effected, everything I watch seems to be new. Heck, I just saw a new iron chef episode last night.

I'm just not seeing the energy and public support that we see in other labor actions. I'm not sure who is being greedier this time the screen writers or the studios.

regardless, I think their hope that the various award shows getting canceled will cause the studios to bend a little more.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by subego 

Yeah, like that time when you...

White text alert.

[subego]

Like that time I had the setup for a Family Guy joke, but no punchline.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

I wonder how much longer they'll be striking. I'm still not effected, everything I watch seems to be new.

Apparently all you watch is sports and game shows, so no wonder. Those are the things that aren't affected at all. If you watch normal network dramas or comedies, they're probably either already off for the year or going to be after this month. And many of the midseason shows are going to have very abbreviated runs (e.g., Lost has two months' worth of episodes).

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

I'm just not seeing the energy and public support that we see in other labor actions.

It sounds like you must not read any entertainment news, or at least very different sources than the ones I do, because it's gotten mofo coverage for the past several months.

[subego]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

It sounds like you must not read any entertainment news, or at least very different sources than the ones I do, because it's gotten mofo coverage for the past several months.

Coverage, yes.

Public support?

The gist I've been getting has been along the lines of "I support the writers, but I want my Heroes and Bones back."

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by subego 

Coverage, yes.

Public support?

The gist I've been getting has been along the lines of "I support the writers, but I want my Heroes and Bones back."

And I think that is what the writers want. That's the point of striking — to make people realize that they really want what you do enough to give you what you're asking.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

It sounds like you must not read any entertainment news, or at least very different sources than the ones I do, because it's gotten mofo coverage for the past several months.

You hit the nail on the head. I don't watch any entertainment shows. I do watch the news and its barely a blip on the radar as is many news websites. Even msnbc seemingly limits its coverage. There's an article or two about the awards or david lettermen but not much else.

[andi*pandi]

well, there is the possibility that the networks and studios, who own the shows, are also the ones running the news shows... and they don't want to report on it. I wonder what the print coverage is?

Anyway, I'm sure the studios are feeling the pinch of loss of advertising revenue by now. What is it the writers want that the studios don't want to give them?