Writers Strike (Reloaded)

[abomb]

I found Bill Simmons' take interesting;

Finally, the cat is out of the bag: The writers' strike is going to last much longer than anyone "thought." I used quotes there because it was naive for anyone to think this would be settled right away. Rich people are rich for a reason -- they don't give stuff away, especially stuff like "here's a fixed percentage of Internet revenue even though we don't understand this medium yet" and "sure, we'll allow you to sympathy strike every time another union goes on strike to give those other unions even more leverage!" They also have the money to weather the loss of revenue of an extended strike, whereas the striking writers have no revenue coming in because they aren't allowed to write. Hmmmm, which side do you think will cave first?

To put this particular strike in sports terms, it's the equivalent of the NBA players striking right before the start of a season, only if the NBA could get out of every bad contract and every bad decision and avoid paying the employees for every team ... and ON TOP OF THAT, they could show re-runs of old games and get 80-90 percent of the same ratings for a few months. Why would they be anxious to settle the strike? If anything, they'd lowball the players, keep the strike going and use the hiatus to revamp the things about the league that didn't work. (Which is basically what the NBA did during the '99 lockout, right?) Well, that's exactly what Hollywood is going to do. Read this N.Y. Times piece or this WSJ.com piece and tell me if it sounds like the Hollywood guys want to settle any time soon.

In my opinion, the Writer's Guild did a fantastic job mobilizing its members to strike and a dreadful job preparing them for the overwhelming reality that the strike could stretch into 2008 and possibly the spring and beyond. It's not like any of this was a shock, right? So why did WGA leaders think they could mobilize against a bunch of cutthroat billionaires for two years, repeatedly tick them off (read the Artful Write for a detailed explanation), then get those same cutthroat billionaires to say, "All is forgiven, we're willing to take a little less here, the balance is totally unfair, we want to do the right thing by you guys?"

Seriously, you think they give a crap? Again, rich people are rich for a reason: They don't give stuff away, and they certainly don't give a crap that the holidays are coming up and tens of thousands of writers are sweating out Christmas gifts and mortgages and wondering when their next paycheck is coming. The whole thing sucks. It really does.

 

[Cheesebeef]

your uppidy, obnoxious & annoying.

and I'm a moron and lazy because I saw I wrote that and shook my head at myself, but was still too lazy to change the word.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yep. This is getting worse before it gets better and there is nobody to blame except the higher-ups on BOTH sides of the fence. Both of them will say anything to garner sympathy on both sides of the aisle--it's not really even about what is offered/turned down. It's about who gets the public's sympathy. The writers have it right now regardless of whoever is right, and the producer's are trying to get some support on their side. I still believe the writers' demands are unrealistic, (especially now since they decided to start adding more things to their demands last week) but that's just me.

Chap, the WGA has ALWAYS had getting Reality TV and Animation writers into their guild as a priority, just not a very high one. There was one erroneous Variety article that came out right before the strike that said otherwise, but it was quickly shot down by the WGA. Now considering that the Producers pretty much stonewalled the WGA's retort to the Producer's "New Economic" Package (which actually did include new media proposals as both sides have said), the only way to even try to continue negotiations or have anything to talk about was the Guild turning it's attention to one of their lower priorities. The idea that they started adding "new demands" is AMPTP propaganda. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[KloD]

your uppidy, obnoxious & annoying.

:BIMbee: you're

 

[Gaddabout]

Yes, consider me not so impressed with the WGA representation. I don't understand why they think they have so much leverage here. The networks are running reality shows, shows they've kept on the shelf for such an occasion, re-runs, they have no writers to pay, and the public is somewhat sympathetic with the studios for their inability to produce new material (or at least there's been no public outcry). Gonna be a nice Christmas for studio execs. Bet they all get big bonuses. What else are they gonna do with the money? Pay taxes?

 

[Linderbee]

:BIMbee: you're

It's a gee-ism...as well as "uppidy" (it's "uppity").

Well, the whole post was a crack at Gee; I'll be honest.

I had to go back & take out the apostrophe & the "e" because I couldn't force myself to type it that way at first.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

cheese - that quote was a lot of lip service

there is a ton of posturing going on - reading that release the producers seems to be throwing out jurisdictional issues and insinuating that the writers union is being selfish and not looking out for their members is definitely meant to plant the seeds for a potential divide

I'm really not "pro" any side in this - i think strikes are generally silly in this day and age and in the end there is going to be a whole lot of harm, a contract that no one really likes and another labor dispute when that document causes issues down the road

i just feel (similar to simmons commentary) that a lot of the perspective is a bit naive and that with the "new media" it's not as easy as just saying "give x %"

i think the writers should receive compensation and I think the producers should be able to weigh the risks and sunk financial investement while factoring in the payouts

i don't pretend to have a solution - i just know that it will not be easy and generally don't buy into oversimplifications, posturing and grandstanding - regardless of which side is spouting it

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yes, consider me not so impressed with the WGA representation. I don't understand why they think they have so much leverage here.

Gad, what makes you think that the Guild believes they have leverage right now? They don't and they know it and that's why nothing's gonna get done until they do, which is why people believe this thing will get done in February because if nothing gets done by February, not only is this season completely finished, but NEXT season is screwed also. No new shows in the running, meaning no money from advertisers, especially considering how horrific this season has been with zero breakout hits and more cancellations than ever. The endgame is February and if nothing gets done then, nothing will happen until SAG walks with the WGA in June.

 

[Gaddabout]

Gad, what makes you think that the Guild believes they have leverage right now? They don't and they know it and that's why nothing's gonna get done until they do, which is why people believe this thing will get done in February because if nothing gets done by February, not only is this season completely finished, but NEXT season is screwed also. No new shows in the running, meaning no money from advertisers, especially considering how horrific this season has been with zero breakout hits and more cancellations than ever. The endgame is February and if nothing gets done then, nothing will happen until SAG walks with the WGA in June.

I think I've stated I'm on the WGA's side in this. I agree with the crux of their side of the dispute. Having seen this go one for awhile now, consider me surprised at how little WGA has as leverage. If they walked still knowing that, and just walked on principle, without really knowing what SAG and the DGA would do this June ... the strike seem imprudent.

Writers get stereotyped all the time for being overly idealistic and not too realistic when it comes to money. As an outside, I can't help but think the WGA leadership is guilty of living up to that stereotype. I wonder how many writers would have voted for a strike if they knew how this would play out as it has.

 

[Chaplin]

I think I've stated I'm on the WGA's side in this. I agree with the crux of their side of the dispute. Having seen this go one for awhile now, consider me surprised at how little WGA has as leverage. If they walked still knowing that, and just walked on principle, without really knowing what SAG and the DGA would do this June ... the strike seem imprudent.

Writers get stereotyped all the time for being overly idealistic and not too realistic when it comes to money. As an outside, I can't help but think the WGA leadership is guilty of living up to that stereotype. I wonder how many writers would have voted for a strike if they knew how this would play out as it has.

A majority of the guild didn't even vote for this strike -- actually, 60% of the Guild didn't vote at all. That's pretty telling right there. I would guess the below-the-line people would be pretty upset at that number.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I think I've stated I'm on the WGA's side in this. I agree with the crux of their side of the dispute. Having seen this go one for awhile now, consider me surprised at how little WGA has as leverage. If they walked still knowing that, and just walked on principle, without really knowing what SAG and the DGA would do this June ... the strike seem imprudent.

Writers get stereotyped all the time for being overly idealistic and not too realistic when it comes to money. As an outside, I can't help but think the WGA leadership is guilty of living up to that stereotype. I wonder how many writers would have voted for a strike if they knew how this would play out as it has.

almost every writer I know thought this would go into at least January if not longer.

 

[Cheesebeef]

A majority of the guild didn't even vote for this strike -- actually, 60% of the Guild didn't vote at all. That's pretty telling right there. I would guess the below-the-line people would be pretty upset at that number.

pretty telling how? Do you realize that the turnout was the largest voter turnout in Guild history? Curious as to your thoughts here as this isn't the first time you've brought this fact up.

 

[Chaplin]

pretty telling how? Do you realize that the turnout was the largest voter turnout in Guild history? Curious as to your thoughts here as this isn't the first time you've brought this fact up.

You don't think having only 40% of the guild present for a very important vote isn't telling? I'm not saying those other 60% would vote differently, but it seems to be a small group of people dictating an entire industry--affecting people that have no connection to the guild at all. If that's the largest turnout in Guild history, does that make you happy? I wouldn't be very happy if I was a member. They talk about solidarity, but it doesn't show in the voter turnout (hmm, suspiciously like the presidential election, but that's a different forum).

 

[Cheesebeef]

You don't think having only 40% of the guild present for a very important vote isn't telling?

um, no. I think it's common place in ANY election in almost any sector of our country. And in actuality, I think it rises far above most elections held in our country. Now, if that vote was even remotely close, then I'd say a 40% membership vote is questionable, but when it's an overwhelming landslide with a 90% approval of the strike, it doesn't really matter. You can see the will of the Guild with an overwhelming 90% decision. Believing that a higher percentage of Americans (which is what the writers) are will vote in higher numbers is incredibly unrealistic considering how apathetic we as American are in general as far voting on anything is concerned.

 

[Cheesebeef]

but again, you didn't answer the question. What is "telling" about the vote? I gave you my answer. I'd like to know yours.

 

[Gaddabout]

http://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/1213ar-writerprotest1214.html

 

[Chaplin]

but again, you didn't answer the question. What is "telling" about the vote? I gave you my answer. I'd like to know yours.

If you can't figure it out, it doesn't matter.

 

[Chaplin]

http://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/1213ar-writerprotest1214.html

And they STILL spin like crazy making it look like the Producers are money-hoarding greed-mongers.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If you can't figure it out, it doesn't matter.

uh, okay. I think it's a little weird after I answered a bunch of your questions that you can't do the same for me (and a question in which I'm genuinely interested in finding out the answer to see where you're coming from), but to each his own.

 

[Gee!]

is the strike over over? i see Jay and Conan are gonna have new 2008 shows,,

 

[MigratingOsprey]

is the strike over over? i see Jay and Conan are gonna have new 2008 shows,,

nope - still going

apparently the late night show hosts are returning to work without the writers (they are professional comedians ................ right.......................)

i heard letterman is trying to cut a side arangement to get some writers

any of them who has given public word is standing behind the "help the hundred below the line workers who depend on this show" posture

 

[abomb]

Kimmel was on Bill Simmons' podcast and said that he has to be careful not to prepare material ahead of time, since he is a member of WGA. It should be interesting to see what the quality of the shows is like.

 

[Linderbee]

You speak truth.

ouch.

 

[Gaddabout]

Kimmel was on Bill Simmons' podcast and said that he has to be careful not to prepare material ahead of time, since he is a member of WGA. It should be interesting to see what the quality of the shows is like.

1. You mean Kimmel actually prepared material for the show before the strike?

2. Does the WGA want the public to know that Kimmel is a member?

 

[Covert Rain]

I think the writers had every reason to strike. I am not saying that there demands are not outrageous but you always aim high. This reminds me of sports labor strikes. Both sides are usually at fault to some degree.

However, in this case I squarely hope the writers get a much fairer shake then they traditional have gotten from Hollywood.