Touché NBC, Touché…
Well, it’s been a week since I laid out my ultimatum for NBC and they have totally called my bluff. I’m actually not going to kill myself. Although I am very upset that this writer’s strike has not been resolved yet. I was thinking about threatening to strike from my blog, but I just think in that case the punishment for you, the reader, would be far to great. I know I’m definitely not banking the kind of money I should be from this blog, but I continue for you guys.
In other strike news…David Letterman is the man. He’s paying the entire Late Show staff through the end of the year, because he supports the strike, but doesn’t want his crew to get laid off right before the holidays. This money is coming from his own pocket.
CBS, David Letterman, NBC, the office, Writers Strike
November 15th, 2007 at 11:12 am
David Letterman is, and has always been, the man.
He was robbed of the Tonight Show. He’s also funnier than Leno.
When the writers struck in 1988, Letterman and Carson continued their shows since they write/wrote so much of their material anyway. This time, he obviously supports them. Nice of him to at least “put his money where his mouthg is.”
November 15th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Clarification: I don’t hate Leno or anything. He actually seems like a really good guy. I’ve just always enjoyed Letterman much more.
November 15th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Zack, i must disagree. Leno > Letterman.
It’s nice to see him doing this for his staff though.
November 15th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Oswald,
Not a chance. Marie greatly prefers Leno though so I watch him sometimes. I do think he’s funny. I just prefer Letterman. Different strokes…
Hey Jordan, it looks like NBC might start airing episodes of the British “Office” - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15315098
“Meanwhile, NBC is considering running the original British version of The Office.”
November 15th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Oswald, I usually agree with you on everything. Always. But I greatly disagree with your Leno assessment. I’ll go a step further and say that I don’t think I have ever so much as chuckled at Jay Leno. I literally think that he is one of the most unfunny people. Ever.
November 15th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
This is a bit about Family Guy and it’s creator, Seth MacFarlane from Wikipedia:
Show creator and voice actor Seth MacFarlane said the November 11th episode (Lois Kills Stewie) was the last episode produced under his watch and there are no more new episodes ready. Fox says they will complete the last three episodes written, voiced and animated without MacFarlane’s final approval to air during the remainder of November, which he termed “a colossal dick move” in an interview with Variety.
November 15th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
sorry to go back on an old subject, but I think the British version of the Office is hilarious. I would appreciate a season airing in the U.S. NBC will have to edit some of the subject matter. Unfortunately it is slightly TV-MA.
November 15th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I guess i’m not smart enough to enjoy his humour.
November 15th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Josh,
It’s not that. You’re just more mature apparently. Letterman usually beats Leno in the ratings among the 18-35 age group. Leno wins in the older demographic.
November 15th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
I’m older and Letterman wins with me!!!!!
November 16th, 2007 at 8:20 am
Sock it to um Beth!
November 16th, 2007 at 8:49 am
I think the british office is comical, however…nbc is only airing it because they don’t want to air the u.s. office reruns because then the “striking” writers would be paid residuals…
November 16th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Jordan,
Do you think that’s the case or do you think they want to try to keep as much of an audience as possible by showing something “new”? Perhaps they think the British version could convince people to tune into NBC during that time slot moreso than reruns of something that most fans have probably already seen? Just an idea…
November 16th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Both. I think NBC knows a lot of people would watch U.S. Office reruns, but they want to stick it to the writer’s, so they figure this will accomplish both. The two have strayed so far from each other that a lot of hard core office fans don’t even like the British one.
Some say that Leno wants to bring his show back, but doesn’t want to look like an unsupportive tool compared to Letterman.
November 17th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Well, word is now that the two sides are going to sit down and discuss things. I am still supportive of the writers overall, however, after looking into ait a bit more, the producers have a point as well. It is not so cut and dry as it seems. The writers have just done a MUCH better job getting their message out. Also, people always want to “stick it to the man” and in this case, “the man” has been effectively made to be the production studios/producers. The writers have done a great job online and elsewhere of making their point of view known and making themselves look like victims, etc. Still, their point is valid. I think that if the production companies actually GET REVENUE from online usage, then the writers are entitled to a cut. In instances where the show is broadcast online for free, then I think it should be as it is now. If the companies get money from their work, the writers should get their cut. If NBC shows an episode online for free (without making money on tons of web ads), then no one should get anything from it…including the writers.
Supposedly The Tonight Show might go back to live episodes on Monday - but if so, it will most likely be with guest hosts…
November 19th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Here’s the thing…I know that when NBC airs the office online, they air it for free, but an “ad ticker” runs the whole time. In other words, they’re selling add times, which equals revenue. Also, they’re not playing any reruns on the network during the season, which means the writer’s lose that money to the online crowd…