"Jericho"

[Orval Fairbairn]

Has anybody been watching the new TV shoe, "Jericho" on CBS Wed. nights?

It is about a small town in northern Kansas, after nuclear devices have
been set off in Denver and several other US cities. The town is
"isolated," but the apparently have a small airport, which was the scene
of some happenings in tonight's episode.

The scriptwriters and producers are so stupid that they don't realize
that people would use the planes to contact others and help to establish
communications with the outside world.

They even had a B757 lad on a freeway, rather than use one of the many
5,000+ ft runways available in that area and ahd a commuter plane crash
near it. How stupid can TV writers be?

[Blanche]

Orval Fairbairn > wrote:
>Has anybody been watching the new TV shoe, "Jericho" on CBS Wed. nights?

>How stupid can TV writers be?

This is the funniest statement I've heard all week!

Remember, TV *writers* brought you American Idol, Survivor, Dancing
with the Stars, Jerry Springer, Skating with (whatever) [which I
consider to be the stupidest of all], all the "Judge what'-his/her-name",
and so on and so on and....

[Jim Macklin]

Very stupid. For example on CSI LV, they had an episode
where a woman was raped and beaten but survived. She wanted
a gun. She went to a pawn shop in Las Vegas but since the
writer is from California, the writer didn't let her get a
gun. The character died after being kidnapped outside the
pawn shop.

For Hollywood and NYC writers, in 90% of the USA, there are
no waiting periods on a gun purchase and when threats are
involved the waiting periods can be waived. Las Vegas and
all of Nevada, just the instant telephone records check,
maybe 15 minutes. Same in Kansas, same in Oklahoma, same in
Colorado, same in Idaho.

The law can be checked, in case there are more stupid and
ignorant writers at the NRA.org site or if that is too
political for you, even Findlaw.com

For a few thousand dollars I'd be happy to be a tech advisor
on aircraft, firearms, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. For all
the vampyr slayers out there, the best Mr. Pointy wood of
choice is Ash.


"Orval Fairbairn" > wrote in
message
...
| Has anybody been watching the new TV shoe, "Jericho" on
CBS Wed. nights?
|
| It is about a small town in northern Kansas, after nuclear
devices have
| been set off in Denver and several other US cities. The
town is
| "isolated," but the apparently have a small airport, which
was the scene
| of some happenings in tonight's episode.
|
| The scriptwriters and producers are so stupid that they
don't realize
| that people would use the planes to contact others and
help to establish
| communications with the outside world.
|
| They even had a B757 lad on a freeway, rather than use one
of the many
| 5,000+ ft runways available in that area and ahd a
commuter plane crash
| near it. How stupid can TV writers be?

[Larry Dighera]

On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 04:13:47 GMT, Orval Fairbairn
> wrote in
>:

>How stupid can TV writers be?

Not to worry. Half of their audience has a two digit IQ. :-)

[Tex-ass Tom]

> >How stupid can TV writers be?
>
> Not to worry. Half of their audience has a two digit IQ. :-)

Naw, who ya'awl talkin' 'bout naw? not that george double-ya geezer in the
big fancy house in washin' tin!?

:D

hehehe

[Steven P. McNicoll[_1_]]

"Blanche" > wrote in message
...
>
> This is the funniest statement I've heard all week!
>
> Remember, TV *writers* brought you American Idol, Survivor, Dancing
> with the Stars, Jerry Springer, Skating with (whatever) [which I
> consider to be the stupidest of all], all the "Judge what'-his/her-name",
> and so on and so on and....
>

What did TV *writers* have to do with any of those shows?

[Matt Barrow]

"Jim Macklin" > wrote in message
> For Hollywood and NYC writers, in 90% of the USA, there are
> no waiting periods on a gun purchase and when threats are
> involved the waiting periods can be waived. Las Vegas and
> all of Nevada, just the instant telephone records check,
> maybe 15 minutes. Same in Kansas, same in Oklahoma, same in
> Colorado, same in Idaho.

In Colorado, if you hold a CCW permit, there's no background check, just
hand them your permit and, for all your firearms needs, your Master-Card!
(Okay...sorry for that lame one)

--
Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO (MTJ)

[Mortimer Schnerd, RN[_2_]]

Matt Barrow wrote:
> In Colorado, if you hold a CCW permit, there's no background check, just
> hand them your permit and, for all your firearms needs, your Master-Card!
> (Okay...sorry for that lame one)


Why would you need a background check? Holding the CCW suggests you've already
had an extensive one, including running your fingerprints through the FBI:

http://www.packing.org/state/colorado/



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com

[Larry Dighera]

On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:40:05 +0100, "Tex-ass Tom"
> wrote in
>:

>Naw, who ya'awl talkin' 'bout naw? not that george double-ya geezer in the
>big fancy house in washin' tin!?
A nation can survive its fools, and even the
ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from
within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable,
for he is known and carries his banner openly.
But the traitor moves amongst those within
the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through
all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government
itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he
speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and
he wears their face and their arguments, he
appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the
hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation,
he works secretly and unknown in the night
to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects
the body politic so that it can no longer resist.
A murderer is less to fear. -- Marcus Tullius Cicero

[Jim Macklin]

Has Denver municipal law been forced to comply with State
law yet?



--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Matt Barrow" > wrote in message
...
|
| "Jim Macklin" > wrote
in message
| > For Hollywood and NYC writers, in 90% of the USA, there
are
| > no waiting periods on a gun purchase and when threats
are
| > involved the waiting periods can be waived. Las Vegas
and
| > all of Nevada, just the instant telephone records check,
| > maybe 15 minutes. Same in Kansas, same in Oklahoma,
same in
| > Colorado, same in Idaho.
|
| In Colorado, if you hold a CCW permit, there's no
background check, just
| hand them your permit and, for all your firearms needs,
your Master-Card!
| (Okay...sorry for that lame one)
|
| --
| Matt
| ---------------------
| Matthew W. Barrow
| Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
| Montrose, CO (MTJ)
|
|

[Larry Dighera]

On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 12:00:39 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
> wrote in
>:

>What did TV *writers* have to do with any of those shows?

A little "creative" input perhaps?

[Steven P. McNicoll[_1_]]

"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
...
>
> A little "creative" input perhaps?
>

I know nothing about TV production. What input would writers have on
unscripted TV shows?

[Larry Dighera]

On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 13:16:00 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
> wrote in
.net>:

>What input would writers have on unscripted TV shows?

What makes you believe those shows are unscripted? You're smarter
than that.


There is no expedient to which a man will not resort
to avoid the real labor of thinking.
-- Sir Joshua Reynolds

[Steven P. McNicoll[_1_]]

"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
...
>
> What makes you believe those shows are unscripted?
>

I believe they're unscripted because there's nothing about them that
suggests there's a script.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Orval Fairbairn" > wrote in message
...
> Has anybody been watching the new TV shoe, "Jericho" on CBS Wed. nights?
>
> It is about a small town in northern Kansas, after nuclear devices have
> been set off in Denver and several other US cities. The town is
> "isolated," but the apparently have a small airport, which was the scene
> of some happenings in tonight's episode.
>
> The scriptwriters and producers are so stupid that they don't realize
> that people would use the planes to contact others and help to establish
> communications with the outside world.
>
> They even had a B757 lad on a freeway, rather than use one of the many
> 5,000+ ft runways available in that area and ahd a commuter plane crash
> near it. How stupid can TV writers be?

Well an EMP hit last night which I'm sure fried the electronics. EMP from
the original blasts could have also had a pretty hard effect on electronics
in the airlines that crashed.

What bothers me the most about the show is not the unreality of the aviation
but the fact that the general population would probably be a stupid as they
are portrayed on the show.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 13:16:00 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
> > wrote in
> .net>:
>
>>What input would writers have on unscripted TV shows?
>
> What makes you believe those shows are unscripted? You're smarter
> than that.
>
>

As far as the game shows are concerned while the editors and producers may
have a lot to do with what you see on TV the game had better be fair or
government will be on them like bugs on a Piper Cub.

P.S. Like how I put an aviation reference in there?

[Jim Macklin]

Who said they were unscripted?



"Steven P. McNicoll" > wrote
in message
hlink.net...
|
| "Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
| ...
| >
| > A little "creative" input perhaps?
| >
|
| I know nothing about TV production. What input would
writers have on
| unscripted TV shows?
|
|

[gatt]

"Orval Fairbairn" > wrote in message
...
> Has anybody been watching the new TV shoe, "Jericho" on CBS Wed. nights?

*blush* I started watching it because it's on before The Evangeline Lilly
Show--I mean, "Lost."

> The scriptwriters and producers are so stupid that they don't realize
> that people would use the planes to contact others and help to establish
> communications with the outside world.

IE, there's an airstrip there with at least half a dozen planes, and
apparently nobody thought of taking one up to try flying to the next town.
(I suppose the EMP would have disabled them, but that was sometime after the
whole thing started.)

> They even had a B757 lad on a freeway,

Unless the tanks were bone dry, there's fuel on that-thar airplane that
could be scavenged for light, heat, etc.

> How stupid can TV writers be?

I really liked the original "The Day After" promise of the show but I'm
having difficulty getting past the writing myself. I lose patience fast
when all the characters are stupid, even if the premise is interesting.

-c

[gatt]

"Blanche" > wrote in message
...
> Orval Fairbairn > wrote:
>>Has anybody been watching the new TV shoe, "Jericho" on CBS Wed. nights?
>
>>How stupid can TV writers be?
>
> This is the funniest statement I've heard all week!
>
> Remember, TV *writers* brought you American Idol, Survivor, Dancing
> with the Stars, Jerry Springer, Skating with (whatever) [which I
> consider to be the stupidest of all], all the "Judge what'-his/her-name",
> and so on and so on and....

The new Battlestar Galactica, meanwhile, is probably the coolest sci-fi
series ever.

[gatt]

"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
...
>
> What bothers me the most about the show is not the unreality of the
> aviation but the fact that the general population would probably be a
> stupid as they are portrayed on the show.

Exactly!

But, look on the positive side: At least the hero or the teenager didn't
hop in one of the airplanes and fly it without any sort of prior experience.

Good premise initially, and the acting isn't even too bad, but unfortunately
it's not a well-written show.

-c

[Peter Duniho]

"Steven P. McNicoll" > wrote in message
hlink.net...
> I know nothing about TV production. What input would writers have on
> unscripted TV shows?

Let's assume for the moment they are unscripted (not by any means a foregone
conclusion).

Given that they manipulate the story through careful editing, it makes a lot
of sense that they would have writers on staff to draw up the basic plots
and events used to guide that editing.

I hope you're not under the impression that what one sees on the TV is a
100% true representation of what has actually *happened*. Even where the
events are 100% real, it's a very carefully crafted view onto the events
designed to give you a very specific interpretation of those events. Having
writers around helps ensure that the designed interpretation is the one the
producers wanted.

Pete

[[email protected]]

>
> The new Battlestar Galactica, meanwhile, is probably the coolest sci-fi
> series ever.

I agree! It is very well done.

[Jay Beckman]

"Peter Duniho" > wrote in message
...
> "Steven P. McNicoll" > wrote in message
> hlink.net...
>> I know nothing about TV production. What input would writers have on
>> unscripted TV shows?
>
>Let's assume for the moment they are unscripted (not by any means a
>foregone conclusion).

>Given that they manipulate the story through careful editing, it makes a
>lot of sense that they would have writers on staff to draw up the basic
>plots and events used >to guide that editing.

Who is "they?"
What do you mean by "story?
What type of show?
- Reality? (Location or In Studio?)
- Documentary? (Long or Short Form?)
- Entertainment? (Drama or Comedy?)
- Sports? (Anthology, Magazine Style or Live Event (Series [NFL on FOX]
or One Time [SuperBowl])?
- News?

>I hope you're not under the impression that what one sees on the TV is a
>100% true representation of what has actually *happened*. Even where the
>events are >100% real, it's a very carefully crafted view onto the events
>designed to give you a very specific interpretation of those events.
>Having writers around helps ensure >that the designed interpretation is the
>one the producers wanted.

You give producers too much credit. Much of what ends up in the finished
version of a "reality" show like "Fear Factor" or "Survivor" is pure
serendipity. The really hard work is at the front end, in the casting.
Look at how they change up the formula for these types of shows. One time
you get "Family Fear Factor", then it's Husband and Wife teams, then Twins,
etc...

If you go into production knowing you've got an interesting group of people
then a lot of what ends up airing, writes itself. Why do you think Survivor
loves a 50 year old ex Marine paired up with/against a twenty-something
hottie with a Type A personality?
Do you think people would watch a show where 45 year old, overweight,
balding accountants from Grand Rapids are competing for a chance to win a
new calculator? (Don't think someone, somewhere didn't try to sell this
idea...)

It is accurate to say that MTVs "Real World" or "Survivor" are
unscripted...but it doesn't mean they are uncontrived. The editing process
mearly enhances whatever natural drama is already present while events are
unfolding and being recorded in real time (and by casting the right
individuals, the producers already know they'll get fireworks.)

Jay Beckman
PP-ASEL / Editor
Chandler, AZ

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"gatt" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> What bothers me the most about the show is not the unreality of the
>> aviation but the fact that the general population would probably be a
>> stupid as they are portrayed on the show.
>
> Exactly!
>
> But, look on the positive side: At least the hero or the teenager didn't
> hop in one of the airplanes and fly it without any sort of prior
> experience.
>
> Good premise initially, and the acting isn't even too bad, but
> unfortunately it's not a well-written show.
>


I keep thinking the writing is that way for a reason. They are having to
work hard to hide something from us that should be obvious.

[Blanche]

Steven P. McNicoll > wrote:
>
>"Blanche" > wrote in message
>>
>> This is the funniest statement I've heard all week!
>>
>> Remember, TV *writers* brought you American Idol, Survivor, Dancing
>> with the Stars, Jerry Springer, Skating with (whatever) [which I
>> consider to be the stupidest of all], all the "Judge what'-his/her-name",
>> and so on and so on and....
>>
>
>What did TV *writers* have to do with any of those shows?

Read the credits after each of these shows. There are always a
number of "writers".

[Blanche]

Steven P. McNicoll > wrote:
>
>"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
>>
>> A little "creative" input perhaps?
>>
>I know nothing about TV production. What input would writers have on
>unscripted TV shows?

Um...can you cite the name of an "unscripted tv show"? Even the evening
news is scripted. The script may be as sketchy as an outline or as
detailed as mandated dialog (e.g. 99% of all Star Trek episodes).
But there are still "writers".

[Blanche]

Steven P. McNicoll > wrote:
>
>"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
>>
>> What makes you believe those shows are unscripted?
>
>I believe they're unscripted because there's nothing about them that
>suggests there's a script.

Oh, there's a script. It's embarassing for someone to admit that
they are a "writer" on one of those shows, but there's still a script.

Why?

Cost. It's not possible to cost an episode of anything without knowing
exactly how many cameras, lights, sound equipment, wardrobe, makeup,
etc. will be needed. That drives the number of people, which also
drives the quantity of the food...

Actual production - if must be a script in order for the director
to properly place the equipment, set up shots, call the show, etc.
And don't forget the after-recording editing. Placement for commercials,
suspense, etc.

[Jim Logajan]

Blanche > wrote:
> Steven P. McNicoll > wrote:
>>I know nothing about TV production. What input would writers have on
>>unscripted TV shows?
>
> Um...can you cite the name of an "unscripted tv show"?

"Whose Line is it Anyway?"
Improvisational comedy show:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whose_Line_Is_It_Anyway%3F

And aren't most talk shows unscripted?

[Bob Noel]

In article >,
Jim Logajan > wrote:

> > Um...can you cite the name of an "unscripted tv show"?
>
> "Whose Line is it Anyway?"

well, there is SOME script for that show. Have you ever noticed
that the cameramen have pieces of paper in front of them? I would
hazard a guess that they have a clue as to what skits are coming, etc.

--
Bob Noel
Looking for a sig the
lawyers will hate

[Steven P. McNicoll[_1_]]

"Blanche" > wrote in message
...
>
> Um...can you cite the name of an "unscripted tv show"?
>

Review the thread.

[Steven P. McNicoll[_1_]]

"Blanche" > wrote in message
...
>
> Oh, there's a script. It's embarassing for someone to admit that
> they are a "writer" on one of those shows, but there's still a script.
>
> Why?
>
> Cost. It's not possible to cost an episode of anything without knowing
> exactly how many cameras, lights, sound equipment, wardrobe, makeup,
> etc. will be needed. That drives the number of people, which also
> drives the quantity of the food...
>
> Actual production - if must be a script in order for the director
> to properly place the equipment, set up shots, call the show, etc.
> And don't forget the after-recording editing. Placement for commercials,
> suspense, etc.
>

"Script" as it is used here means the written text of the television
broadcast.

[Stan Prevost]

I seem to remember that "NYPD Blue" was produced without a script for a
period of time when David Milch (if I remember the name right) was having
substance abuse problems and was never prepared for filming of episodes.
They just made it up as they went along. Rather, Milch made it up as they
went along.


"Blanche" > wrote in message
...
>
> Oh, there's a script. It's embarassing for someone to admit that
> they are a "writer" on one of those shows, but there's still a script.
>
> Why?
>
> Cost. It's not possible to cost an episode of anything without knowing
> exactly how many cameras, lights, sound equipment, wardrobe, makeup,
> etc. will be needed. That drives the number of people, which also
> drives the quantity of the food...
>
> Actual production - if must be a script in order for the director
> to properly place the equipment, set up shots, call the show, etc.
> And don't forget the after-recording editing. Placement for commercials,
> suspense, etc.
>
>

[.Blueskies.]

"Blanche" > wrote in message ...
: Steven P. McNicoll > wrote:
: >
: >"Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
: >>
: >> What makes you believe those shows are unscripted?
: >
: >I believe they're unscripted because there's nothing about them that
: >suggests there's a script.
:
: Oh, there's a script. It's embarassing for someone to admit that
: they are a "writer" on one of those shows, but there's still a script.
:
: Why?
:
: Cost. It's not possible to cost an episode of anything without knowing
: exactly how many cameras, lights, sound equipment, wardrobe, makeup,
: etc. will be needed. That drives the number of people, which also
: drives the quantity of the food...
:
: Actual production - if must be a script in order for the director
: to properly place the equipment, set up shots, call the show, etc.
: And don't forget the after-recording editing. Placement for commercials,
: suspense, etc.
:
:


There are no 'writers' for those 'reality' shows; that is one of the perceived cost bonuses as TV gets cheaper and less
accountable.

What ever happened to the FAA rules about use of public airwaves? Oh, the gov't decided that that doesn't apply to
cable. Oh, now we need to level the playing field, the cable folks have an advantage, so over the air gets relief for
the rules, OH, the satellite folks need the same benefits...

Not much TV worth watching these days....and no, I'm not getting (that) old!

[.Blueskies.]

"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message ...
:
: :
: Well an EMP hit last night which I'm sure fried the electronics. EMP from
: the original blasts could have also had a pretty hard effect on electronics
: in the airlines that crashed.
:

No way anybody could fly those planes. I'm sure the GPS is fried!

Oh, the mags would still work? Charts are still good?

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article >,
".Blueskies." > wrote:

> "Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
> ...
> :
> : :
> : Well an EMP hit last night which I'm sure fried the electronics. EMP from
> : the original blasts could have also had a pretty hard effect on electronics
> : in the airlines that crashed.
> :
>
> No way anybody could fly those planes. I'm sure the GPS is fried!
>
> Oh, the mags would still work? Charts are still good?

Actually, there would be a few uncharted scorch spots in some areas. (I
know -- sick)

BTW - they did a **** poor imitation of an EMP blast! It would have
blinded everybody who looked at it, and -- it would have been BIG!

Also: why EMP after the initial assault? All of the exchange scenarios I
used to see had the EMP attack as a precursor to the main event -- to
kill communications.

Again, I think that the producers/writers are in *WAY* over their heads!

[Peter Dohm]

"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net> wrote in message
...
>
> "Larry Dighera" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 13:16:00 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
> > > wrote in
> > .net>:
> >
> >>What input would writers have on unscripted TV shows?
> >
> > What makes you believe those shows are unscripted? You're smarter
> > than that.
> >
> >
>
> As far as the game shows are concerned while the editors and producers may
> have a lot to do with what you see on TV the game had better be fair or
> government will be on them like bugs on a Piper Cub.
>
> P.S. Like how I put an aviation reference in there?
>
>
Very cool.

[vincent p. norris]

How stupid can TV writers be?

My question is, how stupid can TV audiences be? Why were you
wlatching?

vince norris

[Gig 601XL Builder]

".Blueskies." > wrote in message
t...
>
> There are no 'writers' for those 'reality' shows; that is one of the
> perceived cost bonuses as TV gets cheaper and less
> accountable.

From imdb.com
"Survivor" (2000) [TV-Series 2000-????]
Directed by
Mark Burnett

Writing credits
Charlie Parsons (format created by)
Jeff Probst (writer)


------------------------

Big Brother shows no writing credits and neither does "The Amazing Race" but
it did have a metric buttload of producers.

[Matt Barrow]

"Jim Macklin" > wrote in message
...
> Has Denver municipal law been forced to comply with State
> law yet?

In part. They can still restrict (key ominous tone here) "Assault Weapons"
and "Saturday Night Specials" and some other trivial BS, but that's par for
Denver/Boulder proper.


>
>
>
> --
> The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
> But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
> some support
> http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
> See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.
>
>
> "Matt Barrow" > wrote in message
> ...
> |
> | "Jim Macklin" > wrote
> in message
> | > For Hollywood and NYC writers, in 90% of the USA, there
> are
> | > no waiting periods on a gun purchase and when threats
> are
> | > involved the waiting periods can be waived. Las Vegas
> and
> | > all of Nevada, just the instant telephone records check,
> | > maybe 15 minutes. Same in Kansas, same in Oklahoma,
> same in
> | > Colorado, same in Idaho.
> |
> | In Colorado, if you hold a CCW permit, there's no
> background check, just
> | hand them your permit and, for all your firearms needs,
> your Master-Card!
> | (Okay...sorry for that lame one)
> |
> | --
> | Matt
> | ---------------------
> | Matthew W. Barrow
> | Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
> | Montrose, CO (MTJ)
> |
> |
>
>

[Matt Barrow]

"vincent p. norris" > wrote in message
...
> How stupid can TV writers be?
>
> My question is, how stupid can TV audiences be? Why were you
> wlatching?
>
Maybe to see what the program was like? (How stupid indeed!)

[Richard Riley[_1_]]

..Blueskies. wrote:
> There are no 'writers' for those 'reality' shows; that is one of the perceived cost bonuses as TV gets cheaper and less
> accountable.
>
> What ever happened to the FAA rules about use of public airwaves? Oh, the gov't decided that that doesn't apply to
> cable. Oh, now we need to level the playing field, the cable folks have an advantage, so over the air gets relief for
> the rules, OH, the satellite folks need the same benefits...
>
> Not much TV worth watching these days....and no, I'm not getting (that) old!




US: Reality Show Writers Want to Unionize

by Richard Verrier, Orlando Sentinel
June 22nd, 2005

LOS ANGELES -- The guild representing Hollywood writers has disclosed
that more than 75 percent of the scribes on TV reality shows have
signed cards asking to be represented by the union.

The campaign sets up a potential showdown with the companies behind
such programs as Survivor, The Amazing Race and The Bachelor.

The Writers Guild of America, West, said about 1,000 reality TV
writers, producers and editors out of an estimated 1,300 have requested
since May 7 to join the union. Guild officials said they had sent
letters to all the major production companies asking to negotiate, but
none responded.

Organizing writers on reality TV shows brings to light what has been
one of the proliferating genre's open secrets: that so-called
unscripted shows often are scripted after all.

Behind the scenes of popular reality shows, writers craft game formats,
coach contestants and feed lines to such stars as Paris Hilton in Fox's
The Simple Life.

Writers also splice together comments to create story lines and
manufacture drama. In industry parlance, it's an editing process known
as "Frankenbite."

Because writers are deeply involved in the dozens of reality shows,
union leaders argue, they should get similar pay and benefits as
writers on conventional programs.

"These are issues of justice for these writers," said Daniel Petrie
Jr., president of the WGA, West. He described reality TV as a
"sweatshop" for writers. "We've heard stories of people working three
or four days at a stretch with an hour and a half sleep at night, or
23-hour days in 100-degree heat with no overtime."

J. Nicholas Counter, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and
Television Producers, the industry's negotiating arm, disputed the
sweatshop claims.

"I know people in the television business generally work long hours,"
Counter said. "I'm not aware of any exploitation."

The popularity of Survivor and other reality shows triggered an
explosion of programs on network and cable TV. Production costs usually
are cheaper than network dramas and sitcoms, although the amount of
money paid in licensing fees for shows from such top producers as Mark
Burnett has soared dramatically.

Writers who work on prime-time scripted shows receive a guaranteed
13-week pay of $3,477 a week, plus pension, health and residual
payments. By contrast, those who work in reality shows typically earn
from $700 to $1,200 a week. Unlike other writers, they typically do not
receive pension, health insurance or residuals and usually work for two
to three months per job, according to the guild.

"We're making shows that make these networks millions and we can't
afford a middle-class lifestyle," said Rebecca Hertz, a field producer
who has worked on The Swan for Fox. "We think it's time for that to
end."

[Bob Chilcoat]

I'm shocked! Absolutely SHOCKED! Who'd a thunk it.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"Richard Riley" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
>
> US: Reality Show Writers Want to Unionize
>
> by Richard Verrier, Orlando Sentinel
> June 22nd, 2005
<snip>
> Organizing writers on reality TV shows brings to light what has been
> one of the proliferating genre's open secrets: that so-called
> unscripted shows often are scripted after all.
<snip>

[gatt]

"Matt Barrow" > wrote in message
...

>>How stupid can TV writers be?
>>
>> My question is, how stupid can TV audiences be? Why were you
>> wlatching?
>>
> Maybe to see what the program was like? (How stupid indeed!)

A lot of shows take a year or two to find their rhythm and/or replace the
weak links. Sometimes they're put on excessive deadlines for the networks
and don't have the resources to develop themes and scripts as much as they
would like.

It's hard to trash a show with at least a semi-decent premise and fair
acting in the first season, but Jericho might not make it. What torques me
the most is the end of the episodes where everybody's having a big town
picnic or the girl is having a party and everybody's having a good time...
or somebody looks upset and somebody else says "What's the matter?"
Apparently "There's been a nuclear war, my family is dead and nobody knows
what's going on" isn't a valid excuse to be a bit irrational now and then.

-c