The Energon Pub

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:47 pm

NOTE: I couldn't find the strike thread. I used the search feature, I googled, came up with nothing, so you'll have to forgive me in advance for not using the other thread. Anywho...

http://enewsi.com/news.php?itemid=12359

Jay Leno Accused of Violating Writers Strike Rules
by Jay in Television at 09:41 AM on 2008.01.04
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Source: WENN

U.S. talk show legend JAY LENO has come under fire from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for ignoring the union's strike and penning scripts for NBC's THE TONIGHT SHOW.

Leno - who returned to The Tonight Show on Wednesday (02Jan08) - has been accused by the WGA of violating the strike rules of the union he belongs to.

Although Leno avoided enlisting the help of other writers, his own contribution to the scripts has outraged the WGA.

The Guild said in a statement on Thursday (03Jan08), "A discussion took place today between Jay Leno and the Writers Guild to clarify to him that writing for The Tonight Show constitutes a violation of the Guilds' strike rules."

David Letterman also returned to U.S. TV on Wednesday night (02Jan08) for the first time in two months, after his production company agreed a deal with striking writers. However, Leno's show is subject to different negotiations.

This time, they've gone too far.

In the beginning, I understood their plight. I even agreed and said "Fight the man, screw 'em!" but as it went on and on, I realized that the only people that are truly suffering...are the innocents. You and I, the people who watch the shows and movies. We're forced to watch the umpteenth rerun because they're fighting for their residuals. (Which I have no problem with. If they're due a fee, then by all means, they deserve it.) This is getting out of hand and ridiculously selfish.

Leno has other obligations and he must meet them as well, like uh...honoring his contract with NBC! He's a stand up comedian, and a lot of his monologue comes from his stand up background and that's where most of his money comes from as well.

It's one thing to fight for your rights, it's another to hurt anyone and everyone in your way while doing so.

Any respect that the writers had earned from me....just went out the window. Screw 'em.

Hollywood should do the smart thing and replace them. I still say some fresh minded people could revitalize old shows and create new hits. The current writers are too complacent...and at this point greedy. (Not corporate level, but close.)

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:58 pm

Leno has obligations to honour his contract with NBC? What about NBC's obligations to ensuring their writers are compensated correctly?

As for us being the ones that suffer ... ugh ... please, do you know how pathetically lame that sounds that you're forced to watch re-runs? There's more to do in life than sit in front of the tv you know.

No, this strike hasn't gone too far. Not one bit.

News Credits: 2 · by **Moonbase2** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:59 pm

I think the plight truly belongs to the regular dudes that just make the show happen: the camera men, the set guys, etc. So many have been axed because of this debacle. I think The Office lost over 100. That is pitiful and dirty.

News Credits: 2 · by **Shadowman** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:04 am

So they're mad at him because he wrote his own material?

Yep, just a bit too far.

Letterman and Conan have been doing the same thing, with both of then having beards for some reason.

News Credits: 2 · by **Moonbase2** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:07 am

The beards are until the strike ends, I believe.

News Credits: 2 · by **Shadowman** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:09 am

Moonbase2 wrote:The beards are until the strike ends, I believe.

I liked Conan's beard, his is okay. Letterman's looks like he's preparing to join ZZ Top, though.

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:12 am

Moonbase2 wrote:I think the plight truly belongs to the regular dudes that just make the show happen: the camera men, the set guys, etc. So many have been axed because of this debacle. I think The Office lost over 100. That is pitiful and dirty.

Yes! Thank you! Another excellent point.

Burn wrote:

Leno has obligations to honour his contract with NBC? What about NBC's obligations to ensuring their writers are compensated correctly?

As for us being the ones that suffer ... ugh ... please, do you know how pathetically lame that sounds that you're forced to watch re-runs? There's more to do in life than sit in front of the tv you know.

No, this strike hasn't gone too far. Not one bit.

I disagree. Leno was out there on the lines in full support of the writers and that should've earned him something in the way of good graces. For them to try and punish him for doing his job is ridiculous. Besides, the fight with the writers has to do with corporations, not the famous (yet small) cogs in the machine. Leno being attacked for following through with his obligations is ridiculous. NBC should suffer, yes. Leno, no. (Nor Conan or anyone else.)

And for your information, I don't sit in front of the TV all the time. I do realize there's more to life and I have a lot of errand running during the day. It would be nice to come home and have a show or two to help me unwind at the end of the day. And what is your problem lately? You're downright bitter and rude in some of your posts these days.

But I realize you won't see any point other than whatever you happen to agree with at the time. So I realize I'm talking to a bullheaded brick wall here.

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:36 am

Autobot032 wrote:And what is your problem lately? You're downright bitter and rude in some of your posts these days.

But I realize you won't see any point other than whatever you happen to agree with at the time. So I realize I'm talking to a bullheaded brick wall here.

Having a differing opinion doesn't make me bitter, rude, or a bullheaded brick wall.

I just have little tolerance for people whose opinions on this strike seem to stem from their own selfishness, which quite frankly is what yours did.

In fact, I find it quite ignorant that people condemn the WGA for this strike simply because it affects their tv viewing.

Yet i'm sure if THEIR entitlements were threatened they'd jump up off the couch and strike just as quickly as well.

News Credits: 668 · by **Autobot032** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:03 am

Autobot032 wrote:And what is your problem lately? You're downright bitter and rude in some of your posts these days.

But I realize you won't see any point other than whatever you happen to agree with at the time. So I realize I'm talking to a bullheaded brick wall here.

Burn wrote:Having a differing opinion doesn't make me bitter, rude, or a bullheaded brick wall.

A differing opinion doesn't make you rude or bitter. That's your tone giving that vibe. Not willing to see any other point than your own is what makes you bullheaded.

Burn wrote:I just have little tolerance for people whose opinions on this strike seem to stem from their own selfishness, which quite frankly is what yours did.

Oh boo hoo. I said something that Burn doesn't like. Oh woe is him. I've also noticed that you have little tolerance for anyone anymore, especially me. (Not sure what caused it, but oh well.) Especially when their opinion doesn't work for your view of the world.

Burn wrote:In fact, I find it quite ignorant that people condemn the WGA for this strike simply because it affects their tv viewing.

That's only one small part of it. There's more to it than just affecting TV viewing. As Moonbase said, stage hands and the like are losing their jobs, etc. But here's something that dawned on me...what about the families of the writers? I know they're not poor, but they certainly don't make enough money (obviously) so what about their families needing income to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, etc?

Oh wait...they do make enough money, so to a certain extent this is just selfishness on their part too. Ah. I see.

Burn wrote:Yet i'm sure if THEIR entitlements were threatened they'd jump up off the couch and strike just as quickly as well.

You know, we really should strike back. Because if we stop watching, shows fail, which means the writers won't have a job any way. If they keep making crap like what's on the air right now, no one should continue to watch.

I'm not sure what bug crawled up your hind end when it comes to dealing with me, but get over it and go take the dump you need to get it out of your system.

News Credits: 2 · by **Tekka** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:07 am

I think it's a good thing, more power to the writers. And maybe people will find better things to do with their time than watch TV...

Nah...

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:29 am

Autobot032 wrote:A differing opinion doesn't make you rude or bitter. That's your tone giving that vibe. Not willing to see any other point than your own is what makes you bullheaded.

But I do see your point. I just don't agree with it.

Oh boo hoo. I said something that Burn doesn't like. Oh woe is him. I've also noticed that you have little tolerance for anyone anymore, especially me. (Not sure what caused it, but oh well.) Especially when their opinion doesn't work for your view of the world.

I'm sorry, but that was hilarious. You're making this about you now? awwwww that's so cute. Need some attention do you now that you don't have your tv shows?

That's only one small part of it. There's more to it than just affecting TV viewing. As Moonbase said, stage hands and the like are losing their jobs, etc. But here's something that dawned on me...what about the families of the writers? I know they're not poor, but they certainly don't make enough money (obviously) so what about their families needing income to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, etc?

Oh wait...they do make enough money, so to a certain extent this is just selfishness on their part too. Ah. I see.

How do you know they're not poor? Do you know what every writer makes? Again I am amazed at how people "know" things.

And who's to say that this strike won't have a flow on effect for the camera and boom operators and all the other stage hands?

You know, we really should strike back. Because if we stop watching, shows fail, which means the writers won't have a job any way. If they keep making crap like what's on the air right now, no one should continue to watch.

Wait .... you think what's on now is crap then why are you so upset that the writers are on strike? If they come back, they'll just produce more crap for you.

Wow ... either way you're not gonna be happy.

I'm not sure what bug crawled up your hind end when it comes to dealing with me, but get over it and go take the dump you need to get it out of your system.

Again, I gotta laugh at how you're taking this personally. :lol:

Tekka wrote:I think it's a good thing, more power to the writers. And maybe people will find better things to do with their time than watch TV...

Nah...

Like posting their grievances on a website where those involved won't read it?

News Credits: 2 · by **Tekka** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:38 am

Everyone's gotta vent sometimes.

by **DesalationReborn** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:54 am

Fire'em all, for all I care. They get impotance from their ideas, and frankly the batch's gone sour there. I haven't been impressed for anything comming out of Hollywood these days, and the whole premise of the strike is just crap. They shouldn't be worrying about pennies tomorrow when they could be making dollars today. New blood, say I!

News Credits: 3 · by **MagnusPrimal** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:32 am

I'm with the writers all the way (well, not the Leno thing, but otherwise). Why shouldn't they be compensated when their work gets used again in another medium?
And nobody 'suffers' because of reruns.