FYI: HBO is advertising the return of Real Time w/Bill Maher on January 11th.

[babylonsister]

Saw it last night; I hope this is right, despite the strike. We'll see...

[tulsakatz]

1. I know!!

I can't wait!!

Leno and Conan are supposed to start making new shows so maybe Bill is going to do the same thing....

[babylonsister]

2. Hold on to your hat - so are Stewart and Colbert:

Stewart and Colbert to Return Without Writers


By BRIAN STELTER
Published: December 21, 2007

Comedy Central’s pair of popular news satirists, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, will return to their television shows on Jan. 7, two months after production was suspended because of a writers’ strike.

Mr. Stewart, host of “The Daily Show,” and Mr. Colbert, host of “The Colbert Report,” will have to improvise their monologues and interviews without the help of their writing staffs.

In a statement, Comedy Central said, “We continue to hold out hope for a swift resolution to the current stalemate that will enable the shows to be complete again.”

It was unclear why the two men decided to return. The announcement came days after the NBC hosts Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien and the ABC host Jimmy Kimmel said they would resume their late-night shows on Jan. 2.

The CBS hosts David Letterman and Craig Ferguson are also expected to return on Jan. 2. Mr. Letterman’s production company is scheduled to meet with the writers’ guild on Friday to discuss an interim agreement that would allow writers for the two shows to resume work.

A Comedy Central spokesman declined to say whether it had pursued a deal with the guild.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/21/business/media/21strike.html?em&ex=1198299600&en=314e2f8d2ebdea65&ei=5087%0A

[tulsakatz]

9. all right!

I'm getting sick of reruns!

[ColbertWatcher]

4. I CAN wait

The studios are trying to screw the writers over BIG TIME!

While I understand the hosts of the various shows are talking about saving the shows to help the rest of the crew, they are throwing the writers under the proverbial bus.

Which will mean more crappy "reality" shows or more religious bullshit.

Can you imagine a network that is nothing but Pat Robertson, dumb game shows and eating bizarre foods to win a contest?

Show the studios you want better shows on TV by
--supporting the writers
--boycotting corporate websites
--boycotting DVDs
--boycotting the sponsors of the shows that have returned without writers

The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Carson Daly

When we remember the airwaves do not belong to the corporations, TV will stop sucking.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

7. Yeah, show them we own the airwaves!

Boycott basic cable shows!!!11!11

[ColbertWatcher]

10. You laugh now,

...just wait until all the "new" "regulations" kick in...you'll wish you did something today.

[cboy4]

3. I won't be watching, which just kills me since I enjoy the show.

But I'm satisfied with my position.

I solidly support the writers and am therefore reluctant to cross any virtual picket line.

[kimmerspixelated]

5. But before the strike,

didn't he say he would return in Feb.? Things must've really changed!!!! I'm pleased as punch.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

6. He is following in suit with the late nighters. I look forward to seeing Maher, Stewart and Colbert

and I am torn between honoring the strike and America's need for info. My kids will not watch MSM and get their news from these three men.

[comtec]

8. I will be watching

because I have to download the eps in torrent, and it wont count towards their ratings :)
I'm sorry Comedy Central has not taken the high road like David Letterman, and negotiate separately to give the writers what they want, but I NEED my CCN!