Bloggers Blast Strike-Breaking 'Ellen'

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Posted: 2007-11-09 13:06:54

(Nov. 9) -- Ellen DeGeneres doesn't think the Writers Guild of America strike should hold her back from dancing on.

The daytime talk-show host has been going on with her show, sans monologue, despite the fact that most of the other big names in daily television -- including Dave Letterman, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart and Conan O'Brien -- have all gone dark in support of their writers. DeGeneres tried to plead her case on her show, but the explanation isn't winning her much support, Page Six reports.

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Members of the Writers Guild of America voted to end the show stopping labor strike which lasted three months and crippled Hollywood. The WGA recently announced their members have also voted to accept the contract laid out by the studios.

"I want to say I love my writers," DeGeneres said on Tuesday's show. "I love them. In honor of them today, I'm not going to do a monologue. I support them and hope that they get everything they're asking for." DeGeneres goes on to say that she's continuing her show because "people have traveled across the country" to attend and be guests on her show, and she wants to "do everything I can to make your trip enjoyable and give you a show."

However, the writers fighting for Internet and DVD compensation don't see it that way. On blogs, DeGeneres has become a punching bag for many angry writers.

"I'm disappointed in Ellen [for crossing the picket line] but not surprised ... given what I've seen from her with my own two eyes," one blogger said.

The poster claimed to be a former employee of DeGeneres said that she treats her writers very poorly, and that when she's off-camera, the normally jovial host would "level a glare at the writers. 'Why do you keep writing these unfunny jokes?' she'd hiss."

They goes on to tell a tale of a writer fired by DeGeneres, which the host allegedly bragged about. ""All he did after leaving was create 'Arrested Development' and win two Emmys for writing, another for Best Comedy," the blogger says.

Page Six reports that a source claims DeGeneres won't halt filming because "this is her last chance in show business. This show is the only thing keeping her from a lifetime of touring college campuses."

Writers' Strike: The Aftermath

'Lost'
Returns: Currently on
Number of Episodes: 10
In addition to the eight episodes already completed, ABC will shoot an additional five to begin airing April 24. No word yet on how many of those will feature Jack's "depression beard."
ABC
'Grey's Anatomy'
Returns: Late April
Number of Episodes: 4-5
You won't have to wait until fall to see whether Mer and Der get back together; a handful of new installments will air in April/May, before 'Grey's' begins another full 22-episode run this fall.
ABC
'24'
Returns: January 2009
Number of Episodes: 24 (obviously)
Although eight Season 7 episodes have been shot, Jack Bauer will have to postpone his plans to battle his very-much-alive former CTU pal Tony Almeida until all 24 episodes can air consecutively in 2009.
Fox
'Heroes'
Returns: Fall 2008
Number of Episodes: 22+
Although the show won't be returning this season, production is set to begin again in April. Season three will likely have more than the traditional 22 episodes and will focus on supervillains gone wild.
NBC
'Desperate Housewives'
Returns: Fall 2008
Number of Episodes: 4-5
The catty women of Wisteria Lane will return to ooze more desperation in a bunch of new episodes this April/May. ABC has also picked up 'Housewives' for a full 22-episode run to begin this fall.
ABC
'The Office'
Returns: April 10
Number of Episodes: 6
Michael Scott and co. are punching back in at Dunder Mifflin, which means we'll finally get to see the eagerly anticipated Michael-Jan/Jim-Pam dinner party at Michael's condo. The big question is: Will Hooters cater the affair?
NBC
'30 Rock'
Returns: April 10
Number of Episodes: 5
Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin (but most likely not Greenzo) are back with hilarious new plotlines that may include a pregnancy scare for Liz Lemon and more 'MILF Island' fun.
NBC
'My Name Is Earl'
Returns: April 3
Number of Episodes: 9
Having nipped karma in the bud, a newly immoral Earl returns with a one-hour episode on April 3. Look for Alyssa Milano to come onboard in a recurring role as a possible love interest for our karmically challenged antihero.
NBC
'Scrubs'
Returns: April 10
Number of Episodes: 5-9
It looks like J.D. and the gang will get a proper last hurrah. The medical comedy will close out its seven-year run with five pre-strike episodes and a likely four new post-strike installments.
NBC
'Chuck'
Returns: Fall 2008
Number of Episodes: 13+
NBC has renewed the frosh action-adventure-comedy-drama for a second season.
NBC

2007-11-09 07:22:00

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cookiejarmann 10:02:24 AM Feb 29 2008

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ELlen, I have been a loyal fan for several years now. I have seen you bounce through controversy after controversy. You are a surviver and I admire that in you. I have also seen you do some fantastic things for people in need. More celebrities need to step out like you have. May God continue to keep you safe and on this fantastic journey you are on. Also would love to see the young Coltin from this years idol apear on your show. Lets see if you two really do look alike in person. This would be a great push for his young career.

micduffer 08:55:12 AM Feb 20 2008

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Doesn't Ellen ever check out things before she decides to jump into something.
She was very nice in giving Josiah Leming $8,000.00 in gifts. But where does she think he is going to keep them because as he has stated he lives in his car.

mtnpirate 11:23:22 PM Jan 20 2008

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ELLEN, LOVE YOUR SHOW,
CAN;T WATGH ALL THE TIME PUT IT IS TIVO'D. KNOW THERE IS ONLY TWO PEOPLE THAT CAN MAKE MY DREAM CO ME TRUE YOU AND ANOTHER PERSON BUT SHE LIVES WITHIN YELLING DIRTANCE. SO I THOUGHT I'D WRITE AND BEG YOU GUYS TO MAKE MY WISH COME TRUE. ON MARCH 30 I WILL BE 53 AND [AS YOU KNOW] DISNEYLAND WILL BE CELABRATING THEIR ANNIVERSARY WITH A NIGHT IN CINDERELLA'S CASTLE. I WENT THERE WHENE I TURNED THIRTEEN TOOK MY KIDS THE YEAR I TURNED TWENTY RHREE AND WENT THREE WITH THEM WHEN I WAS THITY SIX AND WOUID LOVE TO GO BACL WITH MY GRANDSON. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT.
THANKS
N I TURNE

mmmommoore 09:07:30 PM Nov 30 2007

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I am shocked that The Ellen Show would promote the Golden Compass movie. I would have hoped you would do some research and realize what the movie is actually about. It is a trilogy taking after the Narnia books. They get more and more graphic as they go along. By the third movie the children are out to kill Christ. Might want to think about cheering on the Atheist world.

rrfaris 02:49:00 PM Nov 25 2007

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Get over it! The ones that pay in the end are the viewing public. Anyone been to the movies lately? The cost is out of control. It time the viewing public says "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Lets us the view public go on strike~~~ NO MORE MOVIES NO MORE TV~~~. Lets face it 85% of whats out there is pure trash and we wondering why the younger generation needs birth control at age 11! If we all took a stand I wonder how long it takes before Hollywood gets the message. We need to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk before this world totally goes to the devil in an handbasket........WAKE UP AMERICA

rrfaris 02:49:00 PM Nov 25 2007

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DIRTblazer101 10:36:47 AM Nov 22 2007

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SCAB- TUNA EATING BITCH! BOYCOTT THE PIG.. SHE HAS NO FEELINGS FOR THE WORKING CLASS!

RoquePeacemaker 03:28:22 PM Nov 19 2007

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What do you expect from those that are selfish?

bahbushkah0126 03:16:43 PM Nov 15 2007

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LOVE YA ELLEN~ AND WE ALL KNOW THAT YA CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE ALL THE TIME.

Shriveye 09:23:33 PM Nov 13 2007

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I love Ellen. I have seen her recently pic on the celebrity and millionaire dating site named searchingmillionaire.com last week. Many fans added her to hot list there.

Lj2ay 06:40:51 PM Nov 13 2007

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Stage hands on brodway get 100,000?

Booker Ann 03:07:00 PM Nov 13 2007

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Kudos... hardly. Her union, AFTRA told her and all of its other members to go to work but not do any work covered by the WGA. I belong to SAG, AFTRA and IATSE and we all have "no strike" or exculpatory clauses in our contract. All three of these unions have either sent out letters or e-mails informing us that is our obligation to go to work but we are free to picket on our own time. It may not touch the future employment of folks like Leno or Lettermen, but the lesser known actors might find it hurts them in the long run. Casting directors and producers don't care if an actor supports the WGA. They do care if an actor has a history of breech of contract because their "ethics" contridicts their legal obligations. Picket lines don't pay my mortgage. The writers and producers need to get together and fix this now.

rooanddogs 02:22:09 PM Nov 13 2007

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She crossed the picket line (and I'm sorry to see folks here don't get that it's not just a matter of whether you're a member of the striking organization). That's reprehensible, and while I don't generally watch her show *anyway*, I'll make a point of not supporting her sponsors *and* letting them know why I'm not.

Bad move, Ellen.

Kudos to Steve Carrell, Jon Stewart, Tina Fey, Leno, Letterman, and Conan though.

nahkitammie 10:52:00 AM Nov 13 2007

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IF ELLEN IS THAT MEAN TO HER WORKERS AND WRITERS, I SAY LET HER DO HER OWN WRITING AND SEE HOW FAR SHE GETS BY HERSELF. THEN SHE MIGHT SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT DO WORK HARD WRITING THOSE SCRIPTS.

nahkitammie 10:52:00 AM Nov 13 2007

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