The latest from the line

Funniest moment on the picket line at 20th on Tuesday: I was walking behind legend Alvin Sargent (SPIDERMAN 2, ORDINARY PEOPLE, episodes of ROUTE 66, etc.) who was drinking coffee from a Styrofoam cup. Moments after he had finished, fellow scribe Allan Katz came over and put a penny in his cup.

For many, this strike is like the 60s all over again except without teargas and hair.

It was “bring an actor buddy to strike” day although I didn’t see many thesps at my location. If you want to get actors out on the line stage “bring a camera crew to strike” day.

Why does the media even bother to print press releases when everyone knows they’re bullshit? Who other than an idiot believes the AMPTP was very “disappointed” that the recent talks broke down? The fact that they themselves caused the breakdown didn’t figure? When it’s public knowledge that they’ve hired an expensive spin PR firm why does the media then buy into it, reporting what they say as if it’s news? Their new insulting proposal was a “new economic partnership”. Gimme a break.

Oh, that’s right. The media is their bitch.

Here’s a more accurate account of what went down:

The AMPTP, in its well orchestrated game plan to bust the union, broke off negotiations Friday, blamed the WGA for the rift, dismissed all of the WGA’s proposals outright, and left the scene chuckling among themselves that “this should fuck over their Christmas but good”. Plans are to let guild members suffer, spread fear through the media, go on expensive holiday vacations, and then resume talks in mid-January just in time to salvage their TV season and clean house of producers who have deals with them.

If one of the goals is to break our spirit, the AMPTP’s tactics are having just the opposite effect. Turnout at strike locations has been excellent. Especially in New York, where despite the freezing temperatures and sleet (orchestrated by the AMPTP), over 300 picketers showed up at ABC Daytime in Manhattan. (Picture courtesy of Tom Straw)

Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of THE VIEW came out with hot chocolate for the picketers. Sherri Shepherd didn’t realize there was a strike. Elisabeth Hasselbeck started shooting at them.