(2007-11-06) — Critics slammed the new strike by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which debuted Monday, calling it “unimaginative,” “derivative” and “a tired rehash of previous work by other unions.”
Variety, the daily newspaper for the entertainment industry, excoriated the WGA strike for what it called “monotonous, repetitive dialog, and a bunch of boring characters who appear to be sleepwalking in circles.”
“When the greatest minds in Hollywood get together,” the unnamed Variety critic wrote, “what do they produce? Picket lines, posters, inane slogan chanting…in others words, exactly what the United Auto Workers or the International Ladies Garment Workers have done before. You get the sense that the studios could fire the WGA guys and hire the folks who make cars and underpants to write scripts, with no loss in creativity or quality.”
Meanwhile, overnight ratings show the writers’ strike tanking with network television’s key demographic of 60-to-80 year-old, lonely, obese people.
57 responses so far ↓
1 Fred Sinclair // Nov 6, 2007 at 12:47 pm
What a hoot! I watched Leno last night and did not note any differences.
I’d like to say, “There’s a war going on, ya-kno? instead of a stupid strike, who aren’t we hearing more about sweetless, wheatless and meatless days?
Where’s the news report on the number of eco-greenie nuts that were jailed today?
Where’s the news report on the forthcoming trial date for Algore, Reid, Pelosi, Mikey Moore, Jane Fonda, Levin, etc. I want to watch live coverage of their treason trial.
A WGA strike is on the bottom of my list of things to ponder. Or hear about or read or see on TV. Besides, I thought WGA stood for “Worldwide Gofer’s Academy”. or perhaps “World Gofers Association.
Heirborn Ranger
2 boberinyetagain // Nov 6, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Good stuff Mr. Ott, again, who needs writers when we have you?
3 Deerslayer // Nov 6, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Perhaps the “treason Trial” of the mentioned participants will be delayed until after the WGA strike is over. (We wouldn’t want them testifying in their oun words.)
4 RedPepper // Nov 6, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Fred: Sad, isn’t it?
The only source of amusement I’ve seen lately was the Democrat candidates’ debate …
5 Hawkeye // Nov 6, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Maybe if those writers “spiced-up” their routine with a song and dance number… you know, like “Puttin’ On The Ritz” or sumptin’?
Well… it worked for Mel Brooks.
6 boberinyetagain // Nov 6, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I’m a tad surprised the Leno and Letterman cannot think of 3 or 4 jokes on their own. 3/4 of the show is interviews for cryin’ out loud…
7 Fred Sinclair // Nov 6, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Red Pepper - “Sad” is right but I’ve got to admit Mrs. Bill Clinton’s SNAFU was delicious and hearing her being called on it by another liberal was icing on the cake!
I hope she gets the nomonation as I believe she’s the best thing the Republicans have got going for them. Ensuring a Republican White House.
Anyone not voting as a protest against the Republican candidate is not only a vote for the Democrat candidate but far worse, they are in effect voting for the appointment or appointments of liberal judges to the Supreme Court.
Heirborn Ranger
8 gafisher // Nov 6, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Just you wait, things will change when Godot shows up.
9 boberinyetagain // Nov 6, 2007 at 4:54 pm
We’re waiting (for Godot)
10 everthink // Nov 6, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Let’s hear it for Smurfs!
You go Denny, you duh man!!
ET
11 conserve-a-tips // Nov 6, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Well, at least I can count myself out of that last focus group - whew! I don’t watch the networks anyway and the only shows I really enjoy are the reruns of the 50’s and 60’s and movies from those eras plus the 30’s and 40’s. Hmm. Does that put me in that last focus group after all????
Well, folks. Might as well own up. I went to the boneyard today and had all of those nifty tests that they do to you as preop prep. As I sat there at the hospital, waiting for the next needle stick or electrode suction, I wondered if I somehow didn’t pass muster (whatever muster is) would they tell me that I wasn’t welcome back to the hospital? Would they cancel the whole show? Could I file discrimination for being turned down for dingy underwear or toenails being too long?
And how dare they x-ray me for TB. Do I look like I have TB? I thought that TB had been irradicated. Oh yeah. That’s right. Congress looks the other way on illegal immigrants and declares that they have a right to carry in their TB like a suitcase. I guess that means that I might carry their suitcase. Oh for the good ol’ days when policemen really enforced the law and shot people for spitting on the sidewalk. (just kidding - just kidding).
Anyway, this poor, pitiful me faces the knife on Tuesday the 13th (is that worse then Friday the 13th?) to have knee surgery. At least I’ll get ice cream. No? That’s for Tonsils? Hmmph. I daresay the knee is much more important than the tonsil and justifies a gallon of ice cream - preferably butter pecan.
Anyway, I will treasure your prayers. And yes, I joke because I Don’t Want To Do This!!! Ok, I’m fine and just trying to get everything in order since I won’t be walking much. And then there’s Thanksgiving dinner - but that’s a whole ‘nother subject.
I may not be on much this week just because of getting things organized here at home. Just thought that I would let you know why…I mean…that is…if you all really ever did wonder why.
12 conserve-a-tips // Nov 6, 2007 at 6:01 pm
I think that my post went the way of the writer’s strike…
13 boberinyetagain // Nov 6, 2007 at 6:05 pm
c-a-t, best of luck, get well!
14 conserve-a-tips // Nov 6, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Thank you Bob. I believe that I will have to change my screen name to Hop-along-Cassidy.
15 Maggie // Nov 6, 2007 at 7:10 pm
c-a-t,
You are going to do just fine. You give a wonderful testimony to the power and love of Almighty God and will lean on Him thru the Sx. and the rehab. You’ll be back on Scrappleface in no time at all.
God bless you and heal you and give you ease of pain and discomfort thru this surgery.
16 Fred Sinclair // Nov 6, 2007 at 7:10 pm
c.a.t. I’ll be praying for your successful operation. Mine on my eyes went well, stitches came out last Thursday.
Heirborn Ranger
17 mindknumbed kid // Nov 6, 2007 at 7:16 pm
c-a-t, hope it all goes as intended. Tuesday the 13th will have to do, Friday would be better - I was born on a Friday the 13th, the youngest of five, my sister (the eldest of five) was a Halloween baby. All in all we’re not nearly as scarry as the current pack of Dunnocrat wannabees. Whatever happened to that party ? JFK would get Liebermanned or worse if he were around today and not morphed into an ultra-leftwing liberal. Kind of funny how Pelosi is being challenged by Cindy Sheehan in the primary, I wonder what Nandy will say to the moveon types?
I don’t know when I will be headin’ down to the land of Okies again, but it would be fun to get together whenever we make it.
18 Effeminem // Nov 6, 2007 at 7:53 pm
We may have to open up the strategic reserve of jokes. The only obstacle is that 535 of them are currently working on the federal budget for next year.
19 Beerme // Nov 6, 2007 at 8:34 pm
If only this writer’s strike would slow down the “news” coverage of Anna Nicole’s baby, Oprah’s school controversy or Lohan’s latest breathalyzer…
20 its-just-me // Nov 6, 2007 at 10:57 pm
What do those late-night guys get paid for, anyway?
Aren’t they supposed to be funny themselves? Beats me why they have to pay other people to do their jobs for them…
21 mindknumbed kid // Nov 6, 2007 at 11:09 pm
They were funny until they had to be funny, then the pressure came and they stressed, so they hired writers to keep them funny, now their writers are stressed, so they came up with a plan to ease their minds. Everybody else just goes on vacation….these guys want a break,AND all of us to realize that they are the funny ones.
Or are they tired of the news being all about Iraq and Hillary ?
22 Ms RightWing, Ink // Nov 6, 2007 at 11:14 pm
I don’t care who you are, that’s funny. Or was that sock-it-to-me?
23 Terry_Jim // Nov 7, 2007 at 1:39 am
A haiku:
Proud Union Printers ,
In true Solidarity,
gave them blank posters.
24 Terry_Jim // Nov 7, 2007 at 1:52 am
Haiku:
Proud Union Printers
in true Solidarity
give them blank posters.
25 Terry_Jim // Nov 7, 2007 at 1:53 am
oops, double post, sorry.
26 Ms RightWing, Ink // Nov 7, 2007 at 9:35 am
For someone who watches TMC ( Turner Movie Chanel ) to the point of addiction I have little use for new style Hollyweird writers. Who wrote the lines for James Cagney, John Wayne and the rest.
Dig ‘em up, I’m sure they can use the money.
27 Libby Gone // Nov 7, 2007 at 10:12 am
Ms., Dont forget Mr. James Stewart……..
28 Darthmeister // Nov 7, 2007 at 10:20 am
John Kerry: “I’m Now Prepared to Fight Off Swift Boat Veterans.”
Sir, I think you’re about two years too late. With that kind of decisive preparedness, it’s a good thing this country doesn’t have you in the White House, ya posturing twit!
29 Darthmeister // Nov 7, 2007 at 10:27 am
c.a.t.
Godspeed. Here’s something that should lift your spirit in the meantime:
There was this city doctor who started a practice in the countryside. He once had to go to a farm to attend to a sick farmer who lived there. After a few housecalls he stopped coming to the farm. The puzzled farmer finally phoned him to ask whats the matter, didn’t he like him or somethin’. The doctor said, “No, its your ducks at the entrance…every time I enter the farm, they verbally insult me!”
Quack … quack … quack … AFLAC!
30 Ms RightWing, Ink // Nov 7, 2007 at 11:29 am
re:27
absolutely
31 da Bunny // Nov 7, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Oh, no!!! What to do, when we won’t be treated to the latest episode of some idiotic family sitcom? You know the formula: SuperMom, who is beautiful, thin, and has all the answers, a couple of smart-alec “cute” kids, and the obligatory, usually overweight, buffoon of a dysfunctional Dad, who is always screwing up.
The people who “put the words into the mouths” of these moronic caricatures are actually performing a public service by going on strike. Thank you for NOT working, WGA!!
32 Fred Sinclair // Nov 7, 2007 at 3:01 pm
A giant float in the parade, moving slowly down the street (25 ft. x 25 ft. x 25 ft.) full sized letters “T R U T H” on each side. Outlined with multi-colored neon, flashing with strobe like tempo, ahead of the giant band, loudly playing “76 trombones led the big parade, a 110 coronets close at hand, they were followed by rows and rows of the finest virtuosos, the cream of ev’ry famous band.” Mrs. Bill Clinton, standing on the curb is asked by a reporter, “What did you think of that?” She answers, “Think of what? What did I say?”
The reporter: “What did you think of the truth that just went by?”
Mrs. Bill Clinton: “What truth? I didn’t see or hear anything.”
The reporter: “So it’s a fact then that you couldn’t recognize the truth, even if it was the major float in a parade?
Mrs. Bill Clinton: “I don’t know what you are talking about, I’m just a girl.”
Fortunately for America, she’s not as good at lying as her husband.
Heirborn Ranger
33 its-just-me // Nov 7, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Re #31:
Amen to that!
Have you seen all the boy-bashing clothes that are popular now?
Boys are stupid. Girls rule. Etc.
If a boy wore a t-shirt that said “Girls are stupid,” he’d get in big trouble at school.
It’s difficult to raise a boy (and girls) in such a whacky environment…
34 Ms RightWing, Ink // Nov 7, 2007 at 7:03 pm
re:33
…or have you seen anything with Thanksgiving written on it. Recently I went to Big Lots, K-Mart and several other places to set up a Thanksgiving display in our lobby.
So, what did I find-Happy Harvest. geesh, why can’t Chinese spell T-h-a-n-k-s-g-i-v-i-n-g
35 Ms RightWing, Ink // Nov 7, 2007 at 7:04 pm
push diddly push
36 mindknumbed kid // Nov 7, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Maybe the chinese never have anything for which to give thanks - and don’t know to whom they ought to be giving thanks ?
Ain’t it great to live in the USA and know God through Jesus Christ ?
Why are the libs so hellbent on kicking Him out of the country ? Technically God could qualify as an illegal alien in their lives, so why not let Him stay too ?
Inquiring minds want to know…
37 mindknumbed kid // Nov 7, 2007 at 8:23 pm
If we act quickly to reduce our carbon emissions will Hell be cooler ?
Inquiring minds want to know…
38 da Bunny // Nov 7, 2007 at 8:24 pm
its-just-me #33…yes, I’ve seen some of the boy-bashing t-shirts. They’re awful. Thanks a lot to the feminazis, for all they’ve done to try to emasculate men, and turn as many females as possible into either whores or lesbians. Makes me sick…
39 mindknumbed kid // Nov 7, 2007 at 8:27 pm
ETERNITY - Smoking or non-smoking ?
Discerning minds need to know…
40 mindknumbed kid // Nov 7, 2007 at 8:36 pm
da bunny #38, they just want the young girls to have complete sexual freedom, not bound with societal/religious barriers. That is why abortion rights are so critical to their Godless dreamland.Evil men with their sexual power/dominance are why they need to be free….can’tcha see ?
41 mindknumbed kid // Nov 7, 2007 at 9:03 pm
For the believers though there is good news, I have heard from a very reliable source that our Commander-In- Chief has plans for a complete withdrawl from the current hostilities, no date has been set, but I have been told to be ready to move out on a moments notice.
42 mindknumbed kid // Nov 7, 2007 at 9:06 pm
When is this planned withdrawl ?
Discerning minds are anxious to know…
43 mindknumbed kid // Nov 7, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Hot stock tip - The #1 brand of cigarettes in Hell is predicted to be KOOL….get in before it’s heats up !
44 da Bunny // Nov 7, 2007 at 10:23 pm
mindknumbedkid, you are on a roll!!
Yes, I know that the feminazis are just trying to “liberate” women from “evil men.” That’s why I’m not a feminazi…I like men. Always have, always will.
45 mindknumbed kid // Nov 7, 2007 at 11:50 pm
da bunny - you’re just anti-progressive, a stumblingblock to building an enlightened society. olde fashioned.
don’t change…
46 mindknumbed kid // Nov 7, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Sleep tight Scrapplefaced citizens, tomorrow is coming and who knows what that will bring us from the wonderful land of Ott.
Enquiring minds are itchin’ to see….
47 Darthmeister // Nov 8, 2007 at 1:25 am
“The number of people who are chronically homeless dropped by nearly 12 percent from 2005 to 2006, according to government estimates being released Wednesday.”
Clearly George Bush’s fault.
48 everthink // Nov 8, 2007 at 2:05 am
mindknumbed kid
Re: 41
Did you say “complete withdrawl”? As in “cut and run” ? If so, what was gained?
We were attacked on Dumbyah’s “Watch”, that was his failure to act in America’s defense! Then, he attacked the wrong country, letting Bin Laden go! Look at the way it’s going in Parkistan, Russia, Iraq, and Iran.
Look at the foreclosures, the outsourcing of American jobs, the Chinese import of dangerous products, illegals in our country, and our borders. There is a near complete loss of respect for the United States in the world.
And just look at New Orleans, and at the decline of our infrastructure!
Iraq has an estimated final price tag of $3,400,000,000,000.00, and almost 4000 good Americans. (Just wait till you see what that will cost you!)
I know you’ll say somehow Bush shouldn’t be blamed, … it had to be Clinton’s fault!
Then again, on the plus side, I got $600.00!
ET
49 mindknumbed kid // Nov 8, 2007 at 6:41 am
Interesting and insightful thinking there ET. I will ponder those thoughts a while. Oh to be enlightened, what a glorious thing !!
Off to work now….
50 Darthmeister // Nov 8, 2007 at 6:36 am
People in New Jersey are in the midst of a tax revolt, but Donk voters are willing to put their Demoncrat tormentors back in office!
More Democrat morons, just like in New Orleans.
51 Darthmeister // Nov 8, 2007 at 6:40 am
mnk,
Don’t despair, when neverthink spews his left-wing whacko talking points just be thankful that more of the nutcases raised on the swill from the DailyKos, MediaMatters, demoncrapunderground.org and moron.orgy don’t visit here, too.
52 Darthmeister // Nov 8, 2007 at 6:58 am
Hmmmm, a house was burglarized down the street, it must be Bush’s fault.
Blue collar Bob lost his retirement nest egg through bad investment decisions, it must Bush’s fault.
Big Business makes free market decisions to locate in countries where spoilt brat unionists (and I’m a union man myself so I can say this) aren’t asking for $35/hr to put a couple of screws in a widget, that must be Bush’s fault.
Under new, non-socialist leadership France and Germany are re-establishing friendly co-operation with the United States, just dumb luck on George Bush’s part.
New Orleans re-elects the same incompetent Mayor Nagin (D-Moon) who utterly failed as a first-responder. NO’s infra-structure is going to hell-in-a-handbasket, it must be Bush’s fault.
Iraq has a present price tag of $600 million and by 2017 is expected to cost Americans $1.5 trillion, no, $1.8 trillion, no, $2.6 trillion, no, $3.4 TRILLION! Yeah, America was pretty stupid for involving itself in the post-war quagmire of World War II where American taxpayers dumped an adjusted total of $25 TRILLION in Germany and Japan. And that was Bush’s fault, too.
And Bush LET UBL GO! Bush had UBL in the palm of his hands despite the fact there is no physical evidence UBL was where our intelligence people (who were so incomptetent they claimed stockpiles of WMD existed in Iraq) said he was waiting patiently in the mountains of Afghanistan to be captured by infidels. Yes, capturing UBL would end the war on terror because jihadists will simply surrender in despair AND SHRUBYA BLEW IT!
53 Darthmeister // Nov 8, 2007 at 8:59 am
Doh! That’s 600 BILLION not “million”. My bad. An honest mistype … honest!
54 everthink // Nov 8, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Darthmeister:
I think we can rule out Bush’s involvement in the burglary of house down your street, unless your neighbor was an outspoken Democrat; but, what were you doing at the time?
Everything you say is fundamentally dishonest!
A good example of this is your repeated attempts to force a correlation between the Nazi Party of WWII Germany, and the Democratic Party in the United States today.
This attempt to say “Black is White†demonstrates either incredible ignorance, or your willingness to propagate a lie for political advantage.
I can only hope that your audience will take the time to research the facts.
Actually, the methods utilized by the Nazi’s more closely parallel those of Neo-Cons and other extremist elements of the Republican Party today.
ET
55 mindknumbed kid // Nov 8, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Cut & run, for some reason I never saw it in that particular manner. But th at seems as though it is just a cut and run move
Surely all the ones not pleased with this Holy war would be happy that we have pulled out. At least at first…
56 mindknumbed kid // Nov 8, 2007 at 7:25 pm
ET-call home your mom and dad are offering a free upgrade to higher wattage.
Inquiring minds could care less…..
57 Red Renee // Nov 9, 2007 at 11:00 am
[...] of blogs and Variety Magazine are blasting the WGA for the strike, but I have an easier solution. Let them strike. Hire me and all the other hacky [...]
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