But has anyone talked about a watch-out in support of the writers?
An idea I've borrowed from others is that I'm plain not watching re-runs, and watching no shows created to fill the void. Thus, when Colbert goes into re-runs tonight, I'm not watching, and while I'll watch the shows I usually watch until they run out of episodes, and even intend to keep watching "Project Runway," the shows that emerge specifically for the networks to counter the strikes (I call them Scab Shows) are off limits.
Personally, while it's what I plan for my own behavior, a total, widespread "watch out" would be more effective, and that's an admission of weakness on my part. But, taking that into account, strictly supporting original work is probably the best one can do.
I say don't buy any online content. iTunes and the like. No reruns. No shitty reality shows which end in other show slots.
Quote from the The New York Times
The NYT article was by a Buffista.
Oh, you mean the one with the "Tim Reaper" quote.
Whedonesque pizza run update;
Mission complete! Our pizza is now fueling the bodies and spirits of striking writers at Universal.
Man, I'm wiped. If I do this again, I demand an assistant. Ten large pizzas are frakkin' heavy. And of course there was no close parking. It was fun, though. I didn't see Jane Espenson. The strikers were in groups at every entrance. I told the coordinator at the HQ area that the anchovy one was for Jane, don't know if she got it. The writers that I did talk to were very appreciative. They were kind of confused though - "Joss Whedon sent us pizza?" "No, his fans" - I don't think most of them were familiar with the idea of TV and film writers having fans. The sign came out nice, and it's laminated, so reusable if we do decide to do it again. I forgot to take my camera, but a couple of writers took pictures of the sign. Maybe they'll end up online.
I was designing Variety ads in my head last night (no, not doing that, too old, too tired) that included logos of contributing fan/review/message board sites and some sort of text like: With Nothing New On Television, The Audience Is Watching The Strike...And We Support The WGA.
And then Norma Rae jumps up on a table with a "Union" sign and gets mauled as a scab for writing shit down.
A large part of the media is owned by companies who own (or are) entertainment companies, so the reporting of the strike is gonna be a little bias you may suggest. Personally, I find the idea of fans getting behind the strike is compelling - but would it actually help? I don't know.
