Ellen Degeneres

[soccer mom]

It may have been contractural obligations, since Ellen is not a network show.

A spokesperson for the show's producer, Telepictures Prods., said there's a difference between "Ellen," which is carried by local TV stations, and such late-night talk shows as "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and "Late Show With David Letterman," which are owned and controlled by networks.

The rep noted that Telepictures and the show's distributor, Warner Bros. Domestic TV Distribution, are under contract to continue delivering original episodes to the stations that carry the talker.

"We have asked Ellen to come back to work to fulfill her contractual obligation as host of the show because without original programs the stations can move the show out of its time periods or ultimately hold the company in breach of contract," the rep said. "The company in turn expects Ellen not to breach her contract to host the show. We also wish to preserve the 135 jobs of the staff and the crew whose livelihoods depend on the show continuing."

[bauersbiatch]

Yeah, it's been all over the LA radios today that Ellen is contractually obligated not to strike in this set of circumstances.

I definitely support the writers.

[sjankis630]

Ellen may not want her show cancelled, but isn't she mega rich $$$ with all of her many LA real esatate holdings? I have read that she buys 2-3 houses in the same neighborhood at the same time.

[Ginger]

"We have asked Ellen to come back to work to fulfill her contractual obligation as host of the show because without original programs the stations can move the show out of its time periods or ultimately hold the company in breach of contract," the rep said. "The company in turn expects Ellen not to breach her contract to host the show.

Pure BS. Everyone who refused to cross the picket line was violating a contract--Ellen's contract is no more or less binding than anyone else's contract, and the consequences are no more or less severe.

Oh, but I guess if they asked Ellen to come to work, she had no choice. I guess that's the problem with Jay Leno--nobody has asked him to go to work.

We also wish to preserve the 135 jobs of the staff and the crew whose livelihoods depend on the show continuing."

My Dad has a rule--if somebody gives you a single reason why they are doing or not doing something, they might be telling the truth. If somebody gives you a whole list of reasons, it's BS. (As in, "I'd love to come, but I'm really, really sick...and I've got to pick up my daughter and my car's not really working well, so I might have to get that checked out...") This is by my count the third excuse Ellen has given and it's pretty obvious Ellen is just a coward who is not willing to make even the slightest professional risk.

[amara]

Right on. Every single showrunner is violating their contract right now. Steve Carrell is violating his contract. Ditto Felicity Huffman. Every tv host refusing to go on the air is violating their contract. Because they have some kind of integrity. Ellen's a corporate shill as far as I'm concerned. And I'm so not feeling the pity because she might have lost her job or her timeslot if she went on strike. First, because that's the point of a strike. That's why it's a last resort. It's risky and unpleasant and no one WANTS to go on strike. And second because, yeah, I'm sure they would've fired Ellen from The Ellen Show. Of everyone involved in this strike, Ellen hits the bottom of my list for people who would be in danger of losing their jobs.

[Mutagen]

ginger said:

Oh, but I guess if they asked Ellen to come to work, she had no choice. I guess that's the problem with Jay Leno--nobody has asked him to go to work.

And when Jay Leno shows more balls in taking on his corporate masters than you do, that's saying something.

[The Brunette]

Are we to extend our ire toward guests appearing on Ellen's show as well?

I am asking because a certain guilty pleasure of mine (let's call them Burgundy Cinc) is scheduled to perform on Friday. I have enough issues with this ensemble as is.

[Sunnyhorse]

Me, too, Brunette. Crap.

[Ginger]

I am asking because a certain guilty pleasure of mine (let's call them Burgundy Cinc) is scheduled to perform on Friday. I have enough issues with this ensemble as is.

I am incredibly dumb because I couldn't crack the code (Red Nickel?) and was too lazy to, you know, think about it, so I went to Ellen's website and FYI, the ensemble in question is scheduled for Thursday. If you do reconcile your principles and decide to tune in, I wouldn't want you to miss it.

[Deleted]

Instead of watching live, you could always download illegally.

Um... not that I would ever do that. Uhhhh.... yeah.