I admit it. I am a scab TV viewer. I watched both the returning The Daily Show (to be known as "A Daily Show" until the strike is resolved) and The Colbert Report (which is to be known as "The Colbert Report" until the strike is resolved).
I could say that I watched it for research sake, which is true, but it is also no excuse. Well, it is actually an excuse, but not one my strike captain will accept.
But as sure as both Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert used the same "Guitar Hero" reference joke about their writers, both shows and both WGA writer-hosts crossed the WGA picket line to do the show. In fact, so did their guests, one each being pro-union advocates.
So it is how complicated the issue.
First let me say, to these scab, scab-watching eyes, both shows were exceptionally funny and far more entertaining than any thousand (the average amount aired daily) reality shows. And as they do for politics, both shows offered far more clarity, truth and information than any hundred Fox News Shows.
But no matter how entertaining, informative and perhaps as some have written, essential to getting the truth out, they are hurting the writer.
Unfortunately, this writer will be forced to watch both shows every night to see if they are in fact still strike breaking. It's my job...that I don't get paid for. But then again, aren't both hosts doing the job of the writers who are not being paid?
Not sure where that goes, but suffice it to say, as much as we need them on the air, keeping both Stewart and Colbert off the air until the strike is resolved would have the public much more interested in pushing management to settle with the writers.
Can't wait for that sweet, sweet dew of after-strike cuddling.
Until then, I'll let you know what you're missing while we're getting fucked.
WGA Member and award-winning TV writer, Steve Young, is author of "Great Failures of the Extremely Successful" (www.greatfailure.com) doesn't expect to be hired The Daily Show or Colbert Report staffs...even after the strike sex.
