a writer's perspective

Returning to Warner Brothers to picket yesterday and today felt like a bit of a homecoming. Between Monday’s SAG unity day at Fox, and the last holiday-shortened week that saw me putting in appearances at Paramount, WGA headquarters, and, of course, Xena Appreciation Day at NBC, it seemed like I’d been working out of the office for ages.

It felt good to be home. I don’t know what they’re putting in the water at Paramount, but if I ever go back there, I might have to consider hiring a bodyguard. First, I got yelled at by some Scientologist lady who was trying to convert me, and just a few minutes later, I got yelled at by some lady who was accusing me of intentionally trying to prevent a guy in a wheelchair from getting off a bus. She made a very good point: “Why should anyone support the writers when they are the kind of people who give the handicapped a hard time?!”

Of course, if what she said about me was true, I would have accused her of being mentally-handicapped, and berated her until I collapsed from exhaustion. Instead, I just ignored her while she shouted obscenities at me for ten minutes.

Despite my previous warnings that the DGA deal is not necessarily the beginning of the end, the media seems to be running with the story that the end of the strike is imminent.

People who say “hi” to us on the way into the studio have all heard that the strike is close to ending. However, while most of the writers on the lines are hopeful that this can get this thing done soon, they are also smart enough to be cautious this time around.

People who know me will tell you that I’m usually a cup-half-full kind of guy, but in this case, I’m worried that the cup might be half-full of poison.

Even though every one is being guarded about their optimism, there is clearly an upbeat vibe permeating the ranks. The turnouts have been strong (including over 1,500 at Fox on Monday), honks are abundant, the sun is shining, and there are cookies, coffee and donuts aplenty.

At one point, an assistant-looking guy walks up with a huge stack of Taco Bell $5 gift certificates, courtesy of an anonymous donor. I don’t think I’ve eaten at a Taco Bell intentionally since maybe 1994, but apparently $5 there can feed a family of four for an entire week.

The closest thing we get to a heckle is when a guy riding in the passenger seat of a painters van leans out his window and shouts at us. Smiling, he proudly tells us that he used to have a job in the industry, but now, thanks to the writers, he’s working as a painter. He doesn’t seem angry in the slightest, and honestly, I’m not sure he intended his comment to be anti-writer. Maybe he was meant to be a painter, and he’s happy that he found his true calling.

Brother, if there’s ever a painters strike, I've got your back. I might even have an unused Taco Bell gift certificate for you.

photo by Heath Biter for LAist