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Hollywood writers launch "Idol," reality TV protest
Hollywood writers on Wednesday launched a protest against U.S. television's No. 1 show, "American Idol," claiming the Fox network talent contest underpays workers and subjects them to sweatshop conditions.
The move by the Writers Guild of America underscores a long simmering feud between the trade union and producers of many reality TV programs, which unlike scripted dramas and comedies are not covered by WGA contracts.
The WGA claims that the companies making "American Idol" and similar shows force workers to toil nearly around the clock without overtime pay or benefits, in violation of California labor laws.
The union has since 2005 sought to represent reality show employees such as production assistants and editors, arguing that the work they do in creating scenarios and outlines for the shows is tantamount to a form of writing.
Hollywood writers on Wednesday launched a protest against U.S. television's No. 1 show, "American Idol," claiming the Fox network tale... more -
George Clooney in feud with writers union
Los Angeles, Apr 4 : George Clooney has quietly withdrawn from the Writers Guild of America after the union rejected his request for a writing credit on his new film “Leatherheads,” according to reports on Friday.
Clooney opted to become a “financial core status” non member last fall, which means that he is still covered by the basic contract, the trade paper said.
But he loses his voting rights, and cannot run for office or attend membership meetings, according to the WGA’s constitution. He must continue to pay his dues, but gets a break on “non-germane” WGA activities, such as political and lobbying efforts. His decision is also irrevocable.
Clooney, 46, directed, produced and stars in “Leatherheads,” a screwball period football comedy that opens across North America on Friday via General Electric Co’s Universal Pictures. Despite mixed reviews, it is expected to be the top draw at the weekend box office.
He had sought to receive a writing credit alongside Duncan Brantley and Rick Reilly, claiming that he personally gave the duo’s languishing 17-year old project a major overhaul.
Clooney, who received an Oscar nomination two years ago for co-writing “Good Night, and Good Luck,” told Daily Variety that he felt he had written all but two of the scenes for “Leatherheads.” His request for credit was voted down 2-1 at an arbitration hearing.
“When your own union doesn’t back what you’ve done, the only honorable thing to do is not participate,” the paper quoted Clooney as saying.
He said he would have resigned from the union altogether — a revocable move — but that would have prevented him from working on all WGA-covered productions. He kept quiet about his move, because the union was about to go on strike for the first time in almost two decades, and he did not want to provide an unwelcome distraction. Clooney was a keen supporter of the 100-day strike, which ended almost two months ago. Los Angeles, Apr 4 : George Clooney has quietly withdrawn from the Writers Guild of America after the union rejected his request for ... more -
WGA rounds 3rd base and heads for home; deal nearly done!
The three-months-long Hollywood writers strike could enter its final chapter Saturday when guild members gather in Los Angeles and New York to consider a proposed contract.
Writers Guild of America members picket in front of NBC studios in Burbank, California, on Friday.
If writers respond favorably, the walkout that has devastated the entertainment industry could end as soon as Monday. Writers were wavering between hope and skepticism as they prepared to learn details of the deal for the first time. The three-months-long Hollywood writers strike could enter its final chapter Saturday when guild members gather in Los Angeles and New... more -
Leaders 'to end writers' strike'
There is optimism that the writers' strike in the US could be resolved at the weekend, according to reports. I have my fingers crossed and hope the writers get what they deserve. There is optimism that the writers' strike in the US could be resolved at the weekend, according to reports. I have my fingers crosse... more
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US writers will not block Grammys
The Grammy Awards will go ahead as normal on 10 February after the striking Writers Guild of America agreed to let writers work on the show. The Grammy Awards will go ahead as normal on 10 February after the striking Writers Guild of America agreed to let writers work on the... more
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Leave th AMPTP alone!
If Chris Crocker cared about the AMPTP (and was smart) the way he cares about Britney it might have gone a little something like this... If Chris Crocker cared about the AMPTP (and was smart) the way he cares about Britney it might have gone a little something like this.... more
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Foo Fighters and Beyonce: Strike-Breaking Grammy Shame
by Nicole
First they came for the Communists,
- but I was not a communist so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists,
- but I was neither, so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Jews,
- but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out.
And when they came for me,
- there was no one left to speak out for me.
Pastor Martin Niemöller
Shame on the Foo Fighters and Beyonce for agreeing to cross WGA picket lines and perform at the Grammys this year. Don't they understand that it's not just about the writers' rights but all our rights. I'm sure that neither the Foo Fighters or Beyonce would be happy to receive nothing beyond a modest upfront fee for the exploitation of their creative work. Don't they understand that if the producers are successful in their union-busting tactics with the writers, which are ultimately aimed at ending the practice of residual payments, other corporations will be emboldened and many more creative people, including musicians, will pay the price. John Lennon would be turning in his grave right now.
For more enlightening news stories go to: http://www.dailymantra.com by Nicole First they came for the Communists, - but I was not a communist so I did not speak out. ... more -
Are Stewart and Colbert scabs?
Yes they are, says Saxon Baird.
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scabs and the WGA strike
dare to cross the line?
"In order to discipline a scab, of course, the Guild must know who has performed scab work and it often does not require "CSI"-style detectiving to find out. Production staffers and others who work on shows or films have been known to contact the Guild, provide information, and sometimes even furnish evidence."
more:
http://current.com/items/87117991_celebs_on_parade
http://current.com/items/87109471_wga_strike_day_1
http://current.com/items/87452021_senator_edwards_at_th...
http://current.com/items/87455641_a_voice_of_reason dare to cross the line? ... more -
Warner Bros. may cut 1,000 jobs
As many as 1,000 employees on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank could be laid off as a result of the writers strike, after Friday.
Apparently Warner Bros. distributed "legally mandated warning notices on November 12," 5 days after the WGA walkout began. The notices said that the "recipients could be subject to layoff after 60 days."
This strike is getting crazy. Should layoffs be a factor in the decision as to when, and on what conditions the strike should end?
As many as 1,000 employees on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank could be laid off as a result of the writers strike, after Friday. ... more -
Golden Globes ceremony scrapped
The Golden Globes ceremony has been cancelled and replaced with a news conference because of the strike by writers over royalties.
The winners will now be revealed at an hour-long press conference replacing the usual dinner and ceremony.
Actors had said they would not cross picket lines in support of writers.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike since November over "residuals" - royalties for work distributed online or on DVD.
The dispute has brought to a standstill the production of nearly all TV comedy and drama shows.
The Golden Globes ceremony has been cancelled and replaced with a news conference because of the strike by writers over royalties. ... more -
UA Reaches Deal With Writers
Because everyone wanted the sequel "Lions For Lambs 2: Electric Boogaloo," United Artists, the film company backed by actor Tom Cruise and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc, said on Monday it has reached a deal enabling striking Hollywood screenwriters to work on the company's films. Because everyone wanted the sequel "Lions For Lambs 2: Electric Boogaloo," United Artists, the film company backed by actor Tom Cruis... more
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Jay Leno is in T-R-O-U-B-L-E
Mr. Leno could face disciplinary action from the WGA for writing his monologue.
Leno met with WGA West President Patric Verrone to discuss his decision to write his own monologue. During the meeting Leno was told that writing the monologue constituted a violation of WGA strike rules.
Did the other hosts "write" or just talk? I mean what do they mean by "write"? They all came back on air. If you just made it up in your head would that have been okay, or, is it the preparation that is most important. I am sure they all didn't just go on their shows and not say anything funny, or anything at all.
Mr. Leno could face disciplinary action from the WGA for writing his monologue. ... more -
Greed Is Getting Me Down....And So Are The Endless Repeats On TV
Last night marked another milestone in the two-month long Writers' Guild strike as the late night talk shows inevitably went back on air. Though Leno made a good case in his monologue for returning without writers (for the job security of his non-writing staff), and Letterman didn't have to since his production company came to an interim agreement with The Guild, my bond with my TV has been forever weakened over these past few weeks. This is no bad thing for me, but doesn't bode well for the TV industry, since I'm sure I'm not the only one finding better things to do with my time.
Driven away from TV by the endless repeats, I'm finally moving on from this bad relationship that's already lasted a little too long. Over the holidays I invested in a Netflix subscription, so I could watch works of art rather than a stream of commercial fodder. I plan to pay for my new subscription by reducing the channels of repeat drivel that get beamed into my living room. I've also been reading more books, lots of them, and playing board games with my husband, who has logged in enough hours to finally beat me (big time, which is worrying). And I've been cooking dinner and enjoying the company of my friends, rather than being sucked back into the void that was TV.
But this is a strike that affects us all, in more ways than you may think. There's currently a climate of rampant corporate greed that is plaguing our society, and must be curtailed. To give you an example, this is not just about writers in Hollywood but impoverished tomato farmers in Florida too. Last month hundreds of migrant agricultural workers took to the streets of Miami protesting at wage cuts of up to 40%. Many of the tomatoes they grew were for Burger King, which is owned by a consortium of cooperate investors lead by Goldman Sachs, who as the farmers were pounding the streets, were busy divvying up end of year bonuses that totaled somewhere between $17 and $22 billion. This is the climate of obscene corporate greed that should concern us all.
Fortunately for the writers they have a stronger voice than the migrant farmworkers in Florida, and more financial wherewithal to take a long term stand against such out of control corporations. But their struggle is essentially the same, and by supporting the writers in Hollywood, you're talking a stand against this climate of greed gone wild.
We all need to fight to protect the working rights and benefits we may take for granted, but that were fought and sacrificed for by our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers (and mothers). These rights and benefits have never been in more peril, with corporations being aided and abetted by a government that's enacting legislation on almost a daily basis that chips away at the sanctity of our pensions and health funds.
This strike is not about the rights of a privileged few. First of all, they're not so privileged (really - see previous post). Secondly, this is about the rights of all workers, since when one group of workers' rights gets weakened, the standing of all workers' rights is diminished, while the tower of corporate greed stands that bit taller. So, to misquote that great anti-establishment figure Timothy Leary, support your fellow workers by turning off, tuning out, and dropping in to the library or your friend's house, it just might improve everyone's life.
http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantra Last night marked another milestone in the two-month long Writers' Guild strike as the late night talk shows inevitably went back on a... more -
Guild denies award show waivers for Golden Globes and Oscars
Thursday I heard from an inside source that this was going to happen -- so I told some of my tv friends this tip -- and they didn't believe it -- or didn't want to believe it -- check out the latest advancement with the WGA strike from the LA Times...
Deepening its fight with Hollywood's studios, the Writers Guild of America late Monday denied requests for waivers from the television producers of the Golden Globes and Oscars. The guild's denials are part of its strategy to sustain pressure on studios to return to the bargaining table and hammer out a new contract to replace the one that expired at midnight Oct. 31. (click above link for more) Thursday I heard from an inside source that this was going to happen -- so I told some of my tv friends this tip -- and they didn't be... more -
Jay and Conan to Return to TV...With or Without Writers
NBC officially announced today that its two late-night stars, Jay Leno and Conan O?Brien, will return to the air on Jan. 2 even if the strike against networks and studios by entertainment writers is not resolved by then. NBC officially announced today that its two late-night stars, Jay Leno and Conan O?Brien, will return to the air on Jan. 2 even if the... more
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WGA creative negotiating
desperate times call for reasonable measures
"Saturday, the AMPTP issued in its own statement saying the WGA is "grasping for straws" and the union has "never had a coherent strategy for engaging in serious negotiations."
contd:
http://current.com/items/88518251_wga_negotiations_brea... desperate times call for reasonable measures ... more -
Trekkies on Strike!
I wonder when and if any Star Wars fans will start picketing...
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Reality TV Dominates New TV Lineup
Reality TV Dominates New TV Lineup
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wga negotiations break down...
delightful...
my strike videos:
http://current.com/items/87117991_celebs_on_parade
http://current.com/items/87109471_wga_strike_day_1
http://current.com/items/87452021_senator_edwards_at_th...
http://current.com/items/87455641_a_voice_of_reason delightful... my strike videos: http://current.com/items/87117991_celebs_on_parade ... more
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