'Raymond' cast shows love for WGA - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-09-2007, 01:00 AM

There was a mini "Everybody Loves Raymond" reunion outside the Paramount lot Thursday morning as Phil Rosenthal, Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton walked the picket line in support of the WGA strike.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson also caused a commotion with his appearance at the studio, where he walked the picket line arm in arm with WGA West president Patric Verrone.

After bringing the picketers bagels and orange juice, the "Raymond" crew joined their march outside the Melrose gate of the L.A. studio. Romano noted that he's a member of the writers guild.

"I won't cross the picket line," he said, adding that "I was in the writers room every day for nine years (on 'Raymond'). ... Without the writers, (co-star) Brad (Garrett) and I would have been sitting on the couch looking at our feet for 22 minutes."

"Raymond" creator Rosenthal added that if the strike goes on long enough to force scripted TV shows into reruns, he hopes viewers "understand that it will be "temporary."

"And if people are upset, they should write to the studios and networks and ask them to do the right thing," he said. "It's all about fairness, not greed. Ray and I don't need the money, but we want (a contract that is) fair for everybody else."

Rosenthal also expressed disdain for reality shows. Asked his thoughts about the reality "trend," Rosenthal said: "The trend of reality might signal more than a trend of the moment -- that is, the end of civilization."

For her part, Heaton said that it's important for the actors to show their support to the writers during the strike since SAG's contract with the studios expires June 30, and it's expected that negotiations on a new pact will hinge on issues similar to those at the center of the writers guild talks.

"That's why the actors need to support the writers, because we're going to be in the same boat," she said.

She also expressed her hope for a quick resolution since so many people's livelihoods are being affected.

"It's sad: This going to affect everybody if it goes on," she said.

Rosenthal agreed, saying he wants the situation is revolved before "people start losing their houses and cars." He said the strike will hit those people who aren't in the upper stratosphere of financial earnings the most.

"I want everyone to be able to earn a living -- that's exactly what we're fighting for," he said, adding that if the actors' contract had expired before the writers', "we would be out here in support of the actors. No one wants work taken away, but" everyone should be compensated fairly.

Verrone made similar comments outside Paramount, saying that the guild is especially fighting for the "middle-class, working writers who live paycheck to paycheck."

Jackson, meanwhile, said the strike is reflective of broader workplace issues in America.

"You're fighting for the dignity of the American worker," he said, pointing to such business practices as outsourcing and downsizing. "You're fighting for the American dream, and that dream is worth fighting for. ... Keep fighting for your jobs, wages, benefits, growth. Your victory is America's victory."

He also took a swipe at consolidation in the entertainment industry.

"Prosperity must be shared," he said. "In the media industry, too few people control too much."

Jackson also expressed a desire to meet with the networks and studios.

"I also would ask the governor and mayor to use their offices to help convene forces," he said. "This strike will eventually impact and hurt everybody," with the effects trickling down even to people in non-industry jobs, he added.

Also supporting the writers in the picket lines were members of the NAACP, including national board member Willis Edwards, a former president of organization's Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch who also has executive produced the NAACP Image Awards and the telefilm "The Rosa Parks Story."

"We're supporting our brothers and sisters in the union; without the union, they would not be here as writers today," he said, adding that he also is hoping for a quick resolution. "This is hurting so many people behind the scenes too, like the cameraman and the cab drivers."

Also on the picket line at Paramount was writer/director/guild member Dwayne Johnson-Cochran, who is shooting some of the video that the WGA is posting online at UnitedHollywood.com and YouTube. He said the video, in part, is showing Web surfers the faces of those writers who aren't necessarily earning big paychecks.

"People are watching," he said. "We've gotten a lot of comments."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...34ceb626403682

Ireneparalegal · 11-09-2007, 01:04 AM

Rev. Jesse Jackson???? Wow, anything to get in front of the news cameras...

to the cast of Raymond for their support!!!!!!!

Brian Damage · 11-09-2007, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Rev. Jesse Jackson???? Wow, anything to get in front of the news cameras...

to the cast of Raymond for their support!!!!!!!

The SAG , has been great! They have been extremely supportive. Granted, they can miss work for a bit and live off other means, but they have the WGA's back and that is fantastic.

Ireneparalegal · 11-09-2007, 01:10 AM

I've been catching the news and entertainment news and the love and suppport that many celebs have been showing, many even walking the picket lines goes to show they are behind the people that keep these shows moving. GOOD FOR THEM!!!!

Brian Damage · 11-09-2007, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I've been catching the news and entertainment news and the love and suppport that many celebs have been showing, many even walking the picket lines goes to show they are behind the people that keep these shows moving. GOOD FOR THEM!!!!

Absolutely! **** Viacom, Time Life..etc....

OH Nuts! · 11-09-2007, 01:21 AM

Brian, thank you for this wonderful thread. My great Aunt was married to a writer for burlesque and the actors back then were very grateful to their writers, and especially to her husband. And it's nice to see that there are many actors who feel that way now too.

Ireneparalegal · 11-09-2007, 01:44 AM

What good are the shows and the actors if we don't have the writers?

They want what is only fair and in this day and age of DVD's, the internet, etc. they should be getting it.

Brian Damage · 11-09-2007, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

What good are the shows and the actors if we don't have the writers?

They want what is only fair and in this day and age of DVD's, the internet, etc. they should be getting it.

RIGHT ON!!!

OH Nuts! · 11-18-2007, 10:26 AM

Indeed. And thank God there are actors who are cognizant and appreciative of this.

Guy Bramsworth · 01-05-2008, 05:58 AM

Quote:

"It's sad: This going to affect everybody if it goes on," she said.

After ELR it appears Patricia turned caveman on us!

11-09-2007, 01:00 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'Raymond' cast shows love for WGA There was a mini "Everybody Loves Raymond" reunion outside the Paramount lot Thursday morning as Phil Rosenthal, Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton walked the picket line in support of the WGA strike. The Rev. Jesse Jackson also caused a commotion with his appearance at the studio, where he walked the picket line arm in arm with WGA West president Patric Verrone. After bringing the picketers bagels and orange juice, the "Raymond" crew joined their march outside the Melrose gate of the L.A. studio. Romano noted that he's a member of the writers guild. "I won't cross the picket line," he said, adding that "I was in the writers room every day for nine years (on 'Raymond'). ... Without the writers, (co-star) Brad (Garrett) and I would have been sitting on the couch looking at our feet for 22 minutes." "Raymond" creator Rosenthal added that if the strike goes on long enough to force scripted TV shows into reruns, he hopes viewers "understand that it will be "temporary." "And if people are upset, they should write to the studios and networks and ask them to do the right thing," he said. "It's all about fairness, not greed. Ray and I don't need the money, but we want (a contract that is) fair for everybody else." Rosenthal also expressed disdain for reality shows. Asked his thoughts about the reality "trend," Rosenthal said: "The trend of reality might signal more than a trend of the moment -- that is, the end of civilization." For her part, Heaton said that it's important for the actors to show their support to the writers during the strike since SAG's contract with the studios expires June 30, and it's expected that negotiations on a new pact will hinge on issues similar to those at the center of the writers guild talks. "That's why the actors need to support the writers, because we're going to be in the same boat," she said. She also expressed her hope for a quick resolution since so many people's livelihoods are being affected. "It's sad: This going to affect everybody if it goes on," she said. Rosenthal agreed, saying he wants the situation is revolved before "people start losing their houses and cars." He said the strike will hit those people who aren't in the upper stratosphere of financial earnings the most. "I want everyone to be able to earn a living -- that's exactly what we're fighting for," he said, adding that if the actors' contract had expired before the writers', "we would be out here in support of the actors. No one wants work taken away, but" everyone should be compensated fairly. Verrone made similar comments outside Paramount, saying that the guild is especially fighting for the "middle-class, working writers who live paycheck to paycheck." Jackson, meanwhile, said the strike is reflective of broader workplace issues in America. "You're fighting for the dignity of the American worker," he said, pointing to such business practices as outsourcing and downsizing. "You're fighting for the American dream, and that dream is worth fighting for. ... Keep fighting for your jobs, wages, benefits, growth. Your victory is America's victory." He also took a swipe at consolidation in the entertainment industry. "Prosperity must be shared," he said. "In the media industry, too few people control too much." Jackson also expressed a desire to meet with the networks and studios. "I also would ask the governor and mayor to use their offices to help convene forces," he said. "This strike will eventually impact and hurt everybody," with the effects trickling down even to people in non-industry jobs, he added. Also supporting the writers in the picket lines were members of the NAACP, including national board member Willis Edwards, a former president of organization's Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch who also has executive produced the NAACP Image Awards and the telefilm "The Rosa Parks Story." "We're supporting our brothers and sisters in the union; without the union, they would not be here as writers today," he said, adding that he also is hoping for a quick resolution. "This is hurting so many people behind the scenes too, like the cameraman and the cab drivers." Also on the picket line at Paramount was writer/director/guild member Dwayne Johnson-Cochran, who is shooting some of the video that the WGA is posting online at UnitedHollywood.com and YouTube. He said the video, in part, is showing Web surfers the faces of those writers who aren't necessarily earning big paychecks. "People are watching," he said. "We've gotten a lot of comments." http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...34ceb626403682
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

11-09-2007, 01:04 AM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Rev. Jesse Jackson???? Wow, anything to get in front of the news cameras... to the cast of Raymond for their support!!!!!!!
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

11-09-2007, 01:10 AM	#4
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I've been catching the news and entertainment news and the love and suppport that many celebs have been showing, many even walking the picket lines goes to show they are behind the people that keep these shows moving. GOOD FOR THEM!!!!

11-09-2007, 01:21 AM	#6
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Brian, thank you for this wonderful thread. My great Aunt was married to a writer for burlesque and the actors back then were very grateful to their writers, and especially to her husband. And it's nice to see that there are many actors who feel that way now too.

11-09-2007, 01:44 AM	#7
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	What good are the shows and the actors if we don't have the writers? They want what is only fair and in this day and age of DVD's, the internet, etc. they should be getting it.

11-18-2007, 10:26 AM	#9
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Indeed. And thank God there are actors who are cognizant and appreciative of this.