Deseret News | Writers were in the right

Reader comments
Scott D. Pierce: Writers were in the right

interesting | 1:27 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

I think that it's interesting that we are asking about whether it was appropriate to the viewers invested in the show to strike. I wonder though, what about the extras, production crew, and featured actors was it appropriate to let these people suffer for a small percentage of the writers to get more money?

Rob | 7:14 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

Well the networks should have settle sooner. I get tired of the execs getting most of the money and not taking into account how much the writers are worth. It is very sad that all the other people involved did not make money. Maybe when they go to the table to discuss what they deserve it will settle quicker because of the writer's strike.

Re: interesting | 8:02 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

It is never an easy decision to strike - it is painful for everyone involved. It is definitely appropriate to demand fair wages, however - regardless of who you are.

This is not a concept that Utahns understand very well. We are all too willing to work for dirt, despite high levels of education and qualification.

The writers recognized that their wages were not keeping pace with revenues resulting from new means of distribution, and rightfully demanded new contracts. Individual bargaining is not effective in these situations, but striking, while not desirable, is an effective method of bringing uncooperative executives to the bargaining table.

And let's be honest, it's just not as easy to replace a striking writer as it is to replace an extra, a member of a production crew, or even an actor. Writers play a very important role in the production process and deserve a little recognition for that fact. (Not convinced? Try watching the late night talk shows and see just how much they're stretching to find material to fill their shows while their writers are striking.)

Comments continue below

Union buster | 8:12 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

Unions are a curse in my opinion, but in this case I lean toward the writers. Theirs is a very hard job, often only working for 2/3 of a year on a successful series. The rest of the year they must find more work. If they are on an unsuccessful series that gets dumped, they are in real trouble. There is little job security for them, so to begrudge them an extra few thousand each year is just wrong. They get paid well when they work, but that is because they may not sustain their work for too many months or years. Your typical office worker in America has much more job security. Imagine your own financial picture and think about what you would need to earn if you knew you would work two of every three years. I'd like to see WGA go away like almost all unions, but you can't rely on corporate execs to take care of the people who make them successful, any more than any other corporate execs will take care of those who make them successful. You have to fight for your own financial security.

Shaun McC | 8:22 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

I am sorry to hear that Journeyman is gone. It was innovative in sort of a Quantum Leap way. I also don't see any notice about Bionic Woman. Guess I'll just have to watch the Sarah Conners Chronicles. Did this affect the Canadian production companies? Seems like a lot of them are still churning out episodes. (Sci-Fi, etc.)

observer | 10:59 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

The writers strike has had no effect on my life whatsoever. Couldn't care any less than I do right now. 99% of TV is drivel. As far as I am concerned, they can stay out permanently.

minimal tv watcher | 11:51 a.m. Feb. 12, 2008

I too am sorry that Journeyman will be off of the air. It was engaging, well written and acted. There is so little offered that isn't mind numbing excess.

alice | 12:13 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

Please keep Friday Night Lights on the air.

Lionheart | 2:13 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

Television is the household pest.

anne | 2:32 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

i also feel the writers strike has had no effect me
because some of the tv shows that cw,nbc,abc,cbs and
fox networks are boring, not great to watch and stupid
except for moonlight , numbers, supernatural. the
reality shows that is on tv should all be canceled.
please stop stop with these reality shows ,if even the
ratings are good for the networks to me they are very
boring except for deal or no deal.

anne | 2:45 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

for those viewers who are bored with five networks
boring ,stupid tv shows and reality shows than tell
the networks to stop making them and if they do not
do that its beause of the viewers that make these
stupid reality shows popular. you can watch scfi
channel like i do . the scfi channnel is wonderful to watch.

Anonymous | 9:34 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

Yes! The Health Care Workers are supposed to work for sub standard wages and in short staffed conditions, because of their love for the patients and the patients need for care.So say the Hospital Officals that pay them but pay nearly double for scabs. How do you get invested in a T.V. Program, get a life, read your Scriptures. The other Unions would have gone on Strike if they had needed to. This is understood among Union People. If others suffered then they need ot be prepared. I feel sorry for all concerned. But not that I have to watch a re-run. I switch the Channel or better yet turn the T.V. OFF. The Writers won this group may never be the same but the future will be better, perhaps for all.

The Authority | 12:29 p.m. Feb. 13, 2008

The strike ended way too soon! I was hoping all of television would collapse, so maybe people would turn it off once in a while and read. I get so sick of hearing people talk about things like they are experts when the only place they get information is the Daily Show.
Most of the stuff on TV is garbage anyway.

This is great news | 3:36 p.m. Feb. 13, 2008

This is great news that the strike is finally over! I'm glad that while the writers didn't win, they did get a higher cut in pay for DVD releases and episodes online. Now the news on the CW front is that five additional episodes of 'Smallville' will be shot for this season, which makes me more than happy.

Anonymous | 2:29 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

THIS IS GREAT THE STRIKE IS OVER!!! I AM GETTING BETTER SICK OF REALITY CRAP ON TV ALL THE TIME!!! CAN'T WAIT FOR GREY'S AND DESPERATE...WOOT!!!

WakeWashington | 12:02 a.m. Feb. 18, 2008

Cold Case was interesting early in its first year before it morphed into a mean-spirited, sanctimonious propaganda vehicle to cram twisted Hollywood ï¿½valuesï¿½ down the throat of its audience.

Its nonstop preaching has made it one of the most lame, predictable shows on TV and it is unbelievable that CBS hasnï¿½t cut the writers loose and cancelled the series.

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