Jon Stewart To Pay His Writers Out Of Own Pocket During WGA Strike

[babylonsister]

http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2007/11/05/stewart-will-keep-striking-daily-writers-afloat

Stewart Will Keep Striking 'Daily' Writers Afloat

If the writers strike fails, it won't be on account of Jon Stewart.

In a show of solidarity with his fellow scribes, the Daily Show host has told his writing staff that he will cover all their salaries for the next two weeks, according to a well-placed source. He has also vowed to do the same for writers on The Colbert Report. A Comedy Central spokesman referred my inquiry about this to Stewart's personal publicist, who has yet to respond.

Stewart's intention, says the source, is to ensure his writers will face no financial hardship should the strike, which kicked off at 3 a.m. local time, conclude within that timeframe.

Meanwhile, both Stewart and Stephen Colbert are reportedly working on their contingency plans in case it doesn't. "There are indications that Mr. Stewart and Mr. Colbert will come back in tweaked form if the strike is a long one, leaning on interviews and other writer-free approaches to keep both programs alive in a very busy political season," reports today's Times.

It should come as no surprise that Stewart is a union die-hard: He tells the current issue of Rolling Stone that his childhood heroes included socialist leaders Eugene V. Debs and Norman Thomas.

[coffeenap]

1. I love these guys! nt

[varkam]

2. More than just a funny-man.

Stewart has always impressed me, and this is just one more feather in his cap as far as I'm concerned.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. This doesn't surprise me one bit.

and it makes me an even bigger fan. :)

[mattclearing]

76. Me either.

I've told the story here before, but a few years back Jon was scheduled to do standup at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, but it was snowing, and he was late. He called in via cell phone from his car coming in from the airport and bought the entire house, probably about 2500 people, a drink. The show was eventually postponed, but what a standup guy.

[Akoto]

4. Bravo for them, and happily recc'd. n/t

[mikelgb]

5. 5 th or 6 th rec I'm not sure but KICK!

[Mabus]

16. LOL

I'm in the same boat. I hit "recommend" when there were four and then suddenly there were six. I don't think it matters which one of us was the 5th or 6th, I'm just happy to give Stewart some recognition for taking care of those who depend on him for their livelihoods.

:toast:

[EFerrari]

6. That's really cool but how does it help the other strikers?

Wouldn't be against Union rules for TDS writers to keep working or, is that wrong?

[babylonsister]

10. Good question; wish I knew the answer. nt

[Lone_Star_Dem]

12. From reading the article it would seem he's going to pay them to strike

Not work for the next two weeks.

[EFerrari]

19. That makes more sense! Thanks.

I'm trying to watch Amy and scan DU and doing neither very well. lol

[Lone_Star_Dem]

22. It wasn't the best written article either

I had to read it twice to make sure that was what it said before I posted to you. :P

[Beartracks]

70. Where's a good writer when you need one?

>It wasn't the best written article...

Now that's just ironic. :eyes:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

85. Sorry...

It's not as if I keep a blog or do it for a living however.

[CTyankee]

80. I initially had the same response. It was hard to tell from the OPs headline

It was magnanimous of Stewart to do this. I think it helps the strike because it enables writers TO strike.

This issue has me mad as hell, and I am not a TV writer, nor do I even know one. But simple fairness in me is outraged.

Of course, every TV writer will be vying for a job with Stewart from now on!

[eyepaddle]

84. That's how I read it too,

:thumbsup: to both Stewart and Colbert. Big thumbsup.

[mondo joe]

15. The TDS writers wouldn't be working, as I understand it.

So they're not breaking any rules.

[SidDithers]

I don't think he's keeping them at work...

he's just going to continue to pay them for the next 2 weeks, so that they've still got money coming in during the strike.

At least that's how I read the article.

Sid

[Renew Deal]

20. They're not going to be working.

He's just covering lost salary.

[Quantess]

31. So it's a win-win situation.

Everyone likes those! Stop being such a cynic.

[Renew Deal]

32. huh?

You can't be referring to me. You must have confused me with someone else.

[Quantess]

33. Whoops.

Sorry for the confusion. I was mistaken.

[baseballhead]

25. Yes, that is what I was thinking.

Would they then be scabs for working anyway? I hope they get to work....I love the Daily Show.

[Kerrytravelers]

38. They would be scabs for crossing the picket line. But it seems that they will still be striking,

just getting paid from Stewart as a means of support. So, no, they aren't scabs in this case.

[Cleita]

26. Although the article doesn't state it, I believe he is

paying their salaries while they don't work and don't cross the picket line.

[SoCalDem]

28. They would be paid, but NOT working during that two weks.

By not having to take their share of "strike-pay", they WOULD be freeing that money up for other strikers.

and it's only for 2 weeks (for now).. The last strike lasted for MONTHS..

Stewart's trying to keep up their morale..

[Vincardog]

40. TDS writers wil not be working. They will be on strike.

[JDPriestly]

67. Two ways

1) Stewart's writers can share what they get if they wish to help their fellow writers.
2) It means Stewart's writers will stay out on strike as long as the other union members want to do so. They won't be tempted to break the strike.

Writers' strikes are a little different from other strikes if you think about it. If the guys at GM decide to strike, they all lose their paychecks during the strikes. Everyone is hit pretty much the same except for the facts a) that some of them had bigger paychecks and b) some have worse luck while out on strike.

But, writers don't have regular paychecks to begin with. If a writer happens to be unemployed for the strike period anyway, being on strike will not mean a big change in earnings. But if, say, a writer hasn't worked much for the past year and has just had the good luck to get some work for a good TV show, that is a huge loss. It isn't just the paychecks for the next few months. It could be the loss of the chance of a lifetime. Writers' strikes are serious business for many of the writers. I heard today that they go sometimes 18 months without any work. That is a very hard life. If you have just finally gotten a good gig that pays well, going on strike is a huge sacrifice. My heart goes out to the writers.

[Jankyn]

7. Another reason to love Jon Stewart...

...not that I needed one.

[appal_jack]

8. wow, k & f'n r

Our comedians walk their very principled talks while Congress-critters (of both parties :-( ) dissemble, rationalize, obfuscate, and approve continued torture and war, all while on the take for campaign and personal cash.

Strange world we live in. I'm glad that we've at least got fine folks like Jon Stewart to show how things can be done.

-app

[KatyaR]

55. Strange world, indeed--I think this is awesome.

It just goes to show that there are some bosses out there who really know and understand the people that work for them.

:toast:

Here's lookin' at you, Jon!

[tammywammy]

56. Please see post 47

[demnan]

9. Stewart is a class act

and this is one more reason why.

[Lurking Dem]

11. Question

If the point of a strike is to make it impossible for the shows to air and the networks to make money, how does this help them in that effort?

I'm confused.

[Akoto]

18. Stewart is paying their salary even as they strike. n/t

[Buzz Clik]

21. Stewart will be paying the writers while they are striking.

They will still be idle, the show will lack its writers.

Nothing changes except the writers won't suffer financially during the time he pays them.

[Lurking Dem]

34. Got it.

Thanks!

[liberal N proud]

13. That's because he loves what the writers do for him

He knows how valuable those people are and wants them to know he loves it.

[SidDithers]

14. .

Edit: posted in the wrong place. :)

[otohara]

17. What A Good Boss

and human being.

[illinoisprogressive]

23. And this is why we love Stewart. He has class and is cool

[MonkeyFunk]

24. Good for him...

what a mensch.

[tanyev]

27. Yet another reason to proudly wear my Stewart/Colbert 08 t-shirt!

[Beelzebud]

29. Who would have thought that dweeb with the short-lived MTV show would go on to greatness.

:)

Jon Stewart earned his seat at the daily show, and it's great to see him behaving like a caring human being now that he's sitting on top of the mountain.

[ronnykmarshall]

30. Thanks Jon!

[Gregorian]

35. Making America great, one comedian at a time!

Bravo! That's what it's all about. We're in this together. That's the American way, isn't it?

[Az]

36. Good grief that man has integrity coming out ever orifice on his body

Damn dude. That is so freaking cool.

[Booster]

37. What I have never really understood is why the unions, as I was a

union member for 34 yrs, don't push stike funds as hard as they should. During my 34 yrs our union went on strike twice - if everyone had contributed to a strike fund during the years we were working, the union could have done the same thing Jon is doing. Does someone have an explanation for unions not doing this?

[kimmylavin]

66. No idea.

My husband's a grip for IATSE Local 80.
They had a meeting with them a few months ago, and told everyone to store up "between $5,000 and $10,000 in their savings" for this.
Even with his union salary, there's no way we could have managed this.

The union gets them vacation pay, holiday pay, workman's comp, pension, health insurance, etc. - I have no idea why a strike fund isn't included.

[Whisp]

39. omg! what a beautiful human being.

geeze I love that guy.

[MagickMuffin]

41. Bravo Jon

:applause:

His writers has won him several Emmy's. I can't remember how many TDS has won now, but it's mostly due to the writers.

[Duer 157099]

42. Has Jon said that he is not a candidate yet?

I swear, if I have to give up hope on Gore, the best possible consolation prize would be if Jon jumped into the race!

Although, to be honest, I wouldn't wish this job on my worst enemy.

[SlowDownFast]

43. K&R! n/t

[otherlander]

44. K&R

I

[AuntPatsy]

45. Character speaks volumes and this man has plenty ..

[Rex]

46. He probably can afford it. So the 'Alliance' needs to breakdown

and show viewer loyalty.

[tammywammy]

47. Updated: Jon Stewart's NOT paying them

http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2007/11/05/stewart-will-keep-striking-daily-writers-afloat

"UPDATE, 2:20 P.M.: Confusion: Jon Stewart's rep just called back to deny the information above. I checked back with my source, who set me straight on a few details: Stewart is not paying writers out of his own pocket, but through Busboy, his production company. And it's not just writers who are getting their salaries covered but all the shows' employees. "He's hoping that it wraps up amicably and quickly, and over the course of that time he wants to look out for his employees," he says.

But when I ran this by Stewart's rep, he emailed back, "While I hesitate to knock down every rumor that comes up, the assertion that Jon and/or Busboy Productions will be paying for the staff is false and we have no further comment beyond this at this time.""

[The Count]

50. Most here refuse to read this one...

Cult of personality...

[tammywammy]

52. As soon as I read that he's not paying them

I've tried to put that in all the threads that say he is.

While it would be an awesome gesture, unfortunately it was a rumor that's not true.

[blondeatlast]

53. I thought this didn't pass the smell test. I'm quite certain he supports the

writers. though.

[tammywammy]

54. For me there's no question that he supports the writers

It's just that no, he's not paying them. :)

[BlueIris]

74. Hellloooooo. Anybody see this?

Stewart is nothing if not a "team player." He has to eat, too. He proved after the '04 election that he isn't interested in going to bat for anyone but himself.

[muryan]

75. what'd you expect him to do?

hes a COMEDIAN

[mark414]

48. jon stewart talks AND walks

solidarity!

:thumbsup: to jon stewart

[The Count]

51. Except he doesn't really - see # 47

[mark414]

57. i am still sort of confused

in the update it says they're getting paid through his production company...but then the quote from his rep seems to say that neither stewart nor his company are paying...

maybe we will learn more soon...thanks fer bringing that to my attention

[tammywammy]

59. He's not paying

the writer checked his source and they said that it was through the production company. Then the writer contacted Stewart's rep and they said "no, neither Stewart nor the production company is paying."

So, no, neither Steward nor the production company is paying, it was just a rumor that was wrong.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

49. Such a mensch! :)

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

58. Jon is a gem. nt

[Ken Burch]

60. Stewart is a mensch!

So, are Conan and Leno and Letterman gonna step up to the plate on this one?

They all started as writers.

[Egalitariat]

61. But it says he plans to cross the picket line if it becomes too inconvenient for him?***

nm

[blondeatlast]

62. Part of what of this don't get you, Yoda?

They don't NEED writers if they recycle old bits. colbert was a successful comedy writer (SNL, Strangers With Candy, etc.) long before his TDS stint. It's unlikely he'd turn his back on them now, and the article makes no mention that he has any intention of doing so..

[sasquatch]

63. Stewart for president!

B-)

[UTUSN]

64. Uh, I love Jon more than anybody, but isn't this strike-breaking? n/t

[AngryAmish]

81. I think it might be illegal

Loooong time since I read up on labor law.

[valerief]

65. I wish these guys ran the country. They couldn't do any worse. nt

[rockymountaindem]

68. What a mensch n/t

[BobTheSubgenius]

69. What dedication to principles!

How can you not love these guys?

[ooglymoogly]

71. These are the good guys....kr

[Starbucks Anarchist]

72. Check post #47 -- He's NOT paying them, it's a fake story.

[stickernation]

73. saw strikers all day !!!

just saw a spot on the local news. the strikers were like, "we are just asking for pennies on dvd sales and internet income." why the heck didn't they get these simple demands met at the bargaining table ?

could it be a weird backhanded way for our media establishment to get stewart, colbert, letterman and other popular liberalish shows off the air in time for the political season? as i understand it, this affects all the movie actors who are such stalwart democrats too - if this is not resolved the movies are going to dry up, the TV shows are going to dry up, there's going to be nothing but news, sports and reality TV into next november...

i think i am going to go out there with my video camera if they are back tomorrow and ask them some questions (if i feel up to it)...

-s

[texasleo]

77. Few people depend on writers more than he

win-win

[onenote]

78. he's not paying them. it was a false report. read the thread.

[onehandle]

79. Commie. Go back to Russia, Jon!

:evilgrin:

[iheartobama]

82. I'll bet Cheney....

....is behind the unresolved strike. It's keeps Progressives off the air! Wake up people!

[Bleacher Creature]

83. So, will the 1/2 News Hour stars follow suit?

I know the show is cancelled, but I couldn't resist!