WGA strike taking its toll

[Julian Delphiki]

Daily Show & Colbert could use some writers . Oh well, at least i got my lot needed fix, now downloading yesterdays episodes.

[Zoid]

I think Stewart is winging it better than Colbert. Maybe because he is himself and not some ironic republican parody...

[Julian Delphiki]

Someone strongly disagrees with you http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertai...,2467650.story

I just happened to see that on google news, i think they both were fine if a bit stretching at it. 8 mins and i can go and watch yesterdays eps.. note to self - put Daily Show first in queue, then Colbert Report. Not the other way around..

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by JulianD
Daily Show & Colbert could use some writers . Oh well, at least i got my lot needed fix, now downloading yesterdays episodes.

I'm not watching those shows.

[Julian Delphiki]

Supporting strike ?

[Zoid]

Originally posted by Zoid
I think Stewart is winging it better than Colbert. Maybe because he is himself and not some ironic republican parody...

Ok, I have to change that. Last nights show was crap, Stewart is clearly struggling now, only had one funny joke in the entire show. Not to mention that the lenghty John Oliver segment was boring as hell...

Colbert

[Wezil]

Originally posted by snoopy369
[q="http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6517857.html"]
The Writers Guild of America says it has signed a side deal with United Artists that allows writers to work for the studio, WGA said Monday.
...
[/q]

Maybe not as big a deal as I thought... didn't realize UA was such a small studio nowadays. I guess I hear MGM and translate to "MGM/UA" in my head...

Good. The next Bond flic should be able to continue.

The rest of the writers can stay out.

[Zoid]

After two weeks of informal talks to lay groundwork, the Directors Guild of America is set to begin formal negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Saturday, the AMPTP and DGA said Friday in a joint statement.

DGA talks have taken on heightened significance in the context of the 11-week-old writers strike. Perception in the biz is that DGA has become the de facto negotiator for the WGA given the lack of communication between WGA and AMPTP since the latter broke off the last round of talks with writers on Dec. 7.

DGA leaders are known to have held extensive backchannel conversations with AMPTP reps during the past two weeks in an effort to hammer out many of details surrounding and ensure that the sides will be able to make significant progress when the formal sessions begin. AMPTP said that there will be a press blackout during the DGA bargaining sessions until negotiations have concluded. DGA talks will be held at AMPTP's HQ in Encino.

The start of DGA's formal negotiations is sure to be taken by many as a hopeful sign after weeks of turmoil caused by the labor strife, exemplified by the implosion of Sunday's Golden Globe Awards, which has been downscaled from its usual lavish dinner gala and live telecast to a news conference from the Beverly Hilton.

DGA's existing contract is set to expire June 30.

Meanwhile, American Federation of Television & Radio Artists said it will postponing next week's start of a portion of its contract negotiations until next month so that the majors can focus on other talks.

AFTRA said it agreed to a request by the majors on Thursday to hold off the start of its talks, on the condition that the AFTRA negotiations start no later than Feb. 19. It also said that it would extend the Jan. 31 expiration of the so-called network code portion of its contract -- which covers a wide variety of TV programming -- until March 7.

"AFTRA's priority is to negotiate strong wages, residuals, benefits, and working conditions for talent in all TV day parts and formats," the union said. "The AFTRA Negotiating Committee members are mindful of current events in the industry, and their impact on our members as well as workers above and below the line in television. While AFTRA is ready to begin negotiations now, given the unsettled state of other talks already in progress, we believe we can best serve AFTRA members' interests by briefly postponing our negotiations."

It's the second time that AFTRA's extended the expiration of the net code. It bumped that date from Nov. 15 to Jan. 31 last year to allow negotiators to focus on the WGA talks, which collapsed on Dec. 7.

AFTRA noted Friday that current terms of the net code code will remain in effect. "We will obviously monitor the situation closely with the aim of starting meaningful talks as soon as circumstances allow," it added.

Current contract, which expires Jan. 31, covers about $400 million in annual earnings from dramatic programs in syndication or outside primetime, daytime serial dramas, gameshows, talkshows, variety and musical programs, news, sports, reality shows, and promotional announcements. Notable programs include "Good Morning America," "The View," "The Price Is Right," "Days of Our Lives," "Oprah," "Entertainment Tonight," "American Idol," "20/20" and "Late Show With David Letterman."

AFTRA prexy Roberta Reardon has said key issues will include the impact of new-media platforms, working conditions and health and pension benefits.

Source: Variety.com

:desire:

[Julian Delphiki]

Yesterdays Colbert report was good, was A Daily Show on as well (15th)?

[Zoid]

It was, but it hasn't been released yet. Slackers...

[Zoid]

I watched the first episode of Comanche Moon and the first two of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Both very good. Comanche Moon was soo good in fact that I bought the rest of the series (Lonesome Dove/Streets of Laredo/Dead Mans Walk) on DVD. Really good western!

[Julian Delphiki]

Originally posted by Zoid
It was, but it hasn't been released yet. Slackers...

I knew there was some kind plot against me .

[Zoid]

The DGA’s reached a tentative deal with the AMPTP, following six days of negotiations.

The pact was announced early Thursday afternoon amid widespread expectations that the helmers would reach an agreement with the majors.

The DGA deal amps up the pressure from all sides on the leadership of the Writers Guild of America, which has been out on strike since Nov. 5. Its last negotiations with the AMPTP collapsed on Dec. 7 with the congloms demanding that the guild drop six of its proposals.

The town’s focus will immediately shift to whether the terms of the DGA deal will be acceptable to the WGA. A group of moderate writers have been pushing in recent days for the leaders not to reject the DGA deal out of hand.

Optimists believe that the DGA deal will be enough of a breakthrough on new-media questions to pave the way for a WGA pact.

Source: Variety.com

[Ninot]

Originally posted by Zoid
I watched the first episode of Comanche Moon and the first two of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Both very good. Comanche Moon was soo good in fact that I bought the rest of the series (Lonesome Dove/Streets of Laredo/Dead Mans Walk) on DVD. Really good western!

Terminator was an enjoyable action show, but it just felt so forced and corny in so many ways. The headless terminator? cmon

[Zoid]

I'm sure the kids love it...