on writers, striking, and the Paramount Gate

I recently flew into Los Angeles in effort to quell the tensions between the Justice League of American Writers and the insidious Dr. Money and his band of producing thugs. After much protesting, occasional streaking and hours of standing outside of The Home Depot in hopes of being picked up for $2/hr labor, it seems that my presence and truly practical advice was neither heeded nor noticed.




This, my friends, is the real problem.



Being the brains behind 'Taste Buds' isn't easy. It takes pure collaboration and a fiery passion for truth, taste and being right all the time. It can be exhausting to single handedly* shape the opinions of readers from ages 1 to 100. Even the most obscure demographics and subcultures like Greyhound bus riders come here for their reviews and opinions. Needless to say, Taste Buds has its work cut out for it.






I* am constantly seeking new ways to bring our readers the best informed decisions possible, so they don't have to decide for themselves. But, unlike advertising companies, I* don't do it for the money. I do it for the love. The love of winning. Being the best. It's not about making things cheaper and making the most profit--it's about doing things better than everyone else. Isn't that what we're really forgetting, here? There was a time when producers wanted the best writers to make the best shows so that their network was the best. Now, if they can get away with crappy programming and still make ad revenue, then they feel that they've accomplished their goal. The pride has left the entertainment industry, and as a result, writers are having to pay other people to picket in line while they get an expresso and talk "shop." Things are getting out of hand, people, and we've got to write the ship.

You can do your part to demand better programming (like Taste Buds) and boycotting products that are advertising on the worst programs. Heck, you could even take the place of a striking writer's assistant in front of the Paramout Gates so they can take a break, grab a latte and write something that will save the world.


(*JP helps as well)