WGA Strike: Stars are Too Shy Shy to go on Late Night TV

The New York Times is suggesting that, although Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno are scheduled to return to the airwaves on January 2, stars aren’t so hip to the idea of crossing the picket lines, with publicists explaining their actions:

One publicist for an actor who is starring in a film scheduled for wide release in January said that clients of her agency were likely to wait and see what the reaction was to any actors who decided to cross a picket line.

“I don’t think there will be a rush to go on the shows,” said the publicist, who works for one of the largest Hollywood agencies and who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Noting the criticism that greeted Ellen DeGeneres and Carson Daly when they returned to their talk shows earlier during the strike, she added: “We will wait to see if there will be that kind of fallout. It’s such a sensitive issue, and a personal issue for each actor as well.”

Producers for the shows say they have been contacting potential guests since the strike by the Writers Guild of America began on Nov. 5, keeping potential guests lined up in case of a swift settlement.

While I support these actors’ decision to stand behind their brethren writers, I can name other “stars” (I am using the term loosely) who would never let ethics stand in the way of fame-whoring and would fill in for their A list counterparts on late night TV in a heartbeat:

4. Tara Reid because, after the cast of Scrubs outted her as stinking of liquor and cigs, she’s found it hard to find a show that will have her. Oh, that, and a string of stinky films.
3. Brandy C. Okay, the entire cast of Rock Of Love. But who would watch?
2. Anybody from Dancing With the Stars. Because these people would dance with the devil if paid the right amount.
1. Lindsay Lohan, who can take all the money she can get at this point

More on These Topics: Conan O'Brien | Dancing With The Stars | Scrubs | Tonight Show With Jay Leno