Ellen Degeneres

[Binky]

I never really liked Ellen. I didn't dislike her either, I just don't like her comedy. But being a scab is awful and has completely turned me against her. I hope people (and by that I mean celebrities - her guests) boycott the show and it gets cancelled. No one likes a scab.

[zivvie]

I guess what I was trying to say so horribly, is that there are two sides to every story. The strikers are getting all the publicity and sympathy, but the owners are the ones that are actually trying to run a business.

If you read Variety, you'll get an extremely pro-AMPTP* point of view. Take a look at some of the responses to the Why We Fight video that United Hollywood posted on YouTube, and you'll hear a lot of non-show-biz folks giving the WGA hell. Not to go all OT, but it's a far more complicated story than can be done justice here.

Topic: IMVVHO, Ellen is making mistakes the same way that Rosie O'Donnell did. She initially creates this easily digestible, relatively telegenic image that doesn't jibe with her offstage/true personality. Then, after finding a niche and getting settled in a TV show, she eventually starts relaxing a bit, she lets down her guard because she's A Big Stah!, and more of her true, less appealing self comes out. Then when people call her on her conflicting behavior, she gets defensive and blames other people (see The Dog, Iggy). And she cancels appearances in NY when she says that she had to cross the picket line and do her TV show because her fans would be disappointed? Puh-lease.

*Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers - AKA the ones against whom the WGA is striking.

[lazerusgerbil]

I hope people (and by that I mean celebrities - her guests) boycott the show and it gets cancelled. No one likes a scab.

Well, any actor who feels the picket lines should not be crossed even by non-witers shouldn't be doing any talk show...this means no Ellen, no Tyra, no Oprah, no Access Hollywood. You're still working for the studios when you give out interviews.

[soccer mom]

So the actors who appear on Ellen should not appear, because they too are members of unions, SAG and/ or Actors Equity?

[berrybearie]

lazerusgerbil said:

I hope people (and by that I mean celebrities - her guests) boycott the show and it gets cancelled. No one likes a scab.

Well, any actor who feels the picket lines should not be crossed even by non-witers shouldn't be doing any talk show...this means no Ellen, no Tyra, no Oprah, no Access Hollywood. You're still working for the studios when you give out interviews.

I think I saw a story that Garth Brooks cancelled a couple show appearances, including on Ellen in order to not cross picket lines.

[zivvie]

It's understandable that some artists in other unions might not want to cross a picket line in support of the WGA. But it doesn't mean that all unions have to stop working. Our instructions from SAG:

Screen Actors Guild remains steadfast in its support of WGA writers and their desire to reach an equitable contract, and we fully support their efforts to bargain for payments for new media formats and fair compensation for DVDs. SAG President Alan Rosenberg attended the WGA membership meeting Thursday night to pledge the Guild’s support for our brothers and sisters at the WGA.

If you are contracted to work on a television series or motion picture that continues to produce while the WGA is on strike, you are obligated by your personal service agreement and the “No Strike” clause in our collective bargaining agreements, to go to work. You can continue to audition for work, and accept new work, if you choose to do so.

Screen Actors Guild members should not perform the duties covered by WGA contracts. Simply stated, you should not write anything normally written by striking WGA writers.

{snip}

We must support our fellow SAG members on every set even if they have to cross a picket line to get to work. They are simply following the advice of their union and honoring their contract. It is not reasonable to expect SAG cast members to risk the potentially enormous personal liability that may flow from refusing to work in the absence of a SAG strike. Please note, the WGA contract includes a similar “No Strike” clause and writers would be bound to the same rules as you are if another union were striking.

Does it get sticky for artists who are in several unions of different artistic disciplines? Yes. But IMVVHO, Ellen should support her writers. Jeebus knows she wouldn't be alone.

[Deleted]

Could someone please explain why Ellen is the one getting criticized for continuing her show, but some other talk shows are not?

Like, why is The View not getting criticized, or daily shows like Regis and Kelly? I am not being a smart ass, I am just trying to understand.

For instance, I am a David Duchovny fan and he co-hosted with Kelly Ripa on Friday, but first he made sure it was okay with the WGA. Because he was just on the picket line in New York last week and didn't want to cross it if it was wrong.

So why is it okay for some shows like this, but not talk shows like Ellen or Jay Leno or Conan O'Brian? Does anyone know???

[Deleted]

Ellen is herself a WGA member and her show employs WGA members; however, as Ginger said, shows like The View and Regis and Kelly etc. use non-union writers.

Oh. I see. Thank you, Appleydapply. I was wondering what the difference was...

[butternut]

I don' think this has been posted. It is written by a former Ellen writer defending her character. I think Ellen is making a mistake, but thought it was interesting to read the opinion of someone (else) who used to work with her.

[Deleted]

Ellen's statement on Lawrence King's murder. So sad, and I'm glad she said something.