tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post4174318621205226165..comments2023-08-28T01:47:52.421-07:00Comments on United Hollywood: The WGA Won't Grant Waivers to Awards ShowsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-37079834847513773792007-12-18T10:59:00.000-08:002007-12-18T10:59:00.000-08:00BTL guy, It just means that the main awards show w...BTL guy, It just means that the main awards show will resemble the tech awards show. Why should someone who is being treated unfairly by an industry aid in presenting and planning the big party to celebrate that same industry? <BR/><BR/>I think the overall symbolism is that being treated fairly is what matters, not the glitz and pretty dresses. The show will go on, but minus the writers contributions.hollarbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00759689530670606301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-33132268318125580662007-12-18T10:38:00.000-08:002007-12-18T10:38:00.000-08:00Can we have the Troll awards instead? We could giv...Can we have the Troll awards instead? We could give out a "Trollie" award for best use of random emphasis caps, best/worst analogy that goes nowhere, and the "he/she's a NAZI" award? Aw c'mon.<BR/><BR/>I vote for Pat. Way TO go PAT!hollarbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00759689530670606301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-16504193787676932622007-12-18T10:19:00.000-08:002007-12-18T10:19:00.000-08:00You might as will kiss the strike “Goodbye”, once ...You might as will kiss the strike “Goodbye”, once the Union allows “Any” writers to return via a separate agreement. <BR/><BR/>I.E… Allowing writers to work on the “Late Night Shows”<BR/><BR/>Once upon a time…<BR/><BR/>There was a strong “Carpenter’s Union”. They went on strike for an extra 75cents an hour. <BR/><BR/>They were on strike for a few weeks, when one contractor (producer) found out that he was going to be billed for not having his job finished on time. <BR/><BR/>So, he went to the Union and said, “I will pay Tuesday for a hamburger today.” <BR/>OK, he asked, “If you let my carpenters work today, “I will pay them the future per hour rate, after the Union settles the strike.”<BR/><BR/>The Union said, “That sounds fair”, and let the carpenters go back to work.<BR/><BR/>Now the other contractors (producers) heard of this, so they went to the Union and each made separate deals. Each saying, “I will pay Tuesday for a hamburger today.”<BR/><BR/>The Union agreed. What’s the harm letting a few workers go back to work?<BR/><BR/>Amazingly, the Union discovered, “Hey, where are the striking carpenters?!”<BR/><BR/>Well, “They’re out on the job sites.”<BR/><BR/>“How come?”<BR/><BR/>“We agreed to let one crew go back, now they’re all back to work.”<BR/><BR/>“But, we Never settled!”<BR/><BR/>“Precisely.”RCMartinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14243436067026963710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-40327795930876878952007-12-18T09:59:00.000-08:002007-12-18T09:59:00.000-08:00sam said...GO TROLLS!!! Every dollar they pay you ...sam said...<BR/><BR/>GO TROLLS!!! Every dollar they pay you brings them one dollar closer to the negotiating table.<BR/><BR/>Well at least we are making money.i am a trollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04855941944884496510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-44853348244543721842007-12-18T07:31:00.000-08:002007-12-18T07:31:00.000-08:00Shawn, the problem with you and your bretheren in ...Shawn, the problem with you and your bretheren in the WGA is that you overstate your significance tremendously. The studios and producers don't care enough to plant shills. They are vacationing in their lavish getaway homes while laughing at the writers who are going to suffer because of this. So maybe you can remove your ego from your ass and realize that JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE DISAGREES WITH YOU DOESN'T MAKE THEM A SHILL. If you look at the rest of your life in such stark contrasts of black and white, it's no wonder you're sitting on the losing side of this equation.ChuckThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08186077762162381967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-47353155607264592692007-12-18T06:41:00.000-08:002007-12-18T06:41:00.000-08:00Shanna,Though I do not personally work in a positi...Shanna,<BR/><BR/>Though I do not personally work in a position that is up for an award, many below-the-liners do (Sound, Make-up, Wardrobe, etc).<BR/><BR/>And that's not even the main point.<BR/><BR/>The point is that the Oscars telecast is a celebration of our industry. <BR/><BR/>It is important to note, though, that so far all the WGA has done is deny a re-use request, not a waiver request. <BR/><BR/>I think the "unnamed source" in the Nikki Finke article may have been merely floating the idea out there. Like Intrigued, I gotta believe the Guild backs off this one.BTL Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07338713998425569641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-79381935383160956432007-12-18T06:26:00.000-08:002007-12-18T06:26:00.000-08:00I am in full support of the WGA. I don't understan...I am in full support of the WGA. <BR/><BR/>I don't understand the argument that this is a bad idea and it will turn people away. I think most Americans, especially people of color, have realized for decades that the GG and Oscars are a self-congratulatory farce. And just because I like the pretty dresses, doesn't mean i don't recognize that. <BR/><BR/><B>btl guy</B> I find it comical that someone who is constantly championing the BTL workers even cares about the Oscars happening. It's not like they give awards for best gaffer. (Yes, I know they give technical Oscars) Overall, the Oscars "broadcast" (and this is mainly what the strike is affecting) is about stars dressing pretty and the same people winning the same awards. I won't even go into Globes which should really be called the Greatest Gift Awards since all it takes to win is to "out-gift" the next studio. But I digress. <BR/><BR/>In the grand scheme of things, the WGA could gain so much more publicity and support with this decision. And I could see the strategic move of having Letterman go back on the air with these hard to digest decisions happening simultaneously. It gives the WGA a voice on network television to explain some of these decisions that the public might initially balk at.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843563348922267317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-91103130729805119352007-12-18T05:10:00.000-08:002007-12-18T05:10:00.000-08:00YES! Decisions like these are the very reasons why...YES! Decisions like these are the very reasons why I support you 100 percent! <BR/><BR/>Stay strong! The general public's got your six.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14076173753661857049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-26417333940680025842007-12-18T03:54:00.000-08:002007-12-18T03:54:00.000-08:00AMPAS (i.e., the Oscars) is an AMPTP member. It d...AMPAS (i.e., the Oscars) is an AMPTP member. It deserves no waiver just like Letterman doesn't deserve one either.<BR/><BR/>If AMPAS wants to have the Oscars to run without any problems, it needs to drop its membership in the AMPTP and sign an independent three-year contract with the WGA.<BR/><BR/>No one that is writing boo-hoo shit about the Oscars is a WGA member. Most of the people that comment on this blog's postings are not WGA members. Most of them are clueless teenagers and students.<BR/><BR/>NO WAIVERS WITHOUT CONTRACTS!! "INTERIM AGREEMENTS" CAN KISS MY ASS!!Haroldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16366457475764057418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-40127864049911971602007-12-18T03:07:00.000-08:002007-12-18T03:07:00.000-08:00That and whiny teenage know-it-alls. But that's p...That and whiny teenage know-it-alls. But that's pretty much 99% of the internet anyway.<BR/><BR/>Good luck WGAastroguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09052283045533628352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-75156446305312642922007-12-18T03:05:00.000-08:002007-12-18T03:05:00.000-08:00Man the people who try to troll this site really s...Man the people who try to troll this site really suck at it.<BR/><BR/>Maybe the AMPTP could peruse some popular message boards and actually hire some people who write troll messages that don't sound like some moron that hasn't learned how to properly use a computer or the interwebs.astroguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09052283045533628352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-86763300837903421782007-12-18T03:00:00.000-08:002007-12-18T03:00:00.000-08:00Roll on the floor laughing. People are actually cr...Roll on the floor laughing. People are actually crying because there won't be any writers writing the unfunny lines (most of the time) for the Globes and Oscars ?<BR/>The globes do not even have a good reputation because of the foreign "journalists" making the committee and people are crying over this ? Thank you guys for such funny comments, keep them coming. Not that it would be on par with what writers could write but still hilarious in its own way and a little pathetic too.Skyfleurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01085715514550825534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-9329443645824209542007-12-18T01:21:00.000-08:002007-12-18T01:21:00.000-08:00Hurray! I was so worried that the WGA would grant ...Hurray! I was so worried that the WGA would grant waivers for the awards season and I thought it would be a terrible idea! So, good job WGA!<BR/><BR/>I will confess to some personal sadness, as the Oscars are my Super-Bowl and I won't be watching it this year...the first I've missed in many a year!<BR/><BR/>I'll be sure to watch the WGA coverage tho! So make sure it's snappy!<BR/><BR/>Well done guys!<BR/><BR/>As for the Letterman Waiver, I think this could be a potential gold mine for you! If successful, it might FINALLY encourage others to break ranks and negotiate directly with the WGA and bypass the AMPTP!<BR/><BR/>So, again, applause!<BR/><BR/>Keep up the good work!A-T-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01379812019432725685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-25727003349319547972007-12-18T01:17:00.000-08:002007-12-18T01:17:00.000-08:00So, this is how AMPTP is going to swing public sup...So, this is how AMPTP is going to swing public support? Complain about the Awards Shows not getting waivers? This is what's going to tick people off beyond reason against the WGA. If ABC or other AMPTP members are so concerned about their awards broadcast how about coming back to the negotiating table? <BR/><BR/>Seems to me the people to be upset with are the people who keep walking away. That's the AMPT. Of course, that is if anyone is really that horribly upset. Which I doubt, becauseCarrie Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17541011952386351550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-54404545572108744722007-12-18T01:03:00.000-08:002007-12-18T01:03:00.000-08:00Oh my god! The WGA is sooooo selfish! How dare you...Oh my god! The WGA is sooooo selfish! How dare you not grant a waiver to the Oscars that generates tens of millions of dollars in ad revenue for the people who are trying to starve you into submission! <BR/><BR/>Are these trolls seriously trying to sell this "Irrate Oscar Fan" story here... right. I'm sure there are millions of normal average everyday Americans who were hanging out here in the UH comments section on a Monday night and have suddenly gone from rapid WGA supporters to dismayed WGA haters because we decided not to pay Nick Counter and Chris Lehane with Oscar Ad dollars.<BR/><BR/>GO TROLLS!!! Every dollar they pay you brings them one dollar closer to the negotiating table.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17424897147164749213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-71109199148369273522007-12-18T00:59:00.000-08:002007-12-18T00:59:00.000-08:00Well I was a staunch supporter of the WGA, but now...Well I was a staunch supporter of the WGA, but now... I mean to strike a struck company, that's inexcusable. I can't believe your temerity; putting up a picket line around a production produced by a struck company that's only trying to honor and advertise previous productions that may or may not have been produced by struck companies.<BR/><BR/>For shame! I would like it put on record that I am not in support of striking when a strike will have an impact! To strike a struck show is striking in my opinion, and I will have none of that.<BR/><BR/>I hope you all get lucrative internet deals and never feel the need to strike the golden globes again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-6277258280815983762007-12-18T00:09:00.000-08:002007-12-18T00:09:00.000-08:00All these trolls are making me feel warm and fuzzy...All these trolls are making me feel warm and fuzzy inside. The guild's solidarity at tonight's meeting was inspirational even to this cynic. We're in this for the long haul, trolls, so astroturf away.<BR/><BR/>Hey, did you hear that sickening thud? I believe it was the sound of a Wall Street analyst downgrading your stock.<BR/><BR/>Seriously, you guys have gone mental tonight. When you blather about the Hollywood community being angry about the award shows, you're missing a very important point. WE'RE the Hollywood community. That's what screenwriters and actors are. And not so regretfully, no waiver for you.<BR/><BR/>Here's a tip for the AMPTP: if you're going to try to divide the guild, you'll need to dial up the plausibility. No one in the history of televised entertainment has felt passionate about the Golden Globes.Triple7https://www.blogger.com/profile/00673962893377787419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-76102996331136231382007-12-17T23:56:00.000-08:002007-12-17T23:56:00.000-08:00If someone organizes an Oscar and/or Golden Globes...<I>If someone organizes an Oscar and/or Golden Globes party for nominees and other Hollywood elite who feel uncomfortable crossing picket lines, give it an A-List comic host (Ferrell, Stiller, Colbert, etc.), and stream interviews and speeches live online, it would take about two seconds to get the entire event (webcast included) underwritten by advertisers looking to place their products in, on, and around a celebrity crowd. With a little grassroots promotion, it would probably draw millions of viewers, ALLOW THE NOMINEES TO HAVE THEIR DESERVED MOMENT IN THE SUN, and thrust the strike into a national spotlight. Seems like a win-win situation for everyone. Well, almost everyone...</I><BR/><BR/>This is an outstanding idea.Dorkmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13927199693571387920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-21242130889770461852007-12-17T23:54:00.000-08:002007-12-17T23:54:00.000-08:00Oh my GOD you're not granting a WAIVER? How SELFI...Oh my GOD you're not granting a WAIVER? How SELFISH is THAT? My RIGHT to SEE PEOPLE IN PRETTY DRESSES far outweighs your STUPID EFFORTS to ACHIEVE FAIR COMPENSATION for the writers -- and ultimately, actors -- who help CREATE the STUFF the awards CELEBRATES. What about my AWARDS PARTY? Now I'll have to CANCEL IT!!!!!!<BR/><BR/>I don't CARE if your EFFORTS are to make an IMPACT and thus help SHORTEN the SUFFERING of THIS ENTIRE INDUSTRY. I can NO LONGER SUPPORT YOU for this TRAVESTY OF EVIL.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17230368212225593659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-4548914095486273922007-12-17T23:51:00.000-08:002007-12-17T23:51:00.000-08:00Everyone wins!If someone organizes an Oscar and/or...Everyone wins!<BR/><BR/>If someone organizes an Oscar and/or Golden Globes party for nominees and other Hollywood elite who feel uncomfortable crossing picket lines, give it an A-List comic host (Ferrell, Stiller, Colbert, etc.), and stream interviews and speeches live online, it would take about two seconds to get the entire event (webcast included) underwritten by advertisers looking to place their products in, on, and around a celebrity crowd. With a little grassroots promotion, it would probably draw millions of viewers, ALLOW THE NOMINEES TO HAVE THEIR DESERVED MOMENT IN THE SUN, and thrust the strike into a national spotlight. Seems like a win-win situation for everyone. Well, almost everyone...Price Sterlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12885007687323372113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-70816511665021522032007-12-17T23:49:00.000-08:002007-12-17T23:49:00.000-08:00Wow, now that's some damn fine commentary from the...Wow, now that's some damn fine commentary from the top of the peanut gallery (can't imagine why so many were deleted).<BR/><BR/>Of course an action like this (denial of waiver) is not only appropriate, but required. Where does one stop if shows, production companies and individuals are granted waivers? The purpose of a strike is to hurt the other side, if possible, and create heightened public awareness of the unfairness and/or inequity of management/ownership policy. That means, for those of you not familiar with labor-management process, that certain television shows don't broadcast if the people who write them are on strike. Like, say, when auto workers are on strike, cars don't get made; even the car you may have just ordered from the factory. Bottom line: management is a bitch.<BR/><BR/>I not only think that Letterman, Leno, et al, should not be granted waivers but that WGA should begin the process of getting copyrights back into the hands of writers, where ownership rightfully belongs (not during this strike, perhaps, but something to secure when dealing with an internet or New Media company). Four cents for a DVD? It should be at least a dollar. 2.5% of New Media? How about a floor of 5%? At least. <BR/><BR/>Back to point: God only knows what the Golden Globes mean, anyway, and although I like watching the Academy Awards (I haven't been asked to appear yet, but someday one of those ushers will surely quit or die), if it has to fall under the axe, what better opportunity to inform the public of WGA grievances? <BR/><BR/>And please, don't flatter previous comments by attributing them to AMPTP flackery. AMPTP may be three cans short of a six-pack, but they ain't that dumb. Soon, American Idol will be along to soothe the savage nitwit, and the pinheads will have something to keep them occupied (until hog-calling season rolls around). <BR/><BR/>It's not enough to stick the knife in, sometimes you have to twist it, too. Nice twist, WGA. Give it another crank, for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-37980300601405220412007-12-17T23:42:00.000-08:002007-12-17T23:42:00.000-08:00Dorkman writes:"Actually, it's about getting the S...Dorkman writes:<BR/><BR/>"Actually, it's about getting the SAME amount of money that they've received in the past, and avoiding a LOSS of income."<BR/><BR/>If that's true, why does the negotiating committee refuse to even discuss the idea of crediting new media residuals against broadcast residuals, or vice-versa? That would ensure residual replacement if shows are no longer rerun on broadcast, but prevent the studios from having to pay both if they co-exist. But the WGA has refused to even put this on the table.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12829450636460420354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-12778668307599987442007-12-17T23:25:00.000-08:002007-12-17T23:25:00.000-08:00The writers are doing this for everyone. It is not...The writers are doing this for everyone. It is not just for themselves that they strike. I'm SAG & AFTRA and totally support them. If they sink, ALL entertainment industry employees will suffer. People outside the industry may not understand this. The producers busted the SEG and some of those people lost everything, pension and insurance.tp69https://www.blogger.com/profile/01579355063888032452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-82766150332417157152007-12-17T23:23:00.000-08:002007-12-17T23:23:00.000-08:00The writers are doing this for everyone. It is not...The writers are doing this for everyone. It is not just for themselves that they strike. I'm SAG & AFTRA and totally support them. If they sink, ALL entertainment industry employees will suffer. People outside the industry may not understand this. The producers busted the SEG and some of those people lost everything, pension and insurance.tp69https://www.blogger.com/profile/01579355063888032452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-31156414219132860552007-12-17T23:16:00.000-08:002007-12-17T23:16:00.000-08:00Bonnie and People Please,You are right to deny wai...Bonnie and People Please,<BR/><BR/>You are right to deny waivers to productions which do not support your cause, or to deny waivers to productions where a waiver would cause more harm than good (say, a delay in negotiations).<BR/><BR/>In the case of the Golden Globes and Oscars, however, the Guild has made a massive mistake. Here's why:<BR/><BR/>By denying these shows a waiver, you will have actually piqued interest in the show. MORE PEOPLE WILL TUNE IN to find out what happens -- will it be a train wreck, etc. The ratings will be up this year over last, and the networks will benefit.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, the producers will be writing the presentation speeches now. I have no doubt that there will be support for the writers during the show, but this will be much less support than you would have if your own membership was writing the witty barbs...<BR/><BR/>Finally, the denial of the request was obviously a symbolic act of defiance. But, as I mention in my post above, the overriding symbolism is that you don't care about the rest of Hollywood. I know this is not your true intent, but sometimes hints of inner feelings are what seep through our actions.<BR/><BR/>Imagine if you will, the outpouring of goodwill you would have received from the community if you had granted these two waivers under the auspices of common interest. <BR/><BR/>Not only is that chance gone, but you have basically trampled on the notion that it should have mattered in the first place.BTL Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07338713998425569641noreply@blogger.com