30 Rock" writer Tina Fey and "SNL" writer Seth Meyers, Writers Guild of America members, picket NBC headquarters in New York on Monday, Nov. 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Gary He)
by Rick Pearson
Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama declared himself standing firmly with the Writers Guild of America in its strike against TV and movie producers, though a statement from his campaign raises questions about whether his own writers have walked off the job.
The Illinois senator said the Guild’s effort will determine whether “corporate media corporations” will compensate writers fairly. The statement didn’t define exactly what “corporate media corporations” are and, as of now, no formal Department of Redundancy Department exists in the White House bureaucracy.
Ironically, Obama was one of the last beneficiaries of the Guild’s pre-strike work during his cameo that opened NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” over the weekend. The Guild went on strike Monday, seeking a greater cut of DVD sales and online programming ventures. During their 1988 strike, writers were off the job for five months.
Here's the entire statement:
"I stand with the writers. The Guild's demand is a test of whether corporate media corporations are going to give writers a fair share of the wealth their work creates or continue concentrating profits in the hands of their executives. I urge the producers to work with the writers so that everyone can get back to work."
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Comments
You've never heard of corporate media corporations? How about the rich overpaid rich people who run them and only care about their profitable money profits?
Posted by: Edward Lynch | November 5, 2007 2:40 PM
Good for the Senator!
He's the real deal.
The image of the overpaid Hollywood writer is such a cliche. It's brutal, grueling work, for which they have never been fairly compensated (no, I'm not a writer, nor am I related to one). I'm glad someone is standing up for once
Too bad for these companies that they can't hire illegal immigrants to write Rescue Me and 24.
Posted by: Alex Marsham | November 5, 2007 3:00 PM
Maybe renowned writers, John D, Bruce A, and Bill/Jeff can fill the breech.
Posted by: dt | November 5, 2007 3:08 PM
Good for the senator! And good for Rick Pearson to share more of the New Messiah's thoughts with us.
It had, after all, been 12 minutes since the last Swamp article on Obama. And no minute of the day should go by without more free publicity for the most charismatic, intelligent candidate ever to appear on this earth.
Posted by: bruce | November 5, 2007 3:31 PM
I'm wondering that since Barack's run for the White House is a scripted event, won't he have to end his campaign? With his appearances on SNL, Ellen and Leno, Obama is all Hollywood and little reality.
Posted by: John D | November 5, 2007 3:43 PM
It had, after all, been 12 minutes since the last Swamp article on Obama. And no minute of the day should go by without more free publicity for the most charismatic, intelligent candidate ever to appear on this earth.
Posted by: bruce | November 5, 2007 3:31 PM
I agree Brucie,
I want to see more stories on Rudy Ghouliani
http://therealrudy.org/radios
and Mitt Rommel,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9IJUkYUbvI
I want everyone to know what nuts these two guys really are.
Posted by: John E | November 5, 2007 3:59 PM
Yeah bruce,
We'd rather hear your perpetual crying; "Boo hoo, Silva wrote two more sentences about Obama than Rudy". "Waah, what James and the Libune don't want you to know". "Teacher, Teacher, Johnny stole my milk money". What a pathetic whiner you are, analdice.
Posted by: dt | November 5, 2007 4:05 PM
30 Rock is hilarious. One of the better shows going today.
John E,
Mitt Rommel?
OR MITLER ROMMEL!!??
Posted by: C.Morris | November 5, 2007 5:46 PM
So today we have Hillary addressing the very real crisis in Pakistan. One which has very major repercussions for the US.
Obama's addressing this psuedo "crisis" in Hollywood. Heaven forbid out tv viewing gets interrupted as a result of this.
Edwards? Well he's just spending another day attacking Hillary. Not addressing much of anything really.
Posted by: Biggdawg | November 5, 2007 6:04 PM
Will these shows be missed? Prime-time network TV is horrible today.
These are the poor trampled on "little people". Gimme a break. If these writes don't like the compensation they get doing their craft, go get another job.
Liberal Corporate Holleywodd trampling on the "little people".
Posted by: Terry | November 5, 2007 10:27 PM
I tried to submit with no comment, but of course the swamp doesn't allow irony.
Posted by: rncbs | November 5, 2007 10:31 PM
this is BS. i was really looking forward to seeing Band Of Horses. what the hell? grow up people its not like you arent making money. i mean seriously. cry me a river
Posted by: jeremy | November 6, 2007 12:48 AM
Obama just wants publicity in the driveby media. He wants fairness for the writers. Typical union rant.
Obama is not the brightest light in the chandalier. Never mind how much the writers will cause consumers to pay more to buy DVDs, CD's , Movies and Internet venues.Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | November 6, 2007 8:39 AM
Obama is backing his core constituency--poverty stricken, grimy-handed, working class proletariat Hollyweirders.
A true man of the people.
Posted by: Bruce | November 6, 2007 10:20 AM
Jerry White,
By definition, isn't Rush Limbaugh Exhibit A of the "drive-by media?" Distorted "facts," endless truthiness, and a focus on only one side of the story before moving onto the next political hitjob.
Sounds like "drive-by media" is really a term of projection, but you clearly being a lobotomized dittohead, I wouldn't expect that to make any sense to you.
Posted by: DaVe | November 6, 2007 11:02 AM
Good for Obama, he understands the hard work and stands by the people!
Posted by: RuthieM | November 6, 2007 2:32 PM