THE OFFICE Thursday on Give Me My Remote
November 8, 2007 by Kath Skerry
So much has changed since last week’s THE OFFICE Thursday post. Most notably – THE OFFICE has been shut down and Season 4 of the show is no longer in production. It’s almost surreal, right? Each and every week during the summer we’d meet here on Thursday and countdown the days until our favorite show returned. It feels like we just got the show back and now it’s gone again. Here’s to hoping that the WGA strike comes to resolve sooner rather than later and we enjoy the antics of Dunder Mifflin soon.
GiveMeMyRemote.com wishes nothing but the best to not only the writers, but the actors, directors, and each and every crew member affected by the strike.
In the meantime, let’s really cherish these next two episodes because who knows when we’ll see our favorites again.
Tonight on THE OFFICE…
‘Survivor Man’ | 9pm on NBC
New chieftain Ryan organizes a woodsy corporate retreat—but he excludes Michael, who in turn enters into the wilderness for his own survival adventure. Meanwhile, Jim tries to put a new spin on office birthday parties. (Watch scenes from tonight’s episode)
Dunder Mifflin Closes Its Doors…
As you all know, THE OFFICE has been shut down. It’s a sad day for all those involved including the fans. While I know at the end of the day it’s not about us, there is no denying that fans play an important role in all of this. I mean without the fans there really wouldn’t be the need for writers, right? But right now Greg, Mindy, BJ, Michael, Jen, Brent, Justin, Paul, Gene, Lee, Steve, and all the other writers that make the show so very special to all of us need our support. There are a few ways you can help.
- Be Informed: Take the time to learn about the strike so you can help educate others. Read up on the issues at sites such as WGA.org and UnitedHollywood.com. OfficeTally.com is doing an impressive job at keeping track of all the strike news related to the show. Updates are daily so check back often.
- Put pen to paper: Is THE OFFICE your favorite show? Have you ever just wanted to take a moment and really thank the writers, actors, crew and everyone who makes the show what it is? Well NOW is your chance. The best possible way to express your gratitude to all involved with The Office is to take a few minutes out of your day and write a letter in support of the show and the strike. Tell the networks just how much The Office and all quality scripted shows means to you as a viewer. Be passionate and be informed – you won’t be ignored – the moguls need you…us!
Jeff Zucker
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Universal Studios
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal Studios, CA 91608
NBC Studios
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523
- Stop watching The Office online at NBC.com: At the heart of the strike is the fact that the writers (and actors, directors, crew, etc) don’t make a single cent from any of the viewings of THE OFFICE and OFFICE-related content on NBC.com. In fact, NBC considers full length airings of the show as well as all the other online content “promotional” material for the show. Except of course the network makes money off the ads shown in these “promos” and don’t feel it’s necessary to share any of this revenue with the people that actually create the content. Stop letting the network websites makes money off of you unless they are going to share with the people behind the show.
OFFICE writers Talk to Fans…
Last night I was lucky enough to be in the Office Tally Chat Room as Office writers and producers, Michael Schur & Jen Celotta, answered fans questions about the strike and the future of The Office. When asked what Office fans could do to help support the WGA, Michael and Jen both stressed the importance of writing letters to the networks. They both took the time to explain many of the issues behind the strike and what it really means to all involved. Please take the time to read the full transcript of the chat HERE. I think you will find it highly informative. (Warning, there are a few very minor spoilers for episodes that won’t be airing due to the strike). Special thanks to Jen & Mike for taking the time to keep Office fans informed.
Jenna Fischer – Understanding the Strike…
From Jenna: “By now you may have heard that The Office has shut down production. This is true. They cleaned out my trailer and just delivered me 3 boxes of my stuff. It is pretty surreal. We cannot produce new episodes of The Office until the Writer’s Guild strike is over.” (Continue reading at Jenna’s MySpace blog)
From the Desk of Meredith Palmer…
Check out Kate’s blog and hear all about the fancy-schmancy Hollywood premiere of Steve Carell’s movie ‘Dan in Real Life’ and just how hard that man really does work. And here directly from Kate about the shutdown on THE OFFICE and why she thinks it’s important. Thanks Kate. (Kate’s Blog)
LIVE Office Chat Tonight…
Let’s enjoy it while we can. Time: 8:30pm EST. Place: BuddyTV.com Yup, our crew will once again be gathering to watch THE OFFICE together tonight. If you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you. Casual attired please. And if you’ve got booze bring it along (unless of course you are a minor and in that case bring apple juice). Hope to see you guys there tonight. Set a reminder now! ( GMMR’s/THE OFFICE TVj sessions @ Buddy TV)
The Office Video of the Week…
Somehow videos like this seem to be just that much more special these days.
So OFFICE fans…how are you feeling these days? Feel free to share the love for the writers.
Related Posts
Filed under The Office
Do we have an address for the NBC studios to complain about what they’re doing to the writers?
What a great Office fanvid.
Amy – The other address have been added. Forgot those earlier, thanks for reminding me.
Ok, I know this is going to be unpopular, but I haven’t seen this question answered yet and maybe somebody else has. Where I work, and I know I’m not alone here, I do my job and know full well that I’m only going to get my salary, nothing more. It’s much like the line in Office Space about working hard, shipping more units, and not seeing a cent of it. I realize the writers work hard and many (but definately not all) are very talented, but they are paid well for the scripts they’re writing. Not only that, but the successful ones get producer titles, etc. I’ll never begrudge anyone trying to make more money, but why should we fight like crazy for someone who makes more money (at least than me) doing a much more desirable job?
I won’t pretend like I’m most qualified to answer that but here’s something that made sense to me from James Gunn’s blog:
“This strike is absolutely not a matter of the rich getting richer. We’re not striking because of guys like me who have made numerous feature films, or guys like Greg Daniels who have created popular TV shows. This is for middle-class writers – your regular TV staff writers and people who may have done one or two small feature films. Residuals are a way they can make perhaps a few thousand dollars a year between gigs. This is a way they can put food on the table and pay the rent during downtime – and downtime is something almost all writers (and actors and directors) have.”
I’d suggest reading James’ blogs because I personally found them helpful (warning, there is some COLORFUL language): http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=58119776&blogID=325719700
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=58119776&blogID=326518167
Thanks for posting this Office Thursday, GMMR. I hope there is a quick end to the strike so we can get back to watching out favorite show.
I was in the chat last night too and it was very informative. I just want to say, I support the writers a trabillion percent!
Hi Jeff,
The reason why the writers feel that they should get kickbacks from online content is because the studios and others do. James Gunn wrote a really good reply to a similar question to yours on his myspace blog.
Here’s my explanation, which is nowhere near as coherent as his was…Yes, writers go to work and get paid for what they do, but the work that they do makes money for the studios for a long time after they’re finished. For many writers work is erratic at best, and it could be a very long time between projects. I wholeheartedly agree that they should benefit from online content- simply because it’s not like they can go out and create the same TV show twice. But, that TV show could be on the internet and the network could make money off of that same episode for years and years without having to change a single thing about it. A TV show that wouldn’t even exist in the first place if it wasn’t for the creativity of the writers.
Just my 2 cents.
I have about a million things to do for school. But some things are just more important. And that includes writing letters to everyone that will listen. Even if they don’t listen.
I’m not really qualified either but what I’ve taken from it is that in an Office Space kind of job you work harder in hopes for a raise or promotion. In something such as The Office that’s part of what residuals are. They make something like 4% off DVD sales… but since the internet and itunes are quickly replacing DVD’s, why wouldn’t they get the same cut off those?
and I have a question about OT: I’m so sad I missed that chat last night but even if I hadn’t you have to have a name and password. Is there some secret way to register? Or am I just internet challenged?
Paige, when you click on OT chat a new screen pops up and there is a link there that says “Create a new user account”
Hi Paige,
just wanted to make a quick correction. Writers do not make 4% off DVD sales. According to a post on unitedhollywood.com, writers currently make .3% (about 4 cents) per DVD. Before the negotiations broke down, they were asking for .6% (about 8 cents per DVD).
However, the strike is really about New Media (the internet). Currently, the writers get absolutely nothing when a show is watched online. They are asking for residuals of 2.5% of revenue. That means, for every dollar the studios get, the writers would get 2.5 cents. If the studios make no money, the writers won’t either — no harm, no foul.
There are a lot of numbers flying around, but I think this is what it comes down to. If anyone has more accurate figures, please correct me.
Great video choice GMMR. Seems ironically appropriate in these dark times.
You’re right though. I live and breath watching full episodes of tv online. I just keep streaming tv going in the corner of my screen all day long at work. But durring this strike, we need to strike too. I vow to stop watching tv online until the right people are getting paid.
Also, in response to Jeff’s comment…I also go to work and get paid with the amount that I agreed to accept when I accepted this position. I am not a member of a union and therefore I am in total control of what I am paid by my employers. If I want a raise, I ask for one. If I do not feel I am making enough money, I find another job that pays more. As a member of a union, you don’t have that ability when it comes down to making money off of your product. The union contract decides a good part of your pay.
Can’t possibly express enough how amazing The Office writing staff is. They are the absolute best. I wish them nothing but the most sucess (and the quickest!) possible. Much much muich love to you ALL!
I’ll be sending out my letter to the studios soon! I’m doing whatever I can!
Love to the writers! And the the cast, who have stepped up to support them!
Sarah
One explanation that has made sense to me as to why the writers should be making more is that they are artists – just like novelists, songwriters, etc. And those people get paid every time someone buys a copy of their book or plays their song or whatever. TV writers should get the same consideration, as it’s their content that is being viewed.
At this point, though, I’m very pessimistic about the chances of any of this year’s shows getting a full season. Sorry, Office — guess I’ll see you next September?
Yay Office Thursdays! I agree that the chat last night with Mike Schur and Jen Celotta was an amazing experience – so great to be able to talk with them about what’s going on. The fact that it was Mike who initiated the chat with us is beyond amazing! The Office writers, cast, crew – everyone – are all so great!
I’m really looking forward to tonight’s ep, especially since Steve Carell wrote it – I’m sure it will be hilarious. It’s so unfortunate that it may be quite a while until we get more new episodes, but I do feel that what the writers are fighting for is worthwhile. This really is about the middle-class, little known writers who aren’t on hit TV shows or don’t write tons of movies a year, so that they can continue to make a living doing what they love.
Thanks for the correction Henri. The fact that it is only .3% makes this even more ridiculous. Give them their .3% and move on!! And CrazyGringa I swear I have clicked on chat a dozen times and up until 2 minutes ago that link never popped up!! I am so confused… and relieved. 😛
I know this is not the place to post this…but GMMR are we going to get to hear about your interview with Amaury Nolasco sometime? I am so curious! 🙂
Jeff, I actually agree with you. I don’t know how many of these writers really want to go on strike, but do it just because the union is telling them to do so. I go to work every day, create a product for clients, and don’t expect to get paid anything extra for multiple uses of that product. The company that I work for does, and I understand that is just how business works.
Two things,
First of all, LOVE that you posted this video gmmr! Ah it gave me chills when I first saw it, and SO appropriate for this week.
Second, to address the question why the writers “need more money”–I think more than anything, its about exercising their rights to what they helped create. True, some writers make more than the rest of us do or ever will, but that doesn’t mean they still should sit back and watch their work continue to generate profits that they don’t see a share of. I think activism, in any capacity is such an important part of our freedom in this country, and if you can’t justify supporting the writers, then in the spirit, send an letter to your congressman/woman about an issue that does mean something to you! 🙂
TV is making a shift to online and if they don’t take a stand now, they will be losing more and more money down the road.
People that writea few hit songs have rich grandchildren due to the royalties they gain off of their work, but the TV writers aren’t getting the money they deserve.
This is the tip of the iceberg and we should all care about this. I am a writer in a non-entertainment field but our content is available online through subscription. If all of a sudden, it became available for free through other means, I and my co-workers would lose our jobs.
The net is a blessing but it is as yet in its infancy and these are the growing pains that we must endure.
Thanks for all of this great strike information. Additionally, there is a call to boycott the Dunder Mifflin Infinity game due to the ad revenue issue. This is another situation where a writer, namely Jason Kessler, who is in charge of writing content for this operation, but as far as we know, he is not being compensated for it. The ole, “promotional” excuse applies here too, I guess. Meanwhile, we are inundated with ads the entire time we are logged into the site.
Enough. No contract. No new media.
More information here:
http://community.livejournal.com/theoffice_us/1262011.html
Thank you.
help!! i want to get into the buddytv.com chat, but i can’t figure out how the hell to do it & i’m about to have a panic attack!! haha sorry; i’m very stressed out- please help me! you can also IM me at vanfan14!!
GMMR-
I really would like to write letters in support of the strike and the writers. I’ve stayed informed and up-to-date via unitedhollywood.com and feel that I am pretty well-versed about the strike. That’s why I support it so strongly.
However, aside from a few choice words and a long tirade, I have no idea what to include in a letter to NBC/Jeff Zucker/Universal… Any suggestions on a “letter outline”?
I generally support the writers guild for their work, even the writers of Cavemen. Because content viewing is fragmenting into different mediums, it is definitely crucial that writers are appropriately compensated for their work.
I realize that I’m in a strict minority with this viewpoint, but my opinion is that outside of online content of shows and webisodes, I do not believe that the WGA has a rock-solid case for other materials, i.e. blogs. If anything, more specific guidelines need to be written as to what the WGA writers can lay claim to. The current guidelines are too broad in my opinion.
http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2295
NBC is taking heat for calling online content as promotional. They come off as jerks but I think I can see why they might say that, even though I don’t agree with it 100%.
The webisodes with the accounting group (Oscar, Angela, Kevin), I believe are not promotional. These webisodes work directly off of the original show and are presented as works of their own right. They were even submitted for awards and recognized as such.
On the flip side, I’m not sure how Schrute Space or Creed Thoughts is anything but promotional. They serve to enhance the loyalty of a current viewer or engage a potential viewer into possibly watching the actual show. These blogs are not standalone pieces. They serve to promote the show that they are derived from.
Now, is it solely NBC’s job to promote The Office? No, in a perfect world the production company, its actors, crew and NBC are all responsible. I would like to believe that Jenna, BJ, Paul, Angela, Oscar, Creed, Craig, Meredith, Kevin and Melora are NOT paid by NBC to maintain their MySpace accounts. They are automatically self-invested in The Office. Jenna has a little under a 126,000 friends. With that sort of network, should she demand or expect more money for the exposure she is generating with her character and the show? It seems a bit greedy in some ways that the writers want to cash in on an opportunity provided by NBC to bring more exposure to the show through these blogs. Perhaps this is a naive of me though. All the cast and crew who attended The Office Convention were of course paid for their appearances, even though I believe it is in their best interest of the show to come anyways, money or no money.
Like I mentioned above, webisodes deserve compensation, no question. But is it too much to ask for writers to be invested in the success of the show by providing for things like blogs? If they begrudge NBC so much, would they be willing to create their own character blogs on a non-NBC website and create content for it to ensure the success of their show?
Let me leave with this one last thought.
Production company, cast and crew create show. Network picks up the show, spends money to market it – commercials, billboards, bus ads, coffee cup sleeves, etc. Successful show eventually brings in a lot of ad revenue recouping the network’s investment and making the network a lot of money. Eventually cast and crew will ask for raise, most of the time well-deserved.
Now in this model, NBC is assuming a lion’s share of the risk. But what does the production company, cast and crew assume to promote the show. Not that much. The actors will do their junkets but other than that, it’s all NBC. Of course, no amount of marketing Cavemen will ever bring in the type and amount of loyal viewers that The Office can brag about. It does, of course, rely heavily on the acting and the writing. But NBC has a large part in the current popularity of the show. From season 3 to 4, viewership has nearly doubled!! Has the writing gotten phenomenally better? It’s always been good. Has the cast gotten better looking or become phenomenally better actors? No, they’ve been very good since the get go.
For the record, I love The Office. I love the cast and the writing staff. But, that is specifically due to the fact that I’m able to experience different aspects of the show through what NBC has done on The Office website. I once spent two hours looking into real Creed’s past because of Creed Thoughts.
I may come off pro-NBC, but I’m all about fairness. The WGA has done an excellent job of getting their messages out to the public. The networks have been silent throughout this entire process so I feel the debate hasn’t been balanced with the lack of info on their side.
There needs to be compromise on both sides. This could be a very long and hard process (that’s what she said), but I hope both sides can come to a consensus sooner rather than later.
CS