Wow. Thanks Jay.

121. Everyone should drop what they're doing and go back and read comment no. 105. whoever that is, it's obviously a staffer who knows what's going on. in fairness to Leno, even though he's a huge jerk who has alienated nearly everyone he's come in contact with, he's gotten some incredibly bad advice over the years from his head writer. and I have little doubt that the head writer, who admitted to the Reporter he asked Leno to bring donuts to picketers, a huge mistake, is urging Leno not to pay the staff. This is the same head writer who urged Leno and Debbie to fire Edd Hall and hire Stuttering John from Howard Stern, the biggest mistake in late night tv in 20 years. the same head writer behind dozens of other horrible decisions.
Rome is burning, Joe - happy?

Posted at 1:57PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Cheryl Tonight Show employee since 1993

122. I can understand why Tonight Show employees would be upset at losing their jobs (even if it's for a short while) because of a strike they had nothing to do with. But why the venom by a few people directed at Jay Leno? He's always been generous with his money AND time, to all his employees. Why do you think so many of us have been working there for so long?

TMZ, this story was a cheap shot and unwarranted. Jay Leno deserves better than this.

Posted at 6:23PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Mike Riedel, tonight show employee since '97

123. I don't work in the entertainment business. However, I have been through layoffs, downsizing, etc. I'm an average working stiff, not even at a management level, but I've learned more stuff by working in business than a business degree ever taught me!
A corporation is in business to make a profit for its stockholders, period. They have to deal with unions and a lot of corporations would prefer not to have unions. Jay Leno is an employee of the big corporation (NBC owned by GE). He is getting the boot in a few years and has no say in that because the Corporation feels it wants to reach a younger demographic because it will make more money. Well, that's the theory anyway. Do you know who used to head GE? Neutron Jack Welch. Do you know how he got that name? Because like a neutron bomb, he obliterated the people, but left the buildings standing!

I worked at a place where the new department head had worked at GE. That new boss operated the same way--people let go, slash and burn. Crap, my own Mom had just died and the new boss didn't give a rat's ass! Oh, and most companies when they do layoff, they don't care if it is the "Holidays". In fact more people get let go just before the "Holidays"--that is the way a Corporation works. They have to plan for their budget next year also. Do I agree with this? Well, what does it matter, this is how a corporation works. If you don't like it, then work for a non-profit organization or maybe in safety or fire departments or a service organization that helps people rather than making products.

Jay is stuck in this and maybe he was hopeful things would work out. However, if you are in any company or corporation, you need to pay attention to what is going on in your industry. If you hear of a strike in a part of your industry, be prepared! Start updating your resume and start looking! It doesn't hurt to go on job interviews even if things are going alright. You will keep up your interview skills, and maybe even find a better job with more pay and benefits. Also, the entertainment industry for the non union people is one of the lowest paying and least stable jobs you can get. For example, if you are an administrative assistant, you can get paid a lot more outside of the entertainment industry, unless you are hoping to work your way up to making contacts and becoming a famous actor or something.

Example: grocery strike. The managers at the grocery stores were stuck in the middle. Could anyone expect them to pay all their striking employees? No! If you are in a union and you don't like the idea of strikes, then work at something that isn't in a union.

All the above being said, I don't understand why or who is making Jay Leno out to be a bad guy. I would say NBC/GE would do it just to get attention off the corporation. It is easier to place a blame on a face rather than a faceless corporation.

If Jay chooses to give money to people out of his own pocket, that is something he is doing from his heart. He doesn't have to. Any amount given should be appreciated. Heck, I don't get a bonus, but at the end of the year our department head takes out for a nice lunch. Should I say, gee thanks for the lunch, but I'd rather have $100 check instead? How ungrateful. Take a gift with the spirit in which it is given. Jay is giving money out of his own pocket as a bonus, as a thank you. He has nothing to do with severance payments, that is a corporate decision out of his hands. Jay seems like a caring guy and I'm sure people that are losing their jobs are angry. I've been in your place! However, Jay is not to blame and that is unfair.

Now, those of you that are upset would be better off getting motivated to start looking for a job now! Being mad will not get you a new job. Get out there and go on interviews and don't bad talk your previous employer or you will never get a new job. And the next time you hear of a strike, start looking right away! Plan for the worst and get going.

Posted at 11:18AM on Dec 2nd 2007 by Business 101

124. Mike Riedel,
you've always been ok in my book. maybe you don't understand that not everyone has had that experience with Leno. To many of his employees he's mean, nasty and vindictive. so is the head writer. wake up, man, open your eyes and talk to the crew guys who been there for 15 years and Leno has never even said hello to 'em, and the Grip that Joe M had fired because he liked to smoke cigarettes.

Posted at 7:37PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Cheryl Tonight Show employee since 1993

125. lol i've been at my job for less than 6 months and i got a $300 xmas bonus.

Posted at 9:11PM on Dec 1st 2007 by heather

126. Mr. Riedel -- The story is over.
Jay has LOST this one, and he's lost a huge chunk of his fan base (including me).

Mr. Maderios gave him HORRIBLE advice. Give donuts to the writers while his staff is inside??

Then Jay has the audacity to pawn off Christmas bonuses as severance -- give me a break.

Posted at 7:43PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Former Jay Fan

127. i heard Leno avoids his staff members and only addresses them by saying "SHOWPEOPLE" out loud.

Get a clue dude

Posted at 7:45PM on Dec 1st 2007 by ProfessorX

128. Has anyone noticed that only the writers are defending Jay? Did you also know that about 30 or so TNT staff and crew didn't get a bonus check. Did you know that they sat in the conference room while a PA handed out the checks to everyone else. How rude is that? Most of us didn't expect to get a check but thought Jay would a least call in and thank everyone for sticking together during this strike. We understand supporting the writers but what about the rest of your crew. If the site gag isn't lit its not funny, if you can't hear the joke it's not funny, if you can't film the jay walk segment it's not funny.
Don't you get it? We are all in this together and would like to get back to work. After all, as Debbie said We all have our health.
Happy Holidays

Posted at 10:13PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Wasted Talent

129. Hey "Cheryl",
You still hitting on pages and creeping everybody out?

Posted at 9:28PM on Dec 1st 2007 by the person at the desk next to cheryl tonight show employee since 93

130. I am sure Jay will now give out dozens more of Krispy Kreme donuts,to his now unemployed staff. Probably not, because there won't be a photographer around to record such a "wonderful and truly heartfelt" moment.

Posted at 9:53PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Showpeople

131. To the TNT staffers that hate Jay...

Why have you been there since '93? Your job has to have something going for it (i.e. paycheck, status, security, insurance). If you are so unhappy dealing with Jay, then why didn't you quit???

Grow up or move on. There are plenty of people who have a miserable boss and DON"T have health insurance, bonuses, a decent salary. Or they work hourly and when they or their kids are sick don't earn any money.

I've been working hard for 30+ years and NEVER have myself or co-workers received a Christmas bonus. Furthermore, since my spouse moves around frequently I'll never be able to have my own retirement plan (other than what I put away in savings).

Unfortunately we live in a GIMME GIMMEE world now days.

Posted at 11:26PM on Dec 1st 2007 by Whatever

132. A show can't exist with only the host and writers. It's obvious that Jay only care about the writers, who only care about themselves. I'm glad Ellen cared about the people on ther staff not lucky enough to be on a picket line demanding big bucks. I do believe that Jay is a wonderful boss to work for but he's an excellent boss to the writers. I'd hate to be working for him after the strike, there's going to be a WHOLE LOT OF TENSION on that show.

Posted at 1:41AM on Dec 2nd 2007 by dorothy

133. this is in response to the writers posting saying "Why do you think we've been working there for so long?" Let me answer that. Is it because leno is generous? No, that has nothing to do with it, although he is generous to some of the writers. (and nobody else) You know you only stay for one reason:
Nobody else wants you. You can't be hired anywhere because you're (for the most part) no talent hacks and that's why you've never been nominated for an emmy in 15 years.
by the way - your arrogant postings on tmz and your "picket line protocol" has sufficiently alienated your wga brethern so that you will never be considered for a nomination. which you never are anyway, but this time it has nothing to do with the lack of talent over there.

Posted at 2:27AM on Dec 2nd 2007 by Cheryl

134. Great words, #133 "Business 101":
I hope everyone reads your message.

Posted at 1:54PM on Dec 2nd 2007 by writer

135. i think many long time and former employees of THT, and i am one, can understand that it doesnt make you a nice guy to have a nice guy face but allow others to do dirt "behind your back in front of you". jay would like people to think his hands are clean, but i believe he is too smart to not know the crap behavior of his beloved writers, mr joe mederios in particular. if he doesnt know, ignorance isnt really a good defense is it? mr wasted talent had it right" We understand supporting the writers but what about the rest of your crew. If the site gag isn't lit its not funny, if you can't hear the joke it's not funny, if you can't film the jay walk segment it's not funny.
Don't you get it? We are all in this together and would like to get back to work. After all, as Debbie said We all have our health." its very good to have your health, its also very good to have your good name. jay is trying to preserve his, mr joe mederios will not be as lucky. he picks a scapegoat and works him til the scapegoat gets fired, then gets a new one. like its everyone's else's fault the bits arent funny. but luckily,karma is a bitch. good luck, joe.

Posted at 1:53PM on Dec 2nd 2007 by wendoxia