THIS Is Where We FIGHT! THIS Is Where NBC PAYS ITS DUE!

Okay. For real, hasn't NBC been a huge asshole long enough? It took me a long time to stop hating NBC for taking the Most Beautiful Show That Ever Was, aka "Freaks and Geeks," and gutting it in pure daylight for all of the world to witness. "This is what we do to those who dare CREATE."

Longer still for trying to gather 'round the "Gen X/Y" audience for the Salt Lakes Olympics by rallying under the awesome tagline...

...

...


..."Salt Lake's Bangin'."

Longer still, for their letting go their sole copy editor (yours truly) for certain cable projects because they were too busy spending budget on coke and glitter to check for spelling errors in their crappy campaigns.

I hated them for their cockiness. I hated them for their aggressive and active denial that they had any credibility, all colorful peacock aside, for anything other than tolerating what fell into their laps, that they tried to murder, only to have the populace cry "NO" when they were still floundering for a position in television.

Witness: "The Cosby Show." "Family Ties." "Seinfeld."

They let those shows continue out of *catering to an audience*, out of desperation. Those shows made their empire what it was today.

"Friends" was "Friends." No denying that. But like "Friends" would EVER have existed without "Seinfeld," which they wanted to cancel. "Friends" was its own pop-cultural-Wormwoodian genius. They didn't do it; they tried to copy it (Post-"Gimme a Break" Jonathan Silverman, Brooke Shields, mulleted Lea Thompson, Brooke Shields, Kirstie Alley), to varyingly horrifying results.

They failed.

NBC rode the talent of its redheaded stepchildren, its Harry-Potter-in-the-cupboard-esque non-desirables, to the top, where they took credit for the creations they never wanted.

Because they knew better.

They KNOW better.

Always. Which is why they cancelled "Freaks and Geeks." No matter that the show was across-the-board critically acclaimed as even better than the last prematurely aborted genius show, "My So-Called Life."

Why WOULD it matter, when NBC was still violently shaking the death rattles from its Must See TV lineup. Why WOULD viewers appreciate another show (ironically) ahead of its time? Who would want to watch a perfect show starring the unbankable likes of Seth Rogen, done by people including a no name such as "Judd Apatow"? Bollocks! Any suit worth two cents knows that audiences across the board clamor not for freshness, but for even more will-they-or-won't-they "Three's Company"-style raucousness with 27th season Frasier, Roz, Niles and Daphne!

Right?

RIGHT?!?!?!

Yeah. Not so much, NBC. You took one of the last, yet best shows to the guillotine before TV on DVD was a blip on the radar, and you came out with major egg on your face.

Years passed.

Hatred remained.

But then came "The Office."

You tried to take credit. You did take credit. It was Ricky Gervais's show, but you gave it an American time slot, so obviously, you WIN!!! YAY!!! Let's not mention the fact that Steve Carell, among other supremely qualified actors, turned Michael Scott and company into a whole new ball game. We wouldn't want to mention that. People might question your genius.

I questioned your genius.

But then? Came more. "My Name Is Earl." To be honest, still not my "thing," but it's a great show.

However. "30 Rock."

"30 ROCK."

"30 Rock" is one of the best shows ever to hit the air, any time, anywhere, ever. EVER. You are soooooo lucky to have had such an above-you talent like Tina Fey for so long now. Whatcha, a little upset that her Emmy-Award winning, Golden Globe-nominated show is sweeping anything and everything above your wildest dreams? You thought, much like Jack Donagy would have, if Jack Donagy weren't awesome, that mousy little Tina Fey would be satisfied Just! Having! A! Show! on such an *E*X*C*I*T*I*N*G* network like NBC, because, GAWSH!!!! Who EVER in LIFE gives such a boring little opinionated brunette her own show, I mean, she should be foaming at the mouth and bowing down, RIGHT!!!

RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!

WRONG!!!!

NBC, you are an idiot!!! Exactly how long? How long, did you think you could ride this brilliant cash cow? How long have you been seeing the talent on your network that you in no way deserved, AS a cash cow?

Too long.

The writers are striking. Yeah, you know, the writers? The ones you overlook in lieu of the vapid blondes and assorted others at your "jobs"? The ones who sit home at night and afford you your Ryan-esque lifestyles, replete with minions who hate you, and lap-dancing strippers who don't love you? The ones who make you feel all in the business? *Successful*?

Well, they are done with your bullshit. The emperor is wearing no clothes, and the writers have got your number. How long can you go with no writers? And yes, I am singling you, NBC. Everything you have is based on writers. Everything you've ever had has been based on other people's talents. Are you REALLY, in this time, going to spit at your writers and talent? The Golden Globes, a ratings and pop-cultural interest has been taken from you. How much further are you going to go?

"American Idol" is starting up again. "LOST" is starting up again. Are you REALLY so content in your bloated Ivory Towers, that you are going to ignore your competition, and toss away everything you've gained in the past 25 years again?

Time's running out. The WGA has your number. PAY them, dammit! PAY them for the work they are doing, for the artistry that they are bringing to your sorry ass, and for the interest they are captivating in a world that is increasingly disimpressed by The Big Networks.

Last chance, NBC. Because I'm getting off on whatever stop Tina Fey gets off on.

Anyone who agrees with me, change your avatar. Join the movement. Support the strike. Support entertainment.




©2008