(CNN) – From the “Daily Show” to “Law and Order” to “Saturday Night Live”, the presidential campaign in many ways has been intertwined with the world of entertainment television.
But Stephen Colbert’s failed bid to make the ballot isn’t the only reason you won’t see anything new, at least for a while. Production is halted on the late night talk shows, variety shows, and prime time programs until the Writers’ Guild of America strike is settled.
Ironically, Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama appeared on what may have been the last show produced before the walkout, when he appeared in a sketch on “Saturday Night Live”. Just 36 hours after his surprise cameo, Obama issued a statement of support for the striking television writers.
Obama said, “"I stand with the writers. The Guild's demand is a test of whether corporate media corporations are going to give writers a fair share of the wealth their work creates or continue concentrating profits in the hands of their executives. I urge the producers to work with the writers so that everyone can get back to work."
– CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk
From CNN Politics
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Obama is improving his fortunes in the primary, as new polls show he has significantly cut into Clinton's lead.
Voila the leader! Tell us what do you think about Pakistan, how would you solve the illegal immigrants problem, etc.
If SNL and the Hollywood writers' strike are your concerns, try an acting job..
I'm glad that he is leanding his voice to this issue. This is massive greed at its worse. Without the writers there would be nothing. Hopefully, the union friendly Edwards will say something also.
Give them there fair share!
Well, there goes Prison Break, Law&OrderCI, Criminal Minds and Cold Case. Good timing writers guild, just in time for the cold weather when people stay in and watch tv!
I agree with him completely. I think that shows he would stick up for the Middle Class when he gets elected – if there is any Middle Class left!
Go Obama.
If Obama 'stands with striking Hollywood writers', does that mean he won;t be giving speeches for the duration of the strike?
"The Guild's demand is a test of whether corporate media corporations are going to give writers a fair share of the wealth their work creates or continue concentrating profits in the hands of their executives">
Yep, just another Socialist
Oh Steve, just an FYI here, a walk-on does not make an 'Alum' at SNL, an actual credit does.
What extremes some candidates will go for FREE publicity. Give me a break!
wow cnn.....so there are stuff that obama is being asked and stuff that clinton get asked.....This is sickening at its best and not worth News to me!!!!
Obama just proved how naive and inexperienced he is. Presidential candidate stands with the strikers? He is boring, desperate and need the media's focus, Poor guy. He just jump into anything without consideration, how stupid behavior.
in response to Kyu:
Do you have any idea why the writers are on strike? The corporate media corporations are banking billions but the average writer makes approx 50K a year. That may sound like good money but when greedy talentless corporate people are making millions and billons off the talent of the writers, it is close to nothing. Not only that but the writers do not get any percentages from future DVD sales. That is not right and the corporations are getting away with what amounts to stealing. Don't you find it disgusting that a CEO can be fired and walk away with over $200 millon but a writer is struggling to pay their student loans?