Look! Up in the sky! It's a pro-WGA message

It's a captive audience, all right. WGA strike support group Fans4Writers have gathered enough coin to mount a skywriting effort Tuesday morning over what should be the lovely sunny skies of Pasadena as the 119th Rose Parade oozes down Colorado Boulevard. Parade draws hundreds of thousands of spectators (and their Winnebagos), and it's an event that still draws 40 and 50 shares on TV locally, so the fans outta get bang for their buck, weather permitting.

(Seems strange that the Tournament of Roses org, a group not exactly known for their permissiveness, wouldn't have locked up air space rights to the parade but I suppose not ...)

Here's the release on the effort issued today:

FANS TO WRITE THEIR SUPPORT ACROSS THE SKY
Fan Group to Skywrite Message of Support for the Writers'

Strike During the Tournament of Roses Parade

PASADENA, Calif. -- Since the writers' strike began back in November, fans have supported the Writers Guild of America (WGA) with food drops, fundraisers, and an outpouring of understanding for the struggle for fair compensation. On New Year's Day, the fans will be writing their message across the sky.


Fans4Writers, a grass-roots organization of fans that started up the same day the WGA went on strike against the members of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), has purchased pro-WGA skywriting to be shown during the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, Jan. 1 st, 2008, starting when the parade begins at 9 a.m. Pacific Time. The messages will consist of five separate "sky signs" 10,000 feet above the Rose Parade. Each message will be five miles long and every letter the size of the Empire State Building, easily seen for 15 miles in any direction or nearly 400 square miles. The messages are created by a squadron of airplanes, the "Skytypers," which fly abreast 250 ft apart and "type" in a dot matrix pattern.


Why skywriting? "First of all, it is to express support for the writers, and the strike," according to a message posted at the Fans4Writers website. "It's also that there will be a million people on the ground, and this is a way to reach them directly.


"The more people we drum up, and bring over here, the more we can do to show support, and hopefully help send the message to the AMPTP that the writers are supported in the strike by the fans, and the public. Something like that helps give the AMPTP incentive to really start negotiating for a fair deal."


Fans4Writers is raising the money for the ad by auctioning off collectible paraphernalia such as autographed TV scripts and actor photos and even a bicycle given to the crew of "Two and A Half Men" to commemorate their 100th episode, donated by star and WGA member Jon Cryer.


"It seemed appropriate to call attention to the writers' plight by writing something," said C. A. Bridges, one of the Fans4Writers co-founders. "And it's hard to write much bigger than this."


Should weather conditions prevent skywriting over the Tournament of Roses Parade, the message will appear over the Rose Bowl game instead. If weather prevents that as well, any money raised will be donated to the WGA Solidarity Fund which goes to assist members of the industry who are in financial distress as a direct result of the strike.


More information about Fans4Writers and the Rose Bowl Ad auction is available at www.Fans4Writers.com <http://www.fans4writers.com/> . Fans4Writers is not affiliated with the Writers Guild of America, except in spirit.

"Late Show's" lineup for the first shows back

Well, ask and ye shall receive, sort of (see post below). Robin Williams, Bill Maher, Ellen Page, Shooter Jennings and cast members from "Young Frankenstein" are among the guests David Letterman will have this week when his first original segs in more than two months air on CBS, starting Wednesday. (Note the parenthetical emphasis that these are NEW, ORIGINAL broadcasts at long last. Usually those block letters denote repeats and original airdates.)

The guest list is interesting, but it's the monologue and scripted (whoo-hoo!) bits on these shows that we'll be most interested in seeing.

Here's the listings rundown CBS issued this morning:

*Wednesday, Jan. 2                           Actor Robin Williams; musical guest Shooter Jennings  (NEW, ORIGINAL BROADCAST)

*Thursday, Jan. 3                              Comedian/talk show host Bill Maher; actress Ellen Page; a performance from the Broadway musical "Young Frankenstein" (NEW, ORIGINAL BROADCAST)

*Friday, Jan. 4                                   Real estate mogul Donald Trump; musical guest Lupe Fiasco (NEW, ORIGINAL BROADCAST)

"Late Show" writers, give us a hint?

We're a little surprised to find precious little reaction in the online realm to the Worldwide Pants-WGA pact, particularly from those directly affected by the deal that allows CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" to return, writers and all, on Wednesday.

We've been regular readers of the LateShowWritersonStrike.com blog since its debut -- but other than a cursory post on Saturday to acknowledge the news (with a barb about it appearing first on the South Asia Women's Forum website -- gotta love Google News), there's no discourse, cheeky or otherwise, on this significant development in the strike.

We can certainly appreciate not wanting to appear to be claiming victory when so many other WGA members are still deep in the trenches. And it is still the holidays and all...but Scribe Vibe would love to get a comment or two here from the "Late Show" and "Late Late Show" folks (and a hint of what we might expect from Letterman and Ferguson on Wednesday's shows would be really fantastic).

Either way, we'll be staying up late or TiVo-ing on Wednesday night -- undoubtedly these will be segs not to be missed.

AMPTP on Worldwide Pants deal: Joke's on WGA members

AMPTP not surprisingly was none too impressed by the pact WGA unveiled last night with David Letterman's Worldwide Pants, paving the way for CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" to return Wednesday with their writers. We're awaiting clarity on the AMPTP's assertion that guild is "misrepresenting" Worldwide Pants' status as an AMPTP member. The company's corporate Worldwide Trousers Inc. entity was included on the list of struck companies that WGA West has posted on its website.

Here's the AMPTP's statement:

"While it is good news for viewers that the jokes will be back on the late night shows, the biggest joke of all appears to be the one the WGA's organizers are pulling on working writers. The people in charge at WGA have insisted on increasing their own power by prevailing on jurisdictional issues such as
reality, animation and sympathy strikes. Yet today the WGA made an interim agreement to send writers back to work that by definition could not have achieved these jurisdictional goals -- gains that would at a minimum require the company making an agreement to actually produce reality and animation
programming.

WGA's organizers are also misrepresenting the fact that Worldwide Pants is an AMPTP member. Today's agreement is just the latest indication that the WGA's organizers may not have what it takes to achieve an industry-wide deal that will create a strong and sustainable economic future for writers and producers alike."

WGA chiefs: 'There are no shortcuts in this deal'

WGA West prexy Patric Verrone and WGA East prexy Michael Winship have outlined the Worldwide Pants deal in a message just sent to members.

Guild stewards are calling it a "full and binding agreement" despite its "interim" tag, and they assert that "Worldwide Pants has accepted the very same proposals that the Guild was prepared to present to the media conglomerates when they walked out of negotiations on December 7." They also squarely aim to up the ante on the other latenight talkers who are going back next week without writers by pressuring SAG members to eschew the other talk shows in favor of Worldwide Pants' "Late Show" and "The Late Late Show."

Here's Variety's story on the deal.

Here's the full letter from Verrone and Winship:

To Our Fellow Members,

We are writing to let you know that have reached a contract with David Letterman's Worldwide Pants production company that puts his show and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson back on the air with Guild writers. This agreement is a positive step forward in our effort to reach an industry-wide contract. While we know that these deals put only a small number of writers back to work, three strategic imperatives have led us to conclude that this deal, and similar potential deals, are beneficial to our overall negotiating efforts.

First, the AMPTP has not yet been a productive avenue for an agreement. As a result, we are seeking deals with individual signatories. The Worldwide Pants deal is the first. We hope it will encourage other companies, especially large employers, to seek and reach agreements with us.  Companies who have a WGA deal and Guild writers will have a clear advantage.  Companies that do not will increasingly find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.  Indeed, such a disadvantage could cost competing networks tens of millions in refunds to advertisers.

Second, this is a full and binding agreement. Worldwide Pants is agreeing to the full MBA, including the new media proposals we have been unable to make progress on at the big bargaining table. This demonstrates the integrity and affordability of our proposals.  There are no shortcuts in this deal. Worldwide Pants has accepted the very same proposals that the Guild was prepared to present to the media conglomerates when they walked out of negotiations on December 7.

Finally, while our preference is an industry-wide deal, we will take partial steps if those will lead to the complete deal.  We regret that all of us cannot yet return to work.  We especially regret that other late night writers cannot return to work along with the Worldwide Pants employees.  But the conclusion of your leadership is that getting some writers back to work under the Guild’s proposed terms speeds up the return to work of all writers.

Side-by-side with this agreement, and any others that we reach, are our ongoing strike strategies.  In the case of late-night shows, our strike pressure will be intense and essential in directing political and SAG-member guests to Letterman and Ferguson rather than to struck talk shows.  At this time, picket lines at venues such as NBC (both Burbank and Rockefeller Center), The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and the Golden Globes are essential.  Outreach to advertisers and investors will intensify in the days ahead and writers will continue to develop new media content itself to advance our position.

We must continue to push on all fronts to remind the conglomerates each and every day that we are committed to a fair deal for writers and the industry.

Best,
Michael Winship
President, Writers Guild of America, East

Patric M. Verrone

President, Writers Guild of America, West

SAG weighs in on Worldwide Pants-WGA deal

SAG prexy Alan Rosenberg gives his thumbs up to the Worldwide Pants-WGA pact:

"We are pleased that Worldwide Pants has reached an independent agreement with the WGA and The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson will be back on the air with their WGA writing staffs,” said Rosenberg. “We hope this encourages all of the talk shows to follow suit and use only WGA writers.  Screen Actors Guild members will be happy to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson with union writers at work and without crossing WGA picket lines."

David Letterman's statement on WGA pact

Here's what David Letterman has to say about Worldwide Pants' pact with the WGA, which will allow him and Craig Ferguson to resume their CBS latenighters on Wednesday, with scribes.

"I am grateful to the WGA for granting us this agreement. We're happy to be going back to work, and particularly pleased to be doing it with our writers," Letterman said. "This is not a solution to the strike, which unfortunately continues to disrupt the lives of thousands. But I hope it will be seen as a step in the right direction."

This is a positive result, both for the WGA and for our shows, and we are appreciative that the leaders of the Guild dealt with us reasonably and in good faith,” said Rob Burnett, President and CEO of Worldwide Pants and Executive Producer of "The Late Show."

WGA statement on Worldwide Pants deal

This just in from the WGA, confirming the pact with David Letterman's Worldwide Pants:

The Writers Guild has reached a binding independent agreement today with Worldwide Pants that will allow Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson to return to the air with their full writing staffs. This is a comprehensive agreement that addresses the issues important to writers, particularly New Media. Worldwide Pants has accepted the very same proposals that the Guild was prepared to present to the media conglomerates when they walked out of negotiations on December 7.

Today’s agreement dramatically illustrates that the Writers Guild wants to put people back to work, and that when a company comes to the table prepared to negotiate seriously a fair and reasonable deal can be reached quickly.

It’s time for NBC-Universal to step up to the plate and negotiate a company-wide deal that will put Jay Leno, who has supported our cause from the beginning, back on the air with his writers.

BREAKING: Dave does a deal with the WGA; back on air next Wednesday

The WGA and  David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants  have reached an agreement that will allow “Late   Show with David Letterman” and “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” to return to the air next week with their writers.

The Letterman-owned CBS latenighters will return Wednesday, people familiar with the situation said. A rep for Worldwide Pants declined comment.

Talks between Worldwide Pants and the WGA weren’t looking fruitful. But that changed within the last 48 hours, sources said.

Interim agreement is the first deal struck by the WGA with a studio since the strike began last month.

--Josef Adalian

Dick Wolf: Labor strife is "a pox on both houses"

Dick Wolf is deeply troubled at a time when he should be very happy about the return of "Law & Order" to NBC next week in its familiar Wednesday 10 p.m. time slot after being exiled last season to badlands of Friday night.

Even though the fresh "Law & Order" segs -- nicely invigorated by new cast members Linus Roache and Jeremy Sisto -- will face lighter competition than it otherwise would with so many shows shuttered by the strike, Wolf isn't celebrating. The real-life drama engulfing the biz is too grim.

"The temporary advantage to 'Law & Order' is not worth on any level what the business is going through," he said. "This is the worst possible thing that could’ve happened to an already wounded business. This is a disaster of unprecedented proportions that will only get worse. My fondest hope is that people are going to quickly come to their senses and get back in a room."

Wolf hasn't been shy about letting people know that going on strike was a bad move -- something he was saying this time last year and before. Now that the work stoppage is in its second month, Wolf can't even talk about the situation without feeling his blood pressure rise. The blame, in his view, is shared on both sides.

"This is a pox on both houses. Everybody involved with this negotiation has handled it with such consummate unprofessionalism that it's staggering. I've been in this business for 32 years. I've never seen this kind of maelstrom of self-destruction on everybody's part. This never should've happened."

WGA to AMPTP: It's all about new media

Here's the WGA's response to the nudgy message about lost scribe wages distribbed by the AMPTP earlier in the day (and posted below):

Big media walked away from the table and refuses to negotiate. The media conglomerates know that the core issue in these negotiations is new media. Their current proposals would cause writers even more economic harm in the future than they claim this strike has caused. To sidestep this fact, they erroneously claim we are focused on other issues. The conglomerates are responsible for creating the economic havoc. They should put their energies into making a fair deal with writers rather than issuing misleading statements.

AMPTP does the math, comes up with...

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers today issued the following statement:

"It's official: The people in charge at the WGA have led working writers into a strike that has now cost those working writers more in salary and benefits than the WGA's organizers ever expected to gain from the strike. And the strike continues because the union's leaders are focused on jurisdictional issues that would expand their own power, at the expense of the new media issues that working writers care most about.

"For more information, and to see how the WGA strike has now cost working writers more than they had hoped to get through the WGA’s $151 million proposal package, go to www.amptp.org."

(Editor's note: To be clear, that's the AMPTP's calculation of how much writers have lost in wages and benefits over eight weeks compared with the cost of the WGA's proposed package over three years. That seems something less than compelling to me, but hey, it's their press release. -- dh)

Here's hoping this one doesn't flounder in development

From the pages of the Writers Guild of America, West magazine, Written By, January 2008 issue (click for larger resolution):

The AMPTP Greatest Hits Collection

One more AMPTP statement, this one sort of a greatest-hits hodgepodge. There's a lot of the Wolper letter, the now-classic David Young quote and their figures on the average WGA salary and how much the strike is costing. Bonus points for enhancing Wolper's Oscars/Olympics metaphor: "It is like the Olympic athlete who trains his or her whole life to compete for a gold medal at the Olympics, only to have the dream dashed because of some politically inspired boycott."

-- Dana Harris

No movement on Letterman waivers yet

As you probably gleaned from the WGA statement below, no decision appeared to come out of today's talks between Worldwide Pants and the Writers Guild.

Worldwide Pants is looking to secure a waiver for "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," both of which the company owns; topper Rob Burnett (left) has been increasingly vocal that he believes the company deserves an "interim agreement" to bring the shows' writers back to work.

In a statement, Burnett said the two sides will continue to negotiate next week: "We had a substantive discussion today with the WGA and look forward to continuing these talks next week."

With all due respect, we were hoping for more.

An AMPTP open letter to the entertainment industry

Not much new here, but the AMPTP does single out three of the six WGA proposals that, according to the AMPTP, have to be taken off the table for negotiations to resume.

Those are areas are jurisdiction over reality and animation, as well as sympathy strikes.

Translation: Take this away and we'll negotiate on new media.

So far, the WGA has shown little interest in this approach -- partly because it has indicated that the AMPTP's mew-media offers aren't close to being acceptable.

Full release after the jump.

-- Dave McNary

"L.A. Confidential" producer on boycotting the Globes/Oscars: "The wrong people get punished."

Scribe Vibe received this letter from producer David L. Wolper.

As a member of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic committee, I remember, in 1980, after the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan, President Jimmy Carter threatened the Soviet Union with a U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics if they did not pull their troops out of Afghanistan. The troops stayed and the boycott went into effect.

Does anyone really believe the Soviet Union would change their foreign policy because the U.S. team wouldn’t show up at their Olympics? Who did the boycott hurt? Not the Soviet Union, but the more than 460 American athletes who looked forward to the Olympic experience who trained four years for their moment in the sun. In the next Olympics four years later, they may not qualify and miss their chance. It was taken away by their own government.

Well, there is a similar situation today with the Writers Guild. To help their cause against the studios, they decided to punish the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Who is hurt? Do you really think the studios will change one single negotiating point because of the Golden Globes or the Oscars? Who it really hurts are all the people, including writers, who were looking forward to their Oscar or Golden Globe experience and who may lose their only moment to shine because of the cloud put over the events by the Writers Guild.

Like the Olympic athletes, they may never get another chance and it’s a shame. The joy is taken away by one of their own Unions. The Olympics and the Oscars, the same story: The wrong people get punished. I hope the Writers Guild will rethink its position.

-- David L. Wolper 

WGA, AMPTP's dueling surveys

They're fighting over everything else under the sun, so it should come as no surprise that WGA and AMPTP produced dueling surveys on Thursday to show that America backs the scribes, or America could care less about the strike, depend on which side you believe.

The WGA was the first to get the email missive out on Thursday, hailing the results of a USA Today/Gallup Poll indicating strong public support for its strike. Poll found 60% of respondents supported the WGA in "their fight against the media corporations." Same survey found that 38% of respondents said they'll watch less primetime TV now that shows are skidding into rerun territory.

"The American people overwhelmingly support the writers because they realize our cause is just and our proposal is fair: when we create valuable content for the companies we deserve to be paid," the WGA said. "It's time for these gigantic media conglomerates to listen to the voice of the people, return to the bargaining table and get serious about negotiating an honest deal that would put everyone back to work."

Meanwhile, AMPTP served up a survey from TNS that found the strike has made no impact on the viewing habits of more than two-thirds (74%) of respondents and that almost two-thirds don't have a side in the WGA-AMPTP fight.

"One could only wonder how public attitudes towards the writers would be reflected if the public was asked how they feel about the writers making good on their organizer's quip to wreak havoc on the industry, especially in light of the severe economic harm being imposed on the Los Angeles region and, in particular, the below the line workers," AMPTP said.

And happy holidays to you too, folks! I think it's time someone (like a blogger) called for a Christmas truce a la the fabled tale of the British and the Germans on Christmas Eve 1914 along the Western front in World War I, where a few brave souls emerged from the foxholes and shared a little chocolate, a little brandy, showed off pictures of the kids.

C'mon...let's give the snippy emails a rest already.

-Cynthia Littleton

The WGAE stance on Globes/Oscars waivers: No. Way.

WGAE President Michael Winship spoke to FOX Business Network on award-show waivers and the potential benefit in late-night hosts returning to work.

On whether writers will allow certain clips to be shown at the Golden Globes and Oscars:

“The answer is ‘no’.  The Golden Globes asked us for a waiver for writers and we declined that waiver.  The Oscars have asked us for a waiver on clips and we declined that waiver.  They haven’t asked us yet for a waiver on writers so we’ll deal with that when it comes up.  Plus, we’re asking folks who would be presenters normally on the show to go to their consciousness and, perhaps, not be a presenter.”

On the benefit of late night hosts going back to work:

“If they [the late-night shows] were to come back with their writers, they would be able to address our issues on the air just as they did before the strike began. The Letterman Show, the Daily Show – they were doing a lot of material about the writers’ strike and we would assume that if they were to come back they would be able to keep it topical, keep it light, keep it humorous but very much to our point.”

-- Dana Harris

'Daily Show,' 'Colbert Report' return Jan. 7

This just in from Comedy Central: "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" will follow their broadcast latenight brethren and return to the air with fresh segs on Jan. 7 (a week after Leno, Letterman, O'Brien, Ferguson and Kimmel). The Comedy Central press release that just arrived in our inbox was short and to the point, with a joint statement from Stewart (pictured left) and Colbert (pictured right).

(I can't wait for Colbert's opening tirade. Gawd, I've missed him.)

"'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' and 'The Colbert Report' will resume production on January 7 with both shows returning to air that night without their respective writing staffs.  The January 7 return follows a scheduled two-week, end-of-year hiatus that was previously built into the shows' production calendars.  We continue to hold out hope for a swift resolution to the current stalemate that will enable the shows to be complete again."

        -- Comedy Central

"We would like to return to work with our writers. If we cannot, we would like to express our ambivalence, but without our writers we are unable to express something as nuanced as ambivalence."

        -- Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert

Laugh Factory donates all Wednesday night proceeds, and then some

Every Wednesday night, now through the end of the strike, Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada is turning over all door proceeds to the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support Fund, which benefits writers as well as below-the-line workers. The program launched last night and, according to writer/tipster Bill Taub, the take was $760.

Entrance to the show, which starts at 10 pm, is free for anyone who makes a fund contribution; checks made out to the Writers Guild Foundation are accepted at the door, as are donations of new toys or new winter clothing.

The Laugh Factory, of course, is located at 8001 W Sunset Blvd at Laurel; phone is (323) 656-1336.

People's Choice Awards to go on, sorta

  CBS is expected to make a formal statement shortly on the fate of the People's Choice Awards.

With it looking increasingly unlikely that thesps would cross the picket line to attend the show (which is set to be hosted by Queen Latifah, unless that changes), Eye is expected to announce some sort of downsized program. Sources expect the show to now feature pre-recorded awards and clips.

Awards ceremony is set to air Jan. 8. One insider says the net is "inventing a new format" for the show. Stay tuned...

UPDATE: The press release:

The People’s Choice Awards today announced that it will produce its show in a new magazine-style format to be aired on Jan. 8, 2008 and hosted by Queen Latifah.  The show will feature nominees from various categories related to music, movies and television, and People’s Choice Award winners will have the opportunity to personally thank their loyal fans.   

An important aspect of the new format will be the role the “people” will have in influencing the show itself.  Beginning on Dec. 21, 2007, fans can log on to www.pcavote.com to submit questions they’d like to hear answered by their favorite stars.  In addition to their acceptance remarks, award winners will also answer some of the most burning questions from their fans, which will be shown throughout the program. 

“We’re excited to pilot a new format for the People’s Choice Awards this year,” said Fred Nelson, President, People’s Choice.  “For 34 years, the People’s Choice Awards has been the show that lets the voice of the fans be heard. With the reinvention of People’s Choice, we’re allowing entertainment enthusiasts to have even more influence on the show.  In addition, the new approach will give fans a more personal glimpse into the lives of their favorite actors and musicians.”

Hit hard by the strike? Sell your diamonds!

Could this be the strangest attempt yet to capitalize on the Writers Guild strike?

From an ad in today's Variety:

"As the largest volume collateral lender in Beverly Hills for 20 years, I want to take this pportunity to help bridge this troublesome financial time for all industry workers. I'm extending reduced loan rates on all fine jewelry and art."

Yeah, because the striking scribes and out-of-work below-the-liners who don't know where their next paycheck is coming from are knee-deep in "fine jewelry and art."

Wait, there's more:

"And as gold and diamonds values have recently skyrocketed I will also purchase items at top dollar."

Time to raid your closets, WGA, SAG, DGA, IA and Teamster members! The pawn brokers at "The Dina Collection" will help you out... well, while purchasing all of your family heirlooms.

-- Michael Schneider

CNBC learns the first rule of strike negotiation: Hurry up and wait

An amusing look at the difficulty of getting both sides to the table... in this case, the table is CNBC.

Writers/Producers: From TV "No Shows" To Best Press Release?

Jane Wells, CNBC.com

December 19, 2007 -- What you don't see on CNBC-TV are all the calls, meetings, emails, etc, initiated by reporters and producers and bookers and anchors, all trying to convince people to come on our air. I've been going 'round and 'round for a week to get the head of the Writers Guild of America West, Patric Verrone, to come on our air for a live interview.

We are in the seventh week of a debilitating strike, no new talks are scheduled, and the rhetoric is heated, even by Hollywood's overheated standards.

I was told by the WGA that Verrone wanted to do the interview, but I soon discovered that wanting, and committing, are two different things -- aren't they always? In order to accommodate Verrone, we booked a studio off our property so he would not have to cross a picket line. We were even willing to bring a live truck to his office.

The WGA PR person told me CNBC's early shows probably wouldn't work because they are... early. So we agreed to try to have Verrone on "Power Lunch" today. On Monday, the WGA said that would be too early, still, so we pushed it back to "Street Signs." Then yesterday, I learned there would be meetings that might conflict, so we rebooked the studio and changed production plans to accommodate Verrone for "Closing Bell."

You know what happened, don't you? There's no clever writer's twist to this tale. This morning, as I prepared to promote Verrone's "First on CNBC" live appearance, I got a call saying, "Patric is really sick, and there are more meetings, and I wanted to let you know I'm concerned he may not make it." So I cancelled and said, "Let me know when he really wants to answer questions and we'll be happy to have him on. We have CEOs who don't change things around so much."

Now, I don't think I'm being jerked around or anything mean like that (and, believe me, there are people in Hollywood who will do that to you). I just think they're a little... disorganized for an organized labor organization.

Equal time

I've also asked Nick Counter from the other side, the AMPTP, to come on separately. They offered up a spokesman (I declined) because Counter is busy -- busy doing what? There are no negotiations going on.

So, in the absence of interviews, I'm busy pondering the press releases each side churns out daily. Which release from yesterday is written better?

From the WGA: "Striking Writers Give AMPTP Opportunity to 'Cop A Plea,' Crime and Police Show Writers Rally in Los Angeles and New York," which goes on to say that yesterday "The 'Criminal Writing Division' of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) today announced a three-count Bill of Indictment against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and eight unnamed co-conspirators."

OK, that's kinda clever.

From the AMPTP: "In the category of Worst Supporting Union, the nominee is the WGA. The union, which initiated this strike, continues day in and day out to make good on its commitment to, in the words of a leading WGA organizer, 'wreak havoc,' even though those being hurt include WGA's own working writers, the below-the-line workers and their families, the broader Los Angeles region - and now the creative artists who deserve to be honored for their work over the last year."

Actually, that's not bad either. I wonder who's writing their stuff?

Yes, that is definitely an ad.

We've received some emails complaining that the Flash banner above could be confused for a editorial content since there's no identification of its advertising status. However, it is an ad; click on it and you're redirected to the AMPTP site. Its lack of advertising identification is a technical glitch that we're currently working to resolve. In the meantime, please know that the space above the posts and below the Scribe Vibe logo goes to those who pay for it.

-- Dana Harris

WGA says it may announce interim agreements with some AMPTP companies

The WGA is in discussions with several smaller AMPTP signatory companies and expects to have some news to announce regarding interim agreements with them as early as next week, WGA negotiating committee head John Bowman said Wednesday.

Bowman would not identify any of the companies. He said the proposal on the table for the interim agreements are substantially the same as the WGA has hit an impasse on with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, including the controversial issue of expanding WGA's jurisdiction to include reality and animation scribes.

"We'll probably make some announcements next week or the week after," Bowman said. Guild this past weekend confirmed it would approach individual AMPTP members for bargaining talks in the wake of the Dec. 7 breakdown of talks with the AMPTP.

"There are a lot of individual companies who think the AMPTP's position is ridiculous," he said. But he also cautioned that the guild will only ink interim deals if it gets a "critical mass" of them, "large enough to have an impact" and put pressure on the majors, otherwise the prospect of having only a handful of writers going back to work could have a bad impact on morale and solidarity among the membership.

"Our strength as a guild is our unity and solidarity. Anything that weakens that is something we're reluctant to do,"he said. Bowman also conceded that the real crux of the settleing the strike remains cutting deals with the seven majors that dominate the AMPTP.

"Interim agreements are fine but what we really want is to get back to the table," with the majors, Bowman said.

Bowman spoke to reporters on the steps of LA City Hall following a 90-minute hearing held by an LA City Council committee on the economic impact of the now seven-week-old strike. Estimates from economists and others about the hit to the local economy on the shutdown of so much production ranged from $400 million if the strike goes five months to $220 million so far and counting.

The LA City Council is expecting to pass a motion later today urging both sides in the contract battle to resume negotiations immediately.

-- Cynthia Littleton

Live from LA City Hall: A hearing on the strike's economic impact

Cynthia Littleton is attending this morning's hearing on the strike's economic impact at Los Angeles City Hall. WGA West president Patric Verrone, WGA West exec director David Young and WGA negotiating committee chief John Bowman will appear before the Housing, Community and Economic Development Committee of the Los Angeles City Council, which is conducting the hearing.

(10:05 am) John Bowman, head of the WGA's negotiating committee, got a big round of applause as he approached the podium.

Bowman told the council the WGA estimates a blow of $2.5 billion to the industry and local economy if the remainder of the 2007-08 TV season is scrapped. Bowman said a WGA survey found that among broadcast network sitcoms, most shows have six outstanding episodes to write and produce. Among dramas, there are seven outstanding episodes. Bowman said the WGA believes that most of the lost production could be made up in the first quarter of 2008 if strike ends soon.

"We remain at the negotiating table that they abandoned," Bowman said of the AMPTP.

Council member Herb Wesson said the AMPTP declined to send a rep to the meeting, but did send a statement. 

(9:40 am) Steve MacDonald, head of film permitting org Film LA, told the council the strike is costing $135 million in lost production spending and has  cost about 10,000 jobs now that 52 dramas and 19 sitcoms have shut down. Macdonald emphasized that the strike's hit on TV production is particularly bad for the local economy because the state of California has lost so much feature film production in recent years.

"Television in the past four to five years has become the prime driver of the entertainment economy in LA," he said. "Because of the feature film activity lost, television is that much more important to us here in our economy."

(9:19 am) "This strike will not kill the LA County economy, but it will act as a brake on the LA County economy," said Jack Kyser, chief economist of the LA County Economic Development Corp. He was addressing members of the LA City Council as the first speaker in the hearing on the economic impact of the WGA strike .

Kyser told the council that showbiz generates $46.8 billion annually for the local economy and employs some 160,000 people. He estimated that the strike so far has cost the county some $220 million in lost spending since work stoppage began Nov. 5.

Kyser concluded by urging the sides to "get back to the negotiating table soon," adding, "The pain is growing each day the strike goes on. That concerns us."

(8:38 am) It's an hour into the hearing and WGA issue still hasn't come up. Council members are absolutely grilling a woman named Joan Ling about her reappointment to the Community Redevelopment Association. But it looks like the WGA matter will begin in about 10 minutes.

(7:51 am) The LA City Council hearing on the economic impact report of the WGA strike has drawn an overflow crowd. WGA member have been sent into an overflow room to listen to the hearing on a speaker - and it's not exactly a state of the art sound system.

WGA strike captains are posted around city hall, telling the red shirts who are out in force on this drizzly morning to mind their manners and "don't boo" when AMPTP reps speak at the hearing. WGA also plans a news conference later in the morning on a patio outside the hearing room on the third floor of city hall.

AFTRA policy on award shows: You can skip them, if you want

AFTRA -- the guild that covers announcers, presenters, dancers, singers and hosts at awards shows -- has weighed in on the WGA's decision to refuse waivers for the Oscars and Golden Globes.

According to AFTRA, members may turn down an engagement if it means having to cross a picket line. But the union also says that once a performer has agreed to accept employment at an awards show, they are also obligated to perform due to the no-strike clauses in AFTRA contracts.

The entire announcement is after the jump.

Letterman and Ferguson back on Jan. 2, interim agreement or not

We're hearing this afternoon that "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" are going back on air Jan. 2 whether or not Letterman's Worldwide Pants production banner gets the interim agreement it has sought with the Writers Guild of America. Insiders say both CBS latenighters are stepping up preparations to be ready to roll on Jan. 2, the same night NBC's Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien and ABC's Jimmy Kimmel get back behind their desks.

Also hearing that WGA has given a mostly cold shoulder to Worldwide Pants' efforts to strike an interim deal that would allow the shows to return with their scribes staffs in place.

Reps for Worldwide Pants and CBS declined comment.

--Cynthia Littleton

This just in from AMPAS: We never asked for a waiver

To the members of the Academy:

Some reports in the press today (12/18) stated that the Academy had been denied a waiver by the WGA that would have allowed Guild writers to work on the telecast of the 80th Annual Academy Awards. In fact, the Academy has not requested such a waiver, nor has the Guild told the Academy whether such a request would or wouldn't be viewed favorably.

As it does each year, the Academy recently requested from the WGA a waiver in connection with any film clips and excerpts from past Oscar telecasts that might be shown on the upcoming Academy Awards telecast. The Academy was informed last night that the Guild would not grant that waiver, stating that to do so would not advance the Guild's goals in its current efforts to achieve a collective bargaining agreement. This decision affects only the conditions under which we may use such material, not our ability to do so.

The Academy remains committed to presenting its Awards on February 24, and will continue to work with all parties to achieve that goal.

Maybe this could all be resolved with a Craigslist job posting.

The following was submitted by management consultant Mark Goulston. No word if he's putting himself up for the gig.

HELP WANTED: Arbitrator

To arbitrate an irresolvable and unmediatable dispute between two parties in the entertainment industry. 

Must possess the following 10 qualities:

* Ability to leap "tall tales" (of exaggerated plights) in a single bound of reason

* More powerful than loco motions by parties who will stop at nothing to get their way

* Faster than quick-witted and even slicker-tongued attorneys

* Able to listen to and for the facts regardless of whatever subterfuge or hyperbole is thrown their way

* Able to walk through the valley of the shadow of doubts and a hailstorm of vindictive aspersions without straying from what is fair and reasonable, equitable and just

* Regardless of the personal slights and attacks he/she witnesses or that are directed at him/her, is able to not take anything personally and remain calm and impartial

* Regardless of how much he/she might dislike one or other of the parties, continues to maintain a clear vision of what are the relevant and important issues vs. distracting irrelevancies

* Capacity to not be provoked or exasperated by extremes of implacable, unmovable and unmoved greed on the one hand and whining, complaining, self-pitying victimhood on the other

* Knowledgable of the actual value of the risk of one party vs. the labor/work product of the other

* The wisdom to come to a resolution that both parties, everyone with a vested interest and all observers will deem as fair and just one day, one week and one year post arbitration

Contact: WGA negotiating committee chief John Bowman or AMPTP president Nick Counter. Mayors with past labor leaning and Governors with past producer biases need not apply.

-- Dana Harris

Kimmel re-joins the late night fray

A day after NBC announced the return of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" to the airwaves, ABC has confirmed that "Jimmy Kimmel Live" will too return.

Like Leno and O'Brien, Kimmel will be back on Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 12:05 a.m. Also like those hosts, Kimmel will come back sans writers.

"Though it makes me sick to do so without my writers, there are more than a hundred people whose financial well-being depends on our show," Kimmel said in a statement. "It is time to go back to work. I support my colleagues and friends in the WGA completely and hope this ends both fairly and soon."

Still no word on Worldwide Pants' attempts to score a waiver from the WGA to get both "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" back up and running with writers. But insiders have increasingly warned that the shows may not be approved for such an interim deal.

-- Michael Schneider

Tuesday's opening salvo, from AMPTP

In its usual move at the start of the day, the AMPTP began Tuesday with a quick snarky blast at the WGA, dubbing it "the worst supporting union."

The negotiating group took a dim view of the guild's decision late Monday to refuse requests for waivers to the Golden Globes and the Oscars -- meaning that both shows will probably be picketed and likely be boycotted by many top stars sympathetic to the guild's cause.

Here's the AMPTP's statement --

"In the category of Worst Supporting Union, the nominee is the WGA.  The union, which initiated this strike, continues day in and day out to make good on its commitment to, in the words of a leading WGA organizer, "wreak havoc," even though those being hurt include WGA's own working writers, the below-the-line workers and their families, the broader Los Angeles region - and now the creative artists who deserve to be honored for their work over the last year."

No waivers for Golden Globes, Oscars

The Writers Guild of America has turned down requests for waivers for Oscars and the Golden Globes.
WGA West president Patric Verrone rejected the requests Monday, due to the guild’s seven-week strike against studios and networks.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had asked for permission from the WGA for use of clips during the Feb. 24 Oscar telecast. Dick Clark Prods. and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had  requested a waiver to allow writers to work on the Jan. 13 awards show.

Dick Clark Prods. released a statement indicating that it will try another route to keep its show from being picketed by making negotiating an agreement as an indie producer.

“The Golden Globe Awards, which has a long and friendly relationship with the Writers Guild of America, is obviously disappointed that the WGA denied its request for a waiver,” it said.  “However, we are encouraged by the fact that the WGA has announced that it plans to negotiate agreements with independent production companies.  Therefore, we will attempt to reach some type of agreement with them on behalf of the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards, which will recognize and honor outstanding achievements in both movies and television programming made before the strike.” 

WGA: Negotiate, already

WGA just put out a kinda-curious statement asseting that Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien were forced back on the air by NBC and once again calling on AMPTP signatory companies to "come forward and negotiate a fair deal."

Here's the whole statement:

"The AMPTP walked away from the bargaining table on December 7, rather than negotiate a fair agreement for writers. NBC forcing Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien back on the air without writers is not going to provide the quality entertainment that the public deserves. The only solution to the strike is a negotiated settlement of the issues. If the AMPTP won’t come to the table, then it’s time for responsible companies to come forward and negotiate a fair deal."

DGA to share new-media compensation research with WGA

Less than a week after running out of patience with WGA negotiations, the DGA has announced it will share its research into new-media compensation with the WGA.

In a brief Monday afternoon announcement by both guilds, the guilds said they would meet shortly to discuss new media, including what the DGA has developed from its research and studies.

“Neither the WGA nor the DGA will have any further comment on the meeting or any of the information shared in the meeting,” the announcement said.

Move comes 10 days after the AMPTP walked away from negotiations with the WGA over the guild’s refusal take half a dozen proposals off the table.

The DGA announced last Thursday that it would schedule negotiations with the majors in early January if the WGA hadn’t made a deal by then, saying that the directors could no longer stay away from bargaining with no end in sight to the WGA strike.

The DGA-WGA’s joint move is likely to be perceived as a way for the DGA to outline where it believes a deal can be made in the fast-changing digital world, based on its research over the past 18 months.

The meeting may defuse any resentment by striking writers who perceive that by meeting with the AMPTP while the strike is under way, the DGA undercuts the WGA's position. The meeting could also warm the historically chilly relations between the DGA and WGA.

It’s unlikely that the WGA will be back at the bargaining table any time soon. Over the weekend, the WGA announced that it will try to bargain with companies individually in an effort to break the AMPTP negotiations impasse. However, AMPTP insiders dispute whether the companies have a legal obligation to engage in individual negotiations with the guild.

-- Dave McNary

AMPTP to be "indicted," WGA goes to city hall

Today is the final day of WGA strike picketing for 2007, but the week is busy.

On Tuesday, the WGA has scheduled a bicoastal, street-theateresque "Scene of the Crime" rally for 10 am PST. In Los Angeles, it will take place in front of the AMPTP at 15503 Ventura Blvd. in Encino; in New York, it will be in downtown's Foley Square. According to the WGA, writers and stars of more than 35 current and past crime/cop/law shows are expected to attend.

"The AMPTP and six co-conspirators have been indicted for trying to steal the Internet and misappropriate the future of writers," the event's promo reads. "A reading of the Bill of Indictment will take place and the AMPTP and its accomplices will then be encouraged to seek a plea bargain. At which point appropriate chanting (“A-M-P-T-P, COP A PLEA!”) will take place. An attempt will be made to wrap Crime Scene Tape completely around the building."

On Wednesday, the WGA's asking members to come to downtown at 7:30 am for a hearing on the strike's economic impact at Los Angeles City Hall. WGA West president Patric Verrone, WGA West exec director David Young and WGA negotiating committee chief John Bowman will appear before the Housing, Community and Economic Development Committee of the Los Angeles City Council, which will conduct the hearing.

Back on the picket lines, many of today's picketers wore Santa hats while the guild's strike captains raffled off parting gifts such as DVDs.

"Doing this every day has been a bit sad but also very uplifting because of the unity among writers," said WGA West board member Nancy De Los Santos in front of the Paramount Windsor gate, where two dozen picketers marched mid-morning Monday.

Pickets will return to Los Angeles studio lots Jan. 7 -- assuming there's no deal by then.

-- Dave McNary

WGA's timely reminder for Jay and Conan

On the heels of today's formal announcement from NBC that Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien will be back in the saddle on Jan. 2, WGA was quick to distrib this statement to its members and the media. How exactly O'Brien, who is a WGA member, is supposed to perform on air without writing material, in his head if not on paper or at a keyboard, is a mystery...

NOTICE TO ALL WGA MEMBERS WRITING FOR COMEDY/VARIETY SHOWS

The Council of the Writers Guild of America, East, Inc. and the Board of Directors of Writers Guild of America, West, Inc. (collectively the “Guild”), have adopted Strike Rules which will go into effect if the Guild calls a strike.  The Strike Rules, among other provisions, prohibit Guild members from performing any writing services during a strike for any and all struck companies.  This prohibition includes all writing by any Guild member that would be performed on-air by that member (including monologues, characters, and featured appearances) if any portion of that written material is customarily written by striking writers. 

SAG's Alan Rosenberg to WGA: 'Your fight is our fight'

As SAG tussles with its sister thesp union on its own negotiating procedure, SAG prexy Alan Rosenberg took the time to pen an open letter, dated Saturday and posted on the WGA website, to the scribe tribe reinforcing SAG's solidarity with the WGA in its contract fight.

Here's the letter:

A Message from SAG President Alan Rosenberg

Dear Writers Guild of America Members,

I am writing to you on behalf of 120,000 proud members of Screen Actors Guild who stand with you in solidarity as your strike continues. We believe that now more than ever, we must remain strong and even more committed to achieving our common objectives. We are proud to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with you and SAG will be there for as long as it takes.

Your fight is our fight. Our National Executive Director Doug Allen and I are working around the clock with Patric Verrone and David Young to coordinate our strike support efforts. I'm sure you have seen some of the thousands of Screen Actors Guild members who've been walking the picket lines in Los Angeles, New York and around the country for the last six weeks.

I and other Screen Actors Guild representatives have attended your negotiations and your negotiators have been reasonable and professional. The AMPTP put draconian rollbacks on the table, wasting months of negotiating opportunity. The AMPTP walked out of negotiations twice...most recently after an unreasonable ultimatum that WGA withdraw six key bargaining proposals including several relating to new media compensation.

It is time for the AMPTP to return to the bargaining table.

I salute the cast members and rank-and-file SAG members who are so much a part of this struggle and have made their opinions known to the press, the public, and our employers. As most television shows and motion pictures have shut down, actors are not working. But we know that this fight is for the rights of all creative artists, and our collective future is at stake. We share your sound and reasonable goals for fair compensation for new media formats and we believe you are doing the right thing by taking a stand.

As 2007 comes to an end please be assured, Screen Actors Guild will stand with you for as long as it takes.

I wish you and your families peace, perseverance and patience during this difficult time.

In solidarity,

Alan Rosenberg
President
Screen Actors Guild

AMPTP open letter accuses WGA of lurching "day-by-day from one tactic to another"

The AMPTP began the week with another blast at the WGA, which today plans to formally request negotiations with the bargaining group's individual members.

In "an open letter to the entertainment industry", the AMPTP asserts: "These writers are no closer today to getting their fair share of new media revenues than they were when the strike began."

According to the AMPTP, the strike's economic consequences amount to more than $200 million for below-the-line workers; writers, the AMPTP says, have lost more than $115 million.
 
The AMPTP calls on "working writers" to pressure the union to adopt a "reasonable, consistent and practical negotiating strategy."

The entire letter, after the jump.

-- Dave McNary

It's official: Jay and Conan back on Jan. 2; Conan speaks

Here's the release from NBC:

BURBANK -- December 17, 2007

After two months of repeats, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" will resume broadcasting all-new episodes beginning Wednesday, January 2, 2008 (11:35 p.m., 12:35 a.m., respectively).

The late night shows suspended production due to the strike by the Writers Guild of America on November 5 and have aired repeats since.

"During the 1988 writers strike, Johnny Carson reluctantly returned to 'The Tonight Show' without his writers after two months. Both Jay and Conan have supported their writers during the first two months of this WGA strike and will continue to support them. However, there are hundreds of people who will be able to return to work as a result of Jay's and Conan's decision," said Rick Ludwin, Executive Vice President, Late Night & Primetime Series.

Guest lineups for the shows will be announced at a later date.

UPDATE: Conan O'Brien has issued this statement... and no one has to be fired.

"For the past seven weeks of the writers' strike, I have been and continue to be an ardent supporter of the WGA and their cause. My career in television started as a WGA member and my subsequent career as a performer has only been possible because of the creativity and integrity of my writing staff. Since the strike began, I have stayed off the air in support of the striking writers while, at the same time, doing everything I could to take care of the 80 non-writing staff members on Late Night.

Unfortunately, now with the New Year upon us, I am left with a difficult decision. Either go back to work and keep my staff employed or stay dark and allow 80 people, many of whom have worked for me for fourteen years, to lose their jobs. If my show were entirely scripted I would have no choice. But the truth is that shows like mine are hybrids, with both written and non-written content. An unwritten version of Late Night, though not desirable, is possible

So, it is only after a great deal of thought that I have decided to go back on the air on January 2nd. I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers and I'll do the best version of Late Night I can under the circumstances. Of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible. My sincerest hope is that all of my writers are back soon, working under a contract that provides them everything they deserve."

--Josef Adalian

Good morning. It's Monday.

I realize this video has made the rounds, but we may as well start the week on a high note. --Dana Harris

Why a Dave deal with the WGA might make Moonves happy

David Letterman and the WGA appear ready to give Leslie Moonves a belated Chaukah present.

Without much fanfare, Letterman’s Worldwide Pants, which fully owns CBS's “Late Show” and “Late, Late Show,” has been pursuing an interim agreement with the WGA since the labor union began its strike in November. After initially rebuffing Letterman’s idea, the Guild has now indicated that it’s open to striking a deal.

“Since the beginning of the strike, we have expressed our willingness to sign an interim agreement with the Guild consistent with its positions in this dispute,” Worldwide Pants CEO Rob Burnett said in a statement released Saturday.  “We're happy that the Guild has now adopted an approach that might make this possible.  It is our strong desire to be back on the air with our writers and we hope that will happen as soon as possible.”

By giving its blessing to Letterman’s return, the WGA would indirectly put itself in the position of ensuring that one of CBS’s big profit centers—latenight— is fully functioning.
While Worldwide Pants owns its shows, CBS controls the ad time. Having Letterman and Ferguson back on the air—with writers—means Moonves has one less thing to worry about.

By contrast, if Letterman returned without the WGA’s blessing—and without writers--- the quality of his show would be impacted. Likewise, it would be tougher for Letterman to attract celeb guest unwilling to cross a picket line.

WGA’s change of heart dovetails with two recent developments.

First, it’s become clear in recent days that NBC’s Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien were planning to return to work early next month, with an announcement of that decision expected as soon as Monday (Daily Variety, Dec. 14). There were indications that Letterman’s shows – and ABC”s “Jimmy Kimmel Live”--- were also mulling a return, with or without the WGA’s greenlight.

Second, the WGA on Saturday said it would begin trying to negotiate with individual studios and production companies rather than the AMPTP. It’s believed the Letterman camp got wind of the strategy shift a few days ago and reapproached the WGA with the notion of an interim agreement.

Doing a deal with Worldwide Pants might allow the WGA to claim that it’s not as unreasonable as the AMPTP claims. Just as importantly, it takes what could be a potential PR defeat for the Guild—the return of the latenight hosts--- and puts a positive spin on it.

Despite the fact that CBS has much to gain from a Letterman return with scribes, the network’s response to his possible return was lukewarm.

"We respect the intent of Worldwide Pants to serve the interests of its independent production company and its employees by seeking this interim agreement with the WGA,” an Eye rep said. “However, this development should not confuse the fact that CBS remains unified with the AMPTP, and committed to working with the member companies to reach a fair and reasonable agreement with the WGA.”

A rep for the WGA decline comment.

--Josef Adalian

AMPTP: WGA's request for individual bargaining is 'grasping for straws'

No surprise here: AMPTP doesn't think much of WGA's bid for individual bargaining seshes with AMPTP member concerns:

Here's the response statement from AMPTP spokesman Jesse Hiestand:

"This is merely the latest indication that the WGA organizers are grasping for straws and have never had a coherent strategy for engaging in serious negotiations. The AMPTP may have different companies with different assets in different businesses, but they are all unified in one common goal -- to reach
an agreement with writers that positions everyone in our industry for success in a rapidly changing marketplace."

WGA to majors: Let's talk, separately

The WGA aims to change the dynamic in its stymied contract fight with Hollywood's majors by seeking talks with individual studios rather than through the umbrella Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers bargaining unit.

In a message sent to WGA members Saturday morning, the guild's negotiating committee said it would make the "legal demand" for for negotiations with individual AMPTP member concerns on Monday.

It's highly doubtful that any of the majors will be willing to engage in individual talks with the guild, given the unanimity of the CEOs' disdain for the guild's stance in the bargaining room and tactics during the now six-week-old strike. Nor would the seven largest members -- CBS Corp., Disney, NBC Universal,

Still, WGA said it believes the AMPTP's group structure "inhibits individual companies pursuing their self-interest in negotiations" and that "the internal dynamics of the AMPTP make it difficult for the conglomerates to reach consensus and negotiate on a give and take basis."

The specifics behind WGA's request for individual negotiations were murky on Saturday. Guild said in its statement that each signatory member of AMPTP "is required to bargain with us individually if we make a legal demand that it do so."

Guild's move comes after a week of maneuvering and a deepening of the divide between the WGA and studios. Developments of the past week included Thursday's filing of a charge against the AMPTP with the National Labor Relations Board claiming that the majors violated federal labor law in issuing the ultimatum for the guild to remove several of its demands as a condition of continued bargaining, which sparked the blowup on Dec. 7 of the most recent round of negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Directors Guild of America also formally put the biz on notice that it intends to sked its contract talks with the AMPTP after the first of the year if the WGA and majors haven't made any progress toward inking a deal.

WGA seeks one-on-one negotiations with AMPTP members

WGA is trying to shift the dynami