I received this in the mail today from one of the “Colbert Report” writers and thought I’d pass it along to our readers.
Hi NoFactZoners,
We TCR writers wanted to give you a shout-out to say that we miss you terribly, we wish we were working, and we hope to be providing new grist for your virtual mill very soon. As you know, the main issue at the core of our strike is compensation for the use of our work on new media – streaming video, downloads, webisodes, webcasts, text alerts, phoneisodes, textiwebs, downcasts, and Blackberry keys in the shape of Stephen’s cufflinks (actually, we probably wouldn’t collect any residuals on that one, but you get the point). Stephen and the staff at TCR have been incredibly supportive of our fight, even as they entertain themselves at the office with bake-offs and board game tournaments (true). There have been no color wars yet, but it’s only week two.
Anyway, we wanted to let you know that all we and the other striking writers want from the heads of the media conglomerates is fair compensation for our work – without which their Malibu mansions, corporate jets, $34 million compensation packages and $80 million severance packages wouldn’t exist — and to caution you not to believe their stories of overpaid, greedy writers endangering the livelihood of show business’s honest laborers. In reality they know that they need us just as much as we need them, if the entertainment industry is to successfully undermine America’s values.
We’d also like you to know how much we appreciate the way you’ve been reporting on these issues. More than one of us has commented that NoFactZone is the first place we go for updates on the progress of negotiations, even if it’s just to say that the AMPTP has responded to our reasonable demands with an order to poach the writing staff of ‘Back to You’ in olive oil. In the absence of our dedicated (and threatened) research staff, you’ve done a bang-up job of filling the void.
The minute this strike is settled we will be back at work with our colleagues at TCR helping Stephen be Stephen. Thanks for supporting the show and we’ll see you soon!
The Writers
TCR writers, I seriously love you guys (and possibly gals, if there are any female writers). Heck, I love everyone at TCR. There’s a Prayer and Encouragement team that a few of my friends and I started here at my college, and we’re all praying for you guys, and that this strike get’s resolve ASAP!!
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Thanks very much, everyone! We miss you all and can’t wait for you to come back, but we’re behind you 100% in this fight. Here’s hoping the AMPTP (stinkin’ Nick Counter!) capitulates soon.
P.S. There are female writers, supernova8610 (although the guild is overwhelmingly male, as a whole). Laura Krafft, for one, and I’m sure Allison Silverman still does a lot or writing, too. And Rachel Axler’s on the Daily Show‘s writing staff.
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I can imagine how the back offs and board games tourneys are going. I bet that’s entertaining!
In all seriousness, I hope that the writers will get their compensation for all the hard work they do. I hope they get it soon too! I’m having TDS & TCR withdrawals!
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Thanks so much for writing, TCR folks! It’s really good to hear from you – and we’re all out here hoping you’re staying warm on the picket lines. Stay strong!
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Thanks for the note, guys and gals! Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help in the fight! When I see your photos and quotes from the picket line I feel proud of you all (and a little bit sad.)
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Oh, god, we miss you guys. Sooooo much. <3
I hope you all get the deal you deserve, and soon.
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Yey writers!! WE MISS YOU…but you already knew that.
I had the opportunity to reiterate the same sentiment to Stephen personally yesterday at a book signing in Montclair, NJ.
So it seems that all our bases are officially covered…
Stay strong and hang in there!
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You guys are the bombinest (that’s my made up word)! :D We miss you a whole heck of a lot, but we support you 200%! Keep up the great work, guys!
Love y’all – Miranda
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It’s really good to hear from you guys! Keep fighting the good fight and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you out.
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I agree with the writers that NoFactZone has given so much information on the strike. Because of this website, I was able to get tickets to the last taping of TCR on Nov 1st, saw Stephen and the writers at Borders last Monday … and besides simply keeping up with Stephen have been able to spread news about the strike and keep informed.
As much as I miss TCR right now, this website does a hell of a job keeping readers informed of what is going on. So I agree with the writers that you guys deserve a huge “thank you” for what you do
Peace n’ love,
Anna
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Aw the writers are the best, and NFZ is the best. I came here before I checked my email this morning!
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I love you guys! Come back soon!
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Wow, so nice to hear from the writers of TCR (the happiest half hour ever!). I wish them and their fellow writers a quick victory in their fight to get what they clearly deserve.
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News from the front lines! This post and Lisa’s report from the Mont-Clert booksigning are truly breaks in the clouds of gloom. “Blackberry keys in the shape of Stephen’s cufflinks.” Is it any wonder we love these writers??
We want our shows back, but only when justice is done. To both the TCR writers and the NFZ staff: Stay strong. We’re doing all we can to stand with you in this.
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Ah thats really cool of them to let us know whats going on. Stay Strong Writers! ;-D
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We miss you guys a lot, but we understand and agree with your stance wholeheartedly. Thanks for all the great episodes you have provided until now and thanks for all the even better ones you’ll provide when you come back!
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Writing can be hard work (I consider myself a freelancer–even if only a half-assed one), so I can understand the work being done behind the scenes to make TCR happen. I support you all, and I feel you totally deserve whatever compensation you’re looking for. Keep at it, writers! Your talent deserves to be rewarded.
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Thanks so much for letting us know how you are doing! Though we miss you terribly, we support your demands for fair compensation. Blessings and Peace to you especially in these difficult times. **Thanks for sharing this DB**
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It’s so wonderful to hear from you! We really miss the shows, but know that the writing staffs of TCR and TDS are appreciated and supported. Keep fighting the good fight!
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There’s no need for me to say the we appreciate and adore all the writers, so my message is: “Stay strong! Fight! You can do it!”
Thank you for passing this along, DB!
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It’s really nice to hear from you guys – we all admire you so much and we hate that you have to strike in order to get paid fairly. I’m sending as much support and love as I can your way!
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Love you guys and hope things resolve in your favor soon. Seriously, $80million for severance???
I couldn’t begin to imagine what your playoff tournament looks like…perhaps you should set up a camera and use some footage for filler sometime?? I think everyone here would love to see that.
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As you can see we’re behind you 100%. Wish I could think of something witty and/or meaningful to say in support but I think it’s all been done in the comments above mine. Here’s to a quick – and fair – resolution. Thoughts, blessings, and prayers to all those who make the country laugh. The laughter means so much to all of us. :)
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Thank you, TCR writers, for letting us know how you’re doing. Please try to keep warm and well-nourished while you’re out on the lines. (Just say “No” to the Doughnut Diet…)
Words are inadequate to express how much we all miss you and your amazing collective talent. I support you (and the rest of the WGA) completely and am hoping that you get the deal you desire, and DESERVE, as quickly as possible, so you can get back to doing what you all clearly love. Take good care…
@DB–Thank you so much for sharing this with us! Seems a bit brighter today, for some reason… :-)
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Thanks for the note, TCR writers! It was very thoughtful to let the Nation know how you guys are holding up. Just know we all support you and hope you get your fair share!
Wish I could be there with you all. Can’t wait to watch your work again! :)
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Glad to hear that your spirits are up, and still crackin’ wise. I’m praying hard that the strike’s resolved quickly and fairly.
Hey guys, ..don’t be a stranger…;-)
Really, really happy to hear that a)the nonwriters are still ‘at work’ (getting paid…?) and b)nothing approaching work is actually being done onsite. Yay Stephen!! ~:-)
And three huge cheers for DB and everyone affiliated with NFZ! Your site is fantastic, and your ongoing hard work lets me keep up to date with what’s happening during the strike. Thank-you!
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Thank you so much for communicating, TCR writers!!
Thank you so much for everything, NFZ!!
Collectively, you guys are both the ***BEST****
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It’s so great to hear from you guys! Thanks so much for keeping us in the loop. It really shows that you care about the fans (which we already knew you did). You guys are brilliant and wonderful and remember that you have the Nation’s support 100%!!
Love and best wishes,
Meghan
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This is sweet.
I love it that they check NFZ for news.
Although, knowing that, the temptation to start making stuff up might be overwhelming for a jerk like me. (Tomorrow is Dress as Your Favorite Trope day for members of WGA! And personification doesn’t count!)
Fortunately, DB, Ms.I, et al are not jerks.
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You guys are amazing for this note, and for every thing else as well! We miss you guys SO HARD.
<3 !!!
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XD I can just imagine Stephen screaming at Jon for beating him in “Life’ and “Monopoly” and overturnign the board.
This is the perfect mood lightener. I’m glad the writers are acknowleging the fans and feel for us. *cries * I’m going thorugh withdrawl symptoms. I miss Jon and Stephen and Bobby and John Oliver and…*reads long list*
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I hope the writers don’t make the concession that you all have to be guys! I really like women writers, too. Now I know how much I like TDS and TCR. Writers, you’ve proven your worth to me. If only I had millions of ad $$ to give you…
So, guys… and gals… Thank you for standing up for your well deserved work. Your example makes me want to ask for a better raise, too. I hope we all are successful and achieve all we are worth. (And if you gals have to become guys, I can forward you all these crazy emails about making “it” bigger that I get every day. Maybe I’m missing something…)
And, thanks to NFZ for keeping us all informed. I don’t know what I do without NFZ.
Have a great day!
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Oh, it’s good to hear from them! (Thanks for checking in, guys, if you read this! We miss you terribly – and we’ll all be here when you get back, no matter how long it takes!)
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TCR writers,
We love you, we miss you, and we support you completely. You are an amazingly talented bunch and you deserve fair compensation for all your hard work. Stay strong, and know that we are with you in spirit.
DB, thanks for sharing! And huge thanks to all of you at NFZ for keeping us so well-informed about the strike.
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Solidarity! Thank you, Writers of TCR, for letting us know how you’re doing. I’ve been coming to the NFZ to keep up with what’s going on. So nice to know that you are, too! Stay strong. I’m right behind you, (Charlene) – OK, WGA.
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You guys are too amazing! We all miss you terribly but are behind you 100%. Hope you don’t get too bored out of your minds. If I had the means, I’d fly up and picket with y’all, but I’ll have to settle more more minor ways of support. What board games do you need? =D
Stay Strong, Writers! Hope to hear your words soon!
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You guys do what you need to do, and we’ll back you 110%. WE MISS YOU. Every single one of you.
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@Christine
I miss Jon’s laugh (especially his “Bush laugh”) and “The Word,” not to mention the shameless Doritos plugs. Hehehee….
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The nation loves you 100%, misses you 200% but supports you 300%!
Writers Strong!
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9007/writersstrongwristbandbe2.jpg
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@Eva
Fantastic graphic…
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*clears throat*
Once again, YOU’RE WELCOME.
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