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« WGA Post-Strike Watch: News About Returning Shows
Stewart and Colbert Return, But WGA Isn't Laughing
Stephen Colbert by Joel Jefferies/Comedy Central, Jon Stewart by Kevin Fitzsimons/ Comedy Central
Some fans of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report may be thrilled to have fresh fare heading their way starting Jan. 7, but the WGA sees nothing funny about this latest batch of late-nighters to resume production. In a statement issued hours after Comedy Central made its announcement, the WGA said, "[F]orcing Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert back on the air will not give the viewers the quality shows they've come to expect. The only way to get the writing staffs back on the job is for the AMPTP companies to come back to the table prepared to negotiate a fair deal with the Writers Guild."
What's your take? Is the truthiness of the matter that late-night hosts returning to work, though commendable in that it gets crew members' paychecks flowing again, undermines the WGA's case?
Related:
• For Stewart and Colbert Fans, Good Newsy News
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Dec 21, 2007 9:18 AM
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I totally support the WGA, and the late night hosts have done so much to support them by paying them out of pocket. But there's only so much you can expect from them. There are other people in other industries affected by this, and the show has to go on for them to get paid. Jon, Stephen, et al, have made their point, but for the sake of the rest of the employees, they have to go back to work. It might actually help the WGA to have the hosts on the air if they spend time discussing the issue and actively campaigning for the writers.
However, a lack of a writing staff is going to take its toll. The long hiatus probably helped build some momentum, but within two weeks, the show are going to suck. Most of them, especially Jon, Stephen and Dave, are masters of improv and off-the-cuff comments, but they are going to get tappet out by the stress of coming up with nightly, topical comedy programs.
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Dec 21, 2007 9:53 AM
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The networks are in no way being benevolent, thinking of the unfortunate non-union workers. The sole purpose of any big company is TO MAKE MONEY. The only way the networks can do this is through advertising dollars. And if the advertisers are unwilling to pay, or not pay premium prices, the networks are screwed.
While the networks might be able to force Stewart and Colbert back onto television, their jokes and diatribes, that are written by WGA members, will not be present. So I cannot see how these shows could be anywhere near as funny as they were. It appears the networks are thinking of short-term advertising dollars and don't realize the backlash will hurt their advertising income in the long-term, especially if viewers turn these shows off and ratings suffer.
Also, it may come to pass that both SAG and DGA strike to support the WGA and to keep some of their members, like Stewart and Colbert, from being forced to perform.
Until the studios and networks come back to the table and negotiate IN GOOD FAITH, this strike will go on for a very long time. And I hope that that the WGA gets EVERY ONE of the items they want. I'm sick of big business sticking it to the little guy (think federal government, oil companies, insurance companies and every overpaid CEO in the U.S. today).
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Dec 21, 2007 9:58 AM
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Well said, kecward78. I second that.
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Dec 21, 2007 10:55 AM
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Yeah, I must admit that my support for the WGA is waining. I certainly think they deserve more money and that the studios have more than enough to give them, but their actions are getting to be selfish. There are so many people out of jobs, in lower positions than they are, who are hurt by this strike. The writers should think about that, instead of just themselves. They're going to lose a lot more support if they keep up this attitude. Yea! for Jon Stewart coming back!
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Dec 21, 2007 11:06 AM
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I realize what the WGA wants to do. However, in their efforts to strike and push the changes they want, many others in the business are being affected (i.e. fired) from their current jobs. If bringing back The Daily Show or Colbert Report means that the people involved aren't laid off, then fine by me! The writers want changes, then fine. No reason others should also be put out of work.
Incidentally, this strike is going to go on for a long time. Times have changed since two decades ago. The Networks have a huge surplus of shows to pull from, and sources to pull from. Hell, the Internet alone is a viable source to tap into. Reality Shows don't use union writers, so you can expect a whole slew of new reality shows.
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Dec 21, 2007 11:20 AM
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"And I hope that that the WGA gets EVERY ONE of the items they want. " so you want unions to destroy the networks like the have almost destroyed the US auto industry? The WGA keeps changing its demands. Of COURSE businesses are in business to make money...that's how they have the money to pay salaries! You want non-profit look at the BBC - they're getting ready to layoff 1800 employees. I am fed up with the lot of them...what's the good of settling the writers strike just to have the actors and directors go out. the one group that will be screwed by all of them is the viewer, by higher cable and advertising fees passed on to us.
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Dec 21, 2007 11:33 AM
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The TV hosts are in a lose/lose situation.
I wonder if the writer's consider the crews who work on these shows and are also the lowest paid when they went on strike.
I think I would have to go back and make sure nightly to say on the air that I support my felloow writers, but I couldn't see all those people out of work during the holidays especially since the MTA just raised transportation fares.
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Dec 21, 2007 11:35 AM
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Leni:
What the writers are asking for will NOT destroy the networks (puh-leez). And their demands are only fair.
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Dec 21, 2007 11:47 AM
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I think their going back to work definitely does not SHOW them in a writer friendly light... however, I'm personally betting that their doing so is definitely going to prove the writers' point... unless of course the channels have scabbed the lines... either way, tsk tsk tsk...
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Dec 21, 2007 11:59 AM
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Congratulations to the Comedy Channel for making this happen. As in ALL labor and management negotiations, both sides have got to give some. These people seem to still be in the angry stage. It's kind of like the stages of accepting a terminal disease and the American people don't really have a dog in this fight, they just want comedy entertainment every night in their home.
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Dec 21, 2007 12:03 PM
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I always side with unions no matter what, but I have to say its a little harder to feel sorry for people who make $200,000 a year. The WGA is not exactly a blue-collar affair. And yes, I know not all writers make that much, but compared to, say, grocery store clerks, I think they have a pretty nice life. That being said, I don't think the studios should screw them over just because they can. The top tiers need to learn to share.
I really am looking forward to having my nightly Stephen and Jon, and I can't wait to see what they have to say about the strike. I miss them, but I am sorry that they have to go back on under these circumstances.
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Dec 21, 2007 12:06 PM
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what's the good of settling the writers strike just to have the actors and directors go out.
As stated hundreds of times in dozens of media outlets, whatever deal the WGA accepts, SAG and DGA will accept it as well. The only way SAG and DGA members will strike is if the WGA is still striking when their contracts come up in the summer.
the one group that will be screwed by all of them is the viewer, by higher cable and advertising fees passed on to us.
Ummm...I don't think you quite understand how this works. Broadcast networks are available to you whether you have cable or not and whatever deal studios make with the Guilds has no baring on the amount cable companies charge you to access cable networks.
Second, advertisers pay the studios for air time during programs...the studios make their money on ads from the advertising companies, not from the consumers.
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Dec 21, 2007 12:07 PM
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The producers have to realize that this is not just a fight with the WGA. They are on their way to cutting off their noses to spite their faces. I really like TV, think there have been some great programs and have been happy to devote my time to watching them. But I'm not an idiot - I'm not going to keep turning on the box to see repeats, desperate reality programming, and all the material the producers have passed on before, realizing it's not good enough.
Since the strike started I've stopped watching late night TV and started getting better sleep. Much as I love the Daily Show and Colbert, forcing them back on air with sub-standard quality is unlikely to make me give up my sleep.
Why not put your energies into just ending the strike? It has to end sometime, make it now!
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Dec 21, 2007 12:23 PM
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I fully support the WGA, the hosts and the staffs.
As the late show hosts know, and the public shall soon experience, writing their own shows is definitely going to take a toll on the hosts, and the grind of producing fresh material weekdays/nights will seriously squeeze some of the joy from most hosts daily routines. And, we know stress has a way of spreading throughout the workplace.
All the commendable efforts by hosts, staffs, and writers, will only succeed when fair & equitable negotiations are completed. I wish them all good luck and god bless w/that.
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Dec 21, 2007 12:28 PM
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