TVSquad

Paul,

While I agree with you about Ellen, and don't like Leno's show, I should point out that Letterman owns his show through WWP, while NBC owns the Tonight Show. Also, you don't know if Jay is paying them or not; he might just want to keep it out of public view. Letterman's been paying his writers since the strike began but issued the release because it became an open secret.

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Isn't Ellen in a different situation since her show is syndicated?

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The attack on Jay and Ellen for not supporting their writers by paying them is just a bit wrong-headed since neither of those performers actually owns their shows. NBC owns TONIGHT - and they've even stopped paying Jay (and CBS is not paying Letterman either) - and WB owns ELLEN so why should the hosts be expected to pay people out of their own pockets??? Letterman's company is paying his employees, not Letterman himself. And I'm sure Leno spends plenty of his money on his car and motorcycle collection. Ellen my be getting blasted for continuing to honor her contract - she is still under contract as a performer - but at least by keeping her show in production, the writers will have jobs to come back to when the strike is over. NBC and CBS are laying off people left and right now and who knows what will happen to those people when things are settled.

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David is a class act.

"I wouldn't give his troubles to a monkey on a rock!"

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Mr Goebel needs to learn how to spell. He spelled "hoard" wrong in the 2nd to last paragraph. In the closing sentence, he spells "then" instead of than! Go back to grade school, please!!!!!

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This story is terrible flawed...Dave is not paying the writers, he is paying the staffers - major difference.

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Hmm... I read this article as the staff staff, not the writing staff, being paid. Grips, office workers, technicians, camera guys, etc. I can't imagine that a production company would ever pay striking workers (seems like it would be verboten), but paying the crew even when you're not shooting is even cooler and makes more sense.

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Major props to Letterman for his generosity. Don't hold your breath waiting for Leno to follow Dave's lead.


Will Teullive
http://1527rowland.blogspot.com/

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I agree with Ken, as the grammatical errors are inexcuseable with today's advantage of word processing spell check. Do your homework Mr. Goebel!

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Frank's right about Ellen's situation being quite different because of syndication...this article does a pretty good job of explaining why she's in a difficult situation:
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Ellens-New-York-Flight-Grounded-7257.html

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Dave got his start as writer and hasn't forgotten his roots, which is why it only makes sense that he's still paying his writers, as well as the rest of his staff.

I won't take this time to trash anyone because he's able to do this out of the uniqueness of his ownership of World Wide Pants - he doesn't have to do this, but the fact that he is makes him that much more of a decent human being.

Who'd'a thunk that the man who once launched himself onto a velcro wall would become a role model?

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I was going to comment on the inaccuracies and flaws with this post, but everybody beat me to it. Now I'm just here posting like a jackass with nothing better to do. Regardless, I saw no reason to bring Leno or Ellen into the conversation. Ellen, especially, is in a completely different situation. Also as others have said, the staff is getting paid. I saw nothing saying the writers were getting paid. That's still extremely nice of them considering many people are being laid off right now since there is nothing for them to do right now.

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Also, the first sentence is incomplete and makes no sense unless you've read and remembered the headline.

ScottR

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Folks, thanks for pointing out the spelling and punctuation issues, as well as alerting us to the fact that Dave is paying his entire staff. I edited the post for Paul to address these issues. Feel free to use the "Corrections" link above to report any other errors you see in this or any other TVS post.

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This strike is affecting more than just traditional entertainment -- professional wrestling is now in shambles! I wonder if Vince McMahon will pay his writing staff?

http://www.humblenarrator.com/2007/11/15/wwe-aficionados-decry-lack-of-spontaneity-during-writers-strike/

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Apparently, the hard-blogger needs, um, a WRITER...David is doing the right thing. And for the skeptics, he IS World Wide Pants, so eventually, the money comes out of his pocket, for everyone. He pays everyone. Ellen, as much as I love her, has royally screwed up. And I find it hard to believe that Whoopi isn't a member of the Guild: I've seen her stand up and HBO specials. She doesn't write all of her stuff herself, or hasn't in the past. As for Jay, donuts just don't pay the rent. I don't know what the answer is; I only know decency when I see it. Thanks, Dave, and Jon and all of those who have tried to make a difficult time a little easier.

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