SNL and 30 Rock turn to stage

[abomb]

"SNL" and "30 Rock" Will Be Presented Live at NYC's Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
By Adam Hetrick
15 Nov 2007


Fans of the hit television programs "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" might not be able to catch new episodes on television due to the ongoing writers strike, but some lucky ticket holders will be able to see their favorite shows performed live at the New York Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Nov. 17 and 19.

The casts of the two NBC programs will present one-night-only live performances for eager audiences who can't get their fix in their own living rooms. While the events haven't been highly publicized, both performances have already sold out. All proceeds from the live performances will benefit the Writers Guild strike fund.

"Saturday Night Live" will feature a collection of favorite sketches, hosted by Michael Cera, the young star of "Superbad." The musical guest will be Yo La Tengo. The entire current cast of "SNL" has been confirmed for the 11:30 PM performance on Nov. 17.

The live performance of "30 Rock," scheduled for Nov. 19 at 8 PM, will feature the complete cast of "30 Rock," including Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski and Alec Baldwin. The star-studded cast is scheduled to perform a live episode from the popular series.

Production of "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" ground to a halt Nov. 4 as talks collapsed between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Key issues remain writers' residuals from DVD sales, internet broadcasts, cell phone and new media. A previous writers strike in 1988 lasted 22 weeks.

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre is located in Manhattan at 307 West 26th Street. For more information on the Upright Citizens Brigade, visit www.ucbtheatre.com.

 

[Heucrazy]

Why don't they do something to give some money to the hundreds of people on their shows that have lost their jobs due to the strike? You know the camera men, grips, make-up artists, caterers, etc. Instead of to the freaking strike fund?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Why don't they do something to give some money to the hundreds of people on their shows that have lost their jobs due to the strike? You know the camera men, grips, make-up artists, caterers, etc. Instead of to the freaking strike fund?

because TV isn't the only job in town those people can work. Everyone below the line who works in TV isn't kept from working anywhere else in the incredibly large world of the entertainment industry, especially considering there's going to be (and already are) a rash of new reality programming they can get on, not to mention to working commercials, music videos and movies, just like the rest of the majority of below the line workers out here. The bottom line is that EVERYONE (from the writers to directors, to grips, to assistants) knew this was a possibility of happening thus, everyone knew what they were getting into when they signed up for the TV season. One the one hand, you take that work because you don't want to freelance and it's the possibility of a "secured" employment for the entire season - but on the other hand, with the threat of a strike looming it was a risk they took, rather than going freelance like the majority of the below the line people out here. Bottom line, these people are going to lose their jobs, but others will be available, as opposed to the writers who have no jobs available.

Bottom line - this whole thing sucks.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

and the writers could easily apply their craft to print and other forms of entertainment media

 

[Heucrazy]

and the writers could easily apply their craft to print and other forms of entertainment media

Can they though? Wouldn't that be grounds for being kicked out of the union while they are on strike?


And Cheese you're right, this whole thing does suck.

 

[Cheesebeef]

and the writers could easily apply their craft to print and other forms of entertainment media

a) you're right and some probably will, but b) just because you're a screenwriter doesn't necessarily mean you're skilled at prose, writing columns, novelization, etc., etc. The above implies that the writers can do something just like what I suggested about the below the line people, but it doesn't take into account that the below the line people don't have to leave their given industry/learn a new form of work to do their job, as you imply should "EASILY" be able to do.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Can they though? Wouldn't that be grounds for being kicked out of the union while they are on strike?

Are they allowed to? Yeah, a screenwriter is allowed to write a novel or try to go into the print media as it doesn't deal with writing for the screen or TV. This whole thing is about work for film/tv/internet, not any other medium of entertainment. However, CAN they do it is another question. Just because you're gifted writing screenplays DOESN'T mean you're automatically as gifted as those people already out there writing novels, working in the print media, etc., etc. Writing what you know how to write is difficult enough. Writing in a style that's not to your strength is damn near impossible, especially if you want to actually make a living at it.

 

[abomb]

Why don't they do something to give some money to the hundreds of people on their shows that have lost their jobs due to the strike? You know the camera men, grips, make-up artists, caterers, etc. Instead of to the freaking strike fund?

They ended up giving the money to the workers on the show.

Awesome recap here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/arts/television/19snl.html

30 Rock is tonight.

 

[Cheesebeef]

They ended up giving the money to the workers on the show.

and the Producers wonder why they're losing in the court of public opinion.