Don't Give Up Your Day Job, Jackass

I'm not going to link to it, but there's a video out there of NBC Universal chairman Jeff Zucker that's apparently supposed to precede next week's return of My Name Is Earl. Forget that Zucker is a lousy performer and his attempts at a comic style are gut-wrenching. These alone are enough to make the thing painful to watch. The spite cherry on top of the malice sundae, though, is this:

We've put together a little recap to get everybody back up to speed. It's right here on NBC.com, where you can watch all your favorite shows. Preferably within the first 17 days. (Hold for laugh.)

Hey now! Are you dying from the funny yet? I'll give you a second to catch your breath and then I'll explain.

Ready? Good. Zucker is referring to the "free online window" negotiated in the recent strike settlement. This is the clause that says the conglomerates don't have to pay residuals to WGA members for content that's streamed within 17 days of its initial airing. That's a pretty obscure fact, and unless you're a member of the WGA, you probably didn't get the reference. Which is what makes it so obnoxious -- it's a little private "fuck you" to the Guild, just when the wounds of the 2-1/2 month strike are starting to heal. The fact that it inevitably went zinging over the heads of the audience for whom the video is intended doesn't seem to have troubled Zucker a bit. He's apparently way too delighted with his own cleverness. But while it's funny, is it helpful in forging a post-strike climate of mutual respect? Not a bit.

Oh, and wait: It isn't funny either.

(Plus, and I am not making this up: He actually signs off with the words "J.Z. out." Seriously. You have to see it to believe it. On second thought: Don't.)

Cross-posted at billbarol.tumblr.com.

UPDATE: Shortly after this post went live I received a note from Greg Garcia, creator of "My Name Is Earl." He sounds like a nice guy, and I'm happy to let him speak for himself on the promo's genesis. We'll have to to agree to disagree about Zucker's comedy chops.

Bill,

The Zucker thing was my idea. The writers on the show wrote it. He was nice enough to do it. Since it was about writers and written by writers I'm sure he felt safe doing it. It's too bad some people can't see the humor in it that I do but I think it's very funny.

Take care,
Greg Garcia

Follow Bill Barol on Twitter: www.twitter.com/billbarol

Comments

[larry278]

The managers of stations & networks have been a laughing stock since Marconi started sending his signals out. A suit who tries to be funny is pathetic. A glutton for punishment never goes hungry.
larry lynch

[mbaty]

It could be sheer brilliance; have the writers write a joke about the deal they got, get the network head to deliver it and bam! Network head looks like an ass. And he does.

[Thorn]

What a straw-man. You're essentially saying, "Forget that this Suit isn't funny. But, hey, look! The Suit isn't at all funny!"