The writers are back. The studios realized that you can’t actually make content without them, and this time, the writers had the support of the general public. Social media helped, I think, as the writers were able to make their cases directly to audiences. It’s hard to say writers are overpaid when the writers are showing pictures of residual checks for literally pennies when you’ve binge-watched their show fifteen times in the last three months. The actors are doing the same thing, and it’s likely it will have the same result. You also get to see exactly how much support they have from the people you’ve actually heard of and respect—many of whom are walking the picket lines themselves.

For me, the sign that we are back to normal was Colbert screwing up a punchline and John Oliver telling me about prison health care. (Presumably The Daily Show is taking a bit longer on the grounds of having to set things back up with guest hosts.) Everything else will take considerably longer to pick back up and doubtless has to wait until the actors’ strike is settled, one hopes soon and in the actors’ favour. For the same reasons. But my delight at Colbert’s and Oliver’s returns cannot be overstated.

I watch a lot of regular YouTube videos, now that I can do it on my TV and still do other things on my computer at the same time. Obviously, that’s been unaffected. Oh, Caitlin Doughty’s on sabbatical, and good for her. But I’ve been watching a lot of Emma Thorne and Viced Rhino, and of course Dapper Dino. (Gutsick Gibbon has been in Africa on a dig!) Miso Hungrie and the Babish Culinary Universe. Philosophy Tube. I could go on. But what I realized the last few months is that I miss my regular scripted stuff.

Oh, I still watch the actual news clips. (And read news sites, don’t get me wrong.) But even leaving aside the delay in regular shows and movies, I’ve noticed the lack in the strike. I liked the little fake movies Babish was doing for a while to not cross virtual picket lines. I’m interested in Dominic Noble’s evaluations of books so as to not cross virtual picket lines. On the other hand, I’ve missed Colbert. I’ve missed Meanwhile, the best part of the show. I’m looking forward to The Daily Show. How much fun would it have been to hear them go on about that submersible?

Entertainment relies on writers. This site would not exist without its writers, of course, or anyway wouldn’t be anything anyone cared about. You need writers even in places where you don’t think you do. I’ve missed my silly jokes—and having Colbert back for Fat Bear Week is just the best. Let’s hope this is the wake-up call the studios need, that without their product, they are nothing. I don’t know what CBS has been playing in Colbert’s slot this whole time, as I watch online, but I can’t imagine it made them as much as new episodes. Which deserve to be paid for.

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