30 Rock

[Jouster]

If you support the writers, don't click that link.

Off topic, but wouldn't watching it online prove how valuable such a service is?

Or if you missed the episode when it airs, are you encouraged to not watch their work at all or download it illegally?

Ideally you should try to find a friend who might have recorded it, or catch a rerun at some point.  I think, though, that downloading it illegally is better than going through official channels, and here's why: network websites have embedded advertisements in their streaming content, which they make money from (and the writers do not).  Long story short, if you're watching there, you're supporting the executives, not the writers, since this is the central issue of the strike.  Downloading from a torrent site or similar place is the lesser of the evils, if you ask me.

Swiss, I'm sure you do support the writers.  I never doubted that, believe me.  I was just pointing out that if you want to take the extra step in your support, then you might choose not to watch online for the time being.

[Miss]

Swiss, I'm sure you do support the writers.  I never doubted that, believe me.  I was just pointing out that if you want to take the extra step in your support, then you might choose not to watch online for the time being.

Thanks I appreciate that you took the time out to type out your thoughts. I haven't really been able to keep up to date or inform myself about the strike as I have other things going on. I wasn't trying to be defensive or anything either, I just really am ignorant about the subject right now.

[Josh]

But are the writers asking for residuals from viewings that are occurring now? I could see in the future this being an issue, but I don't get how you could have any 'moral' problem with this at the present time. The content that is available now was created under a contract that didn't make provisions for online streaming. Whether or not that contract should/could have included such provisions is moot; it's not there.

I guess I'm just asking why it matters to the writers whether or not a person watches a streaming video right now. The way I understand the current situation is this:
WATCH VIDEO: advertiser gives money to network; writer gets nothing
DON'T WATCH VIDEO: advertiser keeps money; writer gets nothing

What, exactly, is the difference? Does a writer get paid when you watch it on a tape a friend made you?

[Jouster]

But are the writers asking for residuals from viewings that are occurring now? I could see in the future this being an issue, but I don't get how you could have any 'moral' problem with this at the present time. The content that is available now was created under a contract that didn't make provisions for online streaming. Whether or not that contract should/could have included such provisions is moot; it's not there.

I guess I'm just asking why it matters to the writers whether or not a person watches a streaming video right now. The way I understand the current situation is this:
WATCH VIDEO: advertiser gives money to network; writer gets nothing
DON'T WATCH VIDEO: advertiser keeps money; writer gets nothing

What, exactly, is the difference? Does a writer get paid when you watch it on a tape a friend made you?

You wrote the difference already: WATCH VIDEO: advertiser gives money to network, DON'T WATCH VIDEO: advertiser keeps money.  I think you're confusing a gesture of support with literal support.  The writers don't get paid either way, but the networks do, in one scenario.  Naturally, it's up to you.

[ughwhy]

I saw Tracy Morgan on the street last week. Hope that doesn't count for crossing WGA lines.

He was carrying four bags from the Hershey's store in Times Square. He's just like us!

[John Junk]

I've been watching this show online all month, not because I hate writers, but because fuck if I''m going to wait around for it to come on t.v., and I'm already spending all my internet energies on the friendsoftom forum, with nothing left to bother with ripping bittorrent DVD realplayer.wav files of pretty-good-not-great shows that are all about acquiescing to the demands of NBC in the first place, and now I don't watch online anymore because they ran out of new shows, and so the writer's strike is officially starting to work. 

[Jouster]

Or you could've rented or bought the DVDs.  I know you're flush with Christmas cash, John Junk, admit it.

[John Junk]

Any moneys I receive this christmas will be going towards paying off the plane fare to visit my family, as well as the $400 I still owe Guitar Center for that damned (and awesome) Fender Twin I bought last month.  And I'm stockpiling 5 dollar bills so I can catch every performance of Myspace that UCBTLA does next year.  Am I right, Joustman?

[Jouster]

You are right!