Are Celebrities Doing Enough for the Striking Writers?

As the writers strike continues into its second day, it’s time we asked the hard question that’s surely been on everyone’s mind: Are celebrities doing enough?

Yesterday’s reports about Jon Stewart paying the salaries of his striking writers (as well as those of Stephen Colbert’s) were later denied by his representatives, though we’re pretty sure he’s just being humble — or dodging taxes, maybe.

According to various sources, the stars actually out picketing, ranked in order of most famous to least, are Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tina Fey, J.J. Abrams, John Leguizamo, Billy Baldwin, America Ferrera, Simpsons producer James L. Brooks, Paul Haggis, Pulitzer-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley, Wanda Sykes, Seth Meyers, Jon Cryer, David Boreanaz, The Daily Show’s John Oliver, Anne Dudek and Olivia Wilde from House, and The Unit’s Robert Patrick and Max Martini.

Jay Leno, riding a motorcycle, delivered “several boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts� to striking writers outside of NBC’s Burbank studios (estimated cost per box: $8), Vanessa Williams brought “snacks� at Sony, Meg Ryan “visited some friends� in line (it is yet not known if she brought any food), and Brothers & Sisters’ Rachel Griffiths (along with an unnamed, probably less famous castmate) took picketers’ orders for Starbucks outside of Disney studios and later returned on her bicycle with coffee, sunscreen, and hats, presumably to shield them from her blinding star power. Also, weren’t picketers only there in four-hour shifts? They must have been eating the entire time.

Meanwhile, Ellen DeGeneres, Steve Carell, and Rainn Wilson all selflessly stayed home from work yesterday to “show support� for their striking writers, which strikes (ha!) us as a pretty easy way to do that.

It’s important to keep in mind that yesterday was only the first day of the strike, so if you want to impress us, Jay Leno, bring doughnuts today!

High-profile writers Rock picket line in N.Y. [HR]
On The Line: Strike News As It Happens [Deadline Hollywood Daily]
Writers picket outside studios [LAT]
Hollywood writers get support from celebrities on picket lines [AP]
’Old Christine’s’ adventures on the picket line [LAT]
Stewart Will Keep Striking ‘Daily’ Writers Afloat [Mixed Media/Portfolio]