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IO West Theater Comedy Fund Raiser

HOOT, HOLLER AND LAUGH WITH STRIKING WGA MEMBERS AT iO WEST THEATER

While the more than eight-week old WGA strike is anything but funny, the staff at iO WEST is standing up and speaking out to provide some relief for the writers in the form of comedy and donations.

In a show of solidarity, every Monday during the month of January, iO WEST’s hit show, “The Armando Show,” will be donating half

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    Tomorrow night Jerry O'Connell ("Carpoolers," "Crossing Jordan") Kerri Kenney ("Reno 911," "The Ten," "The State"), and stand-up comedian Dan Mintz (writer, "Luckie Louie") will perform in Talk Show: The Talk Show at iO West Theater. Half the proceeds go to the Industry Support Fund - a fund set up by the WGA for non-WGA members affected by the strike.

    Here are the details:
    11pm THIS FRIDAY,

  • Drew Carey is Just Right as Host of the Armando Show

    WGA and SAG member Drew Carey and the cast of The Armando Show played to a packed house last night at the iO West theater.

    The Armando Show is one of iO West's longest-running shows featuring a guest monologist every week backed by a regular troupe of improvisers (including SNL's Tim Meadows, and MADtv's Stephnie Weir). This week's improvisers included WGA members John Reynolds (Late Late Show)

  • iO WEST RAISES MONEY FOR INDUSTRY SUPPORT FUND: WGA and SAG Members Come Together for Charity and Union Solidarity

    Cast from THE OFFICE: Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez and Ed Helms, along with Kate Walsh (GREY'S ANATOMY, PRIVATE PRACTICE), Mo Collins (MAD TV), and Robert Ben Garant (RENO 911) join the cast of the "Armando Show" at iO Theater to raise money for the Industry Support Fund.

    Cast from THE OFFICE backstage at the show:

    Kate Walsh:

    Robert Ben Garant:

    A special message from organizer

  • Benefits and Events

    MONDAY JANUARY 28:
    WGA/SAG UNITY DAY: Monday, January 28, 2008 - Fox Studios -10201 West Pico (& Motor). Picket shifts are 7-10 AM; 10 AM – 1 PM; 1 – 4 PM. Dual WGA/SAG members are encouraged to attend 12-3 PM shift as available. Sponsored by the WGA Union Solidarity Committee and the Women’s Committees of SAG and WGA.

    iO WEST ARMANDO WITH BOB ODENKIRK: Actor, comedian, writer, and director Bob

  • Life on Strike

    Life on Strike was originally produced for The Strike Show, a live comedy-variety show that raised money to benefit members of the industry who are affected by the strike via the Motion Picture and Television Fund. and features Ana Ortiz (UGLY BETTY), Nick Kroll, (CAVEMEN), and Kat Foster (TIL' DEATH).

  • Benefits and Events

    WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23

    THE DAILY SHOW WRITERS V. THE COLBERT SHOW WRITERS
    will have a mock debate showdown on why America should care about the Writers' Strike. Moderated by DEE DEE MYERS (former Clinton press sec and West Wing consultant.)

    THIS IS A NATIONAL EVENT HOSTED BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESSS
    who are eager to hear our side of the issues.

    FOLLOWING THE DEBATE MICHAEL WINSHIP WGA east

  • Industry Support Fund Benefits at the Laugh Factory

    Jamie Masada has offered to host a weekly show at the Laugh Factory (8001 W Sunset Blvd at Laurel, 323-656-1336) to benefit the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support Fund. The first show will be held tomorrow, Wed. Dec. 19 at 10pm. Entrance to the show is free for anyone who makes a contribution to the Fund. Checks made out to the Writers Guild Foundation will be accepted at the door. The shows will continue for the duration of the strike. Donations of new toys and/or new winter clothing will also be accepted and distributed to those affected by the strike.

  • MAD TV Writers Put on Benefit Show

    THE WRITER'S OF FOX'S MAD TV ARE PUTTING ON A SHOW!

    Original sketches written and performed by the writing staff of MAD TV to benefit the show's script department (which was put out of work because of the
    strike.)

    All fans of the show are encouraged to attend for a fun-filled night of hilarity. Hell, who are we kidding, even if you hate the show, we want you to come!

    WHEN: Monday, January 14th

  • StrikeSwag: Back in Black

    StrikeSwag.com - the non-profit site which donates all profits to the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support Fund to assist non-WGA members of the industry who are in financial distress as a direct result of the strike - is out with its January 2008 line which Fashion Week boldly called "the black and white shield tee." This 100% cotton shirt a variant of the official WGA West strike shirt.

  • Support for Deal from Great Britain

    The following letter was sent to Charles Slocum of the Guild west and Mona Mangan of the Guild east.

    Dear Chuck, Mona and all WGA colleagues,

    The Writers' Guild of Great Britain Executive Council met today (Monday) and members were delighted that a deal is being recommended and the strike is likely to end within the next few days.

    We salute the WGA, east and west, on the unity and discipline

  • Hey, CBS, NBC, ABC, KCAL, FOX, We're Over Here

    Today, Tuesday, 11/20/07, Los Angeles will experience a labor rally in support of the WGA strike. Marching west on Hollywood Boulevard from Ivar and gathering in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater, thousands upon thousands will join together to celebrate the importance of labor unions in American life.

    And how will you know about this momentous occasion? You'll have to be there.

    At the last rally in front of Fox Studios, 4,000 writers and their supporters marched and rallied, but when you watched the evening news, you'd never know it . There was plenty of time that night to talk about lost kittens but nothing about the peaceful march that closed down Pico Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars.

    Today's rally marks a crucial juncture: a mass demonstration of our strength before the negotiations restart.

  • Comedian Dick Martin Dies at 86

    I was saddened to learn today of the passing of legendary TV comedian Dick Martin, who passed away due to respiratory problems at the age of 86. He will forever be remembered in teaming up with Dan Rowan to form "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In," which was a classic comedy hour that was filled with all kinds of sketch comedy, one-liners and political and risque humor, and made stars of people like Goldie Hawn, Ruth Buzzi, Henry Gibson, Arte Johnson and Joanne Worley.

    The show ran from January 1968 until it was canceled in May 1973. I was a faithful viewer of the show even in my youth (I was a hip kid), as my TV was always on NBC every Monday night at 8 PM. In their openers, Rowan played the exasperated "straight man" to Martin's "dumb guy," and it made some classic humor.

    My favorite Dick Martin character was "Ferd Berfel," the neighbor in a recurring sketch, "The Farkel Family." Every show would end with Rowan saying "Say good night, Dick," to which Martin would always say, "Good night Dick."

    Here is a YouTube clip of one of Rowan and Martin classic openers:

  • The United Hollywood / Strike Swag Photo Shoot

    On Monday, February 11 from 2-6pm, United Hollywood and Strike Swag invite all members of the United Hollywood community to be photographed for a PR campaign to promote the new United Hollywood site.

    The concept of the campaign is to show writers, actors, directors, crew, staff and fans standing united to meet the challenges of the digital present. That's right, the challenges of now.

  • WGF Industry Support Fund: Helping Those in Need

    What we have been calling the "Union Solidarity Fund" is now officially called the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support Fund. Our friends at the Foundation have stepped up to coordinate the tremendous outpouring of generosity from businesses, fans, writers, actors, directors and the public to help non-WGA professionals affected by the strike. We will link to information on how to apply for assistance as soon as it is on the Foundation site.

    The Foundation is accepting donations now. Send them to 7000 W. Third St. LA 90048, and indicate "Industry Support Fund."

  • CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

    MONDAY DECEMBER 17th:

  • STRIKER’S STUDIO WALK-A-THON: A 7 mile walk beginning at Disney’s main gate at 9:00 am. For more information, please contact Josh Singer at jsinger10@gmail.com
  • DAYTIME UNITED: The writers of Daytime Dramas, Telenovelas, and Internet Serials are hosting a special picket event on Monday, December 17th, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at CBS Television City, on the Fairfax side. This will coincide with a similar event in Manhattan, organized by WGAE. With the enthusiastic support of AFTRA, the actors from our favorite Daytime Dramas -- plus directors, staff and crew -- will join the picket line in solidarity with the writers. For more information, please contact Karen Harris (poainc@sbcglobal.net) or Sara Bibel (sarab@earthlink.net )
  • Letter from The Presidents to Membership

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    To Our Fellow Members:

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    Writing can resume immediately. If you were employed when the strike began, you should plan to report to work on Wednesday. If you're not

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  • LA Businesses, and an Enterprising Manager, Support Writers

    The WGA just sent out an official email listing a few local businesses that support the strike. We captains have been encouraged to approach businesses in our neighborhoods, tell them what is going on, and ask for their help.

    I'd like to expand upon the idea though: If you are a business owner who wants to offer discounts to striking writers, please consider offering discounts to IATSE members and Teamsters who may have been thrown out of work by the conglomerates' refusal to offer a fair deal. We're all in this together.

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    The excellent LiveJournal community wga_supporters recently ran this note from David Rambo of CSI:

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    The Industry Support Fund, founded by the Writer's Guild Foundation to provide financial relief to non-WGA industry members impacted by the strike, has raised over a quarter million dollars, and has already given away more than half of what they've raised. The fund anticipates continuing to donate $40,000 - $45,000 a month over the next several months as industry members find their feet financially.

    The Writer's Guild Foundation is working closely with the Actor's Fund to help distribute the money. Separately, The Actor's Fund has spent half a million on strike-related relief since the beginning of the strike. A non-profit that offers an array of services to all performing arts professionals, The Actor's Fund is not just for actors. For more information check out their website at www.actorsfund.org.

    To find out how to get help from the Industry Support Fund, or to make a donation, go to www.wgfoundation.org/supportfund.html.

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    WHEN: Tuesday, March 4th at 8 p.m.

    WHERE: The Laugh Factory

    PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE WGF INDUSTRY SUPPORT FUND

    To celebrate the end of the strike, Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada will host a “Reconciliation” Benefit at the Laugh Factory, Tuesday, March 4th at 8 p.m. Proceeds go to the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support Fund to assist all those NON-WRITERS

  • WGA Members Vote to End Strike

    This was sent out today by the WGA:

    LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK – The membership of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) today voted overwhelmingly in favor of lifting the restraining order and ending their 100-day strike that began on Nov. 5. 3,775 writers turned out in Los Angeles and New York to cast ballots or fax in proxies, with 92.5% voting

  • Statement from Verrone Thanking SAG

    Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) President Patric M. Verrone has issued the following statement in response to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) statement that actors will not cross WGA picket lines to appear on the Golden Globe Awards as acceptors or presenters:

    We are grateful to our brothers and sisters in SAG for their continued solidarity and support.

    The entire awards show season is

  • Colbert and Stewart Writers Take It To D.C.

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    On one side, in shirts, was the striking Writers Guild of America, played by "Daily Show" writers Rob Kutner, Tim

  • The Idea of the Writer: Business Model Discussion with David Milch

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  • Strike Swag + Write Aid = Cool Gift, Great Way to Help

    Friday night, a benefit comedy concert featuring Tenacious D., Eddie Izzard, Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt and Andy Dick was held at UCLA. All proceeds from the event went to the WGA Union Solidarity Fund to suport those affected by the strike.

    But even if you weren't able to attend, StrikeSwag.com gives you a way to both get a great souvenir from the event and help those in need. All profits from each one of the shirts pictured here - and all items on Strike Swag - will be donated to the Fund.

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  • WGA Calls For Pro And Con Statements on MBA Ratification

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  • Events of the Week

    Compiled from WGA and United Hollywood emails. -JA

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    PENCILS2MEDIAMOGULS: It's here! The first delivery of pencils will take place today. Over 500,000 pencils have been shipped. Please join us as we deliver the pencils to NBC CEO Jeff Zucker, Robert Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, and to Universal Studios for GE's CEO Jeffrey Immelt. Writers slated to appear include: Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica), Joss Whedon (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly), Carol Barbee (Jericho), Alfred Gough (Smallville), Miles Millar (Smallville). We will meet at 11:30 am at Johnny Carson Park, 400 Bob Hope Drive in Burbank.

  • They're off to join the picket line

    Three of the original Munchkins from THE WIZARD OF OZ will be joining striking writers on the picket line Friday morning at NBC Studios in Burbank. Among them will be Jerry Maren, the original Lollipop Kid who uttered the famous line, "We represent the Lollipop Guild."

    Unfortunately for Jerry and his co-stars, the Lollipop Guild didn't have any better luck than other Hollywood guilds of the era in getting the actors or its screenwriter any residuals for their creation which has earned an untold fortune in the years since.

  • UPDATED: Write Aid Benefit Concert

    DISCOUNT TICKETS AVAILABLE: If you are a Union Member who has lost their job or been otherwise adversely affected due to the WGA Strike, please use the following code when purchasing your tickets AIDWGA. Tickets purchased using this code will cost $15 per person. You may purchase a maximum of 4 tickets at this price. There is a limited number of tickets available at this price so it will be first-come, first-served. You may purchase the tickets through the avenues listed below.

    Marti Noxon, Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin and the United Showrunner Committee
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    WRITE AID

    A Benefit Concert to Provide Assistance
    to Industry Employees Affected by the WGA Strike

    Performers currently scheduled:

    Eddie Izzard
    Lewis Black
    Patton Oswalt
    Sarah Silverman
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    Tenacious D