Comments on: How the Hollywood writers strike affects YOU

By: James N

James N — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:21:03 +0000

Personally, I don’t like the idea of an all-powerful Writers Union at all. If someone wants to work for a studio and write shows, then he can, and if he doesn’t, then he can work for someone else, or for himself, or get a different job, etc. It’s works fine in most other careers.

As for the question of compensation for residuals… well, that’s fine, if a studio wants to throw that in as a perk. But I refuse to believe it’s some kind of “right”. As an Engineer, if I create something valuable, and even get a patent or two in the process, while working for my employer, they own the whole thing and can do what they want with it with no input from me, because they paid me to develop it. If I don’t like that, I can try to produce it elsewhere. It’s not like I get nothing in return for what I give the company, and I can only believe it’s the same with writers: they are paid for their work, which is then the property of whoever bought it from them. I have no problem with them demanding whatever they want to demand, but the studios ought to have no problem hiring someone else if they feel the demands are excessive. The “All companies are owned by fat cats” line is usually no more than an excuse to rip someone or other off.

By: corned_beef

corned_beef — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:46:32 +0000

Conan could read from a macaroni box and be hilarious. He can not be not hilarious. He couldn’t not be not hilarious not ever.

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:26:13 +0000

I love the idea of a shortage of mainstream TV shows! I am really hoping this will mean that in the next 6 months more americans will be reading books or getting off their well-worn couches and getting some fresh air for a change. Maybe by the time Leno comes back he won’t have any more jokes about how fat we all are, because we will have all had time to get out really live our lives, instead of obsess about pretend life on TV, eating and fermenting as we deaden our brains. There are a few shows that I actually like, but I’m not going to be sorry for any excuse to do something else with my time and maybe even get me out of the habit of turning the stupid thing on altogether. They should do this strike thing more often!

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:25:11 +0000

For the most part, except for maybe Big Love or Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO MAYBE), I avoid television out of principle, now, because I got tired of getting emotionally invested in shows that would get cancelled after a season in favor of CRAP (i.e. Mobile Suit Gundam being cancelled in favor of back-to-back episodes of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z in a 2-hour time slot — that was the LAST STRAW); and because of the onslaught of “reality TV,” I haven’t found TV a rewarding medium worth enjoying for the past five years. HOWEVER..

I do hope that the best side (which seems to be the WGA) wins this (I think I ,being an aspiring writer, determines my bias ^^;) — there’s no reason why the big wigs should get all the cash, while the little guys who create the foundations to begin with get little to nothing — the movie industry should not be allowed to run like the recording industry.

May the good guys win.

By: Turkey

Turkey — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:57:36 +0000

JLW said, “The portion of [Leno] between the monologue and the interviews is typically the best.”

As in, the commercials? I agree heartily.

By: bCurt

bCurt — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:46:24 +0000

I agree 100% with Jason.

By: Moffio

Moffio — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:32:55 +0000

From the 24 Season 7 Wikipedia site it sounds like the strike may have an impact on 24 because production didn’t start until S eptember. ”

Production may be delayed due to the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike. The WGA is fighting for content residuals on DVDs and new media (e.g. streaming content, webisodes). Studios haven’t acted, and the WGA recently voted with over 90% of members in favour of a strike. A strike would affect 24 harder than other shows because production started on September 10, 2007, leaving no time to bank scripts before the season premiere scheduled for January 13, 2008. Maureen Ryan recently spoke to FOX and 24 executive producer David Fury, about the likelihood of 24 being delayed if a strike occurs. FOX is playing it safe, simply saying that, “We’re hoping that all parties can come to an agreement and a strike can be averted. However, in the event one does occur, we’re prepared.”

By: Billy Bob Thorton

Billy Bob Thorton — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:35:12 +0000

The sad irony of the strike is that it will probably boost DVD sales while we wait for shows to get up and running again. DVD sales that the writers won’t be getting their cut of.

My understanding is that writers get a cut of the profits for re-runs, but when studios realized they could get a quick buck up front with DVD sales instead of holding off for re-runs years down the road, the writers are the ones who suffered.

By: thejoeinme

thejoeinme — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:03:32 +0000

I have a dilemma on my hands. I support the writers completely; there’s no reason to deny them compensation for DVD sales and rentals. That said, which action shows more support for the writers: Buying the DVDs, knowing they’re not getting paid? Or downloading them, to ensure that if the writers don’t get compensation, then no one does?

By: kevith

kevith — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 03:24:51 +0000

I have never really found Leno to be very funny. I enjoy Letterman more, but the monologue isn’t that great. Conan has his moments. Out of all of them I actually enjoy Craig Ferguson the most since it does seem a little more unexpected. I’ve also heard that he’s really funny if you’re high. Not that I would know….