This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Pencils Down, Bitch!
Let’s spend a moment on this Jay Leno fracas that’s going on. Jay was a big supporter at the beginning of the strike. He walked off his show and stopped by the strike lines the first couple of days with some food. Eventually, he paid a bunch of the people on the show. There’s no denying that it was real nice of him.
For some reason, all the late night guys came back this week. I’m not real sure why that is. Letterman, because he owns his own production company Worldwide Pants, was able to negotiate a deal with the WGA. Leno was not.
When he came back, he wrote his own monologue, admitting it in the speech. NBC claimed that the WGA had cleared him for this. The WGA denies it. But they aren’t going to do anything about it, because Leno has been so supportive. Though he is basically scabbing and working (both of which damage the writers’ position), the WGA has rolled over for him. It’s great that Leno was supportive. But when he stops being supportive, shouldn’t the guild stop supporting him? The phrase is “Pencils down!” for a reason.
Update: Nikki Finke posted this afternoon that the WGA will be taking action against Leno and that the wishy-washy position they held yesterday was due to Leno's threats to go "fi-core" ("financial core status" meaning that he will withdraw from WGA membership in order to scab.)
Image by NoHoDamon, via Flickr
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
