Ellen DeGeneres crosses Writers Guild picket line to tape her show, writers respond

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Ellen DeGeneres crosses the picket line

One day after the writers strike began, Ellen DeGeneres crossed the picket line to tape an episode of her show on Tuesday. She skipped her usual monologue in honor of her writers who she says she loves, but she didn’t want to disappoint the audience who “traveled across the country.” However, shortly after word of her strikebreaking spread, some writers who worked on Ellen’s sitcom are saying she’s full of crap. Page Six reports:

"We'd watch her in rehearsals, smiling and winning us over with her charm and comic timing. Then the director would yell cut, her face would fall, and she'd level a glare at the writers. 'Why do you keep writing these unfunny jokes?' she'd hiss.

"Ellen frequently eviscerated the head writer and . . . boasted of the changes she'd make in season two, starting with his firing."
"I'm disappointed in Ellen but not surprised . . . given what I've seen from her with my own two eyes."

Another source for Page Six offered his insight on the situation:

A TV insider said DeGeneres is unwilling to honor the picket line because "this is her last chance in show business. This show is the only thing keeping her from a lifetime of touring college campuses."

Are college students even into Ellen DeGeneres? Last time I checked they were into things like Dave Matthews, Ultimate Frisbee and Facebook which, now that I think about it, are all ridiculously gay. Hmm, maybe this Ellen on campus thing could work out. That’s good for her considering no one wants to write for her again. Especially not me. I thought the pilot I wrote where Ellen ran a sushi bar was not only witty but informative. Ellen thought it was worth a taser to the nads followed by a restraining order. Creative differences, I suppose.

http://thesuperficial.com/2007/11/ellen_degeneres_crosses_the_pi.php

[DS1]

1. write your own goddamn monologue you lazy punk

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

2. I hear she's going to give her writers' jobs to a loving family

I'm touched.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. This is off subject, but that's a very cool signature line pic...

:toast:

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

4. I'm serious, I think it's the hottest and coolest picture I've ever seen

I'm glad I found it.

[Dr. Strange]

18. )o(

:spray:

[applegrove]

5. I heard yesterday on ET (yup) that it was in her contract she had to do the show.

[Fleshdancer]

6. people sign contracts that say they have to cross picket lines?

odd if true.

[applegrove]

7. Don't know.

[cuke]

8. Can't be true

There might be a clause that specifies some sort of remedy should she not fulfill her side of the contract, but no contract can force you to do anything.

Ellen wants to keep pulling in the bucks while the writers get screwed. Doing the right think will cost her money, so instead she throws the writers under the bus

[lligrd]

14. Per The SAG:

"SAG president Alan Rosenberg received a similar response when he pledged solidarity - though SAG's advised its members that they must cross picket lines if they're under contract to work."

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975247.html?categoryid=18&cs=1

[cuke]

17. I understand your point

But that just specifying the terms of the contract. There is no law to make one perform their contractual obligations. The law only allows the other party to seek compensation for non-performance. They can't actually make you do what you agreed to do

Basically, the clause says that, in order to fulfill her contractual obligations, she must cross the picket line. However, there is no law that says one must fulfill one's contractual obligations. The law says when one party fails to fulfill their obligations, they can be sued for compensation, expenses caused by the party's failure, etc. They can't make her cross the picket line, but they threaten to sue if she doesn't

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

20. Doesn't sound right.....

If that's the case, you'd think Letterman, Conan, Leno or Kimmel would have a similar clause somewhere in their fine print. Unless they are in the writer's guild themselves whereas she isn't.

[seriousstan]

21. That is a good point. Has Ellen ever been in the writers guild?

[Suich]

9. Oprah and Dr. Phil must be crossing the picket lines, also.

Hm-m-m-m-m-m.

[yvr girl]

11. Different kind of show

They don't have monologues or comedy bits. They would fall into the same category as news, sports and current event programs.

[Suich]

15. Oh, I get it now! Thanks!

:hi:

[MonkeyFunk]

33. Yes

and Ellen skipped her monologue, making her show just like Oprah's and Dr. Phil's.

[Lady President]

31. They don't hire union employees

There was a blurb on the news that Oprah and Dr. Phil don't hire union writers, so their shows won't be effected. They both have writers though. Can you imagine Oprah doing research and writing her own questions??! I don't know which is worse, not hiring union writers or crossing a picket line. I think I'll call it even and skip them all. :P

[terrya]

10. This is crappy

I saw a picture of Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the picket line in Los Angeles. SHE did the right thing.

I'm really disappointed...and pissed...at Ellen for stabbing union members in the back.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

12. Yep...I also saw a photo of Eva Langoria handing out pizzas.

Union strikes are always controversial and emotional, but I can't think of a single good reason to cross a picket line. I've never held a union job, but I've also never crossed a line. These folks are fighting for the right to make a living wage. Stay out of their damned way while they do it.

:toast:

[terrya]

13. My dad was a union man.

Yeah...union strikes are controversial. And there's hardship. My dad's union (he was a steelworker) went on one strike that lasted 4 months...it was difficult, to put it mildly. But...there was solidarity. And people honored that.

The writers on strike now aren't multi-millionarires. They're out to make a decent living. And shame on Ellen DeGeneres for not honoring the striking writers.

[triguy46]

16. there's a word for this: scab

[Malikshah]

19. Wow--First Rosie, now Ellen.

Two comediennes who happen to have come out.

Now they go from being viewed as nice, happy go lucky, dear folks who help folks to

Crazy, rule-flouting, crackpots who'd sooner eat a baby alive than look at it.

Get a fucking grip folks and stop being played.

[seriousstan]

22. You're right. The writers are out of bounds. NOT!!

You would be hard pressed to see where I support the Unions. Both my father and I have been ill-server by Unions. BUT, in this case, I agree. Internet access to programs pays, if not in direct revenue, indirect. I have heard that Heroes reruns are available for free on the web. I have never seen this show, but I don't watch much TV, except movies and news.

I understand the slogan, "If they make money, we make money".

The intertubes are new, but not that new. The bean counters can figure this out. Even if you give something away for free, you are doing it for a financial gain down the road.....at least, as a stock holder, I hope they are.

[Malikshah]

27. This is not about the WGA being right or not in their concerns

They are, they should be on strike.

IN the case, however, Ellen is in the same boat as Obrah, Rachel Ray, etc.-- a completely different status in terms of contract than the late night shows--

“Ellen has not done anything in violation of the Writer’s Guild of America agreement, or the WGA’s internal ‘Strike Rules.’

Telepictures Productions, through its distributor Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, has contractual obligations to continue to deliver original programming to the 220 stations that carry the program.

We have asked Ellen to come back to work to fulfill her contractual Obligation, as host of the show, because without original programs the stations can move the show out of its time periods or ultimately hold the company in breach of contract. The company, in turn, expects Ellen not to breach her contract to host the show. We also wish to preserve the 135 jobs of the staff and the crew whose livelihoods depend on the show continuing. We regret the Writer’s Guild has chosen to strike and we wish for a quick resolution.

It is unfair and incorrect to compare The Ellen DeGeneres Show to late night shows such as Leno, Letterman and Conan, all of which are late night network owned and controlled programming. Ellen is a daytime talk show carried on a syndicated basis across individual television stations, no different than, and in direct competition with, Oprah, Rachel Ray, Phil, Live with Regis and Kelly, Martha, Tyra, Jerry, Maury, and Montel, all of which are in first run daytime syndication and are continuing in production.”


What my point was however--is that unending focus on Rosie and Ellen as horrific people.

[riverdeep]

23. I do wonder, going behind the scenes, how many idols would have a feet of clay?

There's always at least two sides to every story, and until I hear hers, I'm going to reserve judgement.

[Malikshah]

28. Here are the issues from the spokespeople.

“Ellen has not done anything in violation of the Writer’s Guild of America agreement, or the WGA’s internal ‘Strike Rules.’

Telepictures Productions, through its distributor Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, has contractual obligations to continue to deliver original programming to the 220 stations that carry the program.

We have asked Ellen to come back to work to fulfill her contractual Obligation, as host of the show, because without original programs the stations can move the show out of its time periods or ultimately hold the company in breach of contract. The company, in turn, expects Ellen not to breach her contract to host the show. We also wish to preserve the 135 jobs of the staff and the crew whose livelihoods depend on the show continuing. We regret the Writer’s Guild has chosen to strike and we wish for a quick resolution.

It is unfair and incorrect to compare The Ellen DeGeneres Show to late night shows such as Leno, Letterman and Conan, all of which are late night network owned and controlled programming. Ellen is a daytime talk show carried on a syndicated basis across individual television stations, no different than, and in direct competition with, Oprah, Rachel Ray, Phil, Live with Regis and Kelly, Martha, Tyra, Jerry, Maury, and Montel, all of which are in first run daytime syndication and are continuing in production.”

[vi5]

24. Always hated her, this just solidifies it....

Always thought she was painfully unfunny and annoying. And no I don't give a shit if she has super groovy right on politics or any of that. This, especially after that whole dog debacle is just pathetic.

And of course the "Oooooh, but Ellen is so nice and safe and non threatening and she wears sneakers and dances funny and always wears pants so this makes me all feel good about myself because she's famous and I"m not" defenders come out of the woodwork as well.

[trof]

25. FYI-Good explanation of why they're on strike:

3 or 4 minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ55Ir2jCxk

[blueknight]

26. i always heard

ellen was a real bitch. now she is a backstabbing,scab bitch

[Malikshah]

29. Where was this heard? Behind the shed on the playground?

In the boys/girls room?

What a bizaare seventh-grade mentality.

“Ellen has not done anything in violation of the Writer’s Guild of America agreement, or the WGA’s internal ‘Strike Rules.’

Telepictures Productions, through its distributor Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, has contractual obligations to continue to deliver original programming to the 220 stations that carry the program.

We have asked Ellen to come back to work to fulfill her contractual Obligation, as host of the show, because without original programs the stations can move the show out of its time periods or ultimately hold the company in breach of contract. The company, in turn, expects Ellen not to breach her contract to host the show. We also wish to preserve the 135 jobs of the staff and the crew whose livelihoods depend on the show continuing. We regret the Writer’s Guild has chosen to strike and we wish for a quick resolution.

It is unfair and incorrect to compare The Ellen DeGeneres Show to late night shows such as Leno, Letterman and Conan, all of which are late night network owned and controlled programming. Ellen is a daytime talk show carried on a syndicated basis across individual television stations, no different than, and in direct competition with, Oprah, Rachel Ray, Phil, Live with Regis and Kelly, Martha, Tyra, Jerry, Maury, and Montel, all of which are in first run daytime syndication and are continuing in production.”

[Cannikin]

30. The article in the last post said it best...

"Ellen is a daytime talk show carried on a syndicated basis across individual television stations, no different than, and in direct competition with, Oprah, Rachel Ray, Phil, Live with Regis and Kelly, Martha, Tyra, Jerry, Maury, and Montel, all of which are in first run daytime syndication and are continuing in production.”

Has there been similar outcry towards Oprah, Rachel Ray, Phil, Regis and Kelly, Martha, Tyra, Jerry, Maury, or Montel?

[vi5]

34. As far as I know, they haven't tried to have it both ways...

Have any of them made public statements on their shows about why they are still in production? It's not just that she crossed the picket line (which sucks yes EVEN if those other people do it) it's that she tried to play the "Oh, I support my writers and am going to not do my monologue and this is for the fans...." bit as though she was sympathizing with the strike. Bullshit. If you support the strike then don't cross. As far as I'm concerned you cross the picket line you don't support the workers. I don't care who you are. But it's made worse by trying to have it both ways.

And interestingly enough the one thing I'd say all those other people you mentioned have in common is that they all seem to me like self centered, egocentric celebrities who would put themselves before their workers (yes, even Saint Oprah). Maybe that comes from the mentality of being a talk show host and being made to believe every day. Who knows.

[mockmonkey]

32. New York Post

Now there's a paper I'd totally trust. :eyes: