What are you watching this summer?

[Brent]

Thanks for the info. Not sure what to think.

[lurkey]

Never mind . . I'll use this spot for more on DHD's post . . Nikki Finke isn't finished

[Brent]

:uarrow:

Thanks for the info. Not sure what to think.

I think at this point the viewers oughta go on strike.

I really really think the strike is over soon. The Oscars are on the 24th and I don't think they will allow them to degenerate into that disaster the Globes and People's Choice Awards were. It's bigger than those two, no way.

Just a thought.

[lurkey]

:uarrow:

Thanks for the info. Not sure what to think.

I think at this point the viewers oughta go on strike.

I really really think the strike is over soon. The Oscars are on the 24th and I don't think they will allow them to degenerate into that disaster the Globes and People's Choice Awards were. It's bigger than those two, no way.

Just a thought.

I know hope it's finished soon too. I'm just becoming massively annoyed by both sides.

[lurkey]

The rest of Nikki Finke's post (finally!!)

As the informal talks started, I kept worrying that the moguls would make good on their promise to me not to reward the WGA for striking (by giving them better terms than the directors and thus make the helmers look weak). But that was a ridiculous way to view the situation when a vital issue like residuals is part of the WGA contract's DNA. At the same time, the Hollywood CEOs were startled by the distrust they found among the WGA leadership. Not only had weeks and months of dealing with Nick Counter, and believing mogul promises to put New Media terms on the table, poisoned the overall atmosphere. But also the moguls' own lies. After all, Big Media had never bothered to revisit the weak formulas for home video or DVD, so why should the writers believe the CEOs' latest pledge to revisit the formulas for New Media in three years?

First, it took a lot of lobbying to convince the WGA leaders there would be no "significant" money in streaming for the next several years. (One source claimed that the WGA's numbers were "quadruple" what was really the truth.) "The networks still get it as part of the license fee, and if you compare the viewers per rerun at $20K and the viewers of streams at $1,200, the stream deal is better," an insider told me. "People need to be educated on the economics, and, fortunately, the WGA deal will give talent access to a lot of the info necessary to determine what's fair in the future. It's simply not possible to know today what will (or will not be) appropriate in 10 years. Fortunately, the deal is up in three, and the WGA has shown that it isn't afraid to strike over these issues."

Meanwhile, Chernin and Iger focused on addressing the WGA's New Media residual needs without confusing them with the DGA's. "To their credit, Bob and Peter said to the WGA, 'Tell us what really concerns you.' And that's when things really started moving on questions about jurisidiction on the Internet and the third-year formula for streaming."

At the same time, leaders of different dissident factions within the WGA (some made up of very powerful TV showrunners and feature film writers), approached the guild toppers with an ultimatum. These factions who'd been held in check up until then declared that they would no longer promise to keep silent if a deal wasn't done right away. "A lot of things came together Friday," an insider told me. "Chernin was back. And Iger was there. And the guys on the WGA side knew if they didn't come out with a deal this weekend that Monday was going to be a bad day. They'd been personally told by these different pockets of writers who knew what was going on that they would no longer be supportive and measured. They planned on going public. They planned to blow the guild up."

Now it's up to the WGA leadership to use the next weeks wisely. The writers don't want this deal shoved down their throats any more than they wanted that done with the DGA deal. Yet it's surprising that the current plan calls for this. If indeed the board approves of the new deal, then the right thing to do is to let the membership vote before the strike is called off. That gives the WGA leadership time enough to complete the delicate dance of lowering members' expectations about what could and couldn't be accomplished. Only the writers themselves can judge whether that's good enough.

If the membership vote is done quickly and the deal passes, I'm told that the Back 9 of most scripted TV series could be saved along with a no-frills pilot season with less scripted series ordered than ever before. (And expect the upfront presentations to advertisers to consist of a lot more pleading than preening.) Some of the force-majeured deals could be reinstated. (But it's important to remember that three times as many pacts would have been cancelled if the agents and lawyers hadn't lobbied the networks and studios.) Feature films that were halted or thought lost could get going immediately. What happens to all this progress if the WGA membership votes down the deal?

Only the WGA members can decide how much more pain they are willing to endure with no guarantee that whatever is negotiated 6 months from now is going to be any better than what is negotiated 6 weeks from now. The one thing this strike has done is to give writers a powerful voice that Hollywood has heard loud and clear. Don't silence them at this crucial juncture.

[Miss Mary]

Anyone watch the new CBS sitcom Welcome to the Captain? We watched since it was sandwiched in with our other Monday night sitcoms and a brand new New Adventures of Old Christine. It was comical and typical too. In many ways. But an enjoyable 30 min. escape. I just miss the Big Bang Theory, hoping if this strike is over it can resume filming ASAP. That's my favorite new show of the season (Chuck #2).

[lurkey]

WGA schedules membership meetings
In another signal that the writers strike may be ending, the WGA leadership has scheduled a pair of weekend membership meetings to provide an update about the deal offered by the majors.
In a message sent Monday night to members, WGA negotiating committee chief John Bowman said that the negotiating committee, the WGA West board of directors and the WGA East Council would not vote on the contract until after meetings.
Bowman wrote to the members after the latest offer from the companies received a generally positive reception in Monday meetings of the negotiating committee and WGA West board. But he warned that the negotiations have not been completed.
The WGA West meeting is expected to take place at the Shrine auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.
Here's the entire message --
Dear Fellow Members,


I would like to update you on where we stand with bargaining with the AMPTP. While we have made important progress since the companies re-engaged us in serious talks, negotiations continue. Regardless of what you hear or read, there are many significant points that have yet to be worked out.


In order to keep members abreast of the latest developments, informational meetings are being planned by both Guilds for this weekend – details to be announced. Neither the Negotiating Committee, nor the West Board or the East Council, will take action on the contract until after the membership meetings.


As the talks proceed, never forget that during this period it is critical for us to remain on the picket lines united and strong. We are all in this together.


In Solidarity,


John F. Bowman

Chair, WGA Negotiating Committee

[Brent]

WGA to Weigh New Deal on Saturday;

Writers Could Return to Work Soon After
The latest buzz from the inner circles at the informal strike talks indicates that "there is strong support for the deal" that came together over the weekend, a source tells TVGuide.com. The latest terms are due to be presented to the WGA membership on Saturday, Feb. 9, and if the guild likes what they hear, the strike order could be lifted soon there after — even before it is formally ratified (a process that could take several weeks).

George Clooney, who was recently (and erroneously) rumored to want to personally intervene on the talks, said at a Monday taping of AMC's Shootout Oscar Special, "We're very close to having a deal. We have a tentative agreement with the writer's guild, but it needs to be ratified by the board. I think it will be."

http://community.tvguide.com/blog/TVGui ... /800059822

[lurkey]

BREAKING: WGA meeting Saturday at Shrine
The WGA West has announced the time for its general membership meeting on the negotiations -- Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Shrine Auditorium south of downtown Los Angeles.

Members have been told to bring a picture ID. The WGA's hoping to have a draft contract to present to the boards of the WGA West and WGA East and negotiating committee by Friday. In an email message to members late Monday the WGA's negotiating committee chief John Bowman notified members of the upcoming informational meetings and said neither the negotiating committee nor the boards would take action on the contract until after those meetings.

The WGA East has not yet announced the time and place of its weekend membership meeting.

-- Dave McNary http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_b ... ga-me.html

[Miss Mary]

FYI: Rerun of Big Bang Theory tonight, @ 8:30 on CBS. This show premiered on Monday nights but it's been in reruns b/c of the strike, and sometimes featured on other nights of the week as in this case. IMHO, this show is very funny.

Tonight's rerun features the guys dressing up for a Halloween Party across the apt. building's hall (Penny's apt.). One guy's costume is ~hilarious~ and of interest to wx enthusiasts......so if you're looking for something to watch tonight, check it out. This is one new 2007/08 Season show that I hope makes it. It's that good (we think anyway, for what it's worth....).

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_bang_theory/

[Miss Mary]

Thursday, Feb. 7th - 2 words to describe tonight's TV viewing....

Lost!

Fairplay!

[JonathanBelles]

Survivor is on!!!

[Miss Mary]

We're recording Survivor (daughter finishing up homework) but we'll start it by 9. Can't wait!

[JonathanBelles]

We're recording Survivor (daughter finishing up homework) but we'll start it by 9. Can't wait!

Lost is on at 9!

[Miss Mary]

And of course recording Lost too (hubby is not into Lost, he puts up with our Lost hysteria......LOL).

We'll watch Lost around 10!

And Eli Stone at 11...... (naw, we'll record and watch this show tomorrow night, after all we do need sleep!)

Not to worry, couldn't forget Lost is on (I have 2 recordings going, the DVR and a VCR, just for safe measure).

[Cyclenall]

Link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/23057002

Is this offical or not? Michael Eisner thinks it's over now.

[JonathanBelles]

I wouldnt quite believe that yet.

[JonathanBelles]

Im not gonna say much till Miss Mary has seen Lost, but this episode should have been called "the Helicopter" Very Interesting episode. Remember there will be a commercial around :47 after.

[lurkey]

Link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/23057002

Is this offical or not? Michael Eisner thinks it's over now.

It won't be official until writers vote on the deal. A draft copy of the proposal won't be finished until tomorrow. WGA will have two informational sessions (depending the final language in the proposal) with guild members on Saturday. Then I guess they vote. Here is their timetable for the next few days

The writers were out picketing at Disney studios today.

ETA: However, there is a lot optimism in Hollywood about the end of the strike.

[Cyclenall]

Conan O' Brian tonight was insanely funny, it was where he and this other guy from the audience ran through the whole NBC building and even talked to Brian Williams while he was taping the program. Did the Nightly News program actually have Conan in it?

The funniest part was when they stole a whole bunch of food and ran through the whole building and almost fell. The camera guy even fell while running down the stairs! This girl from the audience got the bowl that held the apples and had a funny look on her face, that was priceless!!