Strike update: Some late night shows in backchannel discussions?
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A new article in Variety talks about “secret” conversations amongst late night hosts and broadcast representatives, although it does NOT profess to have knowledge of what The Daily Show and The Colbert Report might be planning (if anything). Still, it holds out the tantalizing hope of the return of some of the late night hosts and, as such, it’s news.
Latenight hosts may be coming back
Show reps engage in secret backchannel talksBy JOSEF ADALIAN
Talks are underway to bring the laughs back to latenight.Reps for several of the major latenight skeins — including “Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”— have been engaging in secret backchannel conversations with each other about when it might be appropriate for their hosts to return to their studios. It’s unlikely anything will happen until after Thanksgiving, however–and even that could be optimistic.
Still, according to several network execs with knowledge of the situation, there’s been talk of resuming production on some shows as early as next month, with Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 mentioned as possible return dates.
. . .While Letterman, Leno and O’Brien all want to be respectful of their writers, they’re also deeply concerned about the impact of a prolonged strike on their non-WGA staffs.
. . .
It’s unclear if producers for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” or “The Colbert Report” have participated in the behind-the-scenes talks with other latenight producers. Comedy Central is still paying the support staffs for those shows.
However, it might be more difficult for those skeins to return without writers–particularly “Colbert Report,” which is mostly scripted.
One big factor in any decision to go back to work: The WGA’s reaction. Latenight producers were taken aback by the WGA East’s condemnation of Ellen Degeneres after she opted to return to work.
The latenight camp is hoping the Carson precedent–he returned to work a month before the strike resumed— will mute any negative response if and when their shows return.
In addition, latenight producers note that only about 20% of their shows is scripted. The rest is filled with interviews and musical performances.
I feel like I should reiterate, the things that would allow a late night host like Conan or Dave to fill additional, unscripted time (possible musical performances, etc.) probably don’t apply to The Colbert Report (or to The Daily Show). And while I in no way disparage Stephen’s talent, I think saying that the Report is “mostly scripted” is an understatement, if anything. Given the WGAE’s reaction to Ellen’s return to work, I think it would be difficult at this stage for Jon and/or Stephen to resume broadcasting. Nonetheless, this article will surely give us all something to think about for some time to come.
No matter what happens, I hope all the writers know that we’re still on their side; this is an enormously important battle they’re waging, and it’s one they need to win.
UPDATED 8:30pm (EST): The link above now leads to an “Article not available – You requested an article that does not currently exist in our database” message. Searching Variety leads to similar dead links. I’m not sure what this means (if it means anything), but if I see the article back online, I’ll update the link.
UPDATE II: The link is working now.
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27 Comments
November 15th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
It is enormously important to the Actor’s and Director’s guilds too. I can’t believe that they won’t be discussing the exact same things when their contracts are up in June. If the writers give in the studios will walk all over the other guys… I wish they’d be more up front about making it an industry-wide precedent instead of making the writers take the brunt of the criticism. I was glad to see the actors picket last week – wish they’d do it more!
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November 15th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I’m a little surprised that Comedy Central is still paying the staff. That’s great!
Stephen doing a 30 minute interview show in character would get painful very fast. But he’s wonderful out of character; I remember him interviewing David Cross one of the times he filled in for Jon on TDS, and he did a great job.
I don’t think they’ll be back either. But it could work — they’d just be completely different shows.
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November 15th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
I’m not sure I believe this story. I know I don’t want to believe it.
Why would they even be talking about this? Surely they are not serious.
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November 15th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Well I’m glad they worry about the non-WGA staff at least a little.
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November 15th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
I wonder if this guy has sources other than “several network execs with knowledge of the situation.” I mean, there is “one wag,” but I’m not sure if that means “network exec” or “non-commital” show spokesperson.
Also, can anyone tell me what a backchannel conversation is? I thought I had a general idea–enough to go on–but now I feel it’s rather crucial to understand what the phrase means in this context.
This stuff is really stressing me out.
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November 15th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
I Googled this story and found a few other sites had posted the same one — all their links were dead too. Weird…maybe Variety retracted it.
I dare not get my hopes up. I will only break open my pint of Americone Dream (which is sitting in my freezer solely for the purpose of celebrating TDS and TCR’s return…sort of like champagne only, Stephen style) when the strike is actually over. I’m trying my best not to get excited about talks…
*sigh* Is it okay if I go weep in the corner?
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November 15th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
If the late night shows come on again so soon it’s over, isn’t it? Theirs are the only shows people are missing right now–how many months of scripts do the sitcoms and other shows have?
That article says that in the 80’s the network paid Johnny Carson’s staff for four months. But that’s not happening this time, is it? People are already losing their jobs–two weeks in.
The networks are using the staff of the shows as hostages. If the the late night shows go back on, they are acknowledging and accepting the idea that the studios cannot be held responsible for the welfare of their employees.
That corporations cannot be held responsible for their actions.
I miss Colbert and Stewart, too. And Conan, for that matter. David Letterman is my hero.
But if they go back on the air before the writer’s get what they deserve, I am not watching them.
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November 15th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
I don’t think that would be the right decision, for them to come back like that. That is what the AMPTP is hoping for with the prolonging of this strike. For them to feel sympathy for all of the other staff members who could be laid-off. Obviously that is an extremely unfortunate side effect, and everyone hopes that this is resolved soon so that that doesn’t happen, but I really think that everyone in the business has to hold strong as one unit, if they have any hopes to win this battle of wills with the studio moguls.
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November 15th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Can Colbert and Stewart just do some short interviews? I mean if it would be too hard/dangerous/whatever for them to come back and do the show for 30 minutes would it be ok just to do some interviews? That would atleast pacify me a little bit more. I would get to see some Colbert and Stewart. Just in abbreviated form. I totally support what ever the WGA and Comedy Central does though.
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November 15th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Solidarity is key here, especially if a few bigger late-night names cross the picket line. As it was noted in one of the radio interviews with a few of the writers, the big-name actors who picket with the writers are some of the only things that’s bringing attention to the strike in larger media outlets, mostly because the writers are fighting against the corporations who own major media outlets (i.e. major network news, newspaper, etc.). Otherwise, sadly, the strike isn’t getting much coverage outside of NFZ and other Internet sources. So, without them, Lord knows how long this’ll go on.
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November 15th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
I want to support the writers. Without them, there would be no awesome shows like the Colbert Report and Daily Show. Just gettin a little worried about this being very long.
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November 15th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
I just watched some coverage of the Fox rally in LA on YouTube. Jason Alexander commented (speculative, I’m sure, but did comment) that he’s been hearing that both parties may not go back to the negotiating table until the end of the year. Get comfy, guys.
Hi…my name is Lisa, and I’m addicted to strike coverage.
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November 15th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
I tried the link shortly after 1 a.m. EST on Friday, and it was working.
I don’t think the WGA will let any of the shows mentioned go back to work before the strike is settled — at least not without a fight.
According to the article, the producers “were taken aback by the WGA East’s condemnation of Ellen Degeneres after she opted to return to work.” I think the same thing will happen with any other show or shows that try to go back before the writers work things out.
They also mention the return of the Johnny Carson show a month before the last strike was settled and hope that set a precedent, but I would be surprised if it did. It’s a whole different landscape now, and the writers have a much better grasp of what’s at stake than they did 20 years ago — not to mention that the Guild itself has matured over the years and has become stronger and better organized.
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November 16th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Larry Wilmore is on the WGA negotiating committee, and I think one of the other TDS writers is as well. And the Late Night writers have a blog and are really vocal. I think personal solidarity with their writers is going to keep Jon, Dave, Stephen, Conan, et al from going back for awhile.
Here’s another take on this story: In some of the interviews, I’ve heard writers say that they are a bit frustrated that talks aren’t happening. A story like this might be a way for more moderate members of the WGA to push the hardliners in the guild back to the negotiating table.
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November 16th, 2007 at 5:52 am
If the only things at stake here were the shows themselves (and, don’t get me wrong, the shows mean a lot to me) I would expect industry-wide solidarity. But I can understand how concern for the newly unemployed crewmembers might make things a little more…hazy for some people. Ultimately, I think everyone needs to band together on this and support the strike, because the unfortunate truth is that sacrifices sometimes have to be made in the short-run, if you want to change things for the better in the long-run. And as much as I miss seeing Stephen (life seems much glummer now) I’d rather he have no show and support the writers, than have a show and hurt the strike. Maybe the two aren’t mutually exclusive? I don’t know. I’m sure Stephen’s got a lot more insight on this situation than I do. And I believe he’ll do what he thinks is right, whatever that is.
And, this is stating the obvious here, but I’d just like to note how disgusting what the AMPTP is doing is. It’s not just the writers they’re scr*wing over, it’s a lot of people who aren’t even in the union. The AMPTP needs to get back to the negotiating table. There’s no excuse for them not to try to solve this.
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November 16th, 2007 at 7:18 am
I miss you Mura.
I’m suspicious of this article. For several reasons. I’ll try to keep this brief:
This article says “reps” for the shows have been “engaging in secret backchannel conversations with each other about when it might be appropriate for their hosts to return to their studios.”
This is a statement that might as well be saying nothing at all. A conversation between two gaffers (I don’t know what that is) over sammiches about when the hell they’ll be going back to work might technically fit this discription. A conversation about why they can’t go back on the air would also fit this description. People associated with the shows are talking, in secret, to each other. Not planning, not negotiating with anyone–but wondering. That’s what this sentence tells us.
And what the hell is this “journalist” doing listening in on these secret conversations? How freakin’ secret are they if they end up in Variety? Whoever these “reps” are–they’re making other “reps” look bad.
There is an implied connection (only implied–because it would be an outright lie to state that that there is a connection) between these “secret talks” and what “several network execs” have to say that “there’s been talk of.” So much vaguery, and such specific dates. December 3. December 10.
It seems the reporter has a much more open and informative relationship with network execs than with the “reps” of late night shows.
And it also seems that the network execs have been present during these secret talks that late night reps are having WITH EACH OTHER.
Stupid “reps.” Stop having secret conversations with eachother in the presence of network execs and reporters for Variety. I’m not sure why I should even have to say that.
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November 16th, 2007 at 8:37 am
@ Murasaki
I agree — better to have no shows and solidarity between all parties, then to have some shows back and no resolution in sight. According to the Canadian radio show “Q” podcast interview with TCR writer Barry Julien, he notes that Jon and Stephen are behind all the writers 100%. ‘Nuff said there. These guys aren’t wrapped up in all the Hollywood muhlarkey that most celebrities are. They’re grounded, refreshingly normal, and are two of the most stand-up guys in the business. I know that we absolutely WON’T see them back on the air until the strike is over. Period.
Big props go to Comedy Central for continuing to pay the crew members. I’m sure it brings some relief to all the writers on strike who work on Comedy Central shows to know that, at least for now, those folks will be alright.
Like I said, let’s not jump the gun here. Celebrate when it’s finally warranted…when we hear Stephen say, “Nation, it’s good to be back.”
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November 16th, 2007 at 9:02 am
‘The networks are using the staff of the shows as hostages’–barenjager, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there.
‘I’m sure Stephen’s got a lot more insight on this situation than I do. And I believe he’ll do what he thinks is right, whatever that is.’–Murasaki, I completely concur.
My wish is that we as fans could express OUR solidarity with Stephen, the other writers, and the non-WGA staff through the only means that will get the moguls attention, viz., MONEY. If they’re using the non-WGA staff as hostages–and they clearly are–we should raise money to support them.
I don’t think raising funds for the entire WGA is very effective. The effort would be too diffuse. What we need to do is get MEDIA ATTENTION, and help the staff if they start to get laid off, with a focused effort.
Is this beyond the realm of possibility? If 1 million fans of TCR can vote for Stephen for president electronically, why can’t 1 million fans send a dollar to his non-WGA staff if they start to get laid off, and are being used to manipulate the feelings of their producers into breaking the strike?
I suggest we start by collecting some facts. How many people (non-WGA staff) are we talking about?
I don’t watch TCR on TV–do their names appear on the credits? There was a piece in a magazine NFZ posted about Stephen addressing his ‘entire staff’ just before the Emmys. (When Stephen mentioned the champagne he was drinking tasted like Tony Bennett’s aged sack). How many people were in the room?
This sort of fundraising is entirely doable if it’s made easy enough for people to access and use. (Click on something on a screen).
This issue with the non-WGA staff is reminding me: we’ve actually met some of Stephen’s staff ruminating about what would happen to them if they lost their host. (In the hilarious, tear-jerking retrospective of the story of Stephen’s wrist). Of course I CAN’T LOOK UP EXACTLY WHAT THE LINES WERE ‘CAUSE I’M NOT LOOKING AT CLIPS. But I remember one was something along the lines of, ‘Well, I always thought he was gonna fall doing that stunt..and I got a family to feed.’ Pretty ironic.
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November 16th, 2007 at 9:20 am
I’d love to get a group of TCR fans together and picket with the WGA East. There are instructions on the proper way to actually carry this out on the Fans4Writers website (click here and scroll down to “Participate”). The site also encourages writing letters to the AMPTP to support them. But, do check out Ms Interpreted’s posted guidlines (click here) as to some of the do’s and don’ts when voicing your frustrations and concerns to the AMPTP and the networks.
Overall, though, I think the writers probably take some solace in the fact that we’re all here reading, and posting, and commenting away, every day about what’s going on. I think just knowing that we support them wholeheartedly helps them stay strong (hmmm…maybe even WristStrong!).
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November 16th, 2007 at 11:18 am
@ nousblet –
I think it’s great that you want to support the non-WGA members of the TCR staff, but to be perfectly honest I don’t think sending money is the best way. It’s a nice idea, and has only the best of intentions, but some of the staff members may not see it that way. Some people are very prideful when it comes to monetary matters. If fans were to do this, some staff members may possibly see this as some kind of handout or a pity-type thing. Of course, that’s certainly not what you are intending, but understand that it could be seen in a negative light.
You want to help in this strike, and there are certainly ways to help. Lisa above me mentioned the Fans4Writers website, and that’s a great place to start if you want to begin something to help both the writers AND the non-writers. I also agree that the article MsInterpreted posted is something that should be read before beginning any sort of campaign.
Please don’t be discouraged or angered at what I’ve said. I think it’s great that you want to help. I believe that the staff of TDS and TCR is heartened by the viewers caring so much.
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November 16th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
@Inara Serra
This entire situation is already discouraging, especially after some of the information that’s been traveling around as of late, mostly confirming a lot of suspicions that this strike will be a long one (though, nothing’s had a definite confirmation…yet).
Nothing you could possibly say at this point would make the situation any more bleak than it is now. So, don’t sweat it.
Though, there is a section of the Fans4Writers website where you can donate money to a group called “Food for Thought,” that takes the donations, and orders and delivers sustenance to folks on the picket line, both in NYC and LA. As of now, I think that’s the only financial way to help them, as far as I know.
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November 16th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Surely, everyone must realize how important it is that unions stand up for the rights of their members. If we don’t support the writers, then we give Producers and companies the Green light to abuse all portions of the entertainment industry.
This is not simply an issue of overdue compensation, free labor and intellectual property rights, but additionally about standing up in an industry where Producers don’t give a damn about those that work for them. An attitude which severly dampens the quality of the product produced.
HBO is consistantly praised for the quality of writing in their shows. They are also the network that gives the creative talent (writers/directors/actors) the most freedom in their work (aka less Producer involvement). Is this a coincidence? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Does this mean that writers can just go off an create great work for the “love of writing’? Um.. no more than a grip can run off and grip for the love of gripping, when they too have a family to support.
HBO pays less than most major networks, yet many writers prefer to work there. Because their work isn’t turned into horrid drivel. And these writers and money-hungry bastards. They have spent a long long time waiting for a fair compensation for their work. And now, after much deliberation and years and years and years of waiting – they are standing up for a wider cause- one that should be embraced by those who have any respect for the moral issues involved.
Or perhaps, you’d prefer a world where there is no union, where producers don’t have to pay a living wage for writing and “where lowest-cost programming will rule; reality TV and UGC.” ( http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=512&doc_id=138492)
I can’t wait. That’d be great fun.
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November 16th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Well…here’s an article that rather corroborates the Variety article.
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1684419,00.html
It makes me very sad.
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November 16th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Ohp. And here’s Nikki Finke calling Bullsh@t on Adalian’s article.
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/varietys-ongoing-disinformation-campaign/
The studios are sick lying bastards. And their stupid ploys are working.
I’m not sure I understand why viewers couldn’t start a support fund for staffers who the studios are USING AS HOSTAGES. The WGA has one for writers, right? Why can’t we, through them, support the staff? It will make the strike stronger. It will ease the burden of guilt that show hosts take on their shoulders because the studios are not capable of feeling.
I cancelled my Netflix account until this shit is done. I’d rather send that monet to the WGA. To help the people who the studios are hurting get through Christmas.
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November 16th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Fresh from Nikki Finke (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/both-sides-agree-post-thanksgiving-talks/#respond)
Both sides are going back to the table Nov. 26th! I know, too soon to get our hopes up but at least it’s a tiny step forward?
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November 17th, 2007 at 7:22 am
[...] Strike update: Some late night shows in backchannel discussions? [...]
November 17th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Peeps,
There is a place where you can give to help non-Union members during the strike. There is a Union Solidarity Fund. Right now at UnitedHollywood, you can buy a box of pencils to send to moguls. What’s left over will go to the fund.
And at Writer’s Strike Swag you can buy some stuff like awesome t-shirts and the profits will go to the Solidarity Fund.
Just so’s you know.
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