OT: Writer's Strike Humor

[Mark Rainey]

I know some here are concerned about the WGA strike and how it will impact TV schedules, movies, etc. While I don't have a personal stake in the WGA strike per se, as someone who writes professionally, and being an active member of the Horror Writers Association, I do have an interest in seeing the writers prevail in this situation. Just like the major corporations in Hollywood, literary publishers are beginning to insert clauses in their contracts that deprive writers of any income made on electronic/digital sales. Right now, there's virtually no money being made there, so no one's made much of a stink yet. But it will be coming, somewhere down the road.

This video is hysterical -- and pretty much says it all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzRHlpEmr0w

[Jackie]

This is totally hilarious.  I will definitely share this with others!  Oh btw, this small video has convinced me to support the writers, because after all, I did watch it and it was free. They deserve payment in some way: coin or service.   Actually, I supported them from the beginning.

[Jackie]

Here are a few more, with other links on the same page.  If ya wanta see the stars supporting the writers, take a look.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFntFDfaf5o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z100VG3Xiss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjOp9z4NxMc

and there are more, More MORE [in Chris Pennock's voice!]  Take a look.

[Raineypark]

As annoying as the Writers strike is, it's just too important to compromise.  Human beings love to be told stories.  They put the babies to sleep, entertain the children, inspire the young, and comfort the old.  The ability to tell stories lifts us ever-so-slightly above the animals.

The writers are entitled to share in the wealth that modern media creates.

[Nancy]

Well said, Mark.  Producers and directors love and respect writers until the desired idea or script is produced, then it's as if the writer never existed.   They deserve a chance to make some money off their idea(s) and work.

nancy

I know some here are concerned about the WGA strike and how it will impact TV schedules, movies, etc. While I don't have a personal stake in the WGA strike per se, as someone who writes professionally, and being an active member of the Horror Writers Association, I do have an interest in seeing the writers prevail in this situation. Just like the major corporations in Hollywood, literary publishers are beginning to insert clauses in their contracts that deprive writers of any income made on electronic/digital sales. Right now, there's virtually no money being made there, so no one's made much of a stink yet. But it will be coming, somewhere down the road.

[Jackie]

I'm curious.  Do the actors and writers from long ago, 50's, 60's and so on, get any compensation for their work being on DVDs or reruns on TV?  And now with the Internet, I also wonder if those same entertainers from the past and now the new generation of writers and actors, get any compensation for their creative work that are on various media?  With the sales of all those DS DVDs, do the DS actors and writers get anything??

[MagnusTrask]

In the UK (I think they still do this), the writer's name appears right after the series title and episode title, in the opening credits.    (I'm thinking mainly of my Dr Who and other tapes up through the 80s and maybe 90s.)   the credits list the lead actor and the writer, that's it.   it's "Episode title by Writer".   Everyone else has to wait until the closing credits.  

I'm totally and completely on the side of the writers, even though I find nothing to watch these days.     I blame networks who cut back on scripted shows for cheap reality shows.... but that also means the writers are striking when (I would think) they have no chance of winning.   The business peopler don't need writers.  They can just jam a few more random people into a house and make them live together.

[Nancy]

Writers do not.

Most of the actors on shows through the 1970s receive little or no money from syndication and DVDs. Back when contracts were created, syndication and the idea of shows being made available through a medium other than TV was not a reality.  No provision was made for that.  I remember reading about actors Dick York (Darren from "Bewitched") and Jim Backus ("Gilligan's Island" and "Mr. Magoo") being a little bitter about the fact they were not getting any money from the re-runs of their famous shows.  The DS actors receive some money from the videos and DVDs that have been produced and the show in syndication but the money isn't that much.  You certainly couldn't live on it.

nancy

I'm curious.  Do the actors and writers from long ago, 50's, 60's and so on, get any compensation for their work being on DVDs or reruns on TV?  And now with the Internet, I also wonder if those same entertainers from the past and now the new generation of writers and actors, get any compensation for their creative work that are on various media?  With the sales of all those DS DVDs, do the DS actors and writers get anything??

[loril54]

Even though the cost might be more for the product. I would certainly pay it. Just think of all the money that is made on line with all the advertisements, plus the cost of the production of DVD's and packaging is not that much compared to the joy that it brings.  I may miss my shows, but I do think that people should be paid for their work.  I loved the U tube videos.

I guess Nancy knows how much it cost to produce a DVD, I know blank DVD's don't cost that much.

We should all stand United.

[Bob_the_Bartender]

I hope that the writers get the monies that they're striking for.

Nevertheless, it would be great if the writers for such unfailingly "high-quality" shows as "The Maury Povich Show," "Dr. Phil" and "The View" kept right on striking, PERMANENTLY, imho!

[MagnusTrask]

They have writers?   I doubt we'd see a difference during the strike.

[Bob_the_Bartender]

They have writers?   I doubt we'd see a difference during the strike.

The very thought of Maury Povich without idiot cards to read off of while he's conducting those probing, yet, heartfelt interviews on his show.  Heck, that's like the esteemed Dr. Eric Lang appearing in a commercial to extoll the benefits of Levitra or Beano without the use of a teleprompter!   

[Jackie]

Thanks to all who answered my questions.  If this strike causes more reality shows to pop up and less creative programming, my TV set will be growing cobwebs bigger than David's dream curse! 

[loril54]

 LOL Very good about the cobwebs. Don't watch much drama's on TV except
 Moonlight.  It won't be back until the 14th of December.  They had a cliffhanger,
 but not as good as DS.

[Mark Rainey]

This is cute.

Honk if you love horror