by TroyObliX » January 12th 2008 1:37 am
I'm kind of ambiguous about this whole thing. The only current show I really give a rat's ass about is Heroes. And the entire second season was rushed and the ending damaged because of the strike, so in that way it bugs me. But having a few different Union officials in my family, I'm kind of biased towards always siding with organized labor.
I think it's kind of a tough call as to what they are complaining about, however. I get it, I just don't think they really thought the timing of it through. The networks have an advantage with this being an election year in the U.S., and pre-loaded with a healthy supply of interesting fill-in material. In that respect, I think a stoppage in the fictional diversion of Network television might actually be benifical, allowing people more oportunity to focus on the relevant issues, and possibly electing someone who isn't just another corporate cronie. But that might just be too much of a stretch in wishful thinking. The "team sports" mentality, having hijacked the political process and subverted the judgement of the people, seems to have long ago shut down the critical analysis function in most folks brains. Thinking that more and easier access to information is going to change this might just be a tad naive of me.
The other advantage the networks have here is the lack of empathy average folks feel for the writers themselves. I'd have to imagine a writer in television or movies pulls down a mean chunk of cake just for coming up with some witty banter or rehashing some character driven scenario with the stars of the moment. When the average person, barely making ends-meat, hears that some glorified typists are angry, they don't really give a shit. That's not to say I agree with the corporations, it's just part of the reality of the situation. People want thier electronic pacifiers back. Be damned, whoever is standing in the way. So hopefully the writiers can write up a way to overcome that hurdle to popular support. I wish them luck.
In the end, they just want to be treated fairly and better compensated. And I can't fault anyone for that. Hell, I'd do it if I could. I don't belong to a Union, though. So I'd just get fired (again).