Have you started to wonder why television entertainment has been lacking as of late? Perhaps why the most advertised and talked about programs have been shows like American Gladiator? I mean come on, it was campy and fun when we could watch re-runs of feathered-haired guys with oddly greasy tans and silver jumpsuits courageously throwing tennis balls at people. But now, who are they kidding?
Enough is enough you big babies
Have you started to wonder why television entertainment has been lacking as of late? Perhaps why the most advertised and talked about programs have been shows like American Gladiator? I mean come on, it was campy and fun when we could watch re-runs of feathered-haired guys with oddly greasy tans and silver jumpsuits courageously throwing tennis balls at people. But now, who are they kidding?
The reason for the jump in “reality” television and draw back of the shows we love is that the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has gone on strike. Their main target is the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP), a collection of the most powerful companies and heads of the television, film and theater industries.
At the heart of the debate is the new frontier of digital media that the writers were previously were compensated for. But technology changes, and now there is a wide range of possibilities for consumers, such as streaming video, downloaded TV shows, sales and so on. This is the area that the writers were getting shut out of financially. As they felt they weren’t making any progress in negotiating a decent deal, the WGA went on strike.
The writers deserve what they are asking for and hopefully they get it, but enough is enough. It is time for both parties to roll up their sleeves, get down to business, and get this whole thing over with.
The WGA has found a slight solution by making deals with separate companies such as David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants Company that owns his own Late Show and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Yet, they have turned down others like Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with John Stewart and The Colbert Report, after they offered to make a deal identical to Letterman’s.
Coming off of the strike for his first day back on The Daily Show, John Stewart’s frustration regarding the WGA could clearly be felt. He sarcastically remarked, “Lets say you’re not as big, lets say you’re on basic cable but you will do it and you’ve gotten your company to say okay even though they clearly think you’re insane, why would you turn something like that down?”
What the WGA needs to realize is that they will have to make sacrifices somewhere (though let’s hope it’s not much), just like in any negotiation. They also have to let even the little guys make deals for the sake of their writers and the families that depend upon them. Everyone has to start somewhere, even from the ground up. So if the little ol’ Daily Show or the like can make progress for your cause, don’t shut them out.
This in no way excuses the AMPTP, who has perhaps even more power to end this by simply being fair and exhibiting some good business behavior. They have to appreciate the value of the writers. Without them, they really don’t have much of a product. In addition to that, they are only throwing money away the longer this strike continues. Their attempt to reign in greater profits at the expense of the writers is turning into huge losses in profits at their own expense. It’s time to tuck your pride away, AMPTP, along with your failed money-grabbing scheme, and move on.
It’s not that America couldn’t use a nice break from the idiot box, but people are out of work, and the industry is feeling the shock waves from it. Not just the writers feel the pain of this strike, but all who depend on them to support their wing of the industry feel it as well. So grow a pair Hollywood, and get business done.
