NationStates Jolt Archive

Isn't affecting me at all.

And I support the strike and hope they take as long as they need until their demands are met.

ZOMG, I STOLE THE TOPIC.

how is this affecting you?

do you think that there will soon be an answer or is there a good one?

http://www.heroestheseries.com/writers-strike-may-cut-heroes-season-2-short/

:(

how is this affecting you?

Not at all. Mainly because I'm not currently writing for anyone or anything, and thus can't go on strike to show solidarity.

Ah... 'tis a good thing! I'd like to see an end to the mindless shit that is aired, those sitcoms... pretty much all of prime time television stinks.

Of course, it doesn't affect me at all. I don't have cable television. I got rid of it permanently in October... and I don't miss it one bit!

i wish the powers that be would just give in already! its not like the writers are making unreasonable demands. grrrrr

I WANT MY DAILY SHOW BACK

It's affecting me quite a lot. Thanks for caring :)

I heard a rumour that the current talks (subject to a media blackout) are just a matter of smashing out the details.

how is this affecting you?

do you think that there will soon be an answer or is there a good one?

That whole thing is way out of left field.

I don't know how anyone went down that rabbit trail.

:confused:
:confused:

It's affecting me quite a lot. Thanks for caring :)

I heard a rumour that the current talks (subject to a media blackout) are just a matter of smashing out the details.

oh god i hope so!

and i hope y'all get a fair agreement. it has to be rough being on strike in this economy.

we are that far behind in US shows,that it be six or more years before it does a thing to us

i wish the powers that be would just give in already! its not like the writers are making unreasonable demands. grrrrr

I WANT MY DAILY SHOW BACK


pretty much the same with me

I WANT MY DAILY SHOW BACK

I know, it's devestating. In the mean time you should listen to the John Oliver & Andy Zaltzman satirical podcast The Bugle (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/audio_video/podcasts/the_bugle/)

oh god i hope so!

and i hope y'all get a fair agreement. it has to be rough being on strike in this economy.

No chance of that. But thankyou. It's not particularly hard on me since I'm not part of the residual-reliant middle class of writers and obviously I ran home to Britain even before the strike so I could pick up money here. Yaaay.

No chance of that. But thankyou. It's not particularly hard on me since I'm not part of the residual-reliant middle class of writers and obviously I ran home to Britain even before the strike so I could pick up money here. Yaaay.

ahh its good to have a fall back plan.

you must be good if you can get jobs so quickly.

Not at all. Mainly because I'm not currently writing for anyone or anything, and thus can't go on strike to show solidarity.You (as well as everyone) should show solidarity by writing letters to the company urging them to give in and threatening to boycott the shows or illegally download them if they don't.
Unless of course, the writers don't want the consumers to help them.

ahh its good to have a fall back plan.

you must be good if you can get jobs so quickly.

Na, British writers just suck.

You (as well as everyone) should show solidarity by writing letters to the company urging them to give in and threatening to boycott the shows or illegally download them if they don't.
Unless of course, the writers don't want the consumers to help them.

Boycotts don't help when you weren't watching the stuff to begin with.

I'd be more sympathetic if every show doesn't seem to get worse and worse.

They should make a provision in any agreement that writers have to start proving they understand what continuity and a timeline is.

I do love that people finally get to realize that Stewart and Colbert need a term of writers to be funny. They read from a script and people act like they are comic geniuses.

Boycotts don't help when you weren't watching the stuff to begin with.The threat of a boycott would, though. The companies that put the shows out won't know if you're watching them or not.

I do love that people finally get to realize that Stewart and Colbert need a term of writers to be funny. They read from a script and people act like they are comic geniuses.

Stewart's a writer on the Daily Show and a member of the WGA. He's also a stand up comedian. Besides, comic acting is a rare skill in itself.

I'd be more sympathetic if every show doesn't seem to get worse and worse.

They should make a provision in any agreement that writers have to start proving they understand what continuity and a timeline is.

I do love that people finally get to realize that Stewart and Colbert need a term of writers to be funny. They read from a script and people act like they are comic geniuses.

if you think its so easy to read from a script and be funny try repeating some of the funny bits from the daily show. its not that easy.

the daily show has the kind of comic geniuses that saturday night live used to have. i love the whole on-camera team. they and their writers deserve every emmy they win.

Award shows are political events these days, nothing more. TDS wins Emmy's because their ideology matches up with the voters. Same with Colbert, they both ripped off O'Reilly, whom I despise. Then they call it a parody because they have no original ideas themselves.

And I wasn't saying it was easy, but a lot of people don't realize that their comedy is the product of a group of writers, it's not just them.

wtf? Please, Jon Stewart never hid the fact that their show had writers.

Award shows are political events these days, nothing more. TDS wins Emmy's because their ideology matches up with the voters. Same with Colbert, they both ripped off O'Reilly, whom I despise, but anyone can see that.

And I wasn't saying it was easy, but a lot of people don't realize that their comedy is the product of a group of writers, it's not just them.

Ripped off? Colbert parodies O'Reilly. Big difference. The Daily Show doesn't do anything like O'Reilly. TDS wins Emmys because it's the best thing on television. It's funny and smart, and that's all too rare.

I'm not sure how the group of writers thing changes anything?

Well FOX tried to rip off The Daily Show and it was a miserable embarrassment of a failure. You see, there are no intentionally funny conservatives.

Award shows are political events these days, nothing more. TDS wins Emmy's because their ideology matches up with the voters. Same with Colbert, they both ripped off O'Reilly, whom I despise. Then they call it a parody because they have no original ideas themselves.

And I wasn't saying it was easy, but a lot of people don't realize that their comedy is the product of a group of writers, it's not just them.

honestly, people dont realize that EVERYTHING is writing. (so to speak)

they think that john wayne was so tough. IT WAS IN THE SCRIPT.

there was a book out a few years back (maybe 20) of the quotes of famous women. i swear that half of them were quotes from movies. geeez those women only spoke those words, they didnt think they up. that was the (now uncredited) writer who may or may not have been a woman.

when you wonder why your long time favorite show sucks in the new season, its usually because they changed the writers. the writers went on to what is going to be your new favorite show and your old show is now written by lesser talents.

Stewart's a writer on the Daily Show and a member of the WGA. He's also a stand up comedian. Besides, comic acting is a rare skill in itself.
Indeed. If it was easy, everybody'd do it; after all, it'd be a pretty enjoyable job! Furthermore, an important part of it is reacting to the audience's response. Some of the best moments on the Daily Show/Colbert Report are the off the cuff jokes. Also, think how well Colbert does at never breaking character. If you've never tried it, it's incredibly difficult.

if you think its so easy to read from a script and be funny try repeating some of the funny bits from the daily show. its not that easy.
Indeed. How often have you tried to tell somebody about this great part of an episode they missed, and you barely get a laugh? I know that I've had that happen more times than I can count.


the daily show has the kind of comic geniuses that saturday night live used to have. i love the whole on-camera team. they and their writers deserve every emmy they win.
Definitely.

Award shows are political events these days, nothing more. TDS wins Emmy's because their ideology matches up with the voters. Same with Colbert, they both ripped off O'Reilly, whom I despise. Then they call it a parody because they have no original ideas themselves.

You think that parody is inherently unoriginal? I find satire to be one of the most difficult forms of entertainment to do well. Sure, anybody can parody something to a degree, but to do it such that it's actually entertaining, and to be able to do it consistently? That's a true test of your abilities. Especially since you have a good bit less leeway with what direction you go in with your jokes-- you have to, more or less, stick to the object of your satire.


And I wasn't saying it was easy, but a lot of people don't realize that their comedy is the product of a group of writers, it's not just them.

Of course they have other writers. They've never denied that, but there's more to comedy than having a good script. It also, by the way, doesn't mean that they can't come up with any of their own material. See: Stewart's abilities in stand-up, and the fact that he's a member of the Writer's Guild himself.

Indeed, the fact that he doesn't do so well in movies, where he has a much more defined script and no audience to respond to implies that he certainly does not merely work with a script to read, but has a good sense of how to make people laugh on his own.

Or look at Colbert when he did the White House Press Conference dinner. It was genius (even if the Busheviks present didn't like it)

All that said, I hope they find a fair solution soon. I need my Daily Show/Colbert Report, and I'd hate to think about what happens when they run out of new episodes of House, if they don't have writers! :eek:

Well FOX tried to rip off The Daily Show and it was a miserable embarrassment of a failure. You see, there are no intentionally funny conservatives.

An excellent illustration about how parody needs actual comedic talent/wit to be entertaining.

I'd hate to think about what happens when they run out of new episodes of House, if they don't have writers! :eek:

Improv!

"I can't figure out what's wrong with this patient"
"Does he have an axe sticking out of his head?"
"Yes"
"Well, it's probably that then"

Colbert's behavior at the White House was pathetic. It was so unfunny and ridiculous, I really felt embarrassed for him and I have a zero percent respect for Bush or him after that.

Tells you how little regard anyone should have with rabid Bush haters that they actually find that kind of grandstanding to be funny or brave.

Improv!

"I can't figure out what's wrong with this patient"
"Does he have an axe sticking out of his head?"
"Yes"
"Well, it's probably that then"

and then it turns out he has AIDS or something

and then it turns out he has AIDS or something

but, what was actually making him sick was a splinter in his foot from 20 years ago.....also, after they take that out his kidneys shut down, then they figure out he has lupus










nobody has lupus.

I can't wait for the strike to be over so the dollar collapse is halted and the economy can start to recover from the mess caused by the writers strike.

how is this affecting you?

do you think that there will soon be an answer or is there a good one?

The Daily Show and Colbert Report have been in reruns for weeks.

I can't wait for the strike to be over so the dollar collapse is halted and the economy can start to recover from the mess caused by the writers strike.

So that's why the dollar is collapsing? Here's a question. If the writers aren't working, where did you come up with such a piece of fiction?

I'd be more sympathetic if every show doesn't seem to get worse and worse.

They should make a provision in any agreement that writers have to start proving they understand what continuity and a timeline is.

I do love that people finally get to realize that Stewart and Colbert need a term of writers to be funny. They read from a script and people act like they are comic geniuses.

They do most of the writing themselves. In fact, when Colbert was on TDS he was the head writer. It's not that they aren't funny, it's just that to do all that research and writing in a few hours every day requires a team. Either of them could do the show without writers, but it would be a weekly show.

Colbert's behavior at the White House was pathetic. It was so unfunny and ridiculous, I really felt embarrassed for him and I have a zero percent respect for Bush or him after that.

Tells you how little regard anyone should have with rabid Bush haters that they actually find that kind of grandstanding to be funny or brave.

Please explain how it lacked humor. I can understand how you would think that it lacked humor if you are a Bush Apologist, but even if you don't agree with his politics, he has a talent for word play and caricature. He is, in short, funny.

So that's why the dollar is collapsing? Here's a question. If the writers aren't working, where did you come up with such a piece of fiction?

No, it's true. The massive export revenues that crappy TV shows generate for this country are needed to preserve our delicate balance of trade.

If they don't go back to work soon oil will be at $300 a barrel and the poor will start to starve. They are the single most important element in the US economy.

They do most of the writing themselves. In fact, when Colbert was on TDS he was the head writer. It's not that they aren't funny, it's just that to do all that research and writing in a few hours every day requires a team. Either of them could do the show without writers, but it would be a weekly show.

This isn't true. Not only is it an unrealistic assessment of how writing a TV show works but I also know that in this specific instance it is definitely untrue.

This isn't true. Not only is it an unrealistic assessment of how writing a TV show works but I also know that in this specific instance it is definitely untrue.

Oh really? I'm guessing you just happened to have been a writer on The Daily Show, huh?

Oh really? I'm guessing you just happened to have been a writer on The Daily Show, huh?

I wish. That'd be awesome.

I wish. That'd be awesome.

Yeah, it would have been.

Sorry if I sounded mocking...it was just the way you phrased it that suggested you were going to claim some sort of insider knowledge the rest of us couldn't get, and people who claim that are usually lying.

I want my daily show and Colbet Report to get new episodes again.

I am actually a writer. But my 'insider knowledge' is an article I read about how the show is put together.

Ah. Can you link us to the article?

Al;so, what have you written? And what do you write now?

Yeah, it would have been.

Sorry if I sounded mocking...it was just the way you phrased it that suggested you were going to claim some sort of insider knowledge the rest of us couldn't get, and people who claim that are usually lying.

I am actually a writer. But my 'insider knowledge' is an article I read about how the show is put together.

I will try to find it.

I wrote for stuff in Britain including the tv show 'Coronation Street' before selling three (unproduced) screenplays in Americatown. Now I am back in London writing and directing for the stage.
Oh. Good luck with that. I hope your plays turn out well.

Ah. Can you link us to the article?

Al;so, what have you written? And what do you write now?

I will try to find it.

I wrote for stuff in Britain including the tv show 'Coronation Street' before selling three (unproduced) screenplays in Americatown. Now I am back in London writing and directing for the stage.

Oh. Good luck with that. I hope your plays turn out well.

Thankyou.

I think the article was this (http://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/arts/television/05itzk.html&OQ=_rQ3D1Q26nQ3DTopQ2FReferenceQ2FTimesQ2520TopicsQ2FPeopleQ2FSQ2FStewart,Q2520Jon&OP=11d6dcd9Q2FQ3EEQ7DQ3DQ3EB(Q208f((JxQ3Exhh@Q3EFFQ3Eh,Q3E9fJ8Q3EJQ7DkQ7DQ3CI8I(vQ3Eh,IJuQ25XyJQ5Bk) but I'm not a NYTimes member so I can't check.

I heard a rumour that the current talks (subject to a media blackout) are just a matter of smashing out the details.

Here's the excellent Craig Mazin for the two or so of you that are interested:

"The rumor mill says there’s a deal nigh, and then there’s no deal. There’s some minor movement, but all the companies really did was add a small amount of garnish to the same shit sandwich they’ve been offering us since the start.

What to make of all of this?

There’s an interesting meme that’s been circulating around. Goes like this. “The companies are leaking optimistic rumors to Nikki Finke because they want to raise our hopes and then DASH them by making a bad offer. This is designed to lower morale, take the wind out of our sails and ultimately destroy our union.”

Wellll, I just don’t buy that. It’s not that I put trickery and manipulation past the companies. I just don’t think the above makes any damned sense.

So the companies offer us a bad deal, and we strike. They change the deal slightly, but it still stinks, so we stay on strike. Then they say they’re going to offer us a good deal…but they don’t…and we….

…still strike.

Why would this damage morale? My morale doesn’t feel damaged. Mostly, I feel the opposite. If anything, I’m more pissed than I was two weeks ago.

So why did this happen?

I’ve been thinking back to a number of deals that I’ve done with various companies over the course of my career. There have been a few times when my side and their side were far apart. And in all of those instances, I recall that business affairs would say something like, “Don’t worry, we have a solution to this that will make you happy,” and this was followed immediately by something that stank.

And when I complained that it stank, the companies seemed genuinely surprised.

The problem is one of cultural disconnect.

The companies just don’t get it. They honestly believe that if they pass a writer on the street and toss a nickel at him, he should jump up and kiss them for their generosity.

In other words, I think the reason the companies started talking like there was a decent offer on the table is because they actually believed they were putting a decent offer on the table.

This is bad news. We’re still tragically far apart, and with time running out before the television season can be salvaged, I think everyone has to turn their eyes toward the DGA and start wondering what the directors are going to do."

have people seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzRHlpEmr0w

have people seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzRHlpEmr0w

That's fantastic. Neat summarisation too.

Well, to tell you the truth...

I don't know what I'm going to do without The Office, Daily Show and Colbert Report! Well, besides surf the Internet, that is.

But that Youtube video was extremely clever. And it does suck that the writers are unappreciated.

have people seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzRHlpEmr0w

I can't believe it was worth clicking on! :eek:

But that Youtube video was extremely clever.

indubitably!

I'm behind the writers. I've been checking out United Hollywood (http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com) for news on the strike.