Leno NOT Given a Pass to Write Monologues

Deadline Hollywood Daily has put up a story that Jay Leno has been given a special dispensation by the WGA, or "pass," to write his monologues for his show.

It's not true.

We've spoken to our WGA sources, and here's what we have: The Guild talked on the phone with Jay today. They discussed the strike rules and how they apply to him. As a WGA member, he can't write anything, including monologues.

Jay is a strong supporter of the Guild and writers, but at the same time he has a show to put on and wanted to see if there wasn't some way he could write his monologues as a "host." The Guild told him, diplomatically, respectfully but directly, that there is not.

Jay, like so many writers, is trapped between a rock and a hard place on this. NBC has put him in a horrible position.

There is no "pass" or special dispensation. The part of DHD's story that is absolutely true is that no one wants a war between writers -- except, obviously, the media congloms.

There's NOTHING that NBC would like more than to see us all start fighting among ourselves over Leno, over Letterman, over anything. They want us distracted and squabbling, so we end up fighting with each other, and lose sight of the real issues here. I'm going to say this over and over, because it bears repeating:

IT'S ABOUT GETTING A FAIR DEAL.

All writers' beef should be with NBC, not Jay. His beef is with NBC, not other writers. We're all fighting against giant, monster corporations, and we're going to argue internally about the best way to do that. It's unavoidable. But we can't let it blow up into something that keeps us from seeing the bigger picture.

If writers lose sight of that, the media corporations win.

Jay will go on and say whatever he decides to say tonight. He's a fellow writer, and I hope he continues to support the Guild and all of us. If he does, that's wonderful, and if he makes a different choice, we'll survive and keep fighting.

Whatever happens, our focus can't waver: It's about getting a fair deal.
Now is the time to stay calm, stay strong, and, oh yeah -- don't believe everything you read.

Here's the official statement from the WGA:

LOS ANGELES � The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have issued the following statement regarding Contract 2007 negotiations:

�A discussion took place today between Jay Leno and the Writers Guild to clarify to him that writing for The Tonight Show constitutes a violation of the Guilds� strike rules.�

For more information about the Writers Guild of America, West, please visit www.wga.org. For more information about the Writers Guild of America, East, please visit: www.wgaeast.org.