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Sources who attended Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show taping today got an earful of complaining from the comic host about his dealings with the Writers Guild. This was his show’s first day back after its strike hiatus and Jon’s jawing came prior to taping. That’s when audience coordinator Teri Abrams, and then Stewart in more detail, talked about how they joined with cable channel Comedy Central to lobby the WGA to accept the same deal that the writers guild made with David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants. Stewart told the audience that he was turned down by the WGA last Thursday.
It was apparent that Stewart was completely flummoxed by the Guild’s decision and questioned the logic behind the rejection. But what the audience wasn’t told, however, is that the two situations are very different: Comedy Central, a division of Viacom, owns Stewart’s show, whereas Worldwide Pants owns The Late Show with David Letterman as well as the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Viacom is one of the 8 biggest members of the AMPTP which is refusing to bargain with the WGA at present.
During the pre-show, Stewart became serious and said he believed what the writers want is important and he supports them all the way. Asked what he did during the strike hiatus, he said without the show he’s just an old guy yelling at the TV.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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FWIW, the WGA said all side deals would be strategic– meant to split the AMPTP’s resolve. As much as I love the Daily Show, maybe a side deal with them wouldn’t be politically significant enough to justify the deal?
An all-round deal with Comedy Central might be bigger than a deal with a single show, for example.
Don’t know. Just speculating.
Maybe the Guild could post the list of requirements to qualify for a side deal. I know it must be a show owned by a smaller company, but what are the other conditions acceptable to whoever it is at the WGA that makes these decisions? Or is it an arbitrary buddy buddy thing?
Clarification of what it takes might actually make the WAG look objective and fair – or not….
Stewart’s behavior here is really disappointing to me.
That pesky guild leadership. Somebody tell them next time there’s a strike that they can worry about the plight of the American writer all they want, just don’t inconvenience Jon.
Stewart sucks. Wow, he’s going to make fun of the president without WRITERS? Big deal.
Stewart and Kimmel think that because they were mensches for the first few months of the strike, they deserve waivers, like it’s some sort of merit system. But at the end of the day, their shows are owned by Viacom and Disney, so tough shit.
I truly don’t understand how turning down an entity of Viacom or any entity at ALL is helpful to the divide and conquer strategy. I would appreciate an explanation, as it would appear, at least, that striking a side deal with The Daily Show might have had a sort of Trojan Horse effect on the parent company.
Can someone shed light on this?
Disappointing behavior on Stewart’s part. Of course his show couldn’t get a deal …. Time Warner is the most hard line of the corporations. If TW wants to settle for all their shows, fine. But they can’t just pick and choose their most lucrative shows.
I understand Jon’s frustration, for that matter the other Late Night Hosts frustrations, but Nikki’s right, he should have mentioned Viacom is a struck Company and that they own his Show.
There is very little any one can do about that, except Viacom.
I don’t really understand the confusion on this… Leno, Stewart, Comedy Central, etc. can’t make contracts for their shows because they don’t own them! I can’t rent out the house next door either, because I don’t own it. This isn’t rocket science.
Is there some little known provision that states all talk show hosts must be pathologically self-centered, delusional weenies?
Hey Jon, you know how you idolize David Letterman? Maybe you should start acting more like him and stop chanelling Leno. Repeat after me, cutthroats, cowards, weasels, and it’s NOT all about me!
I doubt the scab will miss me but I won’t watch him again. TiVo went from Season Pass to Three Thumbs Down.
Why would they decline to give them an independent agreement as long as Viacom agrees to the terms? Isn’t this a great way to show that these deals are reasonable for all involved? If you want to have a “divide and conquer” approach, how are you going to accomplish this if you don’t go after any AMPTP members?
A couple of weird jump-cuts / bad edits in the first few minutes of the show… anyone heard why? Not something you normally see on TDS.
WTF was Jon doing during the tirade, except going in circles? Is he for the strike, or against it? Does he like writers or hate them? Is he allowed to think over what he’s saying before he goes on the air?
I couldn’t follow him at all, and I’m a fan of his.
S C A B.
Plain and simple. To hell with him.
Well that was weird. I really expected better from Jon Stewart. Does he really not understand the difference between an interim deal with a company and a waiver for one specific show? Why would the WGA let his writers go back to work unless Viacom is willing to make an interim agreement?
Come on, Stewart.
Tom Carten @ 7:15 -
Jon is simply expressing the opinion of many people who actually know what’s going on… he supports the cause of the writers but is frustrated with how selfish, fameseeking and arrogant Young and Verrone have acted in this whole thing.
Notice the lack of grandstanding statements made my the DGA in the lead up to their negotiations. They are handling themselves with distinction and class; something so rare in this town.
It’s expected when Leno acts like a schmuck, but disappointing and surprising when Stewart acts like one
Are these people calling the various talk show hosts (who shut down production for two months in solidarity with the WGA) scabs actually AMPTP plants?
What I find absurd and disappointing is:
“..how they joined with cable channel Comedy Central to lobby the WGA to accept the same deal that the writers guild made with David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants.”
Wouldn’t they have needed the approval of their parent company Viacom to pursue a separate interim agreement? Think Redstone said
” Sure, go for yourself” ? NFW ! First question the WGA would have asked is “Does Comedy Central have the authority to sign this deal?”
End of discussion.
Why then would Stewart make any mention of it. Claim to having been turned down and in so doing, subtly imply, foster a false impression that the WGA was somehow playing favorites.
This strike is a test.
Some of the scores on personal integrity have been disheartening.
What great ad-libbing.
I don’t understand why nobody is discussing the fact that Stewart and Colbert are screwing the writers and being scabs, making money for their parent company that is also screwing the writers. Am I missing something? Are the only people who are awake the ones commenting on Nikki’s blog? Can someone please explain why this is not being discussed? I am genuinely confused.
I love how “supportive” talk show hosts are … until they’re inconvenienced. We’re still walking the picket line for your benefits, Jon Stewart while you’re collecting a big paycheck. Excuse me if I don’t have time to feel sorry for you.
c’mon people. stewart is allowed to have his own opinion. unless you are in his shoes and know what conversations he’s had, quit slamming him. if you weren’t there, don’t have a videotape of what he actually said or are a little bird on his shoulder, back off. also, one would think that readers of dhd would be slightly less ridiculous than name calling. suck it up and get some perspective – not everyone is out to get you.