The writer's strike has been kind of...nice

[info being]

For some reason I find myself not missing all those shows...even the good ones like The Daily Show, Colbert, and Bill Maher. All of it seems to get so repetitive and shapes our thinking and our discussions too much.

The last few weeks have given us a peak into what a more Internet-based media environment would look like. We're starting to pay attention to non-televised political speeches and other events outside the mainstream.

It's just too bad the pundits don't go on strike.

[NightWatcher]

1. I am missing the Daily Show, but Letterman and Leno are proving to be useless.

I can do without Leno and Letterman

[MadBadger]

2. I completely disagree

I miss the Daily Show and Colbert soo much. I miss the Office and Bill Maher. Plus, I will miss a bunch of shows that either have ended, or are just running out of scripts now. Also, TV is about to become saturated with reality TV.

[SteppingRazor]

4. "becoming" saturated?

I'd say we hit saturation in 2002 or so, no? ;)


You've certainly got a point, though -- the writer's strike is only making it worse.

[TwilightGardener]

23. I've been in withdrawal DT's myself--how anyone can think

the writer's strike is good is beyond me. Imagine all the comedy material that's come and gone--Jesus/Devil brotherhood, Obama's kindergarten essay...I'm in a state of grieving.

[spanone]

3. not if you work in the entertainment industry...these folks are fighting for their livelihoods

[driver8]

34. My best friend is a striking writer...he doesn't think it's been "nice."

People are losing jobs because of this strike and a lot of families are going to have a "Not so Merry Christmas" as a result.

Nope...not nice at all.

[RufusEarl]

5. I miss the Daily Show, that's about it for me.

For some reason Jon Stewart give me confidence that we'll still be here tomorrow. Can't really explain why, i suppose with all that's going on i need to laugh now again.

Peace!

[RussBLib]

14. The Daily Show reruns are still good

The Daily Show is so good that the reruns stand up very well against the test of time. Bush Outrage Fatigue is so pronounced, it's good to slow down a little and be reminded about the stupidity now and then. I'm really enjoying watching the reruns.

[SoFlaJet]

6. Colbert

I don't miss at all...it was kind of like watching a drunk friend get up in front of everyone and make a fool at himself at a Karaoke bar-after a while it just gets old

[info being]

7. I agree

I loved it for about 10 shows.

[Breeze54]

8. It's not so good for all the workers who are out of work!

I don't have to turn on any of those shows and I actually don't.
But there are a lot of back ground people out of work and $$ and
that's not a good thing with the holidays right around the corner.

[OwnedByFerrets]

9. Im sure all those poor people out of work at christmas time

would disagree with your lack of compassion. Its not just writers that are out of work. Its also thousands of others who have been hurt.

[treestar]

53. But they are on strike, so if they win their point, it will be made up for

Plus how many of these individuals are at or near poverty level? Methinks for the most part we are feeling sorry for rich people here. If they win, they just get richer.

If they lose, they did take the risk of going out on strike.

I don't think the OP meant anything other than the effect on the rest of us.

[OwnedByFerrets]

87. So, you think gaffers and other folks in the industry

that are out of work because of this strike, are rich????? I think not.

[KitchenWitch]

10. It is not just the writers who are losing money from the strike

It is all the general laborers that work for the studios, all the support staff, the employees of the coffee shops and restaurants near the studios, etc. etc.

Try telling all those people thusly employed how "nice" the strike is.

:eyes:

To coin an old phrase..."It's the economy, stupid."

[Me.]

22. It's Not Just Money

The cash type. They're also losing benefits, like health care. Many people who work in the industry are members of one union or another and you have to earn a certain amount a year to be eligible for for health insurance. And if you happen to work at a network and have been there long enough to start having benefits, you have to have so many hours in for the year to keep them or else you're back to square one and have to start all over again.

[KitchenWitch]

29. True, I forgot about all that. Great point and good post!

[aquart]

58. Is that the reason the French aren't afraid to strike and we are?

Because they know that an attack of appendicitis while picketing will be covered...and we know it won't?

[Me.]

61. Might Be

The strikers there always seem to come out on the winning end, though now with Sarkozy, who knows.

[Nailzberg]

11. Not for below the line crew.

It wouldn't be so aggravating if the reps were more committed to the negotiating table (or at least that's what's alleged). Word on the street is the WGA has made negotiations difficult by straying from the topic of internet pay that originally stalled the whole thing in the first place.

The studios are grumbling, the writer's rank and file is grumbling, and the stagecraft unions are preparing to undermine the writers guild to get their member back to work.

And I've been watching Law & Order all day while DU'ing.

[RB TexLa]

12. Hate it for them, but the less garbage they are putting out the better.

I realize the ignorant line up in front of the "tee vee" waiting for their programs, but they will live.

[huskerlaw]

13. How fabulous for you

why don't you tell that to the writers whose picket lines I drive by every day? You know, the ones who have no job and no income. Or my roommate who works for an agent but is about to lose her job because there are no TV shows to cast?

But thank God you've had a chance to see what it would be like with no TV. To be so completely unaffected must be kind of...nice.

[KitchenWitch]

15. Wouldn't it be "nice" to live in location where the writer's strike is not affecting

a major part of the local economy?

:hi:

You put it better than I did.

[huskerlaw]

17. It must be nice...

to be that entirely unconcerned about other people's wellbeing. Or that unaware. Geesh.

:hi:

[riverdeep]

16. I understand people are hurting cause of this,

but if there were no more crime, for example, someone would go out of work- cops, prison guards. I'd take that tradeoff. Not that writers and their ilk are the equivalent to criminals, or that the management aren't a-holes, but you get the point.

The only thing I miss is Colbert, but I soothe myself that he's getting some much needed time off. Other than that, couldn't care less in terms of TV watching. I'm actually glad in a way because it might focus the political debate in a more serious way. People who watch hours of TV might get bored with reruns and actually watch a debate or even, gasp, CSPAN.

[huskerlaw]

19. I love Colbert

but I don't give a rat's ass about his much needed time off.

What I do care about are people who were living paycheck to paycheck (amazingly, not everyone in Hollywood is rich) and now are unemployed.

This has nothing to do with whether or not you like watching TV. Or whether people in general are better off tuning into CSPAN instead of Desperate Housewives. Because honestly, do you think people are actually tuning into CSPAN now? Please. That's just ridiculous.

As for your other argument about no crimes = no cops, well...that certainly wouldn't happen overnight, would it? Those cops wouldn't be employed one day and the entire force laid off the next. But that's what happened here. And it's not just the writers. I think that's what people just don't GET. It's everyone who plays a support role in the industry. The agents, the secretaries, the camera people, the prop guy...you get the idea.

But I'm glad YOU are willing to make the tradeoff. :eyes:

[riverdeep]

32. Honestly, I'm sorry.

I thought this was kind of a light-hearted thread. It seemed that way from the OP. I'm aware that there are people hurting and that's why I limited it to my own TV watching-"Other than that, couldn't care less in terms of TV watching".

But I'm sure to someone who is affected, taking it in a light-hearted manner at all probably seems harsh. For that I apologize.

edit: for the record, the tradeoff I was referring to was an end to crime vs. those who make their living in the criminal justice system.

[huskerlaw]

35. Thank you.

You're right, the OP was light-hearted. I kinda went off on him/her too. Perhaps unfairly.

The thing is, those of us who are affected hear this sort of "ah well...it's just TV" stuff a LOT and it's really frustrating that people don't seem to realize that real people are affected. However, I apologize for taking that frustration out on you. You certainly didn't deserve the force with which I replied.

[SoCalDem]

52. "most" people are probably tuning in to watch TNT, USA

and of course the DeadMovieStar Channels... and then there's always the not-quite-the-real History Channel & the Hitler Channel.. and for a change of pace you can always watch the "learning" Channel and see what awful colors the british low-lifes are painting their loos these days..

[KitchenWitch]

20. It is NOT JUST THE WRITERS who are suffering.

This thing has sent a shockwave throughout Los Angeles. There are employees in other sectors who are equally as impacted by the strike as the writers. You want that all of them should be unemployed/underemployed?

Even if you are not a consumer in the entertainment industry, the fact remains that entertainment is BIG BUSINESS. Like it or not, it is. And in a market such as Los Angeles and New York City, it can cripple the economy in a very significant way.

This coupled with the crash of the mortgage/real estate industry, the continual outsourcing of jobs, the movement of factories to other countries should concern ALL of us.

[Me.]

48. That's Right

Dry cleaners, caterers, florists, messenger and delivery businesses and a plethora of businesses who depend on this industry have also been upended. It's a trickle down of misery for those affected.

[Retrograde]

73. kinda like the dotcom bust a few years ago?

I worked for a company that went under because our customers stopped buying our services. And in regions that are heavily dominated by one -or very few - industries, this happens again and again.

It's not that different from what happens in Rust Belt towns when the major employer shuts down or sends jobs overseas. The difference is the amount of publicity this strike is getting.

OTOH, I'm getting a lot more reading done. And on the bright side, production of "Angels and Demons" was delayed :)

[iamthebandfanman]

18. society was already moving in that direction

regardless of the writers strike.

i heard on the radio yesterday that teenagers polled said they would rather spend their free time on the internet than watching television.

so , the conversion of media was already occuring... tho im sure the strike is helping that even more ;)

p.s.
oddly enough, thats why the writers are striking... internet revenue and the like.

[AlCzervik]

21. it's probably not nice for their families.

[KitchenWitch]

24. Meh, who cares about the families. They are all rich because they live in Hollywood!

:sarcasm:

[AlCzervik]

25. sorry i forgot, people in california are wealthy.

i gotta find a $50 so i can blow my nose.


;)

[KitchenWitch]

27. You mean you don't blow your nose into Benjamins?

My gods, You are DESTITUTE!

;)

[AlCzervik]

28. no! I wipe my ass with those.

:D

[KitchenWitch]

31. Game, set, match to chimpsrsmarter!

:D

[Johonny]

26. I'd say

I no longer have to drive all the way to home depot to pick up a couple of day workers. Now I just go around the block to the front of FOX studio's.

[KitchenWitch]

30. How compassionate of you.

:eyes:

[Nailzberg]

33. I'll install that toilet for $100 upfront

and 4 cents per flush.

[huskerlaw]

36. You either forgot the sarcasm tag

or you're a jackass of the highest order. I'll assume it was the former...

[Johonny]

43. nah

I can be both, there not mutually exclusive. For the record my writer friends I had lunch with thought the joke was funny. Go figure.

[huskerlaw]

46. I'm sure it was, in context

but when you put it in a thread where other people are making light of the strike, it's unclear whether you're serious or not.

[Nailzberg]

51. Why are you writing jokes?

Pencils Down means pencils down!

teasing, of course.

[mitchum]

56. It was as well done as any joke from those poor creative souls

[TCJ70]

37. I only watch two shows a week...

Heroes and The Office. So I haven't really noticed the strike much.

[KitchenWitch]

39. How wonderful for you.

I happen to have a close family member who works in the industry, as does his wife. I am sure they would be pleased to here of the outpouring of compassion here.

[TCJ70]

45. I didn't say anywhere in my post where...

...I was glad people were suffering because of the strike. Why do you assume that?

[mitchum]

38. But people's jobs depend on that flow of banality!

[KitchenWitch]

40. Now is certainly the most appropriate time to call into question the quality of work...

:eyes:

The writers are only writing what they are asked to write, by the producers, who are asked to produce what will give the executives higher ratings and therefore more advertising revenue. I am sure there are legions of extremely talented writers who would prefer to put out a higher quality product.

[mitchum]

42. They can always write novels, plays, etc...

an option that they have always had
Perhaps, it is not as lucrative as running variations on the same old formulaic themes between commercials, but still...

[treestar]

54. Interesting point, but does a thing need to go on just because people

make a living at it?

Once they were going to do this tort reform thing that we (lawyers) thought would put us out of business, and that argument was never any good. Having had that attitude applied to my profession, I tend to be unsympathetic to others in it. Life goes on, if we all quit watching TV they'd have to get another job. It was the way we understood it if the law we were practicing were legislated away. Nobody said oh the poor lawyers and court reporters and legal secretaries and paralegals would be out of a job.

Or, to put it another way, what about loggers? They are against limits on logging because it puts them out of a job and you'd end up having to agree with them by using this principle.

If it gets people to break TV habits, then it'll in the end be a good thing. The pundits would lose by it too. Now putting THEM out of a job doesn't make me sad at all. :rofl:

[mitchum]

55. I agree with you..."If it gets people to break TV habits, then it'll in the end be a good thing"

and I certainly think that the loss of our legal system would be far more devastating than the loss of the marketing...uh...propaganda...uh...I mean...TV industry.

[Cha]

41. The Writer's Strike is "nice"

because the Writers need to get their fair share of the revenue..and it is definetly good to mix it up.

[annabanana]

44. Not me, boy!

I need the escape.. I want The Office, Heroes, Chuck, Boston Legal and I am DYING to see The Daily Show & Stephen C.'s take on the day's headlines...

(DH actually likes those stupid "reality" shows and we are drowning in them...)

I told him, "You want 'reality TV'? Watch C-Span!"

[madinmaryland]

50. The shows I watch do not require fiction writers.

I generally watch sports, sports, sports, Countdown, and History stuff.

[I work for workers]

47. I miss The Office. Good luck to the writers!

[Iggo]

49. It's great!

My TiVo was getting backed up with shows I hadn't watched.

(The above reply was written in the spirit of the original intent of the original post. Yes, I understand that people are out of work, and I feel bad about that and I'll feel good when they get back to work, and I hope that's real soon. But until then, there's absolutley nothing I can do about it...I don't have a dog in this fight.)

[aquart]

60. If empathy's not your bag, it's not your bag.

[huskerlaw]

62. So if you can't do anything about it

it's perfectly ok to look at it solely based on how it affects you? That's great.

[TCJ70]

66. Well, if there's nothing else they can do about it.

What do YOU suggest they do? Not comment on what effect the strike has had on them?

[huskerlaw]

67. A little bit of empathy is in order

don't you think?

[mitchum]

70. Did you rend your garment and wail lamentations when those poor DDT factory workers...

were so cruelly put out of work?
Poison is poison.

[huskerlaw]

77. I certainly didn't post about how

my life was made better by it.

[Iggo]

85. Where in my post did you get the idea...

...that I'm looking at it solely based on how it affects me?

[glowing]

57. Oh, its been great... The reg. shows I watch are finished up.. nothing on

but repeats and Christmas movies.. I have caught up on house work, sleep, and have become more informed... Also, have gotten a lot of renovating in the house and gardening done too... I keep telling my husband I really wouldn't mind not having t.v. at all. Just watch movies on occassion.. Well, I would still like to have access to C-span.. but youTube and google can provide most of the politcal stuff in peices.

[huskerlaw]

64. Oh. My. God.

I can't even deal with the number of people who are completely self-centered in this thread. Most of them have gotten a response from me and now it's your turn.

People are out of work because of this strike. People that were living paycheck to paycheck. People who aren't in any way affiliated with the WGA or the producers. The entire city of Los Angeles (and NYC) is feeling the economic pressure of this strike.

But let's focus on what's important. You have clean house, you're rested, and you're more informed. Well, fuck me...I guess the unemployment is worth it then!

[mitchum]

65. But. Television. Is. Nothing. More. Than. A . Mind numbing. Propaganda. Medium.

"But let's focus on what's important. You have clean house, you're rested, and you're more informed"
And just what is wrong with that?
THOSE are a hell of a lot more important than television programming.
And the longer the strike goes on, the more people WILL break the habit as they realize what is truly important. Count on it. So, I guess I do support the strike.

[huskerlaw]

68. If you can't figure out

what is wrong with being completely self-centered while other people are suffering, than there's really nothing I can say to help you.

[mitchum]

69. And something tells me that your concern isn't entirely altruistic...

is it?
"...there's really nothing I can say to help you" Are you absolutely certain about that? Not an important message from your sponsor?
Frankly, I DON'T care about the deprivations suffered by the medium (or its functionaries)

Now, back to our regular programming...

[huskerlaw]

76. Where the FUCK do you get off

telling me what my motives are?

I live in Los Angeles. Many people that I care about are jobless because of this strike. If you can't understand that, then there's something wrong with YOU not ME.

[mitchum]

79. Where the FUCK do YOU get off trying to shame me...

and others into lamenting the diminution of banality and manipulation?
I certainly wasn't trying to tell you what your motives are. You plainly know what they are.

[huskerlaw]

81. I DO know what they are

and they have nothing to do with shaming anyone. If you feel shame, that's your own damn problem.

Welcome to my ignore list.

[mitchum]

82. It's a fucking honor to be on that list ...oh...and KILL YOUR TELEVISION

[glowing]

75. I understand the implications of people being out of work... Its horrible

and its sad that the big corporations are such disgusting pimps whoring on everyone.. Eventually, it will hurt them because ads will pay less for re-runs and they will lose.. on the other side families that are effected in the industry by this strike are effected personally...

On the other hand, t.v. in general, creates a zombie nation. It might be good for families to pay attention to their childrens homework, visit with neighbors, read, and wake up a little before American Idol hits us in January.

I don't need some grand lesson in economics, unions, and strikes.... I hope they get what they deserve.. I wish them all the best.

In my own little world... its great to have a husband who is willing to get his ass out of the chair, a son to go outside, and in general, a lot of things that are on that "To Do" list done. TV dictates way too much of our time and takes us away from important issues. More television needs to be turned off.. I use my tivo a lot.. I tape things I may want to see... When I'm ironing, I watch those shows then or catch up on C-span or the blathering talking heads. I understand there is a whole industry vieing for our attention and trying to creatively keep us drawn in week after week.. and now there is so much competition between cable t.v. and the big networks.

[malaise]

59. I miss TheDaily Show and Colbert

big time.

[Stephanie]

63. The pundits MIGHT go on strike!

The newswriters are next up for negotiations - they might walk out too, I've heard.

[rucky]

72. Sweet Jesus! Then all we'd have are pundits.

Until they give WGA credit for talking outta yer ass.

Or even worse - people may be forced to READ

[NuttyFluffers]

71. haven't actively watched tv for years now, but yeah, it's nice.

i get to talk to people more because tey are not wholly absorbed by the tube. well, except for the sports fans, that grip is unbreakable. but yeah, other friends and family have been finding leaving the tv off quite the pleasurable experience. yup, some people are suffering, which is sad, but its nice getting relaxed, civil society for a brief moment. i wonder how nice it'd be when sports and news pundits go away. imagine a football game usurping the tv for only under 4 hours, or a political debate as well, instead of the endless nattering over minutae. ahh, that'd be nice.

[tavalon]

74. Welcome to my world

I turned off the TV a number of years ago. It's been nice.

[Lisa]

78. from a purely selfish viewpoint, I've been able to get to sleep at a decent hour

... since I'm not tempted to stay up to watch TDS/Colbert if they're in reruns!

[napi21]

80. I miss TDS, but so far the shows like Boston Legal & Law & Order

had enough shows in the can that they've been able to broadcast new ones so far. I've heard all that will change as of early January. THEN I'm going to go into withdrawl! I almost never watched Leno or Letterman. Only time I ever tuned in was when someone on DU would post that some interesting candidate like Biden, Edwards or someone like that was going to be on.

[readmoreoften]

83. GO WRITERS!!!! YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT!!!! /nt

[Snarkturian Clone]

84. I thought it would suck because I watch a lot of TV

but I'll tell you.. I've barely noticed it. The only shows that I watch that are effected are Heroes and Journeyman.

It's possible that this strike will hurt TV veiwership for the future because people will notice that they can entertain themselves in plenty of other ways and won't go back to TV.

So some people in LA are out of jobs- that city needs to be taken down a peg. What about all the people who have been losing their manufacturing jobs in 100 other cities? Ever been to Trenton, NJ lately?

I don't see anyone complaining about all the jobs that will be lost in the tobacco industry when more and more smoking bans are created. Strawman? Probably... but it's a valid question. Why are writers of garbage more important than all the people who work in the tobacco industry?

Flame away if you must.
:hide:

[Beelzebud]

86. I'm enjoying it too. My TV hasn't been turned on in a week, and I dont' miss it at all.