C’mon Ronnie Ann…Why All This Strike Coverage?

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"Writers Guild", strike, unions

You may wonder why I’ve focused my last few posts on the writers strike and why I also mentioned the current New York City stagehands strike that has brought most of Broadway to a halt. I mean, it’s just entertainment, right?

These strikes certainly don’t seem as important as the war in Iraq, the horrible cyclone in Bangladesh and others natural disasters, the political crisis in Pakistan, the mortgage crisis here in the U.S. plus the falling dollar and the impact of both on world markets, global warming, drought, hunger, disease, etc.

I care deeply about all of that, of course, but these strikes deal with something I also care deeply about.

SNL and 30 Rock Take to the Stage to Support the Writers Strike!

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"30 Rock", "Writers Guild", SNL, strike, unions

Performers from striking Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock (both NBC) are putting their funny where their mouths are.

Although I’m sure they didn’t get the idea from my November 9th post Oh Ellen…You Could Find Another Way!, I am thrilled they coincidentally riffed on my idea suggesting Ellen do something similar.

Two Great Video Riffs on the Writers Strike

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"Tim Kazurinsky", "Writers Guild", SNL, strike

Look. I know a strike is no laughing matter to those feeling the pain. But thank god that doesn’t stop comedy writers from taking well-aimed pot shots at the whole thing!

I found these two vids on the Writers Guild East website and think they add some terrific perspective to even the most well-written, heart-wrenching corporate cries of outrage.

Some Thoughts About the Writers Strike

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"Writers Guild", strike

Since I was a little girl, I dreamed about being part of a creative writing team like Sally, Buddy and Rob on the mythical Alan Brady Show. I couldn’t imagine anything more exciting.

Sitting with bright, creative folks as ideas fly fast and furious, and bits, skits, and stories take shape. And getting paid for it yet!

I also think this kind of day-in-day-out writing that forces you to be funny or creative or inspiring no matter where your head is that day is one of the hardest writing jobs imaginable.

Oh Ellen…You Could Find Another Way!

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"Ellen Degeneres", "Writers Guild", strike, union

From the headline on AOL, I can see I’m not the only blogger saying “Tsk tsk tsk!” to Ellen DeGeneres. Seems, after showing initial one-day solidarity with her writers and the current writers’ strike by not taping on Monday, she went back to doing the show sans writers, with her sole concession being no monologue.

According to the article Bloggers Blast Strike-Breaking ‘Ellen‘:

“I want to say I love my writers,” DeGeneres said on Tuesday’s show. “I love them. In honor of them today, I’m not going to do a monologue. I support them and hope that they get everything they’re asking for.” DeGeneres goes on to say that she’s continuing her show because “people have traveled across the country” to attend and be guests on her show, and she wants to “do everything I can to make your trip enjoyable and give you a show.”

Now I’m a huge fan of Ellen and know she is not the only one crossing the picket line.