I think Ellen is operating without writers.

She's a stand up comic who does interviews. Carson managed (not that she's Carson, but its the same gig)

Bags bags bags! What else could I be spending my money on, anyway? Support the writers!

Just tell me where to send the money.

How do people feel about the huge Ellen controversy? I don't exactly understand why she, specifically, is being singled out when a number of other WGA members have crossed picket lines to fulfill other parts of their contracts. Tina Fey is still acting in 30 Rock, and Eric Kripke was still helping produce Supernatural, and I'm sure there are more examples.

But she is basically doing the work of writing, even if it's in the moment. If Fey or Kripke were making script changes, there would be similar reaction, I bet.

I heard she dropped the opening monologue, though. Surely, the writers don't write every single word she says. Or maybe they do. I don't know how talk shows work.

This time, as I understand it, all the talk shows have opted to shut down except for Ellen.

Last time at least Carson stayed on, don't know who else.

And last time at least some soaps had scabs (I think, but I could be thinking of an actors strike)

I was downtown last night visiting a friend, and there was some sort of production going on. Trailers, caterers, tons of equipment.

My friend said there was a clash between people protesting the production and the production, and cops were called.

I have no idea what it was.

Wouldn't it be funny if it was "Cops"?

Last time at least Carson stayed on, don't know who else.

In 1988, The Tonight Show went into reruns for two months. Johnny Carson finally went back on the air and managed for a few weeks of new shows on his own. Then he made a special deal with the WGA that gave him back his writers.

Depending on how long the strike lasts, I'm sure that, at some point, Letterman et al will also return with new episodes.

Okay, my paypal is at Allyson000@aol.com (my profile addie).

I'll collect through Thursday at noon, EST. If we end up with too much money, is it okay if I put some aside for things like baking cookies, or perhaps a rainy day striker umbrella fund?

Sometimes we go overboard.

Warning: I have very little to contribute right now, so I'm taking half a day off and donating my time.

If knitting Buffistas would like to do their own project like knit mittens or scarves (rainy cold season is coming) which can be delivered a month from now, that's an awesome lovely thing, too, and I'd be happy to take delivery via US Postal Service.

Preferred color is red, but whatever you have in your yarn bin is excellent, for homemade things are always made of awesome.