UPDATED: David Letterman's Late Show writers go back to work tomorrow. An insider tells me, "Believe me, we understand this is the beginning of a real
opportunity to call attention to what has had almost no television coverage in the last two months. So, it's pretty simple. Get the message out, be hysterically funny in the execution, and in so doing, embarrass the AMPTP into full capitulation no later than January 7th. Okay, the 8th."
Previous: There's no doubt now that the writers strike will be Topic A when David Letterman returns to The Late Show. Not just because his writers will be with him. ("You better believe we're going to bring attention to the strike as long as it lasts," Justin Stangel, head writer along with his brother Eric, said on LateShowWritersOnStrike.com which will continue.) But because Robin Williams will be the first guest. I, for one, can't wait to see the film comedian spoof the Hollywood moguls. Thursday will spotlight comedian Bill Maher, who'll also dump on the Big Media CEOs, I bet. Donald Trump, who'd been previously booked, has now been relegated to Friday's Late Show. Also, Howard Stern has repeatedly said that he would be one of Dave's first guests when Letterman went back to work.
Mike Huckabee will be Leno's first guest on the eve of the Iowa caucuses, even though the GOP presidential frontrunner is the only Republican in the race courting union endorsements. This summer, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers backed Huckabee because the former governor of Arkansas was the only Republican to address the labor group at its national conference. The union praised Huckabee for "trying to figure out where and how we might work together." Yet here he is eager to cross the WGA's picket line, which will be beefed up outside NBC tomorrow by striking writers. Anyway, it's likely that bookings on both shows will change day to day as more guests become available, and unavailable, during the strike.
WGA Agrees To Allow Dave's Late Night Shows To Return With Writers Jan. 2
Well, NBC keeps insisting that it won't cancel the telecast of Hollywood's most bogus awards show in spite of the certainty there'll be WGA picketing and some nominated stars staying home in solidarity with the striking writers. The Peacock confirmed today it will air ... Read More »
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Fans4writers.com, a website where fans show support for striking Hollywood writers, has made plans to use the occasion of the Tournament Of Roses Parade on New Year's Day to have five planes "skytype" in support of the writers. In addition, a street team of fans will hand out flyers ... Read More »
Needless to say, the following is a parody of the "Why We Write" campaign. This spoof was created by WGA members Lissa Kapstrom & Will Schifrin:
"Why We Don’t Write": The AMPTP
(because,“Hey, we got stuff to say too”)... Read More »
Installment #5
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Today’s piece is written by Greg Berlanti, Executive Producer of Dirty Sexy Money and Brothers and Sisters.
I’ve never considered myself much of a writer. I’m not particularly great at it. On my best day ... Read More »
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UPDATED: All along the issue, the really big issue, was whether the striking writers would still feel united if some of them went back to work and others stayed on the picket lines. I've learned that was just one of the many worries voiced by the WGA to ... Read More »
Installment #4
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Today’s piece is written by Carol Mendelsohn, member of the WGA Negotiating Committee as well as showrunner and executive producer of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and co-creator and executive producer of CSI: Miami and CSI: New York.
... Read More »
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I'd like to hear your theories/predictions/suggestions in the Comments section of this post about what positive (repeat, positive) steps can be taken starting January 1st to end this strike in a way that's perceived as fair to both sides since it's abundantly clear that neither the ... Read More »
Trying to take a breather. You should, too. Let's meet up tomorrow this weekend. And, again, please keep those emails, tips and photos coming. I read them and follow up.
Installment #3
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Today’s piece is written by Howard Gordon, Executive Producer of 24.
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I remember being in a writers’ room a few ... Read More »
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“Speechless #360 - Santa Claus”
"Well, the list was done ... Read More »
Tonight on Christmas eve, the following letter signed by 127 striking writers with pilots pending was emailed to the Hollywood CEOs and almost 200 studio and network TV development execs. "These execs are our partners in these projects," say the two people ... Read More »
Installment #2
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Today’s piece is written by Steven Levitan, creator of Just Shoot Me and co-creator of Back To You.
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I swear to ... Read More »
Here is what is clear to me based on new reporting about the entrenched positions of both sides: hopes for any kind of settlement have dimmed. I have learned that last week Jeffrey Katzenberg tried and failed to backchannel a compromise that would ... Read More »
Dear Fellow Members of the Writers Guild, East:I write this to you two nights before Christmas. It’s tough as hell to be on strike during the holiday season. Not only are we staging outdoor pickets and other events in the throes of winter’s cold, we’re without work and paychecks at
... Read More »
The Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles will present the West Coast premiere of The Accomplices, the first play written by former New York Times Hollywood correspondent (and my close pal) Bernie Weinraub. Previews begin March 27th, then the play runs April 4th through May 18th. It will also be performed this spring ... Read More »
Irv Letofsky, former Calendar editor of the Los Angeles Times, died this morning shortly before 11 AM at his home surrounded by family and listening to ragtime. A memorial service will be held this Friday December 28th at 2 PM at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles (6001 W. Centinela Avenue). A reception will follow.
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The AMPTP set up a new website tonight labeled WeWantTheAwards.com. Its mission? "Please urge the Writers Guild to allow the awards shows to go on as planned." This is what happens when the WGA hits a nerve among the entertainment establishment and when ... Read More »
WGA member and comedy writer John Aboud tells me tonight that AMPTP.com, the spoof site of AMPTP.org, has come to an end. "We were renting the url from the owner, and he graciously left it up even longer ... Read More »