Filler evident in late-night TV's return

[Fleshdancer]

http://tv.yahoo.com/the-late-show-with-david-letterman/show/31647/news/urn:newsml:tv.ap.org:20080103:hollywood_labor_late_night

Filler was immediately evident on the shows without writers. O'Brien, sporting facial growth to match his red hair, showed off Christmas cards, danced on his table as his band played the Clash's "The Magnificent Seven" and tried to see how long he could spin his wedding ring on his desk. Leno took questions from his audience.

There was also plenty of free on-air promotion for the guild's cause.

"The writers are correct, by the way. I'm a writer ... I'm on the side of the writers," Leno said.

"I want to make this clear. I support their cause," O'Brien said. "These are very talented, very creative people who work extremely hard. I believe what they're asking for is fair."

[cboy4]

1. Yea they support the writers because they'd be virtually

nothing without them.

[Trajan]

2. Hmmmmmm ....

Both Leno and O'Brien belong to the Writer's Guild, and always have .....

Leno worked his way up through the ranks of stand up comics to eventually take the reins of the venerable 'Tonight Show', while Conan ably wrote for two of the the greatest comedy shows in TV history: 'Saturday Night Live' and 'The Simpsons' ....

I am not a big fan of Leno, and their 'crossing the line' is winning no points here, but there is absolutely no doubt that both of these persons will go on writing excellent comedy for many years to come ....

And that is my semi-worthless opinion .....

After 51 years of life, I still don't understand gratuitous meanness ....

[ConsAreLiars]

4. Just like Reagan and the SAG and his collaboration with HUAC.

Your heroes, like Reagan, turned against their comrades. You don't understand? Clearly, you don't. Look up "scab."

(edit to elaborate a bit)

[cboy4]

6. I agree. I don't understand their meanness either.

You'd think they'd be more loyal to their friends who make a fraction of their salary for doing all of the hard work providing a majority of the comedy.

[ConsAreLiars]

3. Yeah, strikebreaking is a great way to show their support for the unions.

I think they've demonstrated their real priorities by their actions.

[Raine]

5. SCABS

a scab is a scab is a scab no matter whether you claim to be on the writer's side or not your actions show what you really are. x(

[cboy4]

7. And the studio audience is a bunch of terrible people

crossing the picket line.

Most likely all of them are Republicans, because Republicans don't give a shit about union workers.

Oh there I go again violating DU rules by saying mean things about Republicans.

[killbotfactory]

8. Lol

I figured they would make it obvious writers are necessary for their shows.