Wil Wheaton is not happy with Ken Jennings and he wants both Ken, and the world, to know it.
Wheaton, who actually once appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy! took to Facebook to let loose his anger and many people are applauding his post, though I personally believe that he misses multiple important details that serve to distort his point of view (I’ll explain those shortly).
The Big Bang Theory actor was quite annoyed at Jennings because the Jeopardy! host did not follow in the footsteps of the show’s other host, Mayim Bialik, and strike in solidarity with the Writer’s Guild,of America (WGA). Jennings caused something of a stir when it was announced that Bialik was on strike while he would continue taping shows.
Wheaton’s initial post read, “This is a VERY small town, Ken Jennings, and we will all remember this. Your privilege may protect you right now but we will *never* forget.”
Wheaton received numerous supportive messages for his post from people unhappy with the host for crossing the picket line.
However, Wheaton also received some pushback, especially for the way in which he chose to express himself, which comes across as somewhat threatening.
Wil didn’t care. It only made him more angered so he took to Facebook again to respond to those who disagreed with him. Wheaton stated, “Hey y’all, if you’re here to sh** on unions, you can fu** right off. I’ve been a union man since I was a union boy, and I will be a union man until the day I die.”
Wheaton didn’t stop there, though. He added, “If you’re here to sh** on the workers of the world, or to make excuses for someone who is currently doing that, go fu** yourself and don’t come back.”
Even those who are pro-union might not fully support Wheaton’ approach but will likely appreciate the support. Whatever Ken Jennings’ reason is for not joining his co-host on strike, Wheaton doesn’t know but obviously doesn’t care and it’s ironic that he chooses to sh** on him then claim to be against those who “sh** on the workers” (is Jennings not a worker?).
However, when someone crosses the picket line, it’s often met with vitriol, as if that person crossing the picket line will somehow weaken the very strong WGA union.
I’m a writer myself (obviously) but I’m against being infuriated by someone like Jennings, especially considering he is not a writer. He’s a host. To be mad at someone for not striking just as a show of solidarity, like Bialik did, is going a step too far. Did Wheaton go off on The View hosts for staying on the show while their writers are striking?
Additionally, Wheaton is likely unaware of that Jeopardy! writers finish the season before it ends because, well, they obviously have to write the questions in advance, hence why the show is not interrupted yet. So, they don’t actually use writer’s this late in the season. They also only have 4 episodes left to tape before the season is over. A summer break follows and then they return to taping in the fall. However, they won’t tape in the fall if the strike is still on because they won’t have writer’s for the new season.
If Wheaton decided not to emotionally react first then he might give himself time to learn the entire situation and it might alter his thinking. Either way, cursing out people who disagree with you simply because you’re a “union man,” doesn’t mean you’re right. Then again, what do I know? I’m just a writer.