Ahh, I love this video because it's kindhearted and uplifting. Though it's probably sad that parts of it made me blush and I almost started crying. Dear God.... I guess it makes sense that I spent like a year crying about "The Notebook" now. I'm glad to see that the writers can have a sense of humor about the situation and are able to be so compassionate towards the AMPTP despite having every reason to never want to talk to them again. "Come on (AMPTP) and say you're sorry, real sorry for the trouble that you caused... can't you see all this love? Can't you see all this love?" -regina spektor.

I seem to have had the good fortune of stumbling upon a youtube video featuring a naked Conan writer :
How I Spent My Digital Download Residuals - "The studios say that every writer whose work is downloaded gets a residual for it. So: What are writers doing with all that money?" (video from Tim Carvell, a writer at "The Daily Show")

I really like this one too but for entirely different reasons:
Same Old Story - "Screenwriter Irv Brecher (Meet Me In St. Louis, Bye Bye Birdie, Shadow of the Thin Man, Marx Bros' At The Circus & Go West, creator of Life of Riley, & more) offers his perspective on current events."

Tina Fey said “It's such a solvable issue and the two sides need to get back to the table and solve it. Not only would I prefer to be working, but I would really like our crew to be working.”

I agree so much. The important thing is the Writers as well as the Studios need to compromise. I wish we could make them stay put like under house arrest, until a decision is reached.
I heard they fired the last WGA Union leader in 1988 because he would NOT be reasonable and the strike lasted for 5 grueling months!!! It is so crucial that the WGA and the AMPTP keep at the negotiation table and solve this for the sake of EVERYONE. I love the writers, especially my favorite writer, Conan but I also Love my NBC! Please work it out.



http://youtube.com/watch?v=EodzF_orJQY

I like this youtube video (url posted above), much better because it shows both sides having a heart and needing each other equally.

LNG wouldn't it be great to find a love like that, shown in the above video, "writers strike a love story?" Sniff Tear! I cried too.

I LOVE this video about the strike! LOL!

Listen closely the opening and closing music... It's Finnish! Old Finnish folk music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etKl6wtZXqs

This video is funny: Why Writers Matter by the "Late Show" writers.

I'm pretty sure lateshowwritersonstrike.com has repeatedly saved my life during the strike. Best blog/website EVER.

"Hollywood writers strike and your TV (some hope in week 4)"

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/11/h..._in_week_4.html


"Because of Thanksgiving, things have been pretty quiet when it comes to news about the strike by the television and film writers. That changes today as the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers resume talks in Los Angeles.

But there is reason for hope, thanks largely to back channel negotiations involving studio and network bosses, top Hollywood agents and prominent writers-executive producers. With both sides under considerable pressure to hammer out an agreement sooner rather than later, there are all kinds of signs that the end may be near, giving TV viewers — in particular — a nice little holiday present..."

................................................................................
................
This writers strike just has to end!!! I am hoping both parties will see unless they work it out the cost and setbacks will be so devastating, crippling and in the end both sides will give in anyway! So why not do it now and save everybody, including themselves and the economy. Thank God they are at the table today trying.

I do get the feeling great people are directly and indirectly influencing the resolution to this writers strike. -Like Ben Silverman CO-Chairman of NBC Entertainment, Jeff Zucker, Arnold schwarzenegger Governor of California... even Conan O'Brien.
Let's pray all the forces work together and end this horrific strike so everyone can have a happy holiday.

http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/63995


"NBC is reportedly pressuring "Late Night" host Conan O'Brien to be one of the first late-night talk show hosts to return from the WGA strike. NBC is offering the chance to air new episodes of Conan's show during the 11:30PM timeslot currently occupied by repeats of "The Tonight Show." This would benefit both O'Brien and NBC because the time shift could be used to showcase Conan in the timeslot he is scheduled to takeover in 2009. There are also rumors that Leno and Letterman could be back on-air in early December, but nothing is carved in stone at the moment."

wow! this should be interesting

Lovely to see NBC dangling the forbidden fruit in front of Conan's lips. Seeing Conan return sans writers would be flat-out painful for me. I sincerely hope that it doesn't happen.
------------

This is from Deadline Hollywood Daily:

EXCLUSIVE: Today's Talks Productive; "Reasonableness Ruled The Day"
Monday, Nov 26th, 2007 at 09:09PM
I am thrilled to give you a report on how today's much-anticipated resumed contract talks went between the writers and the producers. And they went well, according to my sources. "It was very productive, very level-headed, and it seemed as though the producers came ready to bargain," an insider told me tonight. "Reasonableness ruled the day."

In fact, the AMPTP reps for the studios and networks showed up to the first day's negotiating session since the WGA strike began November 5th with what was described to me as "a very comprehensive proposal which laid out to all the entire roadmap to the deal. Over the course of the session, the producers addressed every single issue, and the writers listened and kept getting up to caucus."

According to my sources, both sides spent the session recapping where they'd left off negotiations back on November 4th, which was the last time the WGA and AMPTP faced off. "So they basically went through all the proposals on the table: what they'd already agreed upon, and where they needed to go from here," an insider explained to me. "Tomorrow, they really start advancing the ball forward."

There will continue to be a news blackout on the contract talks, meaning no end-of-day statements by either the AMPTP or WGA, "because no one wants to be the one to derail any progress." (My lips are sealed about the site of the meetings.) Both sides plan more negotiating sessions not just for Tuesday but also for at least Wednesday. "It's anyone's guess where this process goes," said a source. "Today, they spent time on old business. Tomorrow, they handle new business -- and that's where the rubber can really meet the road."

Someone left a comment today saying:
"From the lips of my friends. A deal is done. Terms have been set at lower level meets and they look good for upper level reviews in the next few days. The problem is has been solved up to this point and now if the producers can stomach what pre-negotiation sessions inked out all will be good by Dec 15th with a return to work Immediate by Jan 1st."

*Note that these are rumors for now.

*Keeping my fingers crossed* *tears of happiness for everyone*

I recently read things like that for example; Katee Sackhoff at the BSG Burbank Convention hinted that she believed 'personally', in regards to the writers strike, that all productions would resume immediately after Jan 1, 2008.

What I don't understand is why it will take 2 weeks to finalize everything -- (I also sense this *rumor* to be true), then why a total of 4 weeks to get production started? Is it because of the Holidays approaching?

I remember when I was in LA last year, during the holidays, a studio worker-- (friend of the family) gave me a personal tour, even forewarned, I found it to be a disappointing ghost town. The studio lots had nothing in production and everybody was gone except security type people.

Anyway, since Late Night shows usually keep taping the shows the longest before the holidays then they should resume way before January right? Like no later than in 2 weeks seems logical.

Maybe Jay Leno has angered NBC enough that they will entice Conan to come back even earlier and at Leno's expense/time slot for at least a few tapings. Especially since the outcome of the resolution of the strike appears to be imminent.

Whatever happens, I trust at this point Conan will do what is best for the majority, including the writers and nonwriters, and his strong supporter right now, NBC.

Anyway, I hope everything works out the best, for all concerned.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jTRkQWU...L99b4gD8T66BJO0

"Carson Daly About to Defy Writers Strike
By FRAZIER MOORE – 2 hours ago
NEW YORK (AP) — NBC's "Last Call with Carson Daly" is about to become the first late-night talk show to defy the writers strike and resume production.
Daly, who is not a member of the Writers Guild, will begin taping new episodes of his Burbank-based show this week for airing next week, an NBC spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
The half-hour "Last Call" airs at 1:35 a.m. EST weeknights, but whether Daly's first new episode would air next Monday or Tuesday was initially unclear. No guests were disclosed.
A call for comment to the Writers Guild was not immediately returned Tuesday.
Daly is not the first talk-show host to go back into production. Ellen DeGeneres, who is a member of the union, has continued taping her daytime syndicated talk show after shutting down the first day of the strike. But "Last Call" becomes the first to break ranks among the late-night shows, which all had chosen to air repeats rather than tape new shows without their striking writers.
It was unclear what effect, if any, the return of "Last Call" would have on other late-night talk shows, which include NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," and ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Comedy Central's late-night news-and-commentary spoofs, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" with Stephen Colbert, have also been in reruns.
There was no immediate word on when any of those shows might follow suit and return with new episodes.
On Monday, contract talks with the studios resumed for the first time since movie and TV writers went on strike Nov. 5. The Writers Guild is seeking more money for material distributed over the Internet and cell phones."
..............................................................................

Well in all fairness, Carson Daly isn't even a guild member and it seems the writers strike is rumored to be ending soon. It's is so near the Holiday so at least these folks will start getting a paycheck.

We have to reaslise that Carson is doing an incredibly noble thing here, and that is steping out as a whipping boy for all the talented people on strike. Sure any one who works for him will be thought of as a scab and his show should be off the air anyway due to the fact that people fall asleep at that time anyway. Let us all bow our heads and thank Carson for the gift he has bestowed.

Hey, Sissauri333

I really don't know what to say to that comment! Whipping boy? I'm speechless...

ps welcome back!!!

I found an article that answered the question I posted in regarding to, 'if the strike ended tomorrow', how soon could we expect to see new Conan Shows etc...
I posted only part of the article pertaining to us. To read its entirety, click below.

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/p...ed_tomorrow.asp


"So what if the
strike ended tomorrow?"

Scenario: If the writers went right back to work

By Kevin Downey
Nov 29, 2007

"After three days of talks, the sense around Hollywood is that the nearly four-week old writers strike could be over in a matter of days, with the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers coming to terms on a new contract that would put TV script writers back to work.

...If in fact the WGA and the AMPTP are close to settling, the most likely scenario is that the two sides would come to an agreement in principle that would send the writers back to work immediately. The groups' negotiating teams would then sit down and work through the details of a final contract that would then be put before WGA members for a vote.

The writers would then likely work through much of the holiday season, skipping their usual two-week end-of-year break.

In either case, an end to the strike or not, the networks are in for a break in December, a month in which primetime schedules are loaded up with reruns and holiday specials anyhow.

The outlook for the other Big Four networks is mixed in the event the strike is settled in a matter of days.

They can pace themselves through January and February as they wait for new episodes by parsing out what's left of originals filmed before and during the strike. And each has some returning shows with fresh episodes, like ABC’s “Lost,” which is wrapping up principal photography this week on its eighth episode, and CBS’s “New Adventures of Old Christine” and NBC’s “Medium.”

They can further pad schedules with game shows and reality shows.

In that scenario, based on the strike ending shortly, the impact on primetime ratings would be modest. There would be enough original content in January and February to keep ratings at decent levels until the new episodes came on.

Late-night, though in reruns for nearly four weeks, would rebound quickly, with writers back on the job in days and new episodes airing almost immediately.

Daytime would feel no impact. A big worry has been that with an extended strike daytime dramas would be forced into reruns. But that point has not come yet, and with a quick end to the strike they would not be disrupted."

Here is another update- source about the writers strike in case you missed it. In regards to what some of the "pessimists suggest in the article, I feel LNG inside 'rumor' about the outcome of the strike to be more accurate. I hope so anyway.



By Carl DiOrio

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The Writers Guild of America and the Hollywood studios have agreed to keep talking.

That was the upshot of a 20th day of negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers on Wednesday.

The parties will resume contract talks at a secret location at 10 a.m. PST Thursday morning.

Few details have leaked since negotiators reconvened Monday for the first time since the November 5 start of the writers' strike. But it appears that most of the discussion in the three sessions held since then has amounted to how to take the next baby step forward in seeking a compromise on new-media residuals.

Before a recently instituted press blackout, the WGA blasted management offers on new media as too little and too late to prevent a writers' walkout. There has been scant evidence of major new AMPTP proposals since then.

Still, the simple fact that negotiations will continue is surely a sign for some optimism.

Skeptics had suggested that labor and management reps had scheduled their Monday-through-Wednesday sessions to portray a good-faith effort to break the impasse. Soon it would become apparent that the parties are too entrenched in extreme positions to make any real progress, pessimists predicted.

Now, even the most dour of prognosticators must admit that the two negotiating teams aren't completely sick of talking with one another just yet.

There also are continued whispers of back-channel efforts aimed at identifying possible formulas for compromise. Those behind these informal efforts at shuttle diplomacy tend to have relationships on both sides of the labor-management divide, such as writer-producers and talent agents.

This is the URL to the story above. Post #114
I just noticed it was missing.

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArtic...;archived=False

This is the top story on yahoo entertainment section! I just about screamed when I saw it. I already know he was doing this, but the fact that the general non-nerdy fan public knows about it too is awesome.

Conan, you are my hero!!



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071130/ap_en_...r_conan_o_brien


NEW YORK - With his nonstriking "Late Night" staffers facing layoffs after Friday, Conan O'Brien has promised to cover their salaries next week, an NBC spokeswoman said Thursday.

"He's paying the staffers' salaries out of his own pocket," NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks said. She said O'Brien had informed his staffers earlier in the day. The nonwriting staff numbers about 75.

Production of "Late Night" has been suspended since the writers strike began Nov. 5.

Through this week, NBC had been covering the salaries of its nonwriting staffers, along with those of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Last Call with Carson Daly," which are also in reruns.

But the network thus far has not said whether it intends to continue paying employees of any show on hiatus. All three programs are owned by Universal Media Studios, which, like NBC, is owned by General Electric.

Two weeks ago, before NBC made its initial arrangement, O'Brien had pledged to pay his staffers should the need arise. O'Brien is a member of the striking Writers Guild of America, as are fellow hosts Leno, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel and CBS's David Letterman.

About the same time, staffers of "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" were promised continued payment at least through December by Letterman, whose production company, Worldwide Pants, owns both shows. They continue in reruns.

Staffers for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" continue to be paid by ABC, according to a network spokesperson.

Earlier this week, Daly, who is not a WGA member, announced "Last Call" was resuming production, with new shows to begin airing next week.

Defending his decision to return to work, Carson said in a statement that, otherwise, "roughly 75 staff and crew would have lost their jobs."

"As a non-WGA member I feel I have supported my four Guild writers and their strike by suspending production for a month," he said.

Negotiations between striking TV and movie writers and producers continued Thursday.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE0uIqt...CAa0fwD8T7MUQO0

"Producers Make New Offer to Writers
By GARY GENTILE – 1 hour ago
LOS ANGELES (AP) â€â€� Hollywood studios presented a sweetened contract offer to striking film and TV writers Thursday, and negotiators requested a four-day recess to consider it, the producers' organization said.
The talks will resume Tuesday, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said in a statement.
There was no immediate comment from the Writers Guild of America. Talks had been held under a media blackout since Monday.
The producers said the new offer, dubbed the "New Economic Partnership," included payments for work shown on the Internet, the key sticking points in the talks.
"The entire value of the New Economic Partnership will deliver more than $130 million in additional compensation above and beyond the more than $1.3 billion writers already receive each year," the statement said.
The $130 million sum appeared to be an annual figure, but the brief statement did not clarify whether it was per year or over the three-year life of a proposed new contract. No details of the terms were released...."

.......................................................................

Sniff tear.... Fingers crossed that they will all agree, please let them all agree!!!
And yes, Sexy_Conan418, I am so proud of Conan too.
Conan O'Brien -everybody's hero. I LOVE YOU!!! -I get the feeling Conan that, you truly are an Angel.

Thanks for being so generous with your late night staffers, crew. They needed you so much.

SAD NEWS.

http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2007/11/the-wga-slaps-a.html

"The WGA Slaps AMPTP's Hands Away
By John Scott Lewinski EmailNovember 29, 2007 | 2:19:47 AMCategories: Current Affairs, Film, Movies, Television

The beaming optimism of the Monday after Thanksgiving gave way to bleak reality Thursday in the WGA strike as it took the guild only a few hours to burn down The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers "New Economic Partnership". Both sides will now step away from further negotiations until next Tuesday.

The WGA broke its silence to reject the producers' latest pitch in a letter to its membership. A copy e-mailed to me tonight reads: "Among the rumors was the assertion that the AMPTP had a groundbreaking proposal that would make this negotiation a 'done deal.' In fact, for the first three days of this week, the companies presented in essence their November 4 package with not an iota of movement on any of the issues that matter to writers."

Enough said. Same strike, different day. The letter goes on to detail the percentages, dollars and (non)sense of the latest AMPTP package. The combined exercise in business math makes a sound case for why the guild didn't jump at the chance to settle and why these difficult talks will continue.

While, the AMPTP's statement announcing their "Economic Partnership" took the suspicious tone of a slick-tongued, glad-handing mediator, the guild missive's final paragraph plays the little red "working man as victim" card again:

"Any movement on the part of these multinational conglomerates has been the result of the collective action of our membership, with the support of SAG, other unions, supportive politicians, and the general public. We must fight on, returning to the lines on Monday in force to make it clear that we will not back down, that we will not accept a bad deal, and that we are all in this together."

Jean-Paul Sartre couldn't have said it better, and (as this video shows) his modern French countrymen are rushing to the WGA's rescue. Sacre bleu:"
.......................................................

If they are not satisfied: WGA and AMPTP then they need to get back right to the negotiation tables right away and try, TRY again and again until they work it out. BOTH sides must give in a little... to solve this disastrous strike.

At least they are talking again on Tuesday... Here is a letter I found from the WGA in response to the AMPTP proposal.
.........................................................................

http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog...he-wga-res.html


"And the WGA responds...
LOS ANGELES – The following message was issued today by the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) regarding Contract 2007 negotiations:

To Our Fellow Members,

After four days of bargaining with the AMPTP, we are writing to let you know that, though we are still at the table, the press blackout has been lifted.

Our inability to communicate with our members has left a vacuum of information that has been filled with rumors, both well intentioned and deceptive.

Among the rumors was the assertion that the AMPTP had a groundbreaking proposal that would make this negotiation a "done deal." In fact, for the first three days of this week, the companies presented in essence their November 4 package with not an iota of movement on any of the issues that matter to writers.

Thursday morning, the first new proposal was finally presented to us. It dealt only with streaming and made-for-Internet jurisdiction, and it amounts to a massive rollback.

For streaming television episodes, the companies proposed a residual structure of a single fixed payment of less than $250 for a year's reuse of an hour-long program (compared to over $20,000 payable for a network rerun). For theatrical product they are offering no residuals whatsoever for streaming.

For made-for-Internet material, they offered minimums that would allow a studio to produce up to a 15 minute episode of network-derived web content for a script fee of $1300. They continued to refuse to grant jurisdiction over original content for the Internet.

In their new proposal, they made absolutely no move on the download formula (which they propose to pay at the DVD rate), and continue to assert that they can deem any reuse "promotional," and pay no residual (even if they replay the entire film or TV episode and even if they make money).

The AMPTP says it will have additional proposals to make but, as of Thursday evening, they have not been presented to us. We are scheduled to meet with them again on Tuesday.

In the meantime, we felt it was essential to update you accurately on where negotiations stand. On Wednesday we presented a comprehensive economic justification for our proposals. Our entire package would cost this industry $151 million over three years. That's a little over a 3% increase in writer earnings each year, while company revenues are projected to grow at a rate of 10%. We are falling behind.

For Sony, this entire deal would cost $1.68 million per year. For Disney $6.25 million. Paramount and CBS would each pay about $4.66 million, Warner about $11.2 million, Fox $6.04 million, and NBC/Universal $7.44 million. MGM would pay $320,000 and the entire universe of remaining companies would assume the remainder of about $8.3 million per year. As we've stated repeatedly, our proposals are more than reasonable and the companies have no excuse for denying it.

The AMPTP's intractability is dispiriting news but it must also be motivating. Any movement on the part of these multinational conglomerates has been the result of the collective action of our membership, with the support of SAG, other unions, supportive politicians, and the general public. We must fight on, returning to the lines on Monday in force to make it clear that we will not back down, that we will not accept a bad deal, and that we are all in this together."

Best,

Patric M. Verrone

President, WGAW

Michael Winship

President, WGAE

Posted on November 29, 2007 at 06:36 PM | Permalink"

MORE HOPE... just read this from Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywoood Daily

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/


.............................................................

Next Tuesday seems very crucial. Thank God AMPTP and WGA will still be at the table negotiating.

Gosh, he's a nice man. I hereby nominate Conan O'Brien for Human of the Year. (And I may have a tiny obsession with Miss Spektor.)

I truly hope that Tuesday's talks will be productive.

I just read this on the web...

................................................................................
............................

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/conten...106f3a63c?imw=Y


..................................................................
To end this strike BOTH sides have to give in and lose more than they think is fair.

The WGA negotiator David Young has to represent the writers with 'a realistic reachable goal', NOW not weeks later to save everyone such hardship.

The AMPTP (who are NOT bad guys either), must be willing to be more fair than what they think they are being already, in order for a good outcome to be reached.

Unless both sides immediately re-negotiate, give in a little bit more, a travesty and hardship will afflict this economy.

I know if the 'right' people handle it, this writer strike could be solved and ended.

I look to people with a Heart like NBC's Jeff Zucker, Ben Silverman, Conan O'Brien, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger etc... please use your influence, do your magic to make a resolution happen. I believe in you.

I was just randomly browsing various sites and came to a Variety article detailing Conan's actions on the writers strike.

I found it very profound that you would support so many people (80?) financially out of your own pocket through this difficult time.

It highlights the best of what it means to be human when you go above and beyond not just what might be expected but also applauded in what you give back to others.

A truly commendable gesture.

RESPONSE FROM THE WGA TO AMPTA, some more hope it seems...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/conten...abe3d407f07fea8

US News
"A 'plan B' in the WGA strike?"

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/usa/new..._the_WGA_strike




............................................

This is interesting. It seems that if the AMPTP doesn't accept WGA counter proposal, in this article it suggests they could go to a plan 'B'. Like ask NBC if they will agree to their contract ... - do it individually?! You know what, this could work.

I have faith in the abilities of the CEOS at NBC like Mr. Jeff Zucker, and Mr. Ben Silverman, etc... to reach a fair agreement with the writers, but not sure about the other studios which could be holding us back in reaching a resolution to the strike. hmmmm Wow! It just seems so surreal to me? This can't be true, could it? hmmm

From Nikki Finke's column at DeadlineHollywood.com:



There are so many "internal" emails and memos being issued from both the WGA and AMPTP in recent days that it's hard to keep pace with them all. But I'll try. Here's a new one from WGA board member Tom Schulman that just went out to writers:

The Playbook of the AMPTP
Fellow Members,
A few years ago, I was on the WGA Negotiating Committee. As negotiations with the AMPTP were drawing to a close, I went to a dinner party where I happened to be seated next to a gentleman who until recently had been for decades the chief negotiator for the Companies in another segment of the entertainment industry. He was a wiry guy, and he had a sense of humor. When I asked him if he was the Nick Counter of that particular part of the industry, he smiled and said wryly that he thought he was better than Nick but, yes, that was a fair comparison. He said he knew Nick and admired him. For an hour and a half, sprinkled in with the small talk, he told me about his negotiating strategy. After the party, I went to my car and jotted down as much of it as I could remember. I thought it might be useful to share it with you now:
Strategy for Hardball Negotiations:
**** off the leaders and spokespersons for the other side. A leader who loses his temper loses something in negotiations. Why?
1) Anger clouds judgment.
2) It’s human nature to want to be liked, even in a tough-as-nails negotiator. A person who loses his temper is embarrassed, usually comes and apologizes, and always gives something away to get back into the good graces of the other side.
The end game is the money, but hardball negotiations aren't about money, until the end. The real game is dividing and conquering.
Tactics:
* Lower the expectations of the other side, divide and conquer.
* Raise and lower the expectations of the other side, divide and conquer.
* Do everything possible to destroy the credibility of the other side’s leadership, divide and conquer.
* Use confidants and back channels to go over the heads of the stronger leaders to the softer targets. Divide and conquer.
* When you figure out the other side’s bottom line, offer a fraction. It’s surprising how many times that stands.
Sound familiar? If you examine the recent "leaks," comments, and press releases from the other side, you'll realize this is exactly the strategy the Companies are employing against us today. And why not? It's worked for them for the last 20 years! They are putting us on an emotional roller coaster by raising and lowering our expectations, attacking our leaders, trying to pit the town against us, refusing to move on the issues that matter to us, bragging about their generosity when the opposite is true, fear mongering and claiming we're going to ruin this industry – hoping we'll splinter, lose faith in and attack each other, negotiate against ourselves, and cave.
As events unfold in the next several days and weeks, we should have no doubt about what the Companies are really up to and what to expect from them. But this time, in every way possible, we must let them know we're on to them and their strategy won't work. We understand their game, our solidarity and resolve are greater than ever, and we're going to stay strong – and reasonable – until we get a fair deal.
Let's return to the picket lines every day with a powerful show of force. As Patric says, we're all in this together.
Tom Schulman
WGAW Board of Directors

"DECEMBER 6, 2007, 9:15 AM
Writers, Studios Make Nice In Public Statements
By THE NEW YORK TIMES"

http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12...trike-talks/?hp



.................................................

This blows. Hardcore.


Talks Day #8: Moguls Walk From Talks After Issuing An Ultimatum To Writers; Both Sides Accuse Each Other Of Lying
Deadline Hollywood Daily, Friday, Dec 7th, 2007 at 05:32PM

3rd UPDATE (more new information throughout): Let me recap what happened tonight, first and foremost. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers today at 2:35 PM put a so-called revised proposal, including a list of demands, on the bargaining table to flesh out its New Economic Partnership for the Writers Guild Of America.

I'm told even agent Bryan Lourd, considered an objective source, believed that the new AMPTP proposal bettered the studios' and networks' terms on the table for New Media. It included an improved, albeit slightly, streaming deal for theatricals.

But the AMPTP issued demands that the writers take Reality TV and animation jurisdiction off the table as well as remove the no-strike clause in their contract. (The latter means that, if the writers settle with the AMPTP, then they must cross picket lines if the Screen Actors Guild goes on strike.)

I'm told that, after the AMPTP proposal/demands were made, the WGA negotiators went to caucus inside a hotel room. The WGA decided amongst themselves that what the AMPTP brought to the table today was a take-it-or-leave-it "ultimatum" and claimed the New Media terms were the same old/same old.

Sources tell me that, after about an hour and a half, the AMPTP sent Bryan Lourd to the hotel room to ask what was happening. He was told by the WGA they were preparing a counter-proposal. Lourd was asked by the AMPTP to find out if that counter-proposal contained anything from the list of demands which the networks and studios wanted the WGA to take off the table. The WGA negotiators wouldn't say.

At 6:05 PM, Counter knocked on the hotel room door trying to find out some indication from Dave Young what the WGA was going to do, especially on the reality/animation jurisdiction and no-strike issues. Counter brought Bryan Lourd along "as a witness," I'm told. "David Young answered and was visibly angry."

Insiders say that Bryan Lourd counseled the WGA negotiators that "this was their maximum moment of leverage" and urged them to try to "trust" the AMPTP. But they told Lourd they couldn't at this point. "It was an ultimatum. They said unless we take everything off the table except streaming and ESTs that they're not going to negotiate anymore and basically they're leaving until we'll remove all those other things," a WGA board member explained. "We're not accepting an ultimatum. We're here to bargain and to talk."

Counter then said to Young, "In that case, we are leaving. When you send us a letter confirming you will take all these items off the table, we will reschedule negotiations with you.” The WGA hotel room door slammed shut.

Then AMPTP president Nick Counter hand-delivered the following letter to the WGA's executive director Dave Young which was also cc'ed to Bryan Lourd:

This will confirm the conversation we had today at approximately 6:05 PM, in the presence of Bryan Lourd, in which I asked whether the WGA was preparing a proposal in response to the proposal given to the WGA by the Companies at approximately 2:35 PM this afternoon. You advised that the WGA was preparing such a proposal. I asked whether any of the six issues that the Companies had earlier today advised the Guild must be withdrawn before negotiations can proceed further would be included within the proposal the WGA is preparing. You responded that you did not know because you were still working on the proposal.

I informed you that when the WGA sends me a letter confirming that those six proposals are withdrawn, the AMPTP will schedule another negotiation session with the WGA.

Immediately thereafter, the reps for the studios and networks quit the negotiations and issued their statement already in hand blaming the writers for the breakdown in talks. "Under no circumstances will we knowingly participate in the destruction of this business."

But the writers said their side considers that the talks are still ongoing and insists they won't stop negotiating. Then the WGA issued its own statement saying, "We remain ready and willing to negotiate, no matter how intransigent our bargaining partners are, because the stakes are simply too high."

In short, things are back to being a big mess.

What's amazing about all of the above is that the AMPTP followed almost to the letter a script which they themselves conceived and wrote earlier in the week. I had reported Thursday night that the reps for the studios and networks planned to break off today's talks. This morning, the WGA issued a sternly worded statement calling out at the AMPTP for the plan to stop the negotiation just as it was getting go. Indeed, just as I had predicted, the AMPTP had a news release at the ready tonight announcing why it was leaving the talks. So did IATSE local boss Tom Short, indicating he was working in concert with the AMPTP tonight to blame the WGA.

One thing for sure: no one can have any doubt this time around who walked out on these negotiations and who stayed in. Not even professional spin doctors can change that. And it's also obvious that the concept of haggling is still foreign to both sides in this negotiation.

First, here's the WGA statement which goes into detail about what happened tonight:

AMPTP BREAKS OFF NEGOTIATIONS
Today, after three days of discussions, the AMPTP came back to us with a proposal that included a total rejection of our proposal on Internet streaming of December 3rd.

They are holding to their offer of a $250 fixed residual for unlimited one year streaming after a six-week window of free use. They still insist on the DVD rate for Internet downloads.

They refuse to cover original material made for new media.

This offer was accompanied by an ultimatum: the AMPTP demands we give up several of our proposals, including Fair Market Value (our protection against vertical integration and self-dealing), animation, reality, and, most crucially, any proposal that uses distributor’s gross as a basis for residuals. This would require us to concede most of our Internet proposal as a precondition for continued bargaining. The AMPTP insists we let them do to the Internet what they did to home video.

We received a similar ultimatum through back channels prior to the discussions of November 4th. At that time, we were assured that if we took DVDs off the table, we would get a fair offer on new media issues. That offer never materialized.

We reject the idea of an ultimatum. Although a number of items we have on the table are negotiable, we cannot be forced to bargain with ourselves. The AMPTP has many proposals on the table that are unacceptable to writers, but we have never delivered ultimatums.

As we prepared our counter-offer, at 6:05 p.m., Nick Counter came and said to us, in the mediator’s presence: “We are leaving. When you write us a letter saying you will take all these items off the table, we will reschedule negotiations with you.” Within minutes, the AMPTP had posted a lengthy statement announcing the breakdown of negotiations.

We remain ready and willing to negotiate, no matter how intransigent our bargaining partners are, because the stakes are simply too high. We were prepared to counter their proposal tonight, and when any of them are ready to return to the table, we’re here, ready to make a fair deal.

John F. Bowman
Chairman, Negotiating Committee

Prior to this, the AMPTP issued this statement:

We're disappointed to report that talks between the AMPTP and WGA have broken down yet again. Quite frankly, we're puzzled and disheartened by an ongoing WGA negotiating strategy that seems designed to delay or derail talks rather than facilitate an end to this strike. Union negotiators in our industry have successfully concluded 306 major agreements with the AMPTP since its inception in 1982. The WGA organizers sitting across the table from us have never concluded even one industry accord.

We believe our New Economic Partnership proposal, which would increase the average working writer's salary to more than $230,000 a year, makes it possible to find common ground. And we have proved over the last five months that we want writers to participate in producers' revenues, including in theatrical and television streaming, as well as other areas of new media. However, under no circumstances will we knowingly participate in the destruction of this business.

While the WGA's organizers can clearly stage rallies, concerts and mock exorcisms, we have serious concerns about whether they're capable of reaching reasonable compromises that are in the best interests of our entire industry.

It is now absolutely clear that the WGA's organizers are determined to advance their own political ideologies and personal agendas at the expense of working writers and every other working person who depends on our industry for their livelihoods.

Instead of negotiating, the WGA organizers have made unreasonable demands that are roadblocks to real progress:

-- They demand full control over reality television and animation. In other words, they want us to make membership in their union mandatory to work in this industry - even though thousands of people in reality and animation have already chosen not to join the WGA.

-- They demand restrictions designed to prevent networks from airing any reality programs unless they are produced under terms in keeping with the WGA agreement. This would apply even to producers who are not associated with the Guild. Their proposal artificially limits competition and most likely would not withstand legal challenge.

-- The WGA organizers are demanding the right to ignore their bargained "no strike" provision, allowing them to join in strikes of other labor organizations.

-- Their proposal for Internet compensation could actually cost producers more than they receive in revenues, thereby dooming the Internet media business before it ever gets started.

-- They insist that writers receive a piece of advertising revenue - even though the producers that pay them don't receive any of this revenue in the first place.

-- They want a third party to set an artificial value on transactions, rather that allowing the market to determine the worth of each transaction. This would result in producers having to pay residuals on money that the producers never even received.

These are the terms the WGA organizers demand for ending the strike - money that doesn't exist, restrictions that are legally dubious, and control over people who have refused to join their union.

Besides betraying a fundamental misunderstanding of the economics of new media, such as a streaming proposal that would require us to give them more money than we make ourselves, the WGA organizers are on an ideological mission far removed from the interests of their members.

Their Quixotic pursuit of radical demands led them to begin this strike, and now has caused this breakdown in negotiations. We hope that the WGA will come back to this table with a rational plan that can lead us to a fair and equitable resolution to a strike that is causing so much distress for so many people in our industry and community.

Tempers flare as studios break off talks with writers


http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/08/w...rike/index.html

The "Strike a Deal" March!!! -in LA sunday Dec. 9, 2007

Brought together by hundreds of people in L.A. who are not on strike themselves and are NOT choosing sides!!! But want the AMPTP and the WGA to make a DEAL and not quit trying until they DO.

Please, SOMEBODY HELP!!!! Our great "AMPTP and WGA" What Have You Done?
Can't you see you both hold the fate of too many families? Please! My God Please make a DEAL!!!! WORK IT OUT AND SOLVE IT Somebody? Help!

WGA and AMPTP, Please don't stop trying!!!!

CCC
................................................................................
............
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainme...932830220071209



Yes, it does...

More on the 'Strike A Deal' protest march ... from the LA times. They need to do this protest march in the East Coast too.
......................................
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/...-business-enter


"Production workers urge end to strike"


"Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times
Hundreds of industry professionals took to the streets in hopes of bringing an end to a strike that could harm their livelihoods.
'Below-the-line' crew members who aren't part of the Writers Guild, but who fear for their livelihoods, march in Hollywood.
By Alana Semuels, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
December 10, 2007
Hair and makeup artists, set decorators, grips, prop specialists and hundreds of others who work in television and film production marched through the heart of Hollywood on Sunday morning urging an end to the 5-week-old writers strike.

Their mission: Draw attention to the predicament of the thousands of people who work in television and film as well as the businesses that serve them. They are not on strike but fear their livelihoods are at risk.


Collateral damage
click to enlarge

Related Stories
- In Hollywood, the fade to black begins

"We are here today to remind the leadership of those locked in this struggle that real people, real men and women and their families, are being damaged," rally organizer Chris Griffin said to the crowd assembled at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. "Each day this strike is prolonged, our futures become more precarious."

"Although these so-called below-the-line workers are not part of the negotiations, most are out of work until the strike is over and productions begin again. Many are starting to compete for work in film and reality television, which are still in production unlike most scripted television.

The strike's toll on thousands of production workers who aren't members of the Writers Guild of America has deepened friction with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which represents below-the-line workers.

The breakdown Friday of talks between the Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers prompted a scathing denunciation of the guild's leadership from stage employees union President Thomas C. Short.

"I don't believe the WGA ever intended to bargain in good faith," said Short, who has repeatedly clashed with guild leaders in the last year. "And they are destroying a lot of lives in the process."

Writers Guild leaders blamed studios for the impasse Friday and continued to say the strike was necessary to ensure writers received a fair cut of future revenue from new media.

"The Writers Guild is deeply concerned about the consequences for below-the-line workers," said Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West. "Despite the studios' unwarranted action on Friday to break off talks and walk away from the table, we remain ready and willing to return to negotiations."

Talks broke down Friday after studios complained that writers made unrealistic demands that would make further talks fruitless.

On Sunday, several hundred marchers walked along Hollywood Boulevard from Grauman's Chinese Theater to the famed corner at Hollywood and Vine, closing a portion of the road for the morning.

Police officers on bicycles escorted the demonstrators past a farmers market, men hawking bottled water and tourists snapping photos of the places Hollywood has made famous.

The marchers, many of whom had children in tow, chanted "Strike a deal" and carried signs reading "Kiss and Make Up," "I Am Collateral Damage to the Labor Dispute," and "Settle I Can't Afford This."

Some, such as Laura Richarz, a set decorator for the CW sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris," have already started to cut back expenses. She no longer goes to Starbucks, thinks twice before going to the movies and says that when she goes to the grocery store, she buys things only on sale.

"Five months will kill me and a lot of other people," she said. "Nobody has that much money saved."

Richarz, who has been working in the industry for 30 years and was around for the last writers strike, said all she got from the strikes was debt.

Most participating in Sunday's march make significantly less money than writers and producers.

Writers and producers "have the resources to weather this thing, be it another month or another five months," said Will Alovis, a script supervisor for the CBS crime drama "CSI: Miami." "We're below-the-line crew; we don't have those resources."

Although many crew members supported the writers at the beginning of the strike, some said they were changing their minds. Alovis grumbled about writers' high salaries and about the various fundraisers to help the writers during the strike.

Sheri Wilson-Edwards, a payroll accountant on the CBS hit "CSI," said that she didn't think the writers' grievances were "strike-worthy."

As the strike continues, it affects more than just the thousands who are losing their jobs as productions shut down.

Many small businesses across town report they are starting to see fewer clients, and those that serve productions say their phones have stopped ringing.

Corrie Levelle, one of the many vendors at the rally Sunday, said she had laid off seven full-time staff members. Her company, Sandy Rose Floral, provides floral arrangements to television shows, and she still has to make payments on her office space and delivery vans even though the money has stopped coming in.

Now she has started counting down into the future, figuring out when she'll no longer be able to make the mortgage payments on her house. She says she faces bankruptcy if the strike lasts until summer.

"April would really be the end point for me," she said. "I wouldn't be able to recover."

alana.semuels@latimes.com

Staff writer Richard Verrier contributed to this report."

I support only two (2) of Conan's writers in the ongoing strike -- guess who they are!


"For you have wronged me"


"There's no reason to live"

Directors Guild Could Call 'Cut' for WGA Strike!!!!!!

http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2007/12/directors-guild.html

"Directors Guild Could Call 'Cut' for WGA Strike
By John Scott Lewinski December 13, 2007 | 4:34:39 AMCategories: Current Affairs, Film, Movies, Television, WGA Strike
Directors Guild of America members received a note from their leadership Tuesday regarding the DGA's own upcoming negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Though the DGA's current contract runs through May, there are thousands of out-of-work Hollywood professionals not-so-quietly hoping the DGA will talk new contract in early 2008 to force movement in the writers strike.
So far, the DGA has held back to avoid cutting the legs out from the under the WGA strike. But Tuesday's letter signals a change in policy. To paraphrase the DGA missive, it very politely said: "Writers? We love you guys. We're rooting for you. We sat back and let you guys take your shot. But, it really hasn't gone well, has it? So how's about you move over and let us directors talk to AMPTP? C'mon. Take a breather. Let's see if we can't send business in a more positive 'direction.' Get it?"
The writers "got it," but they didn't want it as the directors could dictate terms for themselves that the WGA would have to accept. The whole situation resembles the contract negotiations following the NFL draft. Once the No. 1 player is picked, the agent of the second player chosen knows his player can't receive more than that top guy. If the directors reach a new agreement in early 2008, the WGA might have to abide by the directors' numbers, like them or not."
..................................................................

God bless those Directors.

As I see it the writers union leaders are throwing too many add ons to the negotiation table that could be approached next time or better yet somethings dropped altogether. The important issue right now is the 'internet downloads'. Right?

If the claims are true... I believe asking for a clause that allows the WGA's writers to join other striking unions in "sympathy", ( I doubt the AMPTP would ever agree to that!!! ) and for asking for "reality shows" residuals! is another wrench thrown into the works, that I feel helped break down the talks with the AMPTP. So why go there now?
I remember my dad had a union leader when I was little, who threw in so many clauses and demands in addition to what they were really striking for which actually crippled the negotiations for the steelworker's and ruined so many LIVES in the process. It was only when a more focused and flexible leader took over did the strike finally get resolved. But so late that it really took its toll on both sides...

I also feel, if I read this correctly that the AMPTA has offered 'up to' only 250.00 a year for downloads seems unreasonable as well (the WGA would never agree to that).-- another obstacle thrown in to the rink stopping the resolutions of this costly strike.

In retail, one job I had gave me a percentage in sales, after they removed over head cost etc..., so for example, if their gross profit was 1,500 and net was 900.00, I'd get my 1 percent of 900.00 etc. Which still did add up in time and I could live with that compromise.

PLEASE AMPTP and WGA... start talking again. Please...We need you both. The strike is killing so many homes and families.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119[back to MSN Money]759435843028437.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

"Writers Guild Files Complaint
Against Hollywood Studios
Associated Press
December 13, 2007 8:12 p.m."

"LOS ANGELES -- Union officials representing striking Hollywood writers said Thursday they have filed an unfair labor practices complaint claiming studios violated federal law by breaking off negotiations.

The Writers Guild of America demanded in a statement that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers return to the bargaining so the six-week strike can be ended and thousands of workers idled by the walkout can return to their jobs.

Negotiations broke off Dec. 7 when the alliance refused to bargain further unless the union dropped a half dozen proposals that included the authority to unionize writers on reality shows and animation projects."

.......................................................................

Please, the great AMPTP, would you please get back to the table with the WGA to solve this? Please try one more time... NBC president Mr. Jeff Zucker, cochairman Ben Silverman, our hero Conan O'Brien and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegge? HELP!!!

From when Brian Stack was on The Brian Lehrer Show (11/13/07) with fellow writers Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report) and John Oliver (The Daily Show):

With no end in sight to the strike, several hosts are nearing the conclusion that it's time to return, Daily Variety said, citing unidentified sources close to the situation.



http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNew...lBrandChannel=0

Is the writers strike over with?

No, unfortunately, the Writer's Strike is still far from over. To borrow the title from the brilliant documentary about Iraq, there is currently "no end in sight".

It seems pretty likely, however, that several of the late night hosts, including Letterman and Conan, will be going back on the air shortly after the New Year. Letterman may even be able to bring his own writers back to work with him by making an individual agreement with the WGA. Since he owns his own show, he has the option to explore that possibility. Conan, on the other hand, does not own his own show, NBC does, so he couldn't possibly make a similar agreement with the union. He unfortunately won't be able to bring his writing staff back until the strike ends.

Let's all hope the strike ends soon. Too many people are caught up in the middle of this, and I'm sure that some kind of fair deal can be reached if both sides are willing to be reasonable. Up until now, it seems pretty clear to me that the AMPTP has been far from reasonable. The WGA is not without its flaws, of course, but what they're asking for seems very reasonable when you look at the facts.

Sissarui330, yes, this writers strike is still on. Isn't this horrible!

*hugs*

I know what you mean and I pray it is over soon too.

I know there are plenty of differing opinions being expressed here about the WGA strike, and I think it's great that NBC is allowing a free discussion to take place here on their website. According to DeadlineHollywood.com reporter Nikki Finke, Disney/ABC has been censoring any and all comments that are sympathetic to the writers in any way. Here's a quote from her column:

That the studios and networks have been twisting the truth about the WGA strike to suit their own purposes looks to be standard operating procedure during this strike. But no company seems to be doing this more than Disney/ABC. For instance, comments that are even mildly friendly to the WGA are quickly deleted from ABC.com. Here is one striking writer's experience on Tuesday: "I was on ABC.com today when I saw the Leno story and that there were comments where writers were being bashed and scabs promoted. I defended writers and less than two minutes later the comments were deleted. I tried again and, once again, my comments were deleted. Talk about ABC/Disney censorship."

Thanks, NBC, for allowing people to express their opinions, even if they happen to be pro-writer.

I hear that "Nikki Finke owns the writers strike story and everyone knows it". Well, not everyone, the man on the street never heard of her nor cares what another sharp tongued woman afflicted with 'four-letter-word-itis' has to say. She can be pro-WGA all she wants but her views mean nothing to the viewing public who is growing weary of hearing about the dratted writers strike and their marches and posturing about all over town. The strikers want to disrupt everything including the Oscars, Golden Globe Awards, Late Night TV, whatever.

What's at the bottom of this strike is as follows -- the writers want to be given special status, they are seeking to exalt their image in the entertainment field, raise their salaries, and bask in the same glow as the so called 'stars' who command huge salaries. The writers want a piece of the huge entertainment pie and one day (soon enough) entertainment will be so costly for the consumer, only the well-to-do will be able to afford to be entertained (even now it costs an arm and a leg to see a rotten movie). If you're supporting the strikers, you're dooming yourself to paying even more for movies, DVDs, and TV. As usual, the public is being taken. The entertainment industry will be right up there alongside the medical industry and will be one of the highest paid industries in the world. The extra money the writers eventually get out of all this will be passed on to you, the consumer.

SO LONG, SUCKER!

Shenandoah,

Wow, you sound like a press release from the AMPTP's P.R. office. Oh, wait...

Typical response and one I expected -- I'm not for the AMPTP or the WGA -- I'm for ME, like in 'ME, MY and MINE'. I care about what I spend my money on and what value I receive for my hard earned bucks. Nobody's stopping you from opening your pocketbook and paying the writers more money -- it's your money, go ahead, throw it away on those hacks, but there is a wise saying -- "you'll wish you had that money some day!"

Shenandoah,

Oh, I see. You'd rather pay billionaire CEO's like Sumner Redstone or Robert Iger every single cent of your entertainment dollar than allow the mostly middle-class writers a.k.a. "hacks" to have even one-tenth of one cent of it? I understand. After all, Redstone is the one that writes, directs, and acts out all of your favorite Viacom shows. That's actually him in the Jon Stewart and Spongebob costumes.

Well, Brimble Bramble, you are trying to put words in my mouth and accuse me of doing things I wouldn't even dream of doing but that's alright, you're obviously worked up about the strike and indiscriminately lashing out in all directions in your feverish frenzy over your little TV favorites who don't even know you exist, you poor misguided soul.

You're right, I shouldn't put words in your mouth, but you seem pretty comfortable putting words in the mouths of all the WGA members. You seem very confident in your "knowledge" about what they all want, and why they don't deserve it.

Do you seriously think that writers went on strike in hopes that they could ever "bask in the glow" like celebrities? That's totally laughable. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a professional TV writer myself, and believe me, my fellow writers and I know as well as anyone else that we'll always be treated like the ugly stepchildren at the Hollywood party. I have tremendous respect for many of my fellow writers, but I don't expect anyone else to, least of all people like you who sit back and toss blanket terms like "hacks" over them, regardless of what they've accomplished. Sure, there are plenty of "hacks" in this business, but there are also a lot of very talented people that are doing great work, and they deserve better than what the AMPTP is currently offering. So do all the future writers that don't even know yet how much they'll contribute themselves.

The WGA doesn't expect the AMPTP moguls, or people like you for that matter, to ever actually respect us. We know you never will. That's just fine though, since just like you and everyone else on Earth, we only care about being respected by people whom we respect ourselves.

Happy Holidays from a "misguided soul"!

That's the trouble with these message boards, people come on and call themselves whatever they want, like professional TV writer, college professor, and on and on, -- if you're what you say you are, then prove it -- if you can't prove it, then shut up. I'm calling your bluff -- a professional TV writer wouldn't spend his time on this idiot board. You're probably one of those fat middle aged housewives that hangs around on message boards deluding yourself into believing Conan reads your posts and wants to meet you.

You're absolutely right. Anyone can come on to this board and claim to be anything without having to back it up. The truth is, my embarrassment over wasting even one minute arguing with you (or anyone else) on this "idiot board" has outweighed the impulse I usually have to identify myself by name. Not that my name would mean anything to you anyway. I'm just one of those semi-anonymous staff writers who's only known to other semi-anonymous staff writers. The only reason I brought up the fact that I'm a professional writer in the first place is because I thought it was only fair to own up to the fact that I am prejudiced in terms of this strike issue. I didn't bring it up to add any weight to my arguments. If anything, I assumed my obvious bias would actually make my opinions less credible to others. I have a vested interest in how this strike turns out so my views are far from objective.

Oh, and I'd like to thank you for reminding me of what a huge waste of time it is to be posting here at all. I guess I needed some other pathetic anonymous ******* to point out that I'm being a pathetic anonymous ******* myself. I'll just move on now for good and leave you to your legions of admirers. You're welcome, ace.

I have said this before, but it's been a while. Personal attacks are totally unacceptable and are against the rules of this message board. It's ok to disagree with others but please do so in a thoughtful and respectful way.
Shenandoah, Brimble might have been one of the two writers you self-righteously claimed to support earlier in this thread; you never know (although more than two writers were involved in the sketches you referenced).



This argument doesn't make sense to me. The writers are not asking for the price of DVDs, internet downloads, etc. to be increased and to receive the extra money. They're asking for a bigger percentage (or any percentage - in the case of the internet) of the current profit.