Comments on: Writers Strike: Look out for “Reality Talk Shows” http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/ The blog of the mystery writer, screenwriter and CEO of Pajamas Media Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:35:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: LarryD http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90692 LarryD Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:03:27 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90692 WGA is actually a union, not a guild. WGA makes no sense for someone who makes their living writing <b>books</b>, unless they were a house series writer (<i>a la</i> the writers of <i>Doc Savage</i>, <i>The Shadow</i>, <i>et al</i>). Makes no sense for Roger writing his novels, or Rowling, etc. Also make no sense for anyone who self-publishes (all bloggers, most web comic producers like <a href="http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/" rel="nofollow">Chris Muir</a>, the <a href="http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/" rel="nofollow">Foglios</a>, etc). WGA is actually a union, not a guild.

WGA makes no sense for someone who makes their living writing books, unless they were a house series writer (a la the writers of Doc Savage, The Shadow, et al).

Makes no sense for Roger writing his novels, or Rowling, etc.

Also make no sense for anyone who self-publishes (all bloggers, most web comic producers like Chris Muir, the Foglios, etc).

]]> By: marc http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90691 marc Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:46:47 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90691 It might be interesting to try and predict what the otherwise unforeseen consequences of this strike will be. What do you think, Roger? [And, Lem, the writers for House make plenty . . . until it comes out on DVD . . . .] It might be interesting to try and predict what the otherwise unforeseen consequences of this strike will be. What do you think, Roger?

[And, Lem, the writers for House make plenty . . . until it comes out on DVD . . . .]

]]> By: Shawn L. http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90690 Shawn L. Mon, 05 Nov 2007 03:35:09 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90690 If memory serves during another writer's strike, Letterman's show on NBC continued. There wasn't as much scripted comedy, but they filled the time with other things. Strange novelty acts were often put on the air for brief moments under the banner of "Hal Gurnee's Network Time Killers," introduced by Letterman's director, Hal Gurnee. The bit lives on today in the form of "Is this anything". If memory serves during another writer’s strike, Letterman’s show on NBC continued.

There wasn’t as much scripted comedy, but they filled the time with other things. Strange novelty acts were often put on the air for brief moments under the banner of “Hal Gurnee’s Network Time Killers,” introduced by Letterman’s director, Hal Gurnee.

The bit lives on today in the form of “Is this anything”.

]]> By: Roger http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90689 Roger Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:53:06 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90689 Yes, I am a member of the WGA. Don't know exactly what you mean by striking against myself since Pajamas Media is not a signatory company. BTW, the WGA only covers screen and television writing. The term Writers Guild is sort of a misnomer. They are trying to get into the Internet, so far as they are related. Not in terms of text, as far as I know. Yes, I am a member of the WGA.

Don’t know exactly what you mean by striking against myself since Pajamas Media is not a signatory company. BTW, the WGA only covers screen and television writing. The term Writers Guild is sort of a misnomer. They are trying to get into the Internet, so far as they are related. Not in terms of text, as far as I know.

]]> By: David http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90688 David Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:09:19 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90688 Just out of curiosity are you still a member of WGA? If so should you strike against yourself? Just asking. Just out of curiosity are you still a member of WGA? If so should you strike against yourself? Just asking.

]]> By: Gabriel Christou http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90687 Gabriel Christou Sun, 04 Nov 2007 09:56:57 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90687 please visit www.gabrielchristou.blogspot.com you will see PHOTOS of WHO and WHERE Bin Laden and his NETWORKS AREÖ. URGENTÖPLEASE HELPÖ. I CANNOT FROM HEREÖ.. I AM BLOCKED ALL AROUND FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO THE FBI. gavriild@gmail.com please visit
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you will see PHOTOS of WHO and WHERE Bin Laden and his NETWORKS AREÖ.

URGENTÖPLEASE HELPÖ. I CANNOT FROM HEREÖ.. I AM BLOCKED ALL AROUND
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]]> By: zefal http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90686 zefal Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:49:21 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90686 I use to watch Night Watch with Charlie Rose. I thought he was a good interviewer back then. One time he interviewed a Chilean "civil rights" activist and at the end of the interview he congratualated the guy because he was about to recieve a humanitarian award from a head of state who also happened to be the guy's good friend. At first I thought Charlie was being sarcastic but quickly discarded that thought as not being Charlieesque. Then I thought he's being serious but dismissed that as absurd. Cut to his PBS show and after watching that a couple of times I realised he was seriously congratulating the guy for his humanitarian award back then. The head of state who was giving this Chilean activist the humanitarian award was Eric Honecker the dictator of East Germany. I use to watch Night Watch with Charlie Rose. I thought he was a good interviewer back then.

One time he interviewed a Chilean “civil rights” activist and at the end of the interview he congratualated the guy because he was about to recieve a humanitarian award from a head of state who also happened to be the guy’s good friend.

At first I thought Charlie was being sarcastic but quickly discarded that thought as not being Charlieesque. Then I thought he’s being serious but dismissed that as absurd.

Cut to his PBS show and after watching that a couple of times I realised he was seriously congratulating the guy for his humanitarian award back then.

The head of state who was giving this Chilean activist the humanitarian award was Eric Honecker the dictator of East Germany.

]]> By: OregonGuy http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90685 OregonGuy Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:45:13 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90685 If I were a producer, I'd be hitting the highway and listening to small market morning radio shows. A lot of those guys are really funny and run call-in shows with listeners that that really work. If you've ever worked small market, you know these guys prep all on their own. Writers? Who needs writers when you have talent? Lol. I guess that's why they need you! If I were a producer, I’d be hitting the highway and listening to small market morning radio shows. A lot of those guys are really funny and run call-in shows with listeners that that really work.

If you’ve ever worked small market, you know these guys prep all on their own.

Writers? Who needs writers when you have talent?

Lol. I guess that’s why they need you!

]]> By: Barry Dauphin http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90684 Barry Dauphin Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:06:37 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90684 While Leno isn't Richard Pryor at his best, I think he is a top notch comedian and has maintained his ability to be funny and relevant for over 20 years. That's not bad. He really is a pro, even though he can be annoying at times and leaves something to be desired as a host. Leno can actually write a lot of his own material. Letterman's show has always been a concept show and he has not been the typical comedian. Letterman is not wearing well IMHO, and he needs to pack it up for retirement very soon. He is ceasing to be funny. Maybe they should keep the shows running and make them simply write their own stuff or let them do reality work with audiences (unless they are technically part of the strike themselves). Charlie Rose, oy vey. When he stays out of the way, many of the interviews are pretty good. But he inserts himself in a lot, takes forever to find the words for his questions, cuts the guests off at times, and then asks these long winded questions. I have yelled at the screen for him to shut the hell up, but he doesn't seem to listen to me for some reason. While Leno isn’t Richard Pryor at his best, I think he is a top notch comedian and has maintained his ability to be funny and relevant for over 20 years. That’s not bad. He really is a pro, even though he can be annoying at times and leaves something to be desired as a host. Leno can actually write a lot of his own material. Letterman’s show has always been a concept show and he has not been the typical comedian. Letterman is not wearing well IMHO, and he needs to pack it up for retirement very soon. He is ceasing to be funny. Maybe they should keep the shows running and make them simply write their own stuff or let them do reality work with audiences (unless they are technically part of the strike themselves).

Charlie Rose, oy vey. When he stays out of the way, many of the interviews are pretty good. But he inserts himself in a lot, takes forever to find the words for his questions, cuts the guests off at times, and then asks these long winded questions. I have yelled at the screen for him to shut the hell up, but he doesn’t seem to listen to me for some reason.

]]> By: Lem http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90683 Lem Sat, 03 Nov 2007 22:00:18 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2007/11/03/writers-strike-look-out-for-reality-talk-shows/#comment-90683 BTW - Whatever the writers of Fox's 'House' make is probably not enough. BTW – Whatever the writers of Fox’s ‘House’ make is probably not enough.

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