After receiving this assignment, I realized I didn't know anything about this strike. All I knew was that, first, there was a strike, and second, that it was affecting The Office. Being the selfish guy that I am, I immediately blamed the writers for being greedy and striking for more money. Now, after further research, I am convinced that my first instinct was correct. For starters, the writers have some nerve going public with all the statistics they used. They state that 50% of the writers in their union earned less than $104,000 last year. THAT MEANS %50 EARNED MORE! There are people around the country earning $20,000 a year doing much harder work than writing useless ideas onto a piece of paper. The XFL lasted longer than most of the television shows today because they are garbage. And don't get me started on the movies that have come out lately (i.e. Cloverfield...harder to watch than Paula Abdul's music video with the cartoon cat). The writers that are most successful will make the most money, whereas the ones who make garbage movies such as Speed 2 will not make good money. Obviously the few men at the top of the corporations rake in millions and millions of dollars and some of that should be passed down, however, and I don't know the exact numbers that the writers are asking for, the writers need to ease up on their demands and not be so greedy. Them being on strike is taking money away from people who are even less fortunate then them that work behind the scenes doing make-up, camera work, and wardrobe. Renegotiating the contracts can still take place without a strike. The funny part about the writers' stance is that they make it seem like their job is the most important. The thing is, in our society, people are so stupid that they will watch anything with Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, or Will Ferrel in it. The script can be awful but if it stars some high profile actors or actresses it will be huge in the box office, whether it is good or not. Television is different though. In television you need a great script as well as actors who can give a good delivery. All in all, I think everyone in Hollywood is full of (insert your choice of insult here) because they think they have such important jobs. I'm fine with watching South Park and The Office reruns for the rest of the year. Maybe I'll even start going to the gym in the extra spare time I'll have now. BOOM SON!
