Grey's Anatomy Cast Supports Striking Writers
Many of our Seattle Grace favorites, while shooting an episode of Grey's Anatomy inside their studio, spent their lunch breaks on the picket line in support of striking TV writers, reports Kristin Veitch of E! Online.
In attendance were Grey's Anatomy cast members Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, Ellen Pompeo, T.R. Knight, Katherine Heigl, Eric Dane, Sara Ramirez, Brooke Smith, Justin Chambers and James Pickens, Jr.
"We want to support these writers and what they do," James Pickens, Jr., said. "They are the artists behind the words actors and performers speak every week. They're the ones who have made this show such a huge success. It's just incredible what they've done with us for the past four seasons, and they should be compensated for their talent. They just want an equitable share of this huge pie."
T.R. Knight (who blushed a bit when asked about how he feels about George and Izzie, saying "I've seen more than you, and things happen in the next few episodes, so I can't comment or I'll get in trouble") had this to say:
"Corporations, they make money, that's their job. So I suppose they think that the more they make, the better it is for them. But in the meantime, they have to treat the people who help them earn their money properly."
"If the fans want to support the actors and the writers, do not download shows on the Internet," Ellen Pompeo said. "Because the writers of the show aren't paid for them."
As for how much longer we'll get our Grey's Anatomy fix?
"Episode seven airs this week. So we just have a few more left ... and then there will be no new episodes of Grey's Anatomy. I think everybody's really worried. You know, the actors don't have as much to worry about obviously, we're very well compensated for what we do. It's the crew that has a lot to worry about," Ellen Pompeo said. "This affects everybody involved, and they can't afford to have four or five months off. It's Christmas, they have mortgages."
"The thing is, I watch a lot of TV on the internet," Katherine Heigl admits.
"I download everything, including my own stuff, when I'm sitting at home, when I'm on set, I can watch it on my laptop for free on ABC.com, or NBC or any [of the sites]. And they're putting in commercials, they're putting in big blocks of advertising and they're making money off re-airing these episodes online."
"When an episode airs more than once on TV, actors and the writers and the directors get residuals for that. And right now, the [studios] are allowed to repeat these shows [online] for the people that didn't catch them the night before without giving out a fair share of the profits."
As Katherine, Ellen and Sandra point out, this is really also an issue for actors, whose current SAG contract will come up for review in June.
"We're fighting the same fight," Sandra Oh said, just before the cast's lunch hour came to an end and she was called back to set.
The cast will continue shooting until they complete the 11th episode Tuesday, when production is expected to shut down. Grey's Anatomy writers and show runners have been picketing and not working since Monday.
November 8th, 2007 8:54 AM
well wow that is very thougthful and supportive of them. I hope this can be resolve as quckly as possible.
November 8th, 2007 9:00 AM
Me too, I'm getting worried. I hope something can be solved soon. I am not gonna end this Grey's Anatomy season with Derek dating that new chick. ARg!!!!
November 8th, 2007 11:32 AM
I think it's great that actors were picking side by side with the writters. It's unfortunate that the as if next week, no one will be working. And the holidays are just around the corner so this is not the time for people to be unemployed.
I don't care if Grey's is going to be a short season, I'm just worried about the writers and the crew and wondering how they'll end up paying their bills and mortgages. I hope this gets resovle quick I mean seriously, how hard is it to give the writers what they deserve? If ya look at, they make are favorite shows.
And if I miss an epsiode I will no longer look for ways to download it. In fact, I've never downloaded epsiodes and I never will.
November 8th, 2007 12:13 PM
I hope it works out and people get paid fairly.
That said, I"ll write for Greys for free. And anything I write can't possibly be worse than season 3 : )
November 8th, 2007 12:50 PM
I'll join ya, Jillly.
November 8th, 2007 1:10 PM
That is really nice of the actors to do that. I am also worried for the crew as well. I hope that things get resolved as soon as possible. I will never download in my life now that I know what happens when you download it. I will just record shows I can't view then watch them when I have the time. Bravo Grey's Cast!
November 8th, 2007 1:20 PM
So why are there only 11 episodes this season? Does it have to do something with the whole writers thing?
November 8th, 2007 1:43 PM
greyslover-
There are only eleven episodes so far because that is all the episodes the writers have written so far. If the strike continues, the writers obviously won't be writing anymore, and therefore 11 would be the entire season. If the writers come back, and let's pray they come back really soon, then there will be more episodes.
November 8th, 2007 1:55 PM
That's really thoughtful of them to do that. I really hope this strike gets some results! Only 11 episodes! As crappy a writer I may be, I'd be GLAD to write if it meant more grey's! :)
November 8th, 2007 2:27 PM
I think its great the cast is putting their support out there. The few comments about it also being the actors' fight as well, and them needing compensation annoyed me though. Actors are some of the most ridiculously well paid people around, and they need to be focusing more on the people who NEED the money.
November 8th, 2007 3:15 PM
I agree 100%! It's sad to see it going on but I would be out there doing the same thing. Think about it these people are geniuses the shows we watch the story lines the twists that we wait for. The problem is that the writer's work is well worth the compensated, but their not getting it! I am sad to know I be able to see what happens on Grey's Anatomy but I am not irritated with the writers they need to do what they need to do.
November 8th, 2007 3:37 PM
I hope Grey's doesn't have to have re-runs. I like the new episodes.
Good for them.
November 8th, 2007 4:15 PM
I am really proud of the cast for supporting the crew. I think it is so awesome how they don't act like they're are better than the crew.
However I will just die if the season ends with Derek and that other chick together. This is so not good. Deredith Rocks!!!
November 8th, 2007 5:03 PM
Wow! I never knew about how bad the downloaded episodes are. Out of curiousity what about iTunes, they charge for there episodes, but do they have to share the profit. People tell me these things resolve. I hope it does. Im getting a little worried.
November 8th, 2007 6:38 PM
The problem with downloading is that the writers aren't getting the money, same with the DVD sales. That's what it mostly sounds like what they are asking for. So I totally support them for doing this.
Anyway, I will fight the strike, and write a terrible sitcom and sell it to some producer and company to hopefully get it on television. Then maybe they'll pull the plug and want to resolve the strike and give the writers what they want. :) Actually, since I'm not in the writers guild, I am not hurting anyone. But I would love to write a show to make people go "What the hell?" and think about why it ended up getting aired.
November 8th, 2007 7:32 PM
They need to pay them what they deserve. How do u underpay the masterminds behind the show! Unreal I tell ya! Pay them what they deserve and lets move on. Because I don't know what I would do if they took Grey's off the air!
November 8th, 2007 9:14 PM
i am very worried about the writers strike. i do think the writers need to be paid more, and i think the cast is doing the right thing by sticking up for the writers. but let's face it: WE NEED OUR GREY'S FIX!!!!!!!!! I live for Thursdays BECAUSE of this show! oh ya, and if alex and lexie become a couple, i think i'm going to hang myself.
November 9th, 2007 10:40 AM
It really makes no sense if you think about it. Songwriters get royalties each time their song is played, or even a part of the lyrics used, it should be the same for the people who write these shows. The shows would not be possible without the writers and I think most people take that for granted because we do not SEE them on screen. Its great that the actors are supporting the writers because without them there would be no characters or situations to portray.
I am hoping that this is resolved soon because I like everyone else NEED my Thursday Grey's fix!!!!!!!
November 9th, 2007 1:00 PM
i think the strike is awesome.. the writers derserve more and they make the shows amazing...but i need greys anatomy. 4 months over the summer is terrifying...how do i last for weeks during normal season...ahh
November 9th, 2007 11:10 PM
Okay, I decided to do the insane thing. I found out anyone can go and strike along with anyone else. So, I'm thinking of possibly heading to the city either on Monday or Friday this week if it lasts that long. I just hope my parents don't tell me I can't go. But then, I'm 23 and they have gone to do protesting of other sorts before. And this is a cause I greatly believe in.
November 11th, 2007 1:42 AM
åhhh I understand that they want to support the writers I really do:)love that they understand and support the writers.
but are they not gonna do more greys anatomy episodes ever? are they gonna stop with greys and not ever do some new episodes?someone answer please I am so worried:(
November 11th, 2007 6:48 PM
i think it's great that the cast is supporting the writing staff and striking with them during their lunch breaks. i hope this is resolved soon though-- if this season stops with eleven episodes i'm going to be really upset! i'm seriously starting to get worried..