Do you think it is right for Conan O'Brien to be a SCAB and cross the picket line?, Conan O'Brien crossed a picket line of his writers to dance around Options

[IAMALWAYSRIGHT]

I read these blogs about how cute and how funny Conan O'Brien is and nobody seems to care that he crossed a picket line and he is a Union buster. If you watch him or Jay Leno or any other talk show host other than David Letterman then you are encouraging Big Producers to not negotiate. They were losing too much money by not acting in good faith with the Unions who have legitimate requests. Why should they negotiate when Connan O'Brien and Leno just cross a picket line and you all watch forgetting that by watching you are sending a message that no one cares about a solution to the strike. When that message is given, then your rights that were not given freely to you but a result of sacrafices of prior Union members. You think it does not pertain to you, but whenevr you let Big Business squash the lttle guy---well.....it is only a matter until you are also squashed because we are a lot smaller than the writers. Send a message and do not watch until there is a settlement.

[latenightgoddess]

Yay, someone who makes me feel like I'm not batsh*t insane for being upset and displeased with Conan right now. (I have gotten into a dispute over this in another thread.) These are some of the issues I see ....

People care more about themselves and being entertained (even at the writers' expense) than they do about what's best for the writers, and Conan instinctively cares more about entertaining than genuinely doing a show without things the writers used to do. Self-interest is probably one of the biggest roadblocks to the writers getting a fair deal.

I'd venture to say a majority of people in Conan's audience don't know what the issues of the strike are, why the writers are on strike, what they're asking for, why they're deserving, that David Letterman has proven that their demands are reasonable/WGA negotiates, that the AMPTP walked out of "negotiations" Dec. 7 and consists of a bunch of stubborn misers who refuse to negotiate or at least return to the bargaining table, or why you should care. But don't expect Conan to speak up about any of that; I never realistically did because of how he's historically handled (or failed to handle) serious or controversial issues on his show. You'll have to watch Letterman to see actual evidence of support for writers.

People don't know why Conan came back on the air without the writers because Conan didn't address that issue whatsoever on the air. That contributes to me continuously questioning his motives and the necessity of the return. Why was it necessary? I strongly believe there were ways to keep his staff paid besides crossing the picket line and that NBC knows he's too precious to fire him.

What Conan is doing on the show right now seems like a form of scabbing. He is planning out a show and pre-taped pieces, which is what the writers normally do. That's not doing them any favors. I think it'd be more honest to do a show with no writing/conceptualizing, which leaves interviews. It upsets me to see Conan plowing through the show while seeming to disregard the fact that the writers are still getting screwed.

I am disappointed and upset with Conan's decision to return, the lack of attention he gives to the strike, and what he is doing with the show now. Failing to give adequate attention to the strike and continuing to perform the writers' functions makes it look like he has no genuine interest in a resolution.

Like I said, it's nice for Conan to make a 15 second statement at the top of each show about how he supports the writers, but I can't actually see evidence of Conan supporting them. I don't see him contributing in any significant way to the AMPTP wanting to come back to the negotiating table at this point -- and for a WGA member with his power and scope, that's careless and irresponsible. When Jay & Conan agreed to do new shows on their own, they automatically gave NBC less of a reason to consider negotiating with the WGA. It seems that now they're only prolonging the strike. Jay is scabbing outright and thinks that's ok.

I did appreciate on the first night back Conan's mocking of the "producers" via sinister petting of the invisible cat, followed by, "What the hell am I doing? I think we should immediately go back off the air." That was said in a joking manner, but I think that voice is probably in the back of his head questioning whether or not he made the right decision. At least I HOPE he continually questions himself and what he's doing.

I of course enjoy seeing the behind-the-scenes remotes, but otherwise, I can't stand the show without the writers. I mean, it's obviously entertaining, but I can't stand it on an ethical/psychological level. The whole situation is devastating to me. I wish the people at NBC and/or the AMPTP would become decent human beings and freaking negotiate with the WGA already.

[willis1]

One thing crossing the picket line did was to give hope to all those workers who have nothing to do with the WGA but whose income is being severely diminished as a result of the striking writers.

It's always about solidarity with union brethren or standing on the shoulders of those who've made fights for them in years past. Nothing said about union goons trampling on the livelihood of companies who rely on the entertainment industry for their business

For a union, it's more about looking out for #1 and forgetting about the collateral damage it creates.

[latenightgoddess]

One thing crossing the picket line did was to give hope to all those workers who have nothing to do with the WGA but whose income is being severely diminished as a result of the striking writers.

The "Late Night" non-writing staff's salaries were paid by NBC for the first 2 weeks of the strike and then by Conan himself. Arguments about their financial hardship during the strike are invalid as far as I'm concerned. Conan returning to the air wasn't the only way to continue to keep those people financially stable, but I think it was the easiest and most obvious solution; not necessarily the best.

I also think it's unfounded to say that the WGA is "forgetting" about the consequences the strike has on non-writers in the entertainment industry and anyone who depends on the industry. To quote Brian Stack (one of Conan's writers) from around when the strike started, "The AMPTP moguls understand how awful the writers and writer-producers feel about people like Ms. Fernandez (TV show employees) possibly losing their jobs. In fact, they're COUNTING on that as a way to get them to fold... 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."

[willis1]

I also think it's unfounded to say that the WGA is "forgetting" about the consequences the strike has on non-writers in the entertainment industry and anyone who depends on the industry. To quote Brian Stack (one of Conan's writers) from around when the strike started, "The AMPTP moguls understand how awful the writers and writer-producers feel about people like Ms. Fernandez (TV show employees) possibly losing their jobs. In fact, they're COUNTING on that as a way to get them to fold... 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."

The WGA strike aside, do you think blame is to be laid at the door of management for any strike that has taken place? I recognize the WGA has some valid concerns, but all too often unions try to claim the moral high ground while trying to paint management as the heartless entity out to bust the union.

Granted, I'm more in sympathy with management overall, but I can't say that management is right in every work action. The fact that the very nature of a strike as a bargaining tactic goes against the grain when innocent bystanders have to experience hardship as a result. No strike benefits or corporate coffers to help them in such a situation.

[redtex]

I'm so sick of hearing people call someone who goes to work and does his job a scab. Conan has a contract with NBC to do a job. Because the writers chose to walk off the job, doesn't mean Conan or any other worker at Late Night owes them anything.

I work at a company as a salaried employee that also has union workers. From my experience, the union does nothing but try to intimidate those workers into believing that management is against them. We have union workers who have been found repeatedly sleeping on the job, rampant drug use and all types of violations of company policies. But it's almost impossible to fire those people because the union stands up for them. Even their co-workers want them fired. But the almighty union doesn't want to take the chance of losing any members and will fight for someone who isn't worth keeping. Is that what unions are supposed to be about? I don't think so.

The writers may have some legitimate complaints about their compensation. If I have complaints about my compensation, I talk to my superiors. If I don't feel like I'm treated fairly, I'm free to find another job where my services will be more fairly compensated.

NBC or any other company should be able to pay their employees what they want. If it's not up to par, then they won't have the best writers, which in turn will hurt their product in the long run. It's called free enterprise folks. That's what America is all about!

I just don't get why it's legal to team up and threaten to harm a company or even put it out of business if a group of workers don't get what they want. Isn't that a form of extortion?

Maybe those who throw out those "scab" comments should examine why they think they are entitled to do such damage. (Not to mention what it does to the others who aren't on strike)

[Jinnie]

I believe what the writers are asking for is fair. I also admired Conan for going off the air for as long as he did, even when NBC was dangling things like airing his new eps instead of Jay's Tonight Show reruns in the earlier slot, and of course, paying his staff.

But Conan isn't just a writer anymore. He has production and talent contracts as well and he's legally bound to honor them. Like I said in another thread, he's honoring the reminder the WGA sent out about monologues by not performing any. He's not even using cue cards. He's starting every show with messages of support and he's having guests on who express support as well. He's doing his best, even when the union hung him out to dry with Letterman's deal.

I don't think he's the bad guy here, and I am so disappointed that a moderator of what is essentially his official board is alternating between bashing him for what he's doing. If you're that offended, may I suggest stepping down in protest? It seems to be what you'd prefer Conan himself to do.

[strikingwriterrp...]

I read these blogs about how cute and how funny Conan O'Brien is and nobody seems to care that he crossed a picket line and he is a Union buster. If you watch him or Jay Leno or any other talk show host other than David Letterman then you are encouraging Big Producers to not negotiate. They were losing too much money by not acting in good faith with the Unions who have legitimate requests. Why should they negotiate when Connan O'Brien and Leno just cross a picket line and you all watch forgetting that by watching you are sending a message that no one cares about a solution to the strike. When that message is given, then your rights that were not given freely to you but a result of sacrafices of prior Union members. You think it does not pertain to you, but whenevr you let Big Business squash the lttle guy---well.....it is only a matter until you are also squashed because we are a lot smaller than the writers. Send a message and do not watch until there is a settlement.

Conan has gone back under completely honorable terms. He has gone back as a performer/host only and has done no writing for his show since his return, therefore he is not a scab as far as the WGA is concerned. Jay Leno on the other hand went back as a performer and is writing for his show -- he is a scab.

I wish Conan the best, Jay -- deserves what he's going to get.

[ComedyWriter]

Conan has gone back under completely honorable terms. He has gone back as a performer/host only and has done no writing for his show since his return, therefore he is not a scab as far as the WGA is concerned. Jay Leno on the other hand went back as a performer and is writing for his show -- he is a scab.

I wish Conan the best, Jay -- deserves what he's going to get.

I was going to write a very similar response until I saw yours, thanks for saving me the effort. As a guild member, Leno should not be writing struck material (IE his monologue). Conan, on the other hand, has made it obvious that he has no plans (At least for now) to step on any toes. His deliberate refusal to incorporate the "Walker Texas Ranger" lever is a prime example. As the lever bits are normally scripted to some extent (Surprisingly), and the concept created by the writers, his decision not to even bring it out was an obvious act of allegiance with his, and all, writers.

Conan's show right now has an odd manic-expressive, slightly awkward tone to it, and I think (Read: hope) that he is doing it to subtly demonstrate how integral writing is to his show. If by week 6 he's still spinning his ring, the viewing public is going to realize why the writers' deserve what they are asking for, because without them, there is no show.

Strikingwriterrpv, I can only assume that you are some sort of striking writer...RPV (which Google informs me is the Republican Party of Virginia ), so fight the good fight. I may not be a guild member at the moment (I have my reasons), but I have ceased my commercial writing in a sign of solidarity. You guys are fighting for the rights of all of us, so I hope the powers that be wise up...soon.*

-Nick


*As a moderator, I need to make sure everyone here knows that my views do not represent those of NBC/Universal nor any parent or subsidiary companies, nor do they represent the views of the other moderators and administrators on this board. They are entirely my own, and I make them by spinning a little "Opinion Wheel" it's much like the wheel from Wheel of Fortune, only each of its wedges has a stance that I might take on it.

[WWCD]

Conan's show right now has an odd manic-expressive, slightly awkward tone to it, and I think (Read: hope) that he is doing it to subtly demonstrate how integral writing is to his show. If by week 6 he's still spinning his ring, the viewing public is going to realize why the writers' deserve what they are asking for, because without them, there is no show.

I also thought that Conan was purposefully doing lame stuff (like spinning the ring in the 1st show and climbing on the cat walk on the 2nd show, having some small-name people as guests) to show how much lamer the show is without the writers. It's almost as if he doesn't really want to be doing the show, but is somehow forced to...because he really does want to support the writers. But as talented as he is, he still makes the show pretty entertaining. But like the previous poster said, we'll just have to keep watching to see if he keeps up the "lameness" (if in fact he is trying to).

[Conan_the_shooti...]

Conan, on the other hand, has made it obvious that he has no plans (At least for now) to step on any toes. His deliberate refusal to incorporate the "Walker Texas Ranger" lever is a prime example. As the lever bits are normally scripted to some extent (Surprisingly), and the concept created by the writers, his decision not to even bring it out was an obvious act of allegiance with his, and all, writers.

Exactly.

[latenightgoddess]

all too often unions try to claim the moral high ground while trying to paint management as the heartless entity out to bust the union.

The AMPTP have proven themselves beyond a resonable doubt to be the heartless/deceptive/unreasonable/childlish party in this particular strike.

Conan, on the other hand, has made it obvious that he has no plans (At least for now) to step on any toes. His deliberate refusal to incorporate the "Walker Texas Ranger" lever is a prime example. As the lever bits are normally scripted to some extent (Surprisingly), and the concept created by the writers, his decision not to even bring it out was an obvious act of allegiance with his, and all, writers.

One thing that p.issed me off was when he showed the Walker clip on Friday's show, because the idea to show WTR clips was originally a writer's idea and writers pick those clips. But it was apparently ok to show it because there was no lever? I didn't understand that. It's a similar situation with remotes.... the writers ordinarily come up with the concept and outline for those as well as produce and edit them. Maybe I just know too much about what the writers do and how little Conan is involved in the process on a normal day, so that's why it seems wrong for him to do these things in their absence. He has indeed provided the struck company with labor that's normally provided by striking WGA members. If I found out the writers were ok with how Conan is handling the show without them, then it'd all be ok with me and I'd shut my trap.

I am probably being really harsh on Conan but I don't think he's adequately explained himself or anything about this strike to his audience. He may be supporting the writers in his own barely perceptible way, but I don't think that's enough. I think he greatly understimates his power and responsibility in this situation. I wish I actually knew him and I could have a heart-to-heart with him about this.

Unscripted Leno & Conan beat scripted Letterman & Ferguson in the ratings. Ratings = money. I can't see (essentially) equal profits pre/post-writers bringing AMPTP back to the table with WGA any time soon. Yet Conan claims he wants the writers to "get a great deal very quickly". It appears to me that he expects such a deal to happen by magic -- when realistically, he needs to take his platform and do things to outwardly support the writers, like flat-out rail the AMPTP, destroy his show beyond all recognition, churn an invisible vat of butter for 40 minutes, I don't know. Maybe we'll be lucky and be able to rely on lower ratings from the fact that many of the more desirable guests are members of unions that are standing in solidarity with the WGA and won't cross the picket line to come on the show. But Conan shouldn't count on other people's display of solidarity to make up for the lack of his own. If Conan can't do things that would ideally drive the AMPTP back to the table or drive viewers away from his show, I think he should get off the air until the strike is settled.

[ComedyWriter]

One thing that p.issed me off was when he showed the Walker clip on Friday's show, because the idea to show WTR clips was originally a writer's idea and writers pick those clips. But it was apparently ok to show it because there was no lever? I didn't understand that.

They aren't allowed to perform "struck material" which is essentially any continuing concept that writers are responsible for (Monologues are the most notable example of this). The Walker Lever is considered struck material, to use it would be considered him directly going against the WGA and, by extension, possibly scabbing. As simply showing a clip does not require any creativity, and the concept of clips is as old as Television itself, they in no way can be considered struck material. Now if he had framed it in some context (Possibly a Walker Pulley or switch) he could get himself into hot water. Conan has a duty to both stay true to his writing brethren, but he must also stay true to his fans, and if you think the people in that audience would have been happy with a simple mention of Chuck Norris with no clip, you are sadly mistaken. Conan is walking a very fine line and there are toes on either side of that line to be stepped on. So far he has done an exemplary job of walking that line...perhaps even better than Johnny Cash was able to.

It's a similar situation with remotes.... the writers ordinarily come up with the concept and outline for those as well as produce and edit them.

Even in the cases of his taped segments, so far he has presented them in a day-in-the-life style where he seems to riff on things around him (Rock Band, Abe Lincoln action figure, Christmas cards, etc). There have been no moments where there was an obvious reaction take or any winking at the camera, it's all been very "truthful," to use a very film schooly word. If anything, his pretaped segments/remotes/as lives/whatever you want to call them seem to be like what you would get if you put a camera in any of our faces and asked us to talk about things around us, then just remove some of the unfunny stuff in the middle, and in my mind are closer to improv than anything else.

But as Dennis Miller said, "That's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

-Nick

[Conan_the_shooti...]

Conan...when realistically, he needs to take his platform and do things to outwardly support the writers, like flat-out rail the AMPTP, destroy his show beyond all recognition, churn an invisible vat of butter for 40 minutes, I don't know. Maybe we'll be lucky and be able to rely on lower ratings from the fact that many of the more desirable guests are members of unions that are standing in solidarity with the WGA and won't cross the picket line to come on the show. But Conan shouldn't count on other people's display of solidarity to make up for the lack of his own. If Conan can't do things that would ideally drive the AMPTP back to the table or drive viewers away from his show, I think he should get off the air until the strike is settled.

"Realistically?" You expect Conan to sabotage his career by destroying his show beyond recognition in order to prove he supports the writers? I am shocked that you would even suggest that.
You probably weren't serious... at least I hope not.
However a 12:30 airing of a late Night show is nothing compared to the revenue studio conglomerates get in film. Therefore, to even begin to make a dent in the Business, enough to even make the AMPTP take notice and want to re-negotiate (like you suggested), why not put pressure on them to shut down production? Instead of expecting Conan to just ruin his career to prove his loyalty to the WGA? I am a little disturbed about what you blatantly want Conan to do. Apparently, this unrealistic expectation is stemming from your obsession for the writers and yet I love the writers too. Where as, sadly you show No regards for Conan. You seem to forget, if Conan loses his show, in the interim of 'sabotaging' it, so do the writers, whom you love so much.
Good Lord, LNG, don't you see Conan is trying soooo hard to "walk the line" in order to keep both, his writers and "good forbade" his fans satisfied too. *sigh*

[latenightgoddess]

if you think the people in that audience would have been happy with a simple mention of Chuck Norris with no clip, you are sadly mistaken.

You seem to forget, if Conan loses his show, in the interim of 'sabotaging' it, so do the writers

I don't believe that NBC would lack so much insight/sense as to fire Conan, which is why I think he could be doing more to help the writers. Canning him is not even a possibility in my mind. It wouldn't have to be as extreme as sabotaging the entire show but SOMETHING would be nice. Even if he just did interviews for 40 minutes, that would be more honest and supportive. I don't know how (in)significant revenue from the 12:30 show is, but ethically I don't think it should matter. Conan is keeping his audience and NBC/AMPTP fully satisfied right now -- is that not undermining the writers' cause?

[Shenandoah]

I don't believe that NBC would lack so much insight/sense as to fire Conan, which is why I think he could be doing more to help the writers. Canning him is not even a possibility in my mind. It wouldn't have to be as extreme as sabotaging the entire show but SOMETHING would be nice. Even if he just did interviews for 40 minutes, that would be more honest and supportive. I don't know how (in)significant revenue from the 12:30 show is, but ethically I don't think it should matter. Conan is keeping his audience and NBC/AMPTP fully satisfied right now -- is that not undermining the writers' cause?

Letterman is undermining the writers' cause by keeping his show exactly as it was when he left two months ago. The apple cart was upset in Iowa because people voted for change -- same with late night TV -- two months have passed and things are not the same anymore even though Dave wants to live in the past. His 'new' show does nothing for the writers, it's the 'same old, same old', with George Bush bashing, Top Ten, fun facts, bantering with Paul, etc. I didn't laugh once at his writers all this past week; his show was boring. Conan is the leader in introducing new ideas into late night this past week with more improvisation, keeping his show alive and interesting and a lot more fun. The viewers want TV that holds their interest -- if the strike ends and the writers come back thinking they'll just go back to doing the old stuff, the shows will go under and they won't even have a job; they can go and wait on tables.

BTW, I watched Craig Ferguson for the first time this week past, and found him to be amazingly funny. Looking him up in Wikipedia, I read that HE, himself, improvises his own monologue -- now that's what I like, Craig's a forward looking person. Dave should retire NOW, TODAY, and let Craig take over.

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/tele...f010308.article

[terry_allen]

A few things I think people should remember.

You can say that the salaries of the non-writing workers on his staff don't matter but I read that it was costing Conan $250,000 a week to pay them (this is based on what I remember though).

Also, the writers said they don't resent or at least don't blame Conan for going back on the air because he sort of has to. They put the fault on NBC.

And as the other posters have said, he's coming back on honorable terms.

I do think that if he is saying he supports the writers, he should explain why he came back. Even Carson Daly did that.

[SomeCallMeJim]

I have to say that while I am a big supporter of the writers, and I think that in a better situation, Everyone could just stay off the air until this settled down, it was probably the right time for the show to go on.

There were several other contractual obligations that Conan had to NBC that go beyond being one of the writers. And as far as being beyond the ability to fire, I'd be careful in saying that. I've seen lead roles in popular shows get cut for a variety of reasons. Heck, does anyone remember that bout in the 90's where Lorne Michaels and SNL were almost canned? It could happen, and while there's no doubt in my mind that NBC would do a great deal to come down to that, they really did make him, and as my mother always says "I brought you into this world, and I can be the one to take you out of it!"

At any rate, Conan's not doing his usual shtick, and believe me, if he was being a scab, I can guarantee you he would have better material than record-setting ring spins and opening segments from the catwalk.

In all reality, I can really feel for the guy. I'm an improviser / stand up comedian who by divine fate has found himself living in a rural part of Minnesota. As such, I almost never get to do shows anymore. Believe me, when you're used to doing a few shows a week, and suddenly find yourself with virtually no outlet for your creativity, outgoing personality, and a slight case of ADD, you start losing your mind. Maybe it was a bit more extreme for me, since I went from milking laughter from crowds to milking goats (and no, I'm not kidding, either!), but even in New York, I'd imagine it would be an interesting feat, keeping sane while you're essentially doing nothing for weeks on end.

And I do buy the whole "Saving the jobs of others" theme I've heard. If I had been laid off for two months, even if I was getting paid, I'd start going stir-crazy, and start looking for other jobs. By going back on-air, Conan keeps his crew, which he knows and is comfortable working with. It's a win-win for both sides.

Finally, I will say that my ideas on this are not set in stone, nor would I think it wise for anyone outside of, oh say, Conan or his staff, to go jumping to any conclusions. We don't know the whole story. Some posters here may be right, that Conan is the evil-dirty-minded scheming scab of a lowlife, merely posing as our favorite late night TV host. The real Conan may be locked in come room somewhere, while evil android Conan is out there scabbing it up. Or maybe this whole going back on the air thing was a genuine effort to save jobs and help others. Until Conan puts me on his payroll (and if you're out there Conan, I could sure use the work! LOL) I'll never know the full truth, so I won't even begin to imagine that I do, one way or the other.

Peace!

[Conan_the_shooti...]

I don't believe that NBC would lack so much insight/sense as to fire Conan, which is why I think he could be doing more to help the writers. Canning him is not even a possibility in my mind. It wouldn't have to be as extreme as sabotaging the entire show but SOMETHING would be nice. Even if he just did interviews for 40 minutes, that would be more honest and supportive. I don't know how (in)significant revenue from the 12:30 show is, but ethically I don't think it should matter. Conan is keeping his audience and NBC/AMPTP fully satisfied right now -- is that not undermining the writers' cause?

Look at how David Letterman thought it was a given with the tonight show, and back then NBC was pleased with him, still they gave it to Leno.
Therefore, if Conan screws over his show and "runs his show to the ground" like you suggested... I ask you seriously... what do you think the AMPTP/NBC would do to Conan? They already have a prime contender for his replacement in 2009. And if Conan jerks over NBC for the writers... WELL you got the picture.

Therefore, ever so carefully, Conan must walk the fine line of pleasing his NBC bosses, his fans and the writers... or he may blow his future.

In fact, I don't believe Conan is as you say "keeping his audience fully satisfied right now". The monologues are a big part of the talk show and without them it is amiss not to mention all those great sketches are gone. And that Ugly Beard is very distracting. Thank God he is a comedian because it looks funny...actually, Conan looks horrible in it, unpolished... His boyish good looks are hidden under that big bushy ugly beard. Conan deserves better gratitude for doing that, than you are giving him. Like a trooper he courageously sports that ugly thing... for his writers.

I wonder why Conan should keep wearing that horrid beard when people such as yourself don't think it is "SOMETHING"?

As far as not supporting his writers, I strongly disagree, I believe that with Conan keeping his job in good standing guarantees his writers a place to work, when the strike is over. If Conan did what you suggested I fear, everyone concerned could end up in the unemployment line, instead of heading out to LA in 2009. :

[latenightgoddess]

I do think that if he is saying he supports the writers, he should explain why he came back. Even Carson Daly did that.

I'm still asking why Conan's return was necessary and wish he would've addressed that. As I've said before, I don't think NBC ever extended an ultimatum to Conan saying he must return to the air or they'd fire his non-striking staff. Back when Jay & Conan's plans to return without writers were announced, 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 doubtful that if Conan would've stayed off the air, those 80 people would've literally lost their jobs/been fired. There was never anything about such an ultimatum reported on the strike-related websites, which have been posting the less-than-humane memos sent to employees of various shows/networks. When I read Conan's statement, I thought he was exaggerating the truth (about the 80 people who 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 on the same day 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." Leno's statement was more straightforward and didn't imply that his staff was at imminent risk of being fired.)

I'm not Conan and I don't know his motives or the details of what goes on between him, NBC, his staff, and his writers. Letterman found the "option B" and respectably returned with writers (and enabled Craig Ferguson to do the same), although the circumstances surrounding the ownership of those shows are different than those at NBC. Maybe Conan could've continued to do what he was doing until NBC execs decided they didn't like the advantage that the Late Show and Late Late Show had with new scripted shows on CBS against their rerun h.ell of the Tonight Show and Conan and would've decided it might be worthwhile to negotiate with the WGA. Too late now.
(The Worldwide Pants [Letterman] deal hadn't been made at the time when Conan & Leno announced they'd return to the air without writers, but there'd been talk that such a deal was in the works, and it was finally made within a few days of Conan & Leno's announcements.)

when you're used to doing a few shows a week, and suddenly find yourself with virtually no outlet for your creativity, outgoing personality, and a slight case of ADD, you start losing your mind.

I totally agree, and Conan even addressed this in the New Yorker when he said, "These shows are the organizing principles of our lives, and the moment they stop you start to go insane." His wife has said (I'm paraphrasing): "I fear the day when you don't have your own TV show" and I think most people in Conan's life probably think along the same lines.

if Conan screws over his show and "runs his show to the ground" like you suggested... I ask you seriously... what do you think the AMPTP/NBC would do to Conan?

It wouldn't have to be as extreme and reckless as running the show into the ground. Like I said, if Conan went out there and did interviews (only), I'd be happier. I'd at least like for him to not do work that the writers ordinarily do or dabble in anything that the writers started (like WTR).

The other side of the argument is that if a good amount of people still tune in and enjoy the show and even say the show is better without writers, it doesn't need writers, or that scripted shows (like Letterman's) are stale in comparison and thus undermine the writers' cause, couldn't you envision NBC possibly considering cutting some of the writers when the strike is settled? Or when 2009 rolls around?

Look at how David Letterman thought it was a given with the tonight show, and back then NBC was pleased with him, still they gave it to Leno... if Conan jerks over NBC for the writers... WELL you got the picture.

For the last couple of years, some people have speculated that NBC still may not give Conan the Tonight Show despite his having signed a contract and them owing him $40 million if they back out of the deal. As you said, Letterman thought the Tonight Show was a sure thing for him; then look at what happened. I honestly don't know if a concern with bending to and pleasing NBC makes a difference one way or the other in Conan's future.

And I do appreciate Conan's beard and that it's a way of "wearing" his support for the writers / proof that he's gone through puberty despite all his jokes about not being able to grow facial hair. I also think it's attractive. But I don't think a beard makes Conan the WGA's advocate of the year.