Posted on 04/19/2017 7:25:52 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
With stinging criticisms cloaked in humor, late-night hosts Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, Trevor Noah and the whole cast of “Saturday Night Live” have provided American audiences a way to laugh off their political anxiety. But on May 2, we may have to say goodbye to them for now.
That’s because the day before marks the expiration date for the current contract between the Writers Guild of America, the organization representing 12,000 Hollywood film and TV writers, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the writers’ employers. (The Huffington Post is unionized under the WGA-East.)
The current contract, a hefty 687-page document, specifies things like pay minimums and how disputes should be settled. If both sides don’t reach an agreement on a new contract in time, the WGA plans to strike, pending approval from its members. A vote currently underway online is widely expected to pass.
In the case of a strike, programs like “The Late Show,” “Full Frontal,” “The Daily Show” and “SNL,” that have voiced some of the toughest criticisms of President Donald Trump on national television, would face an immediate blackout, according to WGA-West executive director David Young. (Or rather, reruns, which are arguably even worse.)
Because they reflect the issues of the day ― from Trump’s Easter speech to his daughter’s ethically murky role in his administration to his press secretary’s combative demeanor with the media ― late-night programs don’t have a real stockpile of material like other scripted shows and are left with no other choice. It’s happened before, during the 100-day WGA strike that began in late 2007.
This time around, however, the dispute is a little different. Here’s a quick recap of what’s going on and how it might affect viewers....
(Excerpt) Read more at huffingtonpost.com ...
SNL was funny for about two seasons back in the mid 70s.
Stephen Colbert = Samantha Bee
The transgender person just changes clothes for each show.
Turn the sound off when viewing and they mug for the camera and Samantha Bee looks like a gibbon monkey jerking around.
I read a comment at Breibart that stated the last time the writers went on strike we got reality shows like the Kardashians.
What abominations will we get next!
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