The ghost of big Jim Larkin walks the streets of Hollywood today, haunting writers who are preparing to stand up for their rights. No justice, no scripts, they bellow as they march along.
How is anyone to notice their absence?
Films and prime-time television programs are set for the season, and if one were being honest, the industry is set for life. When was the last time an original film was aired? When was the last time an original situation comedy was broadcast?
The writers seek monetary gains from the new media, having priced themselves out of the old. Sure they won concessions in the last industrial action, but the industry responded with cheap to make reality shows. No writers needed, thanks very much, don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.
Panic in the streets of Hollywood, as the little people face the consequences of a shut down. Those who provide the leafy landscaping, those who wash the costumes, et al., fear for their livelihoods, yet the show will go on. Hollywood will do what it has been doing for years -- recycle old scripts and serve up the re-heated left-overs.
Remakes will be your entertainment fare should the writers stay out for long. Late night talk show hosts will have to repeat old jokes or make up their own routines, but other than programs that most people miss because they're in bed asleep, the viewer will not notice any change.
It's all to the good, so, that Steven Colbert's presidential race has been effectively quashed. With a show that's done daily, he's out of new material as soon as his writers take to the picket lines. Although he could channel Pat Paulsen and recycle some previously used material...
3 comments:
I've been following this quite closely, being myself a budding/crazy/deluded/insane/What-the-hell-are-you-thinking screen writer (well, I wrote two screenplays, one a managed to slip passed the gate keepers and hounds of hell to a director), I have been following this quite closely. I'll say this because on one side I am not one of 'them' because it's not my profession (thank God) but I am one because I one of the lot because I allow myself to be abused for it--we are a pathetic bunch.
I don't think we know another life than waiting for rejection slips and rude agents. AR.
What other life can there be? It's more exciting than sitting at home waiting for time to pass. It's cheaper than gambling, and with all the excitement of waiting for the big score.
And we can drink to excess and no one pays it any mind.
Now you've got a point there. Sitting here, waiting for the Nazguls (read agents) to stir saves me from a life of profitable crime.
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