Strike? This isn't exactly "Norma Rae," you know...

[Full disclosure: As a former member in good standing of the United Federation of Musicians, I am in favor of Labor Unions and their right to collectively bargain. But, as a TV owner, I'm also in favor of The Office and Pushing Daisies, so...]

Last night, I had a chance to watch a couple of Tivoed episodes of The Daily Show (sorry, it's a A Daily Show right now) and The Colbert Report. They were okay. Stewart and Colbert are excellent improv guys - especially Colbert - and good interviewers. But there were some awkward moments on these shows where there are usually none. That's fine, but it's going to take some getting used to. And these guys are going to be exhausted by the end of one week of this. I'm still trying to figure out the fine line between making something up on the spot and writing. If you're a writer, how is making something up on the spot not writing? Especially when some of the bits seemed reasonably planned. I'm still working that one out. I imagine that the strikers are too.

In general, I'm having a hard time getting a clear picture about what the producers are holding back on. As an expert on A Daily Show pointed out, it seems to be a small step from DVD residuals to Internet Download residuals. That's right - the expert didn't get it. And even if the new tech is evolving, write the contract to acknowledge the possibility of unknowns. But no matter how you slice it, these negotiations are trouble: nothing but acrimony. Back to the table everyone! But who'll be first?

I just got cable in September. I was looking forward to new shows for the first time in several years. Instead, I get to watch TV suck more and more. Now it's reality shows and reruns. Or really bad midseason entries.

What exactly are they trying to do? Make people watch network news and sports? (The original reality TV.) Or cable news? (Maybe that's why the electorate seems so motivated. It seems to me that the Repubs have a vested interest in getting fictional TV back on - particularly the ever-torturous - in every sense - 24.)

Or is their plan - ironically - to drive people back to literature? Is that what they want!? Wait, wait... As an aspiring novelist, that's exactly what I want! Go writers! Keep trying to get your buck-oh-five... You're playing right into my hands.