So several Late Night shows are going to cross the Picket lines and go back to work

[Toots]

Starting Jan 1 The Late Show with Jay Leno is going back to production along with a few others. Do you think Jon Stewert and Steve Colbert will be far behind? How long do you think they should hold out? Remember there are a lot of people without paychecks now. All the stage hands and general workers are without paychecks at Christmas. I sympathize with the writers but they need to consider other people as well. I doubt Jon can, in good faith, stay off the air much longer..The writers are only a small part of the show as far as payroll goes. It would be different if their Union paid all the workers while on strike but they only take care of themselves. What about the guy running the lighting or the camera guys or the grips or ordinary stage hands.. :shrug:

[King Coal]

1. Never scab, never never.

[Toots]

3. There is a reason the Unions lost so much power over the years.

When they become unreasonable the people turn away.. The Unions were just starting to regain some public approval after so many years of losing ground. This is one time they might have to consider other people as well as themselves..

[spanone]

11. it is not unreasonable to expect to be paid a fair wage for your work

the point of striking is to make people uncomfortable. if leno and letterman and who else were not being fully compensated for their work they would walk in a minute.

[blondeatlast]

8. Exactly. And affiliated unions are supporting the strikers:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i396ec42a7743c503f3f41123be71a22a

[Warren Stupidity]

2. It is called solidarity. nt.

[Toots]

4. Is that why the Teamster's Hall in Houston was built with scab labor?

:shrug:

[blondeatlast]

9. Cite? Thank you. nt

[Lone_Star_Dem]

15. That was a horrific solidarity issue

I still recall that and it pissed me off to no end when they pulled that stunt.

The sad truth is each local is run by its members and even though they're support each other, sometimes you get one like Teamsters Local 988. Run by asses and filled with asshat members. You should also mention how they pulled out of the AFL-CIO before they chose to build their hall on the cheap.

I suppose if you're going to bring that one up you should mention the number of Locals in Houston who complained about the underhanded ways of Local 988 and how the other Locals didn't resort to such methods when they built their halls. You should probably also mention how Local 988 was shunned by other Locals for their actions.

If you're wanting to be fair that is.

[ThomWV]

5. Do not view those shows - Turn the TV off. Do not support a Scab.

[blondeatlast]

13. Exactly. I watch very little tube anyway, but if they scab, forget it. nt

[KharmaTrain]

6. SAG Needs To Stand Firm

First..yes, I expect the Daily Show and Colbert to return under pretty much the same conditions Leno's show does. Viacom owns Comedy Central and will stick with the producers to the very end as they make money not only on the producing of these shows but also the distribution (DVD sales, international)...they stand to gain a lot from breaking the unions.

Also, as you state, many of the stage hands, office people and support staffs have gone without paychecks for almost two months at a very difficult time. While I'm sympathetic to the writers and a strong supporter of the WGA cause, if I were in their situation I'd be hard-pressed not to return to keep the rent paid and the lights on.

The networks will suffer in the long-run...as they have in previous strikes. The longer they drag this out, the more changes they'll have to deal with. First is to find replacement programming and then how to deal with a screwed up season that could run into the next year. It also messes up the money chain as shows that are to be delivered to foreign markets and onto DVDs have to be delayed. Hang tough WGA...

Also SAG or the Screen Actor's Guild are the important people here. I would hope members will honor the WGA pickets that will deprives a lot of shows with the cheap replacement talent they hope will "tide them over". It'll be tough when the only people Jay Leno can interview are Chuck Norris and Dennis Miller. Also it will pull the rug on the big money awards shows next year.

Union leaders believe the producers will stand down through January and hope to starve out the union. I'm proud to see how strong the union has stood up to this challenge and the support its gotten despite a virutal corporate media blackout.

[RB TexLa]

7. Most all television has been in production. There have been pictures of the actors joining the

picket lines on their breaks, and then crossing them to go back to work.

[KharmaTrain]

10. Those Are Under Contract

I've seen those pics, too. The ones I'm refering to are the guests on the talk shows and replacement reality and game shows they're sure to roll out. I would imagine those who cross do so with very mixed emotions.

[blondeatlast]

12. Agreed. This will hurt the industry but may make it stronger in the long run.

I see fewer cheesy movies that go to video within a couple of weeks and more thought put into quality programming.

The only show I make time to watch is "Ugly Betty" which has consistently excellent writing and a stellar cast. Were there something more entertaining oin, I might watch more, so I'm hoping to see some improvement after this.

And as always: Union? YES.

I live in a Right to Screw the Worker state, Arizona. I know what the lack of strong unions can do.

[KharmaTrain]

16. Como Se Dice Illegal Immigrants...

I've seen the broadcast unions busted into oblivion...I know how this game is played...slowly, surely and bit by piece. Then comes the "outsourcing"...

Hopefully this country is starting to learn that "Always The Lowest Price" doesn't mean the best quality or American jobs.

Cheers...

[blogslut]

14. Keep in mind

Jay and Conin will be returning without writers and without the approval of the WGA.

However, DAVE has reached an ala carte agreement with the WGA - his show will return with writers and and with the approval of the WGA. From what I understand, Stewart is negotiating an ala carte agreement for both Daily Show and Colbert Report - Stewart is the producer of both programs.