The writers need to cowboy up and recognize that they will never have the upper hand in any negotiations with Big Media. The only way creativity wins in this struggle is if the truly good writers go independent with their own production and distribution (ala the actors and United Artists once upon a time).
Multi-national conglomerates will continue to dominate the mainstream media, they will continue to dictate programming based on market research rather than creative story-telling, and the TV writers who work for them will have to accept the limitations on their earnings (which are still generous compared to most creative writing professionals).
In a corporate world, the profits go to the shareholders, not to the employees. Sorry WGA, but that's the truth.
Yeah, but corporate sucks, Bruno. It doesn't matter anyway. The DGA has announed it's starting negotiations in January; they'll accept a lowball offer, (with an extra bone or two thrown in for them heeling like good boys) and that'll be that. The WGA will be screwed. The studios never intended to negotiate seriously with the writers before they could get to the DGA. It's all so pointless.
I liked VL just for the laughs and premise but it was awfully produced. Notes isn't terrible TV, just not something people will watch in the masses which is the network's fault for greenlighting it. You should really be mentioning the trashy sitcoms that aired on the WB in its final years as well as the truley awful ABC comedies of the past couple years: Hot Properties, Help Me Help You, In Case of Emergency, Twins, and Modern Men.
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Originally posted by TV-aholic: Time to start hiring NON-union writers!!!
The union writers are the one who have given us all the crap lately (VL, Cavemen, Cane, Notes/Underbelly)
One of the first WB shows to debut was called Muscle and starred Dan Gautier (Game Show Perennial Dick Gautier's son). I loved that show - it reminded me of Soap and was totally bizarre and the first official show cancelled on the network. The WB never managed a decent comedy since.
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Posts: 5948 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 20 September 2006
Hey, Reba was pretty good. A lot of critics liked Grosse Pointe (I never did), Sabrina the Teenage Witch had one decent year on the WB, and who can forget the hilarious Jamie Kennedy Experiment? That show was comedy gold but constantly buried on Thursdays or Sundays (nights the WB gave up on at the time). Blue Collar TV also had its moments but just lacked at times what the movies had. It wasn't all a waste, just mostly a waste.
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Originally posted by xwiseguyx: One of the first WB shows to debut was called Muscle and starred Dan Gautier (Game Show Perennial Dick Gautier's son). I loved that show - it reminded me of Soap and was totally bizarre and the first official show cancelled on the network. The WB never managed a decent comedy since.
Originally posted by TV-aholic: Time to start hiring NON-union writers!!!
The union writers are the one who have given us all the crap lately (VL, Cavemen, Cane, Notes/Underbelly)
While I respect your opinion...
WHO has the FINAL SAY about what goes on the air? And who is the bigger air-head...he/she wor writes hooey, or he/she who approves hooey to be aired?
I am a union steelworker. if my work is crap, my bosses can reject it,and fire me if I couldn't/wouldn't do any better. And if any of my bosses let any shoddy work by me go to a customer, the BOSS would be the one held accountable.
So, again...WHO has ULTIMATE responsibility for what is aired?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: robycop3,
Originally posted by xwiseguyx: One of the first WB shows to debut was called Muscle and starred Dan Gautier (Game Show Perennial Dick Gautier's son). I loved that show - it reminded me of Soap and was totally bizarre and the first official show cancelled on the network. The WB never managed a decent comedy since.
Yes, I like Muscle too. It succeeded where The Class failed.
Its been a while, was that show only 13 episodes or did they do more?
Originally posted by mushu_jj: Blue Collar TV also had its moments but just lacked at times what the movies had.
Now I did like Blue Collar TV. It had the fell of the old Carol Burnett show from the 70's.
If it had been on ABC, CBS or NBC, I bet it Would have lasted longer and been even better.
Imagine if Blue Collar TV had been launched within the framework of the ABC family comedies (which were still prevelant at that time) or the CBS Monday block? Could've been the next big hit.
I don't even think it last 13 eps. It was canceled prior to then I'm pretty sure. They had complaints just like Soap did and the WB caved quickly.
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Originally posted by TV-aholic:
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Originally posted by xwiseguyx: One of the first WB shows to debut was called Muscle and starred Dan Gautier (Game Show Perennial Dick Gautier's son). I loved that show - it reminded me of Soap and was totally bizarre and the first official show cancelled on the network. The WB never managed a decent comedy since.
Yes, I like Muscle too. It succeeded where The Class failed.
Its been a while, was that show only 13 episodes or did they do more?
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Posts: 5948 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 20 September 2006
Your right Mushu. I forgot about those. Reba was decent (never watched it until year 4) Actually, I loved Grosse Pointe too (almost as much as Muscle) - but I'm guessing the humor was too inside. I never saw Blue Collar TV, Sabrina I didn't get into much and Jamie Kennedy was hit or miss (but I was thinking in terms of traditional sitcom).
quote:
Originally posted by mushu_jj: Hey, Reba was pretty good. A lot of critics liked Grosse Pointe (I never did), Sabrina the Teenage Witch had one decent year on the WB, and who can forget the hilarious Jamie Kennedy Experiment? That show was comedy gold but constantly buried on Thursdays or Sundays (nights the WB gave up on at the time). Blue Collar TV also had its moments but just lacked at times what the movies had. It wasn't all a waste, just mostly a waste.
quote:
Originally posted by xwiseguyx: One of the first WB shows to debut was called Muscle and starred Dan Gautier (Game Show Perennial Dick Gautier's son). I loved that show - it reminded me of Soap and was totally bizarre and the first official show cancelled on the network. The WB never managed a decent comedy since.
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Posts: 5948 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: 20 September 2006
Latest information and leaks is that the strike could last past pilot season, and go into fall '08. Even though I was wrong in my ending by X-Mas prediction, I still see it ending before the March deadline and possibly within a month. Once the reality shows start tanking and the networks realize that they have nothing to replace them but other reality shows that may or may not hit (most likely not), the strike will get settled. Advertisers and investors aren't going to want to spend their money on So You Think Your Dad Is the Hottest Part 15 Remix Style.
Originally posted by TV-aholic: Its been a while, was that show only 13 episodes or did they do more?
13 only. The WB renewed their entire inaugural lineup except for it. It was their lowest-rated show... and the lowest-rated show on television at the time.
I watched most of the episodes, but 12 years on, I can only remember two of the jokes. One after Amy Pietz' character had just come out of the closet, and the news announcer introduced her -- live on the air -- as "Anchorlesbian." Another concerned the Jeffrey Dahmer-type character who wanted to have people in his "tummy" so they'd "never leave."
Granted, that is two more than I can recall from creator Rob LaZebnik's followup show for ABC, "Common Law."
It doesn't matter anyway. The DGA has announed it's starting negotiations in January; they'll accept a lowball offer, (with an extra bone or two thrown in for them heeling like good boys) and that'll be that. The WGA will be screwed. The studios never intended to negotiate seriously with the writers before they could get to the DGA. It's all so pointless.
