The writers stike...... (2 Viewers)

[Rugger]

I guess I maybe looking at this from the wrong angle, but I am happy about the strike because I found most of the material from today's shows lacking to say the least. I view it similar to the music industry. Before you would have a few bands that were actually cutting edge and creative. Now we are flooded with mediocrity like Fiddy Cent and Two and a Half Men.

 

[mister pc]

The writers are only demanding two and a half cents for every dollar of profit made from their work. Thats not asking too much. When a song is purchased over the internet, the writer of the song still gets royalties. Why should TV be any different?

 

[Saint by the Bay]

Ahhh, that changes things a bit then in my mind. Thanks. BTW, what's your source on that?

Being a former member of the WGA.

I optioned a screenplay back in 94 and since I got a check for writing I had to become a member. I was never active and my membership expired after I went all of 95 without being paid for writing anything.

During 95 my agent was trying his hardest to get me on a television writing team to keep my membership active. I didn't really want to do it as I wasn't a fan of writing things tame enough for TV but I met with people all the same because I understood his motivation. I never landed a job (partially because I was young and arrogant and it came across in meeting people I wasn't really interested). However, I was told repeatedly that TV writing for a popular series can basically fund your career if the episodes you wrote got played enough in syndication. A buddy of mine who actually did write TV episodes gets an occasional check showing up at his house. Funny thing is nobody ever calls him or anything, a check just shows up. He gets $300 anytime an episode of Quantum Leap he wrote comes on. That's the only deal I know the specifics on but I know he gets checks from other things too including some cartoon work.

 

[kewee]

I love me some Conan.

 

[Goats]

Supposedly Letterman was paying his writers and crew the entire time, then Conan started paying followed by Leno.

Letterman is still the only one on air to actually negotiate his own contract with his own writers.

 

[Complex Kid]

Letterman is still the only one on air to actually negotiate his own contract with his own writers.

That's only because he owns the production company "World Wide Pants" that produces his show and the Craig Fergusen show. They could negotiate on their own with the writers. Conan, Leno and Jimmy Kimmel don't have that option.

 

[Jonesy77]

Conan doesn't need writers. He could just pull that Walker switch for an hour and improve his ratings.

I do miss me some 30 Rock and Office. Other than that, meh.

 

[Eeyore]

I've noticed that the NBA isn't quite as interesting now that we have the writer's strike but I don't watch anything outside of Family Guy, the NBA and sports.

 

[Dave Worth]

Conan and Letterman were paying their workers through the strike. After word of that got out, Leno jumped on the bandwagon. Stern talked about this a lot as he hates Leno.

 

[threexcharm]

Kill your television.

Idiot box.

Just my opinion.

Joe

 

[primadox]

Glad to hear that Conan has a soft side. Quite honestly, my experience with him was different: several years ago one of my dogs was playing Triumph's wife on his Christmas special. Conan was anything but friendly that day; seemed impatient with the rehearsing we were doing for the skit, couldn't be bothered to speak to any of us peons, etc. -- I'll just assume he was having a bad day; we all have those, after all. Now on the other hand, Robin Williams was the guest that night, and he was an absolute trip. Very nice, personable, and of course funny. He seemed to enjoy hanging out with us nobodies in the hallway...

 

[Rickboy]

Did you guys watch Conan's return show? He made a great video of what he did in his off time.

I posted this on the video game board but it is comedic gold and relevant to this thread

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[bclemms]

I can honestly say the writers strike has not impacted my for one minute.

 

[Jeff Miller]

if the writers had half a brain, they would band together and form their own entertainment companies and work together bullpin style. That way they can retain ownership of their works. As long as they are working as independent free lancers, they will get the short end of the stick.

 

[Rickboy]

I can honestly say the writers strike has not impacted my for one minute.

The only thing it affects, for me, is the fact that Battlestar Galactica won't be here next summer. To me, that sucks but I'll get over it.