The worm turns for Ellen's Big Apple show
Ellen DeGeneres canceled plans to tape her daily chatfest in New York City yesterday after withering attacks from the Writers Guild of America East and guest Keri Russell's decision to cancel her appearance on the show in solidarity with the strikers.
DeGeneres was slated to bring her syndicated "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to the Big Apple this coming Monday and Tuesday, but apparently backed out following the WGA's statement last week headlined "Ellen Is Not Welcome In NY."
"We're delighted that Ellen DeGeneres has decided not to come to New York to tape her program," the WGA East president Michael Winship said. "She knows that the Writers Guild East would have been there to protest her lack of solidarity, not only with her Guild writing staff but also the striking members of the Writers Guild, of which she is a member."
The talk show host is also a member of the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, which includes a no-strike clause in her contract.
DeGeneres knocked off her show's taping the first day of the strike last week but returned the following day insisting she stood behind her writers but could not stike because of her crew; her company, which ordered her not to strike, and the AFTRA's no-strike clause.
But earlier this week it appeared DeGeneres was in danger of losing more than the Writers Guild's respect. Russell, who was scheduled to appear on the show next week to promote her new flick "August Rush," canceled her guest spot, reportedly in protest of the show's ongoing production, E! Online reported.
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