Seth MacFarlane on why WGA strike is for the "little guy"

On November 9, 2007, more than 4,000 striking Writers Guild of America members and their supporters rallied at Fox Plaza in Century City as a demonstration of their solidarity. In this speech, "Family Guy" executive producer explains why the WGA strike is for middle class writers.

[@BakuganBrawler211]

15yrs later here we are again. Fight for our writers!

[@beatnik23]

there's nothing "greedy" about wanting what you deserve.

[@notsogreatsword1607]

Exactly- its just a matter of people disagreeing on what constitutes "deserving" something.

[@kailashsingha4073]

Are u alive bro

[@beatnik23]

@@kailashsingha4073 yup

[@ayka856]

@@beatnik23 lol

[@changedpace9169]

@@beatnik23 how has your life changed since you made this comment 15 years ago, better, worse or sideways?

[@justju0rd]

Seeing Seth still fighting for writers with the current strike in 2023. Is really amazing. This is why I love Seth. Instantly thought of him doing the same thing in the 07-08 writers strike

[@danielserrano929]

I had no idea Seth MacFarlane did this! I'm glad this video exists, it's an extremely important piece of Hollywood history

[@grainville27]

He's a damn cool guy. He takes a situation like this, and makes it hilarious. He's the man, that's all i can say.

[@Ozzman500]

Seth is one of the very few, ultra lucky writers to receive such a contract. It's entirely possible that he was participating in this rally out of principle. What the TV networks were doing was wrong. Regardless of their income, no writer should lie down and accept their employer's exploitation of their work.

[@adamkalb1]

That is correct! Writers deserve the same royalties as actors because Writer Lives Matter. February 1, 2021, 11:48pm

[@SmokeyCloud]

When you're from New England, you're given a grey sweatshirt at birth and forced to wear it, year-round.

[@noles602]

Seth really is a genius. Both comedic and just in general. I hope this works out well for the WGA

[@mab051976]

Seth is one of the very few to get a contract like he has. He is the kind of man that would stand up for other writers reguardless of his own personal wealth. He is the little smart ass kid who had a brain, was underestimated by everyone and made it big! Great job!

[@flareagaman]

It's different than retail because the writers get little from something they created themselves.

[@heather937]

Such an intelligent articulate guy.

[@adamkalb1]

6:06 "You want a 5-star hotel and champagne and caviar for breakfast? I got to cut somewhere!" - Chef Hatchet, Total Drama Action

[@alexkramer492]

15 years ago? Jesus

[@RLviddy]

At least you HAVE a union! I've been through all of this--ALL of this, without a union and have gotten screwed over and threatened and emotionally blackmailed. Unions are a necessity because corporations WILL screw people over at every opportunity! Be grateful you have professional leverage!!

[@film_magician]

Pretty impressed this video is on the WGA youtube channel. Nicely done WGAw.

[@japstoryeditor]

Seth MacFarlane and Mike Scully is pure gold.

[@mjd3950]

Amazing speech! Made me tear up!

[@JohnnyLeetheasianoftheworld]

When he does Brian's voice it's his natural talking voice.

[@Kaiwynn]

Is it just me or is Seth dressed like a jedi? Either way, GO SETH!!

[@patriautism]

Win? It's a strike not a competition.. That being said both parties came to an agreement.. The way a strike usually ends.

[@xandermercury]

Good to know guys like Seth are behind the writers in this thing. It's gonna be a while before it's all said and done, but something good will come of this whole ordeal. And Seth isn't really a part of the strike; he is more of a supporter in the fact that he will not cross the picket lines and hire others...besides, he has a close bond with all his co-workers.

[@chrisscott7545]

Can someone please tell me what is a preWGA writer? There is a social networking event I would like to go to, I'm a screenwriter bigenner and would like to attend

[@Surfette72]

Our hero.

[@viledemon1049]

Seth Macfarlane is awesome

[@TheOne-dn9mr]

holy shit seth is killing it

[@wardawgz]

So, if they want a percentage of DVD profits, does that mean if the DVDs or internet sales tank, that they have to give back a percentage of their salary?

[@RichardArsenault]

Several years ago, Many of us attended meetings with the WGA to organize Reality producers and editors who where really "writing" the shows in the bay. Laugh if you like, but the WGA was and presumably is trying to unionize reality workers who are generally treated without regard to State and Federal Labor laws -- let alone benefits. They are writers and fall under WGA jurisdiction.

[@chriscaldwell5393]

I don't think I've ever seen him so passionate. Amazing man.

[@Ab4kus]

How can you watch something that's not been written? And no choice? I don't know where you're from but overhere we have a remote control and the option to switch channels. Try it sometime, it also comes with something that resembles a quit button if it does run out of things to watch.

[@GodofTrombones]

That makes two good things that came out of the WGA strike: this video and "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog"

[@wencashin4137]

Well written & portrayed: I may not be a fan of Seth story lines, I am becoming an admire of his beliefs

[@llthgig]

KZbin should feature these videos because the studio networks sure aren't going to.

[@Showpro1]

I'm a stagehand in New York City, Local 1 of the I.A.T.S.E. (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) and I gotta say "Well done, Seth, and good luck!" We're on strike, too.

[@BartmanMC]

The Mike Scully joke, I wounder if that was an insult or credit.

[@BBSoonerOU]

That's just the thing. All news reports maintain that Studio's are unwilling to even approach the negotiation table as they are so unwilling to break up the advertising profit, that is why the strike is lasting so long.

[@macanfly]

because they're the first thing i think of whenever i hear his voice

[@Johnnycatmeow]

@keflar5 I know how messed up it is, but every time I hear his voice I see Brian in my head too.

[@JCResDoc94]

they all know they are screwing us, in every field. & they have plans for when that day comes: but will always fight, & dirty, to hold out even one more day (bc of what those sums of money generate in even 24h in our sick system). but they know they are wrong, & will pay when pushed. -JC

[@thedreamteam41523]

Bravo Seth! Great speech.

[@TomGallagherSuperboyBeyond]

i heard that alot of the cartoon writers and creators are actually friends. i heard that Matt Groening and Seth Mcfarlane actually go hang out alot

[@AprilJ95]

he's so good-looking, clever and talented! he will just stand up for anything he thinks is right whereas most celebs are too scared it will ruin there 'reputation' lol i love that guy

[@Ch28Kid]

I'm happy the VGA strike is still happening. People need to know why TV show sucks without good writer. Do you think those late night talk show host actually write their on script? HELL NO. Its the writers that make you laugh. They are simply acting out what they writers wrote! Please support them!

[@TheBurntSportsman]

You should watch his harvard clips! They are F*ing awesome

[@suicidalparrot]

Not just on this video but any of the videos that deal with the WGA strike.

[@Wolfjet1]

Ah, Seth is awesome. I really admired his speech, I think he did a really good job summarizing the Guild's viewpoints and intentions. Plus Family Guy rocks, go Seth! :D

[@User-gx3rm]

Yeah!

[@Funny0Grrrl]

at 5:26 correct me if Im wrong, but is that Gary Marshall?!?

[@Lennac]

Loved the kermit voice. He should've done the whole thing in that voice.

[@Fuloqwam]

Keep fightin' strong, writers.

[@GenteelCretin]

@Eric Russel - The feud wasn't over this, obviously.

[@PhilosopherSocrates]

"Look what you did. You made me SO mad I hit the kids and it's your fault!" BRILLIANT! What a perfect analogy.

[@krakkinem]

"No butt stuff." ::crowd objects:: "Okay, butt stuff."

[@LFCtvUSA]

"Mike Scully wrote that for me before I came up here, I guess that technically makes him a scab, but let's give him a break." xD

[@westwind324]

I just lost all my hours at my post production company because of the writers strike, and I still support them, but who's going to support me? Go writers! I'd do anything for the little guy, even though in this case the little guy makes more than I do. I guess I'll go back to the kwik-e-mark.

[@jmacgirl1]

How can you not love this guy? I love this guy!

[@keeponplaying]

Great Speech, Did he write it himself, or did 5 other people write it then it was revised by another writer, then on the day he made most of it up..Because that's what happens with the majority of scripts in Hollywood and that's why writer's don't deserve another penny.

[@Thegonagle]

Collective bargaining is a perfectly "legal action" to take.

[@JiMMyJaM08061991]

hes was always under contract. it cool for him to do this but the fact is tht he has nothing to lose,the writers do.

[@purplenurps]

@ThePokeyPictures what did they get then?

[@Andrew301]

Seth MacFarlane is just amazing! I can't wait for another season.

[@crystalsolis]

I hate FOX for cancelling Family Guy twice! But he's cute...HE HAS THE POWER!

[@patriciomc9119]

why do i envy him so much? what is it about him? his success? his sense of humor or talent? boy makes u feel sick to your stomach knowing how talented he is loll keep doing what your doing !

[@Moredread25]

I think he has good point here since almost everything he has done have gone up on KZbin one time or another, including this one.

[@moondoggie3851]

This is coming from someone whose husband has been looking for work for 4 months... in a field not usually associated with "the industry". This strike is affecting more than just writers/actors/studios. It's affecting the local economy in every way. We pay more for goods and services, period. As a TV fan, I'm getting nervous about Daytime TV. Reality bites.

[@souledout01]

I could live without you living without family guy for the rest of your life for the rest of my life!!!!! how dare you!

[@bletheringfool]

And they are striking again. Seth is higher up the chain this time. I hope he remembers this speech

[@SunflowerSocialist]

Next time writes should demand more! Creators should control the networks!

[@Ottfreyrr]

No.

[@Ozzman500]

Agreed, Macfarlane and his team have done quite well for themselves.

[@chapinguy]

i love the sarcasm

[@nutnoodle]

Inspiring... Seth MacFarlane is officially my new hero. :D Keep at it writers. Victory WILL be yours!

[@lohphat]

So the renters who make money in the building should then send some to the architect and contractors then right?

[@realmasterchief]

I posted that after I posted this. And, yes, I am done now.

[@skaterblo]

What a brilliant guy. Kudos to him.

[@kd1s]

He is a brilliant satirist. Hopefully when Family Guy finally jumps the shark, he'll land a nice talk show.

[@Wolfjet1]

And didn't you say you were "done here" about four posts ago?

[@aGothicStory]

Seth's bringing on the humor but its bitter and I really didn't know he was so serious about the strike.

[@DrePants44]

We wouldn't have a civilization if we didn't have something to live for or look forward to. A starving man is given a choice to either by a scrap of food to get him through the week or buy a gorgeous flower. He buys the flower. "Why didn't you get the food?" One says to the man. He says, "The food makes me live, but the flower gives me reason TO live."

[@OaktownPirate510]

And if the giant media empires succeed in breaking this union, then the other unions, how well do you think the un-organized desk-jockeys and admin types (how make the magic possible) are going to fare at the hands of the corporations?

[@jeffrendell]

Look what happened, the agencies and production companies took over hiring writers. WGA took a big hit. WGA needs to up the Award Show game. They have the talent to crush the Academy Awards.

[@mewtwo12395]

GREAT SPEECH

[@stickboy79]

I don't know whose side I'm on...I just want TV back :(

[@98Donruz]

He makes everything funny

[@sleeplesson]

And these writers signed contracts.

[@IgWannA2]

"ok butt stuff" lol

[@nate4818]

I am talking about all writers in the union or the Writers Guild West/East. Some write for tv some write for movies some just write jokes for Letterman. Some just freelance and help write a couple of lines. My point is you shouldn't get what the sucessful writer gets sitting next to you just because you are in a Union.

[@ChristophProbst]

Exactly. The writers are asking for too much. They should get something for compensation, but when ever the other side tries to negotiate, they walk out. Other side has even agreed to the internet compensation, but its not enough. The WGA is out for the best interests of the few rather than the majority of writers. I hope that the WGA eventually caves. Holding an industry hostage, resulting in others to be laid off, shouldn't be an effective way to get what you want.

[@mogthemoogle160_alt]

Seth is pretty much a god.

[@joeyissoweird]

LOL is seth wearing a hoodie?!

[@angelicaq]

he's so cute! I love him! hes such a funny guy and hes quick and clever..

[@QigongEnigma]

It's actually quite nnoying that the WGA don't realise that every time they go on about "The big guys hurting the little guys" they're actually pointing the finger at themselves. How many Production assistants, Effects companies right down to every day workers have lost their jobs and their homes because of the length of this action. If they want to make a point, have unannounced mini strikes!! That way the "little" people will still have jobs and money to feed their kids!

[@Kyokuji]

Actually Seth, musicians often don't get fair royalties for their work.

[@Independent365]

its a little different when u only have 2 guys writing a show compared to when u have a group...

[@BrokeTheInterweb]

Best ending ever

[@Paumonsu]

that's true

[@lonewolfjedi493osswfan]

He makes a point, even with that Stewie voice at the end, VICTORY WILL BE THE WGA'S

[@Xhell420]

Whoo! Mike Skully!

[@be12]

'why not now' lol

[@wardawgz]

The man died two minutes later.

[@cnralph]

Not really, and yes I did give credit to union's. Read the part where I said when union's had a purpose like how coal miners had a life expectancy of like 30 years at the turn of the 20th century. Or how I said union's lost their foundation's. But my guess you'll totally bomb on another comment.

[@ThePokeyPictures]

@purplenurps they agreed and liked macfarlanes speech they got hope to finish to the end

[@aarohazel]

come on just work it out so I can watch the next episode of Prison Break