Want your favorite show back before the WGA strike takes it out of production?  Just pick up the phone.  On Monday November 26th, the Writers Guild will once again sit at the table with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.  We want the producers to know that we, the viewers, have the writers' backs when they do.

On Monday and Tuesday, the good folks on the WGA Supporters Blog are asking everyone to please call the production companies during normal business hours (9am to 5pm PST).

More information from the WGA Supporters blog:

1.818.560.1000
Anne Swenney, ABC

1.310.369.1000
Kevin Reilly, Fox

1.818.954.6000
Bruce Rosenblum, Warner Bros.

1.212.258.6000
Phillippe Dauma, Viacom

1.818.777.1000
Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal

1.212.975.4321
1.212.975.4545 (This is a direct line)
Les Moonves, CBS


We want to stress that the whole thing shouldn't take more than thirty to forty-five seconds (depending on how slow you speak). No one that answers the phone-call will yell or scorn you. Hopefully, it will go straight to a voicemail box. These numbers work. Please leave a polite but firm message that includes the following points:

• Your name, your demographics (age, sex, state and/or local affiliate), and your favorite television show.
  
• Tell them: “[I] hope the contract negotiations are successful. [I] want the writers to receive fair compensation for their work and for production on [my] favorite show to continue.”
  
• Stress that: “You hope for a swift resolution because until the writers receive a fair contract you will not download any episodes from official sites. You will not watch streaming “promotional” video online. You will not watch any replacement television, unscripted reality or game shows, and nightly news programs. And when the new episodes stop airing, you will turn off your television. Period.”
  
• When you call make sure to:
1. do not threaten
2. use formal/business English
3. address them as Mr./Ms. or Sir/Madam
4. do not use fan-speak, slang, or four-letter-words
5. speak clearly and be brief
6. conclude with “thank you” or “sincerely”
7. do not threaten
   

If you are still confused, here’s a script:

Hello Mr./Ms. [their name]

My name is [insert name]. I fall into the [insert demographic information] bracket and my local affiliate is [insert local affiliate’s name].

I am calling on behalf of the writers of my favorite show, [insert show].

I wanted you to know that I intend not to download any episodes from official sites; and, not to watch streaming “promotional” video online; and, not to watch any replacement television, unscripted reality or game shows, and nightly news programs until the WGA writers receive fair compensation for their work.

When the new episodes stop airing, I will be joining my local book club. I hope this week’s negotiations are successful. I really want production on [insert favorite show] to continue.

Thank you for your time,
[your name]

Important things to remember: be polite, be professional, and use the word "viewer" rather than "fan" when applicable.  When mentioning your favorite program, put in a good word for the higher-rated shows on the network as well.  Do NOT sing pirate songs of any type.

Best of luck to us all, especially the writers.

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