'Tonight Show’ nonwriting staff laid off in strike
Nonwriting staff members of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" became the latest casualties of the four-week Hollywood writers strike when they were laid off Friday.
NBC confirmed the layoffs at the show without providing further details. The show went into reruns when the strike began on Nov. 5 and Leno honored the picket lines.
NBC had been covering the salaries of the nonwriting staffers. Conan O'Brien has promised to cover the salaries of about 75 nonstriking "Late Night" staffers next week.
The layoffs came as the Writers Guild of America mulled a new contract offer. Negotiations were recessed until Tuesday.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said it was willing to offer $130 million in extra pay over the life of the proposed three-year deal in addition to the $1.3 billion that writers already receive each year.
The Writers Guild of America countered that the offer amounted to a "massive rollback."
-- From the Associated Press
I'm dreaming of a bleak Christmas.
Posted by: JozieLee | November 30, 2007 at 06:33 PM
I'm kind of scared here. Is it the end of my favorite night show, or will it come back one day? Conan not as funny
Posted by: Eds | December 01, 2007 at 12:08 AM
I am here to tell you that over the years Leno has been an incredibly generous and caring boss.
Unknown to the public Jay has paid for funerals, cancer treatments and has help set-up trust funds. He has always been there for his televison family regardless of the above the line or below the line status. And his caring doesn't stop when the check has been written. Jay always followed up with a personal conversation of support and encouragement. In this business of plastic Leno is the real deal.
With emotions running high let's not forget that one person's history and actions speak far louder than a missed handled affair.
Posted by: cj tribes | December 01, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Cashmere Mafia crew of about 120 laid off friday amongst others. I don't think theres one TV show in NY thats gonna pay the hard working crews a dime as soon as the work stops, and no I'm not talking about a late night show.
Posted by: Patrick Johnson | December 03, 2007 at 08:04 PM