Logo

DeGeneres Under Fire for Crossing Picket Line

Nov 9, 2007  •  Post A Comment

Ellen DeGeneres is in the crosshairs of the Writers Guild of America, East, after honoring the WGA picket lines for only one day.
“The Writers Guild of America, East, is extremely disappointed to see that Ellen has chosen not to stand with writers during the strike,” the guild said in a statement. “Ellen’s peers who host comedy/variety shows have chosen to support the writers and help them get a fair contract, Ellen has not. On her first show back, Ellen said she loves and supports her writers, but her actions prove otherwise.”
Ms. DeGeneres, who usually tapes her talk show “Ellen” in Burbank, plans to tape the show in New York City later this month. That plan has not gone unnoticed by the guild.
“We certainly intend to let Ellen know our dissatisfaction in person if she decides to proceed with the shows she has scheduled in New York on Nov. 19 and 20,” the WGAE said.
“We will also make our voices heard the preceding week if she tries to pre-tape comedy segments on location.”
“Ellen has not done anything in violation of the Writer’s Guild of America agreement, or the WGA’s internal ‘Strike Rules,'” Laura Mandel, spokesman for Telepictures Productions, “Ellen” production company, said in response.
“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 [carrying “Ellen”] can move the show out of its time periods or ultimately hold the company in breach of contract,” she said. “The company, in turn, expects Ellen not to breach her contract to host the show.”
Updated 5:21 p.m.: Added comments from Laura Mandel
Click here for complete coverage of the strike.

One Comment

  1. Cool. 😀
    Please visit:
    http://thecoolnews.org

Your Comment

Email (will not be published)