I've got Leno's opening line...."Why did the chicken cross the road?"

Let them hire the third grade class at Hollywood Elementary School...they'll do a better job, I'm sure.

That means more repeats of "Law and Order."

and this "news" means what to me?

Good for them. I think they deserve better pay for what they do. The networks make a killing off of the shows these writers put out.

It's only fair.

in a couple of months, if this is not resolved than most sitcoms and dramas will go on haitus, (SP?) which means

More repeats

and more unscripted reallity shows.

in a couple of months, if this is not resolved than most sitcoms and dramas will go on haitus, (SP?) which means

More repeats

and more unscripted reallity shows.

So? I've lived most of my adult life (I'm 52) without a TV. I can attest to the fact you do not need to suck from its tit for survival.

SLIME FROM THE VIDEO

I am gross and perverted
I'm obsessed 'n deranged
I have existed for years
But very little had changed
I am the tool of the Government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate you

I may be vile and pernicious
But you can't look away
I make you think I'm delicious
With the stuff that I say
I am the best you can get
Have you guessed me yet?
I am the slime oozin' out
From your TV set

You will obey me while I lead you
And eat the garbage that I feed you
Until the day that we don't need you
Don't got for help...no one will heed you
Your mind is totally controlled
It has been stuffed into my mold
And you will do as you are told
Until the rights to you are sold

That's right, folks..
Don't touch that dial

Well, I am the slime from your video
Oozin' along on your livin'room floor

I am the slime from your video
Can't stop the slime, people, lookit me go

Frank Zappa

big, fargen deal.

if a person's life revolves around television, they deserve to watch re-runs.

if a person's life revolves around television, they deserve to watch re-runs.

Well put, Nanc.

This doesn't affect you personally, so you bash it.

Steel worker's union. Bash it. auto worker's union. Bash it. Hotel/Food service...Bash....Bash...Bash.

A theme arises in the electronic swim of DR.

You Rethuglicans get your opportunity to back-hand another union's attempt at fairness. And Democrats jump on becasue 'it's just Tv....'

As one of the writers who's project was about to be green-lighted this week, and who's life will be affected, all I can say to you frigging' assholes is;

(Commment deleted due to strike)

"The networks make a killing off of the shows these writers put out."

True. Writers have asked for six-tenths of one percent, leaving 99.4% for all other costs. The producers claim they need 99.7%.

Also, consider this: Authors own their writing, and make more money the more successful the book becomes. Songwriters own their writing, and make more money the more people use their compositions.

But not TV writers.

This doesn't affect you personally, so you bash it.

Posted by DUMPLING1

Dumpling -- If you are referring to comments I made, it was nothing personal, of course. But not being a TV owner, I simply can't get all worked up about this strike. Same as if UAW strikes. Big deal. I can wait to buy a car. They won't be on strike for two years.

Though it seems paradoxical, on a general level, I couldn't give a fuck. But on a personal level, I hope for the best for you and your project. Good luck. (or is it "break a leg" in the biz? *grin*)

thank you, goatman.

most of the television i've seen is nothing but a bunch of garbage that panders to the few.

we pay a very small amount for family programming on a satellite package with local networks we watch ONLY when there is bad weather as we live in tornado alley.

our teens started watching tvland and their vhs and dvd's a long time ago when they found everything on after 6:00 p.m. was either vile, violent, gory or reality t.v. our son put his television in his closet and has said he'll not have a television in his house.

if hollywood thinks people care, they are sorely mistaken - they won't be missed one iota. i make no apologies for that.

I don't watch TV, either.

I turned off the cable when I realized I was paying $50 a month just to watch COPS and dubbed Japanese game shows.

Our set now only gets used to play DVDs.

When I am exposed to TV at a friends house I am always amazed at the banality and pandering.

Especially when watching the "news".

The sitcoms I find completely unwatchable.

Good luck to the writers, and may this little vacation help them come up with some better plotlines.

So? I've lived most of my adult life (I'm 52) without a TV. I can attest to the fact you do not need to suck from its tit for survival.


I havent owned a tv since I was 20 years old. I am currently in my 30's.

Life without a tv is indeed much more refreshing.

The writers are in a unique position because their skills and talents can't be easily outsourced. While there are a lot of people that can put pen to paper in English, not to many can do it in the professional capacity of screen/tv writer. They stand a good chance of getting what they want. Good for them.

I am not a big TV watcher, but if I was, I would start hammering away on my cable provider after a few weeks of reruns to reduce my rates because of reduced quality of programming. Eventually, I suspect that the advertisers will also weigh in if the strike persists for an extended time.

My wife and I have been contiplating giving up cable and TV entirely.

Problem is is once in a while I enjoy television. This weekend I caught a great boxing match on HBO that was probably the best fight I have seen in a long time.
Saturday night I came across a great show about the wild west gunslingers. Very fun to wathc and educational at the same time.
And, admittadly, there are times I like to find some stupid old movie and just veg out in front of the TV for a couple of hours.

Could I give that up. Sure, but I ask myself why should I? I don't abuse TV. Hell, durring the week we seldom even turn it on. But there are times that it really fits the bill.

Saving the 50-60 $ per month just isn't enough incentive for me to axe it altogether.

Seeing as nothing on BBCAmerica is written by Hollyweird I guess I am okay :)

I am so thankful this strike didn't come when "Joanie Loves Chachi" was being crafted.

ff that, mr. fair!

Hollywood stars increase their earning power every time their movie become popular. Credit goes to both star power and script excellence in the movie. There is plenty evidence that even a movie featuring a highly paid star can tank if the script or the movie itself is lousy.

So why should a star be paid astronomical sums for blockbuster movies while the script writers of the same movie be paid measly amount?

Why worship the stars alone and disregard the hardwork of writers?

Script writers should be given more respects and paid more, even if that means the star is paid a little less (which is still enormous).

So? I've lived most of my adult life (I'm 52) without a TV. I can attest to the fact you do not need to suck from its tit for survival.

What about your family members? Were they allowed to watch and own a tv set?

As one of the writers who's project was about to be green-lighted this week, and who's life will be affected, all I can say to you frigging' assholes is;

Posted by DUMPLING1

Wow, really? You write for TV? That's amazing. Actually though, that makes sense, what with all the lameass shit on the air.

Have fun striking!

I've seen excellent documentaries and series on cable television -- Discovery Channel, Arts and Entertainment, Military Channel, Biography , National Georgraphic, Travel Channel, the History Channel, Turner Classic Movies, Animal Plane, Bravo, PBS -- just to name a few of my favorite channels. I've seen outstanding productions on cable tv

I've seen excellent documentaries and series on cable television -- Discovery Channel, Arts and Entertainment, Military Channel, Biography , National Georgraphic, Travel Channel, the History Channel, Turner Classic Movies, Animal Plane, Bravo, PBS -- just to name a few of my favorite channels. I've seen outstanding productions on cable tv


It's not that I dislike TV, but I've learned to live without it.

I check apple.com/trailers for movies that are coming out. I check other sites for reviews of shows that are about to have their full season released on dvd.

If it sounds interesting, I'll go buy it. Otherwise, I do without. I have a decent library of fiction, non-fiction and comic books, all with good re-readability. I play video games when I just want to veg out. The rest of the time, I'm at work.

BTW,

Please wish me luck. I am in the midst of writing a story of an animal-turned activist with several other interesting characters: gorrila, horse, etc. I wish I could find a script writer who could help me finish it, hopefully suitable for a movie.

Its real. To me, it could become a blockbuster, if I may indulge in an irrational exuberance about it.

Any suggestions?

But is IS funny that this will put some of those wonderfully impromptu, improvisational, ad libbed talk shows off the air. herm

More repeats

and more unscripted reality shows.

Two thoughts here, agin.

First, are there any "reality shows" that are totally "unscripted" or are most folks aware that there is an underground group of uncredited writers ona lot of these shows?

Second, ...ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGHHH! !!

No more new TDS/TCR and a ton more surviving, average joe bachelors dancing better than a 5th grader?!

There aint enuff knitting needles on this planet to allow Spud to gouge out all of his eyes quick enuff!

Be Well.

Spud's favoritest ironical feature of this particular story is the fact that all the Media Giants who have set up all this "New Media" (NM) and seem to be making all this "New Money" off of it claim they "don't understand the NM yet" enuff to spread the wealth around.

Spud would write a blistering diatribe about the insanity and unbelievable chutzpah of these folks here making like Addled Grandpa Joe with his VCR continually flashing 12:00 but ...out of deference to the striking workers Spud won't.

Hang in there, Dumpling.

Fight the good fight.

Be Well.

PS: On the plus side fans and addicts of TDS/TCR are now much more likely to hit up blogworld fer a hit of some topical political humour and maybe a few fart jokes besides.