UPDATE: Jay's rep tells us that he wishes he could do more, but it's not his show -- he's just the host. Having said that, he gave out his standard Christmas bonuses early to mitigate the effects of the strike -- nearly half a million bucks. The rep would not say, however, how the cash was distributed. As for not saying goodbye to the staff, Jay can't cross the picket line.
Staffers at the "Tonight Show" were just told they've been laid off because of the WGA strike. Happy F-ing Holidays.
And that's not the only thing adding insult to penury around NBC. As TMZ reported earlier, we were told that Jay Leno was in a giving mood, offering the staff a "big" Christmas bonus to get them through the strike. This, instead of offering to pay their salaries like his counterparts Conan O'Brien and David Letterman. Well, someone just sent us a copy of their bonus check. $100. Wow.
Staffers were supposed to receive $100 for each year they've been on the show, but we're told some didn't even get that. We hear many staffers are more hurt than pissed, as there's been little communication from the top. One source says that they weren't too pleased about how Jay's handled the layoffs. He didn't even say goodbye, much less Merry Christmas. Grinch!
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The Writers Union took a vote to strike, ie to demand more money or stop working. In this instance, the Union tried to flex it's muscle, but it back fired. Just like when any worker or group of workers storms into their bosses office stating if you don't pay me more immediately, I(we) are going to quit. If I did this, my corporation would have security throw me out and have me replaced, period. No hesitation. For my boss then to come out and give me $100 is out of the question. My boss would side with the corporation because she would want to keep her job and not get involved. Jay isn't the bad guy; neither is Conan, or John Stewart or anyone else. Is the entire entertainment conglomerate responsible? That is more believable.
Looks like I will be watching Letterman from now on....I can't stand cheapos, especially when Jay can afford it and he's probably worked side by side with most of these people. I gave him more credit than this! I guess he's saving his money to buy another classic car
I give more of a bonus to the teenager worker at my pizza place...and I can barely afford it! What a douche!!!!
I still don't believe this is Jay's doing. How about it TMZ you seem to be reporting several different sides today???
That's awful, these employees are being laid off before the holidays, and given 100 bonus, I got that much when I worked as a secretary in a small (me and the boss) firm. 100 is a slap in the face as a Cristmas bonus, from a man who could easily afford 10x that much.
This doesn't surprise me in the least. Jay is an ass. Letterman is still paying his staff. Keep in mind that "staff" doesn't mean just writers. There are a LOT of people being affected because of the writers. I think the people behind the strike should be fired and new writers hired in their place. Enough is enough.
COMMENT: I wasn't aware that you could go out on strike, and expect that your employer would pay you anyway.
Posted at 5:30PM on Nov 30th 2007 by trinity
No, actually while Letterman and O'Brien (both WGA members) are paying their writers, they are also paying everyone else on staff affected.. who DID NOT have a say in whether their shows and jobs would be shut down due to a writers srtike. This is called being a class act. As for Leno, if this story is true, anyone who ever read the Late Shift would not be surprised that Jay has somehow mishandled this with his staff, or kept to his own money. And while Dave does own his own shows, I think O'Brien's show is owned by Lorne Michaels and NBC.
Jay's not exactly their boss who writes their checks per say. So why the hell should he handing out his own cash?? People gave Ellen a hard time to for crossing but hey, she's making sure her staff stays employeed and gets paid! Hell, she can write her own flipping jokes too. Maybe Jay should cross the picket lines too. I would.
Except it wasn't just the members of the Writers Union that were laid off. Can't anyone read? The very first word of this post is STAFFERS. That's right, STAFFERS. Not writers, STAFFERS. That means anyone and everyone involved with the show, not just the writers. The cameraman, the set crew, etc. were all laid off. They are not the ones on strike. They have had absolutely no part whatsoever in the strike.
I think TMZ has been at the wrong end of a good prank. The staff members at the Jay Leno show are hired by the production company, meaning that Jay Leno doesn't actually sign the cheque. Do you really think that Jay would take the time to sign 200 cheques for all his staffers?
Quit your b-chun
Ever save for a rainy day?????
If I was Jay, I'd stop payment on ya'lls 100 checks and see how you like that!
Ungrateful is what you R
