NBC: Leno, O'Brien returning to air January 2 Options

[raymel1]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/17/w...rike/index.html

[Conan_the_shooti...]

Words from Conan O'Brien to 'variety' about his decision to come back is pasted below.

Anyway, I feel like Conan, I wish the writers well too and feel for them, but this had to be done!!!! Too many people are out of work, and suffering such hardship, because of the writers strike. Johnny Carson DID the same thing; he came back to do his show after two months as well.
......................................................................

http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog...fficial-ja.html

December 17, 2007

It's official: Jay and Conan back on Jan. 2; Conan speaks

Here's the release from NBC:

BURBANK -- December 17, 2007

–
"After two months of repeats, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" will resume broadcasting all-new episodes beginning Wednesday, January 2, 2008 (11:35 p.m., 12:35 a.m., respectively).

The late night shows suspended production due to the strike by the Writers Guild of America on November 5 and have aired repeats since.

"During the 1988 writers strike, Johnny Carson reluctantly returned to 'The Tonight Show' without his writers after two months. Both Jay and Conan have supported their writers during the first two months of this WGA strike and will continue to support them. However, there are hundreds of people who will be able to return to work as a result of Jay's and Conan's decision," said Rick Ludwin, Executive Vice President, Late Night & Primetime Series.

Guest lineups for the shows will be announced at a later date.

UPDATE: Conan O'Brien has issued this statement...– and no one has to be fired.

--Josef Adalian

"For the past seven weeks of the writers' strike, I have been and continue to be an ardent supporter of the WGA and their cause. My career in television started as a WGA member and my subsequent career as a performer has only been possible because of the creativity and integrity of my writing staff. Since the strike began, I have stayed off the air in support of the striking writers while, at the same time, doing everything I could to take care of the 80 non-writing staff members on Late Night.

Unfortunately, now with the New Year upon us, I am left with a difficult decision. Either go back to work and keep my staff employed or stay dark and allow 80 people, many of whom have worked for me for fourteen years, to lose their jobs. If my show were entirely scripted I would have no choice. But the truth is that shows like mine are hybrids, with both written and non-written content. An unwritten version of Late Night, though not desirable, is possible

So, it is only after a great deal of thought that I have decided to go back on the air on January 2nd. I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers and I'll do the best version of Late Night I can under the circumstances. Of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible. My sincerest hope is that all of my writers are back soon, working under a contract that provides them everything they deserve."

[latenightgoddess]

"For the past seven weeks of the writers' strike, I have been and continue to be an ardent supporter of the WGA and their cause. My career in television started as a WGA member and my subsequent career as a performer has only been possible because of the creativity and integrity of my writing staff. Since the strike began, I have stayed off the air in support of the striking writers while, at the same time, doing everything I could to take care of the 80 non-writing staff members on Late Night.

Unfortunately, now with the New Year upon us, I am left with a difficult decision. Either go back to work and keep my staff employed or stay dark and allow 80 people, many of whom have worked for me for fourteen years, to lose their jobs. If my show were entirely scripted I would have no choice. But the truth is that shows like mine are hybrids, with both written and non-written content. An unwritten version of Late Night, though not desirable, is possible

So, it is only after a great deal of thought that I have decided to go back on the air on January 2nd. I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers and I'll do the best version of Late Night I can under the circumstances. Of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible. My sincerest hope is that all of my writers are back soon, working under a contract that provides them everything they deserve."

It is so good to hear Conan finally say something about this whole thing! This really hurts. I'm not really happy about this news. But I understand his rationale. I know he's in a difficult position.... The main reason I watched the show was to see what sketches they were doing that night, so this is going to be weird. I've even said writers are what I look forward to seeing each night (but I'm odd).

Hopefully he'll at least keep the beard til the strike is over and do other things to advocate for the WGA on-air.

[Beyond_the_pale]

It would/will be interesting to see the show without writers. Normally the written bits, especially sketches, are the best part of the show. But those unexpected, unscripted, often chaotic moments are even funnier because Conan is at his best when something doesn't go as planned. So I think there's a chance that some parts of the shows will be very funny. I'm sure some will be terrible though.

I'd want to see remotes and "table guests" (like wine experts or cooks) because they give Conan an excuse to act like a moron which is always a good thing. And they should let MW7 play longer...

Hopefully he'll at least keep the beard til the strike is over and do other things to advocate for the WGA on-air.

Keeping the strike beard would be a great way to show support for WGA.

[latenightgoddess]

I think I'd be truly happy if Late Night became Conan's personal soapbox for supporting the WGA. Though NBC Universal might have a problem with that.

I would love to see remotes, too. I thought the reason there've been so few remotes recently was because the show has no money. I guess they'll save money by not having writers to pay. Maybe Conan could do a remote on the WGA picket line with his writers. haha... that'd make me so happy. BTP, you're brilliant.

As far as things not going as planned- the writers are the people who plan everything that's not an interview. So I feel like without writers, the show is going to have very little structure or direction, which is hard to deviate from. Why not just make the writerless void about them?

[glassa1]

"Either go back to work and keep my staff employed or stay dark and allow 80 people, many of whom have worked for me for fourteen years, to lose their jobs."

If only the writers on strike gave a d@mn about these people.

[latenightgoddess]

If only the writers on strike gave a d@mn about these people.

The AMPTP wants the public to believe that the writers don't care about their shows' support staffs being out of work. This is intended to foster dissension; a union-breaking tactic. Brian Stack (writer for Late Night) has written specifically about this issue, and it was posted in the "Writers Strike?" thread here on the board (11/10 & 11/11):

"That story about non-writers being hurt by this strike is very sad, obviously, and it's beyond awful how many non-writers could potentially be hurt by this strike. Our non-writing staff at 'Conan' could begin facing lay-offs soon, too, and it makes me sick to even think about that. The bottom line, however, is that the other side actually FORCED this to happen. In fact, many of them NEEDED the strike to happen so they could cancel production deals with certain writer-producers, lay off all their employees, cut their overhead, and blame the writers for it. Some of them did it first thing Monday (November 5) morning as soon as they possibly could.
The fact that the writers were given absolutely no choice in this matter is not something that generally comes up in the press, or in corporate memos sent out to (TV show) employees like Ms. Fernandez. She has every right to be angry and worried. I just wish it were more clear to her that the WGA did everything possible to keep this from happening, and were forced into this strike by moguls who don't give a crap about people like her, or about people like us, if we interfere even slightly in their pursuit of profit. As one caring AMPTP exec was just quoted as saying, 'We aren't the ones who'll be losing our houses.' You don't see quotes like that in the Los Angeles Times, do you?
The AMPTP moguls understand how awful the writers and writer-producers feel about people like Ms. Fernandez possibly losing their jobs. In fact, they're COUNTING on that as a way to get them to fold. The AMPTP also knows how stories like Ms. Fernandez's play in the press. I find them as sad and infuriating as everyone else. The fact that the AMPTP is USING people like her to weaken the resolve of the WGA and make them look heartless in the press doesn't make her story, or the stories of countless other non-writers caught up in all this, any less heartbreaking.
I just hope that this can all be resolved very soon so that no one has to lose their jobs. The AMPTP could make that happen if they just agreed to actually negotiate with us instead of giving us the finger at every turn and then making us look like WE'RE the cold, heartless ones in all this."

The writers of The Colbert Report, 30 Rock, and SNL did live shows in NYC to benefit the non-wrting staffs of those shows. NBC paid Conan's non-writing staff for a few weeks, and Conan started paying them when NBC stopped. Conan is a striking WGA writer and is not being paid, nor are any striking writers. Please investigate the issue further before you make a judgment.
-------------------


WGA Reminds Returning Jay And Conan: No Monologues
Deadline Hollywood Daily, 12/17/07

Now that Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien -- both WGA members -- have announced they will be "reluctantly" returning to the airwaves without their writers on January 2nd, the WGA East and West is reminding everyone of its pre-approved "Strike Rules pertaining to Comedy/Variety", which were sent to all comedy/variety shows prior to the strike. "These are the rules we expect all the hosts to adhere to if they go back on the air without their writers, who will still be on strike," a WGA spokesperson says. Meanwhile, David Letterman's Worldwide Pants continues negotiations for The Late Show and The Late Late Show starring Craig Ferguson with the WGA for that "interim agreement" that's supposed to be a sure thing:

NOTICE TO ALL WGA MEMBERS WRITING FOR COMEDY/VARIETY SHOWS
The Council of the Writers Guild of America, East, Inc. and the Board of Directors of Writers Guild of America, West, Inc. (collectively the "Guild"), have adopted Strike Rules which will go into effect if the Guild calls a strike. The Strike Rules, among other provisions, prohibit Guild members from performing any writing services during a strike for any and all struck companies. This prohibition includes all writing by any Guild member that would be performed on-air by that member (including monologues, characters, and featured appearances) if any portion of that written material is customarily written by striking writers.

[latenightgoddess]

One of my myspace friends had this to say:

"Conan without writing is going to be like... like... going to the bar and not having a drink. Like Cheetos without that orange stuff. Like pizza crust without any toppings. Like going to bed without sleeping. Like making love without being aroused. Like going to a concert and instead of playing songs the band tells stories. I love Conan and I've been jonesing for new shows, but without those insightful, highbrow comedy bits it won't be the same."

It's definitely not going to be the same show. I think everyone who's all excited about Conan's return is going to be in for a bit of a surprise. No monolgoue, no sketches, no characters - no written comedy, period. And I doubt Conan will be in a very good mood. The strike is depressing and frustrating, particularly for writers. They won't even have anything to rehearse. I hope Conan makes good use of his air time and power. I'm afraid NBC is going to tell him he can't take a side on-air, but hopefully he will not acquiesce.

[Conan_the_shooti...]

One of my myspace friends had this to say:
It's definitely not going to be the same show. I think everyone who's all excited about Conan's return is going to be in for a bit of a surprise. No monolgoue, no sketches, no characters - no written comedy, period. And I doubt Conan will be in a very good mood. The strike is depressing and frustrating, particularly for writers. They won't even have anything to rehearse. I hope Conan makes good use of his air time and power. I'm afraid NBC is going to tell him he can't take a side on-air, but hopefully he will not acquiesce.

Yes, it will be different w/o those hilarious sketches and our buddy writers we love, and the many characters like S&M Abe --I wonder if he could do a walk on and not say anything? It would be fantastic.

Maybe most people didn't know this but Conan a writer, in 93/94 was offered a job as head writer for the new Late Night. Then a Job as producer which he turned down both, before he landed the job he'd always wanted, to host Late Night. He tells the story to Charlie Ross, I believe in 1996 interview. You can watch it at CharlieRose.com

Since, Conan is a comedic genius, gifted ad libber and a profound interviewer, COB will still do a stupendous job. Even his latenightunderground.com appearances shined ... for talent is talent and Conan has it.

More importantly, Conan O'Brien is a PROFESSIONAL and his work ethics must be exemplary. He owes that to his fans, the viewers, NBC and his writers. The reason being Conan's Late Night's future with NBC depends upon it and in turn his writers fate as well.

-true without Conan's writing staff, it will be a different show, more like radio? But that is temporary until the writers strikes end and it will.

Since that cannot be changed, presently, may I say In behalf of the non writers and me...
THANK GOD at least CONAN IS BACKKKKKKKKKK JAN. 2!!!!!!!

[latenightgoddess]

Mike Sweeney, chief of the "Late Night" staff of 14 writers, said "we all know what a difficult position Conan is in. He's been incredibly supportive of us."

Sweeney said he didn't want to comment on his boss's decision to come back without the writers. The "Tonight" show's chief writer, walking the picket line in Burbank, Calif., was similarly reluctant to criticize his boss's decision. "I'm happy that he's been able to hold out this long," said Joe Madeiros. "He's not the only one. There's a lot of pressure on late-night hosts.

Suspended late-night programming has been the most visible sign of the strike for the viewing public, and bringing the shows back could remove a significant piece of leverage. At the same time, the hosts could come back and pepper their network bosses with ridicule in support of the writers' cause.

"We've been taking shots at NBC for 15 years," noted Jeff Ross, "Late Night" executive producer. Both Ross and Debbie Vickers, executive producer of "Tonight," said they are beginning to contemplate how their shows will be different. "There are a lot of ways we can go with this," Ross said. "Now we have to be serious and figure it out."
-Associated Press

[haynie]

It would/will be interesting to see the show without writers. Normally the written bits, especially sketches, are the best part of the show. But those unexpected, unscripted, often chaotic moments are even funnier because Conan is at his best when something doesn't go as planned. So I think there's a chance that some parts of the shows will be very funny. I'm sure some will be terrible though.

I'd want to see remotes and "table guests" (like wine experts or cooks) because they give Conan an excuse to act like a moron which is always a good thing. And they should let MW7 play longer...


Keeping the strike beard would be a great way to show support for WGA.

Amen to that brother!! AMEN TO THAT!! I agree with you 100%.

I'm also supporting Conan to keep the beard. It will make people curious and at least he gets something to talk about!!
I'm sure his guests will keep bringing it up.


The show won't be the same of course.. which is sad... BUT: WHAT IS A BETTER WAY TO SHOW THE PUBLIC HOW IMPORTANT THE WRITERS ARE IN MAKING A GOOD SHOW??? With writers = awesome, without = lame.


and..

There is a limit even in Conan's pocket. I couldn't have asked him to do more. Paying I think apprmx $2000 a day per staff member must bite his personal budget too in the long run. I think his staff was seriously in a risk of losing their jobs...literatelly. I dunno. Anyway, I'm hoping Conan all the best and I think he did the right thing. I don't see this as betrayal. I think the WGA would like him to give airtime for the strike etc. and I agree. Whether NBC then has something against it, I dunno. I hope this works out. Let's mail Conan some drawings and supporting letters and so on and so on.. at least he will get something to talk about on the show. Heads up and cross your hands each and every one of you. This is in the hands of the Almighty now. His peace be upon you all.

that's all. <3

[latenightgoddess]

I see Conan's return as a huge betrayal to his writers and the WGA, and potentially harmful to his important relationship with them, unless he makes the show about supporting the WGA. If I see a character or any recycled material on the show, I will be extremely irate and I don't think I'll be able to watch Conan again until the strike ends. I'm going to feel incredibly guilty watching any episode of Late Night without writers as it is, and I'll feel slightly less guilty if Conan uses the monologue and sketch time to advocate for the writers. I could care less about seeing Conan interview whichever d-list celebrities are crossing the picket lines that day.

So yes, Conan has options and important decisions to make here. I know he historically does not talk about anything serious or important on his show because he doesn't feel it's his place. Hopefully that will be different this time since the strike involves the entertainment industry and his show directly. I realize that in his statement he said he'll make clear his support of the writers, but to me, that means he'll address it for 5 minutes at the desk on Jan. 2. Please let me be wrong. I hope that NBC does not become tyrannical about what Conan can say or do regarding the WGA strike on the air.

I hope this is not the demise of Late Night as we knew it. To use Demetri Martin's metaphor, what we have here is a half-full glass of sh!t.

I think the WGA would like him to give airtime for the strike

"In a statement, the guild chided NBC. 'NBC forcing Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien back on the air without writers is not going to provide the quality entertainment that the public deserves. The only solution to the strike is a negotiated settlement of the issues,' either by the studio alliance or individual companies, the guild said." (AP)

Some words from Brian Stack--
"After the announcement was made that Conan would be going back on the air on Jan. 2nd, Mike Sweeney was nice enough to call and check in with me and the other writers before making that statement on our behalf. I don't know exactly how all the other writers feel about all this, but what Mike said in that article certainly reflects how I feel myself. Conan is indeed in a very tough position here, and we're all very grateful for the support he's shown us. While it would certainly help the cause of the WGA if the show stayed off the air longer, we've all been very worried about all the non-writers at our show who were in danger of losing their jobs. I love those people, and I really miss working with them.

It makes me very angry that the AMPTP has been so unreasonable during negotiations after forcing the WGA into this strike that none of us wanted. It makes me even angrier that they've tried to paint the writers as the ones that don't care about all the non-writers caught up in the middle of this. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Anyone that wants to understand the hard-line corporate mind-set driving the AMPTP these days need only look at that fossilized sociopath, Sumner Redstone, who just last week drastically slashed all the benefits of Viacom employees just in time for the Holidays, causing a massive employee walk-out. If guys like Redstone had his way, there would be no union protection for anyone, and he could do whatever he d@mn well pleased whenever he d@mn well wanted, just like he did to those non-unionized people. I don't mean to imply that all the moguls represented by the AMPTP are cartoonish "Mr. Burns" types like Redstone, but the fact is, the AMPTP would love nothing more than to bust ALL the unions. The WGA just happens to be the first in line this time around, and we simply can't allow them to get away with what they're trying to do. There's too much at stake here, not just for current and future writers, but for anyone that cares about maintaining at least SOME sense of fairness in an increasingly consolidated, corporate-run media landscape. I'll climb down off my soapbox now, and onto the small scattering of soap flakes that surround the box."

[haynie]

I see Conan's return as a huge betrayal to his writers and the WGA, and potentially harmful to his important relationship with them, unless he makes the show about supporting the WGA. If I see a character or any recycled material on the show, I will be extremely irate and I don't think I'll be able to watch Conan again until the strike ends. I'm going to feel incredibly guilty watching any episode of Late Night without writers as it is, and I'll feel slightly less guilty if Conan uses the monologue and sketch time to advocate for the writers. I could care less about seeing Conan interview whichever d-list celebrities are crossing the picket lines that day.

So yes, Conan has options and important decisions to make here. I know he historically does not talk about anything serious or important on his show because he doesn't feel it's his place. Hopefully that will be different this time since the strike involves the entertainment industry and his show directly. I realize that in his statement he said he'll make clear his support of the writers, but to me, that means he'll address it for 5 minutes at the desk on Jan. 2. Please let me be wrong. I hope that NBC does not become tyrannical about what Conan can say or do regarding the WGA strike on the air.

I hope this is not the demise of Late Night as we knew it. To use Demetri Martin's metaphor, what we have here is a half-full glass of sh!t.

"In a statement, the guild chided NBC. 'NBC forcing Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien back on the air without writers is not going to provide the quality entertainment that the public deserves. The only solution to the strike is a negotiated settlement of the issues,' either by the studio alliance or individual companies, the guild said." (AP)

Some words from Brian Stack--
"After the announcement was made that Conan would be going back on the air on Jan. 2nd, Mike Sweeney was nice enough to call and check in with me and the other writers before making that statement on our behalf. I don't know exactly how all the other writers feel about all this, but what Mike said in that article certainly reflects how I feel myself. Conan is indeed in a very tough position here, and we're all very grateful for the support he's shown us. While it would certainly help the cause of the WGA if the show stayed off the air longer, we've all been very worried about all the non-writers at our show who were in danger of losing their jobs. I love those people, and I really miss working with them.

It makes me very angry that the AMPTP has been so unreasonable during negotiations after forcing the WGA into this strike that none of us wanted. It makes me even angrier that they've tried to paint the writers as the ones that don't care about all the non-writers caught up in the middle of this. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Anyone that wants to understand the hard-line corporate mind-set driving the AMPTP these days need only look at that fossilized sociopath, Sumner Redstone, who just last week drastically slashed all the benefits of Viacom employees just in time for the Holidays, causing a massive employee walk-out. If guys like Redstone had his way, there would be no union protection for anyone, and he could do whatever he d@mn well pleased whenever he d@mn well wanted, just like he did to those non-unionized people. I don't mean to imply that all the moguls represented by the AMPTP are cartoonish "Mr. Burns" types like Redstone, but the fact is, the AMPTP would love nothing more than to bust ALL the unions. The WGA just happens to be the first in line this time around, and we simply can't allow them to get away with what they're trying to do. There's too much at stake here, not just for current and future writers, but for anyone that cares about maintaining at least SOME sense of fairness in an increasingly consolidated, corporate-run media landscape. I'll climb down off my soapbox now, and onto the small scattering of soap flakes that surround the box."

Ok, I understood perhaps every other word of that.

(where's my dictionary again)



Conan is saving the @ss of 80 people for God's sake!! How can you ever even suggest he was betraying somebody??


I don't judge him.... I don't judge anybody.
But I think that was the best thing he could do at this point.

From what I've understood (the issue was posted on Finnish YLE TV-Network's website)
the WGA is supporting this... in some level.


I don't see what's the problem here.


please, don't kill me. Just trying to look things from different perspectives.

[latenightgoddess]

I am looking at this from different perspectives too. The 80 non-writers were cozied up inside 30 Rock playing Rock Band and Guitar Hero for the first 2 weeks of the strike (while the writers were out on the picket line and have remained ever since). At least that's the impression I got. NBC figured that probably wasn't an efficient use of their money and laid off the non-writers. Conan has been paying them out of pocket since and he didn't have to do that. He's a generous person who makes $15-20 million (?) a year and could afford to do it. I think that instead of deciding to go back on the air to have NBC resume paying those people, he maybe should've gone around to some colleges and used that money to continue to benefit the non-striking staff. I realize it is unfair to have Conan pay all their salaries, but I know it's possible for him to do (even if it means he has to do extra gigs- he's talented and capable). Considering his personality and that his show is owned by NBC, I feel that he's probably going to be able to show more solidarity with the writers by staying off the air. I may be proven wrong. But before I say Conan is doing the right thing by going back on the air and that he's handling this well, I have to see what the writerless show is going to look like.

Conan is a writer and WGA member who is violating union contract by not being out there on the picket line. When he crosses the picket line, he will be destroying his loyalty to the WGA and fellow writers. By doing shows without writers, he is basically making the statement to the writers that they aren't a necessary part of his show. These are the people who are the foundation of the show and without whom the show would have no staple sketches or characters that we know and love, no Writers Guild Awards or Emmy, etc. If I was a member of the non-writing staff, I wouldn't be able to live with myself come January 2 if I wasn't doing everything I could to ensure that Conan and everyone is showing their utmost support for the WGA, especially on the air.

[haynie]

I am looking at this from different perspectives too. The 80 non-writers were cozied up inside 30 Rock playing Rock Band and Guitar Hero for the first 2 weeks of the strike (while the writers were out on the picket line and have remained ever since). At least that's the impression I got. NBC figured that probably wasn't an efficient use of their money and laid off the non-writers. Conan has been paying them out of pocket since and he didn't have to do that. He's a generous person who makes $15-20 million (?) a year and could afford to do it. I think that instead of deciding to go back on the air to have NBC resume paying those people, he maybe should've gone around to some colleges and used that money to continue to benefit the non-striking staff. I realize it is unfair to have Conan pay all their salaries, but I know it's possible for him to do (even if it means he has to do extra gigs- he's talented and capable). Considering his personality and that his show is owned by NBC, I feel that he's probably going to be able to show more solidarity with the writers by staying off the air. I may be proven wrong. But before I say Conan is doing the right thing by going back on the air and that he's handling this well, I have to see what the writerless show is going to look like.

Conan is a writer and WGA member who is violating union contract by not being out there on the picket line. When he crosses the picket line, he will be destroying his loyalty to the WGA and fellow writers. By doing shows without writers, he is basically making the statement to the writers that they aren't a necessary part of his show. These are the people who are the foundation of the show and without whom the show would have no staple sketches or characters that we know and love, no Writers Guild Awards or Emmy, etc. If I was a member of the non-writing staff, I wouldn't be able to live with myself come January 2 if I wasn't doing everything I could to ensure that Conan and everyone is showing their utmost support for the WGA, especially on the air.

I'm sorry but I don't get your point. Guitar hero? what has that to do with this?

anyhow, I don't think Conan's violating or betraying anything. From what I've understood, he is doing this to SAVE 80 people FROM GETTING FIRED.
I thought Conan makes only about 8 million a year? Anyway, he might be able to still pay them, but not to keep them employed.
And besides. This is WRITERS guild, not "Talk Show Host" Guild. He is not crossing the picket lines -and therefore not betraying anyone- if he's just the host (and not host-writer) on his show until this thing is setteled. I don't think ad-libbing, improvising etc. counts as writing?

I know this isn't the best possible thing but better than nothing I think. I hope it at least makes people realise how much a show like this needs good writers.
I know the choise wasn't easy for Conan. But it was HIS choise. I support him since I honestly think it was the best -though not desirable- thing he could do at the moment... in these circumstances...

[latenightgoddess]

From what I've understood, he is doing this to SAVE 80 people FROM GETTING FIRED.

NBC laid off the support staff indefinitely. If someone could show me the release from NBC that says NBC's late night hosts must return January 2 or the support staffs will be fired, that'd be great, because I haven't seen it and don't think it exists. (While I realize Conan implied such an ultimatum was made in his "statement", I haven't read anything that validated this statement's accuracy. When I read it yesterday, I interpreted that Conan was saying he couldn't afford to pay the support staff indefinitely.)

This is WRITERS guild, not "Talk Show Host" Guild. He is not crossing the picket lines -and therefore not betraying anyone- if he's just the host

The WGA picket line is the group of writers intended to be located outside of struck companies to dissuade employees from working at those companies during the WGA strike. The plan right now is that Conan and the Late Night staff (sans writers) will be crossing the picket line beginning January 2.

I am sorry for being such a b.itch about this, but this whole situation is so aggravating and disheartening.

[Conan_the_shooti...]

Ok, I understood perhaps every other word of that.

(where's my dictionary again)
Conan is saving the @ss of 80 people for God's sake!! How can you ever even suggest he was betraying somebody??
I don't judge him.... I don't judge anybody.
But I think that was the best thing he could do at this point.

From what I've understood (the issue was posted on Finnish YLE TV-Network's website)
the WGA is supporting this... in some level.
I don't see what's the problem here.
please, don't kill me. Just trying to look things from different perspectives.

I feel the same way.

[Conan_the_shooti...]

NBC laid off the support staff indefinitely. If someone could show me the release from NBC that says NBC's late night hosts must return January 2 or the support staffs will be fired, that'd be great, because I haven't seen it and don't think it exists. (While I realize Conan implied such an ultimatum was made in his "statement", I haven't read anything that validated this statement's accuracy. When I read it yesterday, I interpreted that Conan was saying he couldn't afford to pay the support staff indefinitely.)

The WGA picket line is the group of writers intended to be located outside of struck companies to dissuade employees from working at those companies during the WGA strike. The plan right now is that Conan and the Late Night staff (sans writers) will be crossing the picket line beginning January 2.

I am sorry for being such a b.itch about this, but this whole situation is so aggravating and disheartening.

I just read this on line.... about Conan getting the blessings from the WGA.

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index....=index#comments

Jay, Conan Strike Down Reruns
by Gina Serpe
Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:15:12 PM PST
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The lights are coming back on for late-night talk shows.
Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien on Monday became the first lords of late-night TV to announce plans to return to the airwaves despite the ongoing writers' strike, with both funnymen set to reclaim their late-night thrones Jan. 2.

Leno and O'Brien received the blessing of the Writers Guild of America with one caveat: The shows' card-carrying union scribes will not be penning jokes. That means the NBC shows won't feature the usual pretaped bits, sketches or monologues when they return, leaving Leno and O'Brien to bring the funny themselves. (Both are members of the Writers Guild and are prolific joke writers.)
CBS' David Letterman and Craig Ferguson are expected to follow with a similar announcement later today. Letterman's Worldwide Pants confirmed over the weekend it was working on an exemption with the WGA that would trump his late-night rivals by allowing the full writing staffs of Late Show and Late Late Show also to return.

Both Leno and O'Brien hashed out individual deals with the WGA to proceed with skeleton staffs, without fear of disruption via picketers or industry alienation, as befell picket line-crossing network mate Carson Daly late last month.



The Tonight Show and Late Night have been airing repeats since the strike kicked off Nov. 5. Both hosts have been footing the salaries of their staffs during the work stoppage.
"This has been a very difficult six weeks for everybody affected by the writers' strike," Leno said in a statement. "I was, like most people, hoping for a quick resolution when this began. I remained positive during the talks, and while they were still at the table discussing a solution The Tonight Show remained dark in support of our writing staff.
"Now that the talks have broken down and there are no further negotiations scheduled, I feel it's my responsibility to get my 100 nonwriting staff, which were laid off, back to work. We fully support our writers, and I think they understand my decision."
O'Brien, too, expressed his solidarity with the Writers Guild, despite his resuming work schedule, saying he has been "and continues to be an ardent supporter of the WGA and their cause."
"Since the strike began, I have stayed off the air in support of the striking writers while, at the same time, doing everything I could to take care of the 80 nonwriting staff members on Late Night.
"Unfortunately, now with the New Year upon us, I am left with a difficult decision," O'Brien said, adding that the decision would have been a no-brainer should such a large contingent of loyal staffers not be faced with the prospect of an ever-lengthening unemployment line.
"If my show were entirely scripted, I would have no choice. But the truth is that shows like mine are hybrids, with both written and non-written content."
Not that he doesn't think his show will suffer for the lack of writers.
"An unwritten version of Late Night, though not desirable, is possible—and no one has to be fired...I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers, and I'll do the best version of Late Night I can under the circumstances. Of course, my hope is that all of my writers are back soon, working under a contract that provides them everything they deserve."

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I am really perplexed, LNG in post you were supportive and understanding of Conan needing to come back. You said in post number # 3

LateNightGoddess @ Dec 17 2007, 02:41 PM
It is so good to hear Conan finally say something about this whole thing! This really hurts. sad01.gif I'm not really happy about this news. But I understand his rationale. I know he's in a difficult position.... The main reason I watched the show was to see what sketches they were doing that night, so this is going to be weird. I've even said writers are what I look forward to seeing each night (but I'm odd).
Hopefully he'll at least keep the beard til the strike is over and do other things to advocate for the WGA on-air.

Now you did a complete '180'? You even wanted to see Conan do some remotes...

LateNightGoddess @ Dec 17 2007 I would love to see remotes, too. I thought the reason there've been so few remotes recently was because the show has no money. I guess they'll save money by not having writers to pay...

What happened to cause you to change so? Did you get grief from the same reliable source who told you that the strike was going to end? Did that person influenced you to become so anti Conan's return?- Was it the same person from myspace? Maybe this person is just as upset and scared for the writers? Are you insinuating that Conan is lying about the firing and you need proof from the internet to believe otherwise? Are we just so upset over this strike we are doubting everything...? This stress on Conan must be killing him, tearing him apart inside for having to choose... What a nightmare... *Conan stay strong and remember, how well you do will justify your worth in this business... yes forget the writing part and sketches we will have to wait for your 'dream team of writers' for that... I know...

This is a business though... Conan is not just a writer on the show, he is a show host, and he has bosses at NBC to answer to-- like NBC has the shareholders and sponsors to answer to. and the non writers to protect. He waited as long as Johnny Carson did before coming back and apparently the WGA gave their approval...

I know it won't be the same show without the writers. It will be so basic and cut down. We will miss all those skits and monologues. Conan has to look out for his non writers too.



Besides, may I reiterate Conan got the WGA's blessings and that he worked it out with the WGA as to what he could and would not do to comply with their terms. If it is acceptable to WGA, it should be with us too. I've learned in life no matter what good you do, it WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH... to please everybody.

And may I add, please WGA do another counter proposal, and see if that will get the AMPTP back to the table. Please, lets stop the insanety. and stop beating up on the good guys, like Conan.

LNG I feel sad too, I swear, just like I am sure Conan is torn. But from the bottom of my heart I know, it is time, Conan must do this for the sake of all... on so many levels... otherwise, I know he would never go back without the writers.

[latenightgoddess]

I am really perplexed, LNG in post you were supportive and understanding of Conan needing to come back. You said in post number # 3
Now you did a complete '180'? You even wanted to see Conan do some remotes...
What happened to cause you to change so? ....... Are you insinuating that Conan is lying about the firing and you need proof from the internet to believe otherwise?

I'd like to see remotes related to the strike, such as on the picket line.

Conan was quoted as saying: "I am left with a difficult decision. Either go back to work and keep my staff employed or stay dark and allow 80 people, many of whom have worked for me for fourteen years, to lose their jobs."

I am saying I am doubtful that if Conan were to stay off the air, those 80 people would literally lose their jobs/be fired. If every other freaking strike-related memo and rumor has been posted on the internet, then why not the one about the ultimatum to Jay and Conan regarding their staffs? When I read Conan's statement, I thought he was exaggerating the truth (about the 80 people that were laid off) to make a better case for his coming back without writers, thinking that those of us reading it wouldn't know any better.
(For comparison, Jay Leno was quoted as saying: "Now that the talks have broken down and there are no further negotiations scheduled I feel it's my responsibility to get my 100 non-writing staff, which were laid off, back to work.")

What I meant by "I understand his rationale" was that I understand Conan is being kicked in the balls financially right now, it doesn't feel nice, and it's not something he can endure forever. However, as for the argument in Conan's defense that going back without writers was the only thing that could've been done or that it must be done, I really can't agree. And I am in disbelief about references to the "hardship" the non-writing staff has to endure, when they have been getting a free ride since this thing started.
I guess I need to have more faith that Conan, Jeff, et al. know what the h.ell they're doing.

Also, it's absurd and deceptive of NBC to liken Conan & Jay's return without writers to that of Johnny Carson, as Carson was never a WGA member. He could thus write his own jokes during the strike, etc.

[DG3]

Any pics of Conan's strike beard?