WGA Strike Log Day 3 - The Showrunners

[minimoose001]

why scrubs a seth mcfarlene

[PeaceLoveEtc]

what support? i want my shows back!!

hahah i love how slobbed out seth MF looks. hes my hero.

[mrwest15]

Stop striking right now! (I know I'm going to get negatives for this, but I don't care, this strike should have never started.)

[Lizi99]

I love ER...but damn! Why did you make Abbey do that....its your fault, no hers! :)

[invisibleisland]

check out my strike video.

[heine71]

What's a showrunner?

[Chandude]

showrunners are those that are both writers and producers of a show.

they run the show.

[heine71]

SHOWOFFS! (And I don't mean the 1975 game show hosted by Bobby Van).

[theWrightMVP]

These writers are all faggots. That about sums it up. Thanks for taking our favorite shows away from us.

[Sublimexxx]

If you have such a problem with it, the YOU go try and the scripts.

[potterluva9393]

I understand what the writers are saying, but they're being stupid! They make money! More money than people over in other countries that do the REAL work. And do you think those people get enough pay? no! Do you think those people get credit for their work? No! Do you see them on strike? No! Because they can't go on strike. Going on strike could cost them their life. Instead of wanting more money, you should be helping those who have only a fraction of what you have.

[Sublimexxx]

It's not the WGA's fault that other people can't go on strike. And I don't know what you're complaining about, there are plenty of famous people that spend a LOT of their money on the less fortunate. Those TV shows that everyone loves so much are the writers' creation, and that being said they are entitled to much more than they get.

[Pervenche09]

The Writers Guild Foundation has established an Industry Support Fund to assist members of the industry who are in financial distress as a direct result of the Writers Guild of America strike against the AMPTP, which began on November 5, 2007. This Fund is designed to provide emergency assistance for food, housing, transport, medical and other expenses, info at btlnews,org under strike blog or email me i will help direct you to forms ...spread the helpful information to those in need please

[yovkoa]

is the strike still going?

[heine71]

YES! No date for settlement yet...

[berres]

Fuck you writers.We dont support you orright.You are like crying babies

[rynodaug]

why don't you support them smart guy?

[garytelecastor]

Well then Carlton Cuse, be a man and go get a real job. Or perhaps you think you are better than the rest of the planet. It's called the free market system, deal with it. I will call the studios and tell them not to deal with you lazy pieces of....

[Nic0leSullivan]

I watched the whole season 6 of Scrubs and then season 7. I did everything, including looking on wiki to see when the next episode of season 7 would air. I hope things get situation, I'm itching to see what happens in my favorite show on TV (Possibly one of the only shows I watch on TV)

[SiriosIX]

Support the writers. They are the creative force behind the films and programs we all love. They should be rewarded, not the fat cats and the corporations. We as consumers should stop purchasing all goods from the huge companies. When they see their profits tumble, they will soon fall on their greedy fat knees begging for mercy.

[budx12]

third homes??? More like third world.

[Proofpoochie]

Why is Bill Lawrence Striking? You can not watch Scrubs online.

[MikerL81]

yes you can.

[vynerstudio]

for us only i would say.... coz i cant watch it ;(

[brandim231]

Yes you can... it's really not hard to find it.

[dellmotu]

Shut the fuck up you rich White Fuck. Gimme a fucken break you faggots make twice the amount per year than the average American. So sorry your not making enough two make the payments on your third homes. Fuckers!

[eviltesticles]

find some real fucking jobs ...losers movies and tv is for retards

[BillLawrenceFan]

I frickin' love Bill Lawrence!!!!!

[sarahbethisfamous]

I LOVE YOU BILL LAWRENCE!!!!

[twdarkflame]

Absolutely.

With the cheapest medium of distribution ever invented (the net), the networks dont give the writters anything. While simaltaniously they claim to shareholders the internet is worth millions in advert revenue. They cant have it both ways. Writters should get a fixed % accross all mediums. TV, DVD, internet, and any future mediums.

[TimeBoy180]

They really need to give the writers equal credit and money, so we can watch the show's we love! I HOPE IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL so I can laugh at The Office (laughing with them)

[keforster]

What ... aren't there any women executive producers out there? While I support the cause, I was disappointed that all these producers speaking were men. Different issue, I know, but still!

[MichiganOutlaww]

Get back to work you bunch of bums!!

[Enferes]

The comment writers can't survive between jobs is bull. If you don't have the ideas to support yourself then maybe you should go into a different line of work. This is simply entertainment welfare. What has Hollywood socialism done to entertainment? Look at the crap we see these days and there you go. Reward writers based on their track record, not on a lucky hit.

[Enferes]

Greedy mo fos? Who do you think invests their money into a movie or television show? If the movie fails at the box office or the show is cancelled early in its run who takes the financial hit? Not the writer. The writer is paid and walks away. Unless the writer wants to share the financial risk they have no right to ask for more money.

[mlex2311]

go get those greedy mofos.

[slicklet]

The writers deserve what they are asking for it's not rocket science. I lost my internship b/c of the strike. But hey thats ok.

[superorange]

LOST fans have been waiting so long for season 4! Hurry up and give the writers the money they've worked for!

[Meshakhad]

So, because other people will lose jobs, the writers cannot strike?

[Shahamu]

Seth MacFarlane should have said "This is worse than the time when..."

[alanreworks]

....i got that 60million $ syndication check

[CrimsonSir]

I hope the E.R. guy never goes off strike. Get rid of that terrible show that should've been killed eons ago.

[DicksonprestoPreston]

I hope you guys at the WGA can truly hang and not ACCEPT ANYTHING JUST TO END THE STRIKE, because the corporations are taking a cue from George Bush and his dealings with Congress....NO NEGOTIATION, NO COMMENT, NO COMPLIANCE and Congress capitulates. Because if you do you'll have created ANOTHER strike in 15-20 years, to your kids as they fight for crumbs.

Studios = Bush

Writers = Congress

[mental3212001]

it seems to me that every show on t.v. sucks so i don't really care. i do like the office though. but i hope that all the shows get canceled except the office

[eighthgradeteacher]

Can someone explain to me what a "showrunner" is? What is their average salary? When they complain about their assistants being fired, are they their personal assistants who report directly to the show-runners nad pick up dry cleaning and stuff or do they work for the studios legitmately? Thanks

[wearenear]

I march in solidarity [as SAG], and the showrunners are upset about the assistant lay-offs because they know these people are middle-class and cannot afford it. MOST of the 12,000 members of the WGA are middle-class. They are not below the poverty line, but they do not soar above it. They NEED residuals because it is that money that helps bridge the gap in between jobs. If millionaires are making money off of a product, the creative force behind the product should also be able to pay the bills.

[alanreworks]

Ok, but what are the assistants technically? I mean if they are kids brought on by the studios as a perk to help make the showrunners life easier by doing personal stuff for them then it makes sense that the studio lay them off when the showrunners decided not to come in. I mean come on. It's sad that low paid assistants car the first to go, but it makes sense that if the showrunners arent coming in to work, there would be no reason for their personl assistatns to be sitting round the office?

[wearenear]

They are writer's assistants. They are all writers themselves, and that is what they are there to do -- write. They aren't just the kids who go pick up dry cleaning and fetch coffee. These people are not even IN the WGA, and yet they are marching for their bosses. They will not cross the picket lines because they believe in the cause, and because they plan on one day being able to join the union and know that the issues will then come into play for them, personally.

[HamRadioPanda]

No biggie. We'll just watch football, boxing and wwe, whose writers aren't on strike and work continuously all year long to produce storylines because there is no fall or spring hiatus for them.

[187LostSoul]

flooding this one aren't ya... i didn't even realize that wwe and boxing got storylines to follow.

[MiamiUtube13]

WGA Unite! Father corperations must be such bitches...

[HamRadioPanda]

The Ghost of Rick James says, 'Fuck yo residuals, nigga!'

[akafegirl]

You have all my support, WGA.

[2891john2891]

OMG stop saying all these writers are rich and white!!! the only ones that are rich are the executive producers/creators all of the lower writers need to be fucking paid too! w/o the writers there is nothing. but lets give zach braff 500,000 an episode so he can say EEEAAAGGGLLLEEE! not to metion that the WRITERS actually came up with it... greedy pigs? where do you get the nerve to say that?!

[alanreworks]

What is the percentage of black comedy writers working? Women? What is the average salary for a network comedy writer? I actually have no idea. They come across as rich and white is all, from the media. But what are the actuals?

[misslulu2u]

I sold a pilot ten years ago and wrote on two shows - I rent a studio - always have and I have one thousand dollars to my name. That's how rich most writers are - don't point to a handful of executive producers and say all writers are rich.

[srb4887]

Bitch about the writers all you want, without their brillance popular culture would be even worse than it is already.

[actionslacks77]

Brilliance? Examples please? Are you talking about Cavemen? Carpooling? Desperate Housewives? Is this really the bar for Brilliance in pop culture today? Have you been to your local library recently? I didn't think so.

[alanreworks]

I think they are talking about "corey in the house". until this strike I never thought about the writers, but now that I know how much they make and how little they do and that they have personal assistants, and they come across as so selfish and self serving I am TV OFF.They are getting to live their dream and get paid to do it. and now they're running off their playground with the ball I always hated reality tv until today. Go reality. Let's strike against these strikers.

[Suse715]

I just bet that everyone whining in their comments that the writers are being greedy and selfish by striking would be the first ones bellowing their outrage if some giant, rich corporation was making money of their work and they were getting paid *nothing* for it.

[KittyMeow202]

No support from me, im disgusted by you greedy pigs.

[HamRadioPanda]

You guys look ridiculous in your red shirts. Carlton Cuse is just using this as another excuse to drag Lost on without giving us any closure or plot resolution.

[alanreworks]

ahahhah. they do look like douchebags. if they could only see themselves as america sees them. In MN we laugh and throw beer cans at them on TV.

[HamRadioPanda]

You'll get no support from me. You're dragging viewers into this who have nothing to do with it and come home from a hard day's work expecting to be entertained to take their minds off the stressful, grueling day at the job. REAL jobs where we sweat, hurt, get migraines, get dehydrated and have to take drugs just to keep going.

[HamRadioPanda]

Seems to me the writers are well off enough that they can afford to strike outside studios all day long. What happens when their money runs out? The executives can hold out forever, you morons! And now that you've alienated us, the viewers, and possibly nailed the coffins shut on shows like Lost, Prison Break, 24, do you really think we'll take you back? You can't say you love your art and then hold it hostage for financial purposes.

[akafegirl]

Uh... right. So what drugs were you taking, HamRadioPanda? Because your world view seems a bit skewed. Everyone, including ingrates like you, should get paid for their work. Why don't you learn an issue before you take a side based on selfishness and ignorance?

[wearenear]

What an ignorant comment. Sometimes an issue is so important, that people will risk poverty at the moment to ensure a better future. EVERYONE deserves to be paid for the work that they do. Most writers are not wealthy, or anywhere close to it, and rely on residuals to pay the bills and feed the kids. The corporate giants are making a killing off of these products and the "little guys" are left struggling. NOT FAIR.

[actionslacks77]

Oh please. Get off your high horse. People were not starving because of the current contract. However now the crew members have NO income. Do you understand that? Moron. DO a little research.

[wearenear]

I have been out on the picket lines. I went to the rally. I've actually spoken to numerous individuals that this is affecting, and have heard how and why they are doing what they are doing. As intelligent as your childish name-calling is, you are sadly uninformed. Crew members going to work APOLOGIZE for doing so, others come out and march in support. We in the artistic community are here for one another, because we all need each other and we want everyone to be treated FAIRLY.

[alanreworks]

they'll hold out then clean house. it wil be for the best/ if we only knew how many douchebag fatcats were on "development deals" making seven figures for not doing anything. and yes, they are all white men.

[2891john2891]

hmmm lets take what you said and apply it to something else...

"Seems to me that the 'teachers' are well off enough that they can afford to strike outside their buildings all day long."

ooohhh....argument not so strong now is it?

[captainrojahz]

I'M BOYCOTTING IN SUPPORT OF THE WRITERS!!! I downloaded the first ep of Big Bang Theory after it became available for free on iTunes. My wife and I LOVED IT! We paid iTunes for the next 3 episodes of BBT. I heard about the strike. I decided that CBS doesn't need my money if they aren't going to share it with the people that make it happen. I'll watch it for free on the CBS site. When the studios finally cave and give them what they deserve, I'll go back and pay for the rest on iTunes.

[strayster2]

You've got the right idea, but the CBS site is also making money off of you watching them online because they're selling advertisements for it. Actually, I think they might even be making more money than if you bought them off Itunes...

[Drummer24seven]

Those corporate bastards pay the writers now  and also the behind the scenes people. we don't need any more reality shows.

[actionslacks77]

Yeah, just give us more sports and reality and we'll be fine. Besides, the show-runners are already crossing the line once their wives remind them they have pools to maintain, service on the jaguar, and equestrian events to attend. The writers are so stupid to think that American's really believe their claims of poverty.

[HamRadioPanda]

I'll tell you who I support, people like actionslacks. If you people were truly impoverished, you'd be worrying about securing a job, not picketing all your free time away. Where have all the starving artists gone? Book authors are so much more thick skinned than this.

[187LostSoul]

lmafo

[alanreworks]

I do too. The starving artists are still here- writing books and stuff. Not comedy writing for television.

[SilverQueen]

Excuse me. The failboat is here for you.

[flytipp8]

the networks are dumb they are just delaying what they owe to the writers. i mean what do the networks really think is going to happen? everyone will just stop picketing and go back to work? Ive gotta say i had no idea that they didn't get any money from there stuff being put on the internet i and in full support of the writers they deserve some compensation for their work.

[MingSchwazia]

More support - good luck to all!

[LeoAsc]

This is a really important issue. Sad that it will effect a lot of people not actually in the industry, but the fat corporate cats (studio heads) don't give us the creative stuff we enjoy, the writers do that. All they want is to make a living wage, and yay for the showrunners for their support.

[SMUGEONE]

daMN i hope this doesnt effect my messenger job. i need to stay busy

[Aiursrage2k]

Hope the strike ends soon

[Saitenji]

I completely support the writer's strike, and I've already signed the petition and will be keeping up with the blog set up by the strike captains.

Although to answer mtivyan's question:

Hollywood writers are mostly white pasty males as admitted by the few female writers that exist. Therefore, they were either hidden in the crowd or were mistaken for a white pasty male.

[mtivyan]

This is an amazing video. It would be even stronger with women. Where are they?

[fattyfactcats]

nope, all rich white men.

[Sajomir]

You gonna just troll every day of the strike, then?

[fattyfactcats]

yup

[actionslacks77]

Listen the WGA has employed their writers assistants to troll the youtube all day burying dissenting opinions. There is a whole other side to this story and you should read what it is really about. Everyone has been laid off while these hypocrites try to get more money. It's a completely unnecessary selfish strike.

[HamRadioPanda]

In the kitchen cooking expensive meals for their rich studio executive husbands. As they should.

[VerdureVision]

The Studios-Media Corps. KNOW the $ potential of the Internet. So, the Studios refuse to negotiate a fair deal with the WGA for New Media compensation. Meanwhile, the FCC is rushing through rule changes for more media consolidation. That means fewer media outlets--making more money than ever before, mainly because they don't have to pay the content creators. THAT'S the "financial model" that Big Media is trying to "work out." Do the right thing...SUPPORT THE WGA!

[VerdureVision]

For more info:

Google "Sumner Redstone Media and Money Conference" and "FCC Media Ownership Hearings"

Stay strong, Writers!

[recyclepile]

What you say about the FCC...It is very frightening to think of that, as those who control the media control the world. I think it's not only the Studios and Media Corps, it's also the Cable MSOs and distributors. The WGA is only asking for what's fair, and what will be best for creative freedom in the long run. Love to the WGA and the Showrunners, and to the SAG supporters as well!

[GrissomLovesSara]

So that means that everytime I've seen 'Butterflied' a CSI ep (the best one) on Spike TV, the writer doesn't get any money? That's crazy!

[captainrojahz]

BIG BANG THEORY IS ONE OF THE BEST WRITTEN SHOWS ON TV!!!!

I WATCH IT ON iTUNES!!!

I PAY iTUNES!

iTUNES PAYS CBS!

CBS SHOULD PAY THE WRITERS!!!!

[woodsideandbeyond]

EXACTLY!

[FirenStrbrst]

you go guys (:

you deserve every cent that your asking for.

I totally can't live without the office, scrubs, house, and the big bang theory, so settle this fast!

[SuperCruiser72]

Leno: "If there was no strike, I'd be hilarious right now. Ugh!  I'd be killing!"

Hahaha! That's my Leno!

[hitps101]

they doing all this shit 4 a mesley dollar, and yet they cant do this to bring back they troops in iraq, theses celebs need use there powers to make a fuss about the war not cuz u aint gettin paid, like they need anymore money

[Raftrap]

It's a scary strike for anyone who watches TV, but its a necesary one, its important to clarify what everyone deserves (and with the money the studios are getting for new media, what the writers are asking is just fair), and sadly I have to agree that this is the only way to really call the studios attention. Good luck and keep strong WGA!!

[fattyfactcats]

what "everyone" deserves, really? Or just the "writers".

[TheRagingCelt]

Good for the showrunners! I hope they hang tough!

[fattyfactcats]

why does america need to know the word "show runner". it's as sretarded a word as "decision maker". sounds like 2 year old wrote it, or bush.

[TheRagingCelt]

The showrunner is the guy (or gal) who runs the writer's room. Helps break the stories and generally supervises the production of the show. Hence, showrunner.

And yes, it would not hurt America to know this word and understand how this system works.

And "FattyFatCats" could you have picked a more blatent pro managment nickname.

Oh wait, you can't read this. YOU CLOSED YOUR ACCOUNT!! PUSSY!!!

[alanreworks]

okay, thanks for the info. does he/she supervis [physical production on the show or just the writers?

fattyfactcats has nothing to do with management. i am not management. it was something my 2 year old son called my cat. He IS fAT.

[RodimusBen]

Yo Carlton! As a huge LOST fan who can't WAIT to find out what the Island is, I support the strike completely. If the writers aren't fairly compensated, ABC doesn't deserve to make money off of LOST.

[Eparabola]

Hopefully the behind-the-scenes crews (other than the writers) are under contract with the show and still get paid, strike nonwithstanding.

[jeneby]

hey there, unfortunately most of them do not so they are out of work, and not getting paid, during the strike.

[fattyfactcats]

that's the reality. They all got let go monday or wednesday thanks to the "showrunners" ie fat , lazy, middle aged white men not competent to exist in the real world.

[actionslacks77]

Everyone is out of work. The studios have shut down almost all television. Only the people working on the films are lucky to have jobs. These rich lazy jerks have killed the local economy with their recklessness.

[alanreworks]

It is the truth. My teamster friend is ready to blow. He and all the other loclas besides sag and dga obviously are steaming mad. How would anyone outside of those 13000, sweter vested white men empathize? I hope they are realizing what a stupid strike this is before they get themselves in a he of trouble

[Kzuke]

wow, the solidarity across the board is amazing. networks are being money grubbing scum.

[schwenkester]

i think that you people need to read what this strike is all about...the networks are being shady with their money, and while it may effect others, what strike doesn't? how else are the writers (the brains behind every show you watch) going to pay their bills if their employers aren't going to take notice of them

[spidrawebster]

Really happy to see the other unions supporting the WGA. Solidarity makes it work. Unions are as American as apple pie.

[TyredUvBS]

I'm a free lance writer, unencumbered by any union. I'm ready to cross the line. Where do I sign up?

[mageasm]

oh...sign up over here where it says, "Betray your brother, and have no sense of honor."

[wgaamerica]

You're referring to the Networks and studios, right?

[TyredUvBS]

Associated Press writers aren't paid each and every every time their material is posted and reposted on the net or other sources. They share their work with other contributors and organizations and don't try to control how it is ultimately distributed.

[HamRadioPanda]

Please do us viewers a favor and cross that line. We didn't ask for this kind of drama anyway and they've dragged us right into the middle of it by holding up production. What are they going to do? Throw pencils at you?

[187LostSoul]

lmao

[eighthgradeteacher]

hahaha. I feel bad for you, good luck

[eighthgradeteacher]

i'm sure you won't get any suggestions on this site. It seems to be taken over by the WGA.

[alanreworks]

sure seems that way.

[TyredUvBS]

It's quite apparent they have no regard for the cameramen and crew, set designers, sound stage and light people etc behind the scenes; nor do they seem to care much about the fans of their shows either. They are only focusing on their own wallets. There are many others involved in making the shows work that are going to be affected by this strike/breach of contract.

[thoughtful]

This issue affects all of those people as well, and when their union contracts come up for renewal (next up, the Screen Actors Guild in June) the precedent set here by how the studios come to an equitable agreement with the writers will able the other people involved in the creative process to also be properly compensated for the use of their work.

[larrymcg421]

By and large, the crew people support the writers 100%.

The studios are the ones being unreasonable in this.

[fattyfactcats]

the crews support those blowhards 100%? really?

[actionslacks77]

This out of work crew member doesn't! And none of my friends that are losing their jobs today support them either.

Do people really believe that the crews and the rich writers hang out together or give a shit about each other? Writers are the most hated because they are the most overcompensated for their contribution.

[actionslacks77]

I don't. Nor do my out of work friends.

[actionslacks77]

Yes, these guys make a ton of money and their reckless ill timed behavior is putting thousands of people out of work for the holidays. Screw them and their whining.

[fattyfactcats]

amen.