The Writers Strike Thread

[DeToxRox]

Seems like it is going to happen, and unlike the auto strikes, where I figured they'd last no longer then a week, I can see this one lasting a while. It'll definetly be a blow to shows filming now for the mid season, ala Lost, 24 and The Shield

[Joe]

I have read that the Shield has all of it's scripts in, but Lost has only half and 24 has one third.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Joe

I have read that the Shield has all of it's scripts in, but Lost has only half and 24 has one third.

Well good. The Shield is my main concern, the other two are just whatever. I'll watch but I won't go out of my way, I can just DVR. The Shield I feel like I must watch at 10 on Tuesday

[JeeberD]

Is The Riches going to be coming back for a second season? If so, is this going to affect the show?

[Joe]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Is The Riches going to be coming back for a second season? If so, is this going to affect the show?

This affects nearly every show, The Shield is an exception. The Riches was renewed though, so at some point it'll be back. I don't know about the particulars.

[Flasch186]

pretty much effects everyone and most immediately talk....Late night, daily show, etc.

[Joe]

also, Heroes is filming an alternate ending to their Dec. 3 show that will serve as a season finale if the strike is not settled by then (which is unlikely it will be)

[DeToxRox]

Most shows on the air now have like 6 episodes left in the can, so a strike that goes around two months will be brutal. Shows will be cut off in the middle.

Expect a lot of crap reality and movies if this goes on too long.

[Jas_lov]

I think most tv shows have scripts stockpiled for the season. I'm not sure what the late night talk shows will do? Will they still have new episodes and just hire scab writers or how does that work? Reruns?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Jas_lov

I think most tv shows have scripts stockpiled for the season. I'm not sure what the late night talk shows will do? Will they still have new episodes and just hire scab writers or how does that work? Reruns?

Reruns for late night. I had heard some shows may try going live and run with it off the cuff but really I could only see Conan doing that, and not for very long so I doubt it happens.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Jas_lov

I think most tv shows have scripts stockpiled for the season. I'm not sure what the late night talk shows will do? Will they still have new episodes and just hire scab writers or how does that work? Reruns?

they don't have that many in reserve, though some started early knowing this was a distinct possibility.

[DeToxRox]

NBC is talking about bringing WWE onto primetime to replace some of their shows.

[Jas_lov]

Originally Posted by Joe

they don't have that many in reserve, though some started early knowing this was a distinct possibility.

I would hope that some of them saw this coming and stocked up! What about shows like The Office where some of the actors like Ryan and Kelly are also the writers? Do they go on strike too?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Jas_lov

I would hope that some of them saw this coming and stocked up! What about shows like The Office where some of the actors like Ryan and Kelly are also the writers? Do they go on strike too?

Yeap. In keeping with the NBC theme, the big rumor there is they'll import the British version of the Office to replace the American one.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Jas_lov

I would hope that some of them saw this coming and stocked up! What about shows like The Office where some of the actors like Ryan and Kelly are also the writers? Do they go on strike too?

yep I'd think they're in the writers guild of america

[Young Drachma]

Aren't there scab writers?

[JonInMiddleGA]

I wonder if I'm one of the least affected people around these parts by all this?
(Personally that is, not professionally, as scrambled schedules make for shitty media plans)

So far I don't think there's been a single show mentioned in the thread that I actually watch.
And yeah, I know, it hits a wide swath of shows but this just kind of reminds me how little first run scripted TV I watch.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I wonder if I'm one of the least affected people around these parts by all this?

Since apparently The Sheild will be fine, this won't have any impact on my TV watching at all. Just about everything I watch is either sports or reruns.

[Young Drachma]

I don't watch TV much at all, so it doesn't affect me either.

[k0ruptr]

I dont have tv anymore, only thing I watch is sports, and thats all online.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Jas_lov

I would hope that some of them saw this coming and stocked up! What about shows like The Office where some of the actors like Ryan and Kelly are also the writers? Do they go on strike too?

They will continue acting, along with Paul Lieberstein, who plays Toby.

[TazFTW]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I wonder if I'm one of the least affected people around these parts by all this?
(Personally that is, not professionally, as scrambled schedules make for shitty media plans)

So far I don't think there's been a single show mentioned in the thread that I actually watch.
And yeah, I know, it hits a wide swath of shows but this just kind of reminds me how little first run scripted TV I watch.

I guess that means the wrestling writers are not on strike. If there's two "shows" that need a writers strike it's WWE and TNA.

[SackAttack]

I'm curious whether/how this will affect Jericho's return. I think I recall reading that they've already finished filming the episodes they were guaranteed for season 2; does CBS make the switch to that somewhere to have at least *some* new programming on during the strike, or do they just run re-runs and sit on Jericho for a while?

[-apoc-]

If they have already been filmed then I am sure they will make the switch to it at some point rather than just showing reruns of other programs.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Aren't there scab writers?

I seriously doubt that SAG or any of the other unions would work with scab writers.

As for the dispute, it's mainly over revenue for DVD sales and internet content. Writer's revenues for successful series have dropped significantly since syndication isn't nearly as lucrative due to the availability of shows on DVD and the internet. Can't say I blame them for striking, but I hope a compromise is worked out soon.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

I'm curious whether/how this will affect Jericho's return. I think I recall reading that they've already finished filming the episodes they were guaranteed for season 2; does CBS make the switch to that somewhere to have at least *some* new programming on during the strike, or do they just run re-runs and sit on Jericho for a while?

I can't imagine why they wouldn't show them during the strike. First run Jericho vs. reruns of other shows will certainly be successful.

CBS stands to do much better during the strike than the other networks. Their lineup is filled with procedurals, which do much better in reruns than serialized shows.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Joe

... and 24 has one third.

Cool. Sounds like this will be season where Jack finally gets a good night's sleep.

[rkmsuf]

Like scabs can't churn out the same drivel.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Based on the number of polls we've seen this morning and the relative quality of some of the other threads, it appears as this strike is already having an impact on our community...

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Based on the number of polls we've seen this morning and the relative quality of some of the other threads, it appears as this strike is already having an impact on our community...

awww.. you beat me to the punch. Polls are the equivalent of reality TV.

[ThunderingHERD]

Originally Posted by http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/05/writers.strike/index.html

"What do we want?" a man called to the strikers.

"Contracts!" the group answered.

"When do we want it?"

"Now!"

These people are professional writers?

[14ers]

How does this effect the shows made in Canada?

[rkmsuf]

Why can't they just get more writers?

[Young Drachma]

You know, I was looking at the NY Times just now and saw the front page of the writers' strike and saw them holding picket signs and I dunno, I get it..but it's sorta strange and reminds me of the summer I spent at The Boston Globe as an undergrad when they would do staged walkouts at random times of the day, to protest management's desire to get them to concede some of their health benefits.

I had a hard time understanding their complaints then, because I saw it through the lens of "ordinary folks".

I look at this and have flashbacks to that time. I understand a lot better now than I used to...but...it's still interesting.

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

I don't watch TV much at all, so it doesn't affect me either.

Likewise. If it's not the NFL or old cartoons on Boomerang, I don't really watch TV these days.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Why can't they just get more writers?

I imagine that you've got to be a member of the Writers Guild. And the time it would take to get replacement writers to do the shows for what might not be a super long strike, would not only piss off the current group and have them digging in their heels, but...any scab writer that decided to cross a picket line would probably be torpedoing their career prospects.

And you have to figure anyone worth their salt in the business would be a member of the writers guild.

But I could be wrong.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

I imagine that you've got to be a member of the Writers Guild. And the time it would take to get replacement writers to do the shows for what might not be a super long strike, would not only piss off the current group and have them digging in their heels, but...any scab writer that decided to cross a picket line would probably be torpedoing their career prospects.

And you have to figure anyone worth their salt in the business would be a member of the writers guild.

But I could be wrong.

Just seems like say you run out of scripts for a given show. SOMEONE could write one and you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference.

[evil homer]

tvguide.com has the latest update on the status of shows by network:

hxxp://community.tvguide.com/blog/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Strike-Watch-Season/800059822

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Just seems like say you run out of scripts for a given show. SOMEONE could write one and you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference.

A lot of the writers are also the actors for a series (Tina Fey for example). Plus, I doubt the actors union would go along with it hiring non-union writers as well. If that happened, I would wonder what kind of war would happen between writers and actors....

Hmmm, that gives me an idea for a reality show!

[ThunderingHERD]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Just seems like say you run out of scripts for a given show. SOMEONE could write one and you wouldn't even be able to tell the difference.

What on earth makes you think that you couldn't tell the difference?

[Malificent]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

What on earth makes you think that you couldn't tell the difference?

Writing: Only a small percentage of people can do it well, but everyone thinks they can do it better than the people that actually get paid for it.

Just one of those jobs I guess. Nobody thinks they could hop into a fighter jet and do the job of a pilot.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Malificent

Just one of those jobs I guess. Nobody thinks they could hop into a fighter jet and do the job of a pilot.

[Joe]

November 2, 2007

To All Screen Actors Guild members:

The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) board and Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) council voted today to call a strike against the film studios and television networks that make up the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on Monday, November 5.

Please read this notice carefully as it outlines important instructions and information for all 120,000 Screen Actors Guild members.

Screen Actors Guild remains steadfast in its support of WGA writers and their desire to reach an equitable contract, and we fully support their efforts to bargain for payments for new media formats and fair compensation for DVDs. President Alan Rosenberg attended the WGA membership meeting Thursday night to pledge the Guild’s support for our brothers and sisters at the WGA.

If you are contracted to work on a television series or motion picture that continues to produce while the WGA is on strike, you are obligated by your personal service agreement and the “No Strike” clause in our collective bargaining agreements, to go to work. You can continue to audition for work, and accept new work, if you choose to do so.

Screen Actors Guild members should not perform the duties covered by WGA contracts. Simply stated, you should not write anything normally written by striking WGA writers.

We encourage you, on your own time, to walk any picket line that has been set up by the WGA to show your solidarity. We will provide updates as soon as possible with details on WGA picket line locations.

We will continue to update this message as information becomes available.

If you have any questions regarding your obligations as a SAG member, please email [email protected]. A telephone hotline will be announced later today.

[NoSkillz]

This thread would be way cooler if every post was blank.

[Crapshoot]

On the bright side, shows like Two and a Half Men or Cavemen won't be affected.

[cuervo72]

This could be gigante for Univision!

[Drake]

Originally Posted by NoSkillz

This thread would be way cooler if every post was blank.

A great idea. Unfortunately, I think it's one of those ideas that's *so* great that no one would get the parody.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

What on earth makes you think that you couldn't tell the difference?

On the bright side, shows like Two and a Half Men or Cavemen won't be affected.

point me

[ThunderingHERD]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

point me

Of course there are badly written shows--but badly written compared to what? Shows written by other professional writers.

[larrymcg421]

Trust me, if you guys have seen some of the crap that gets rejected, you'd understand why shows like Two and a Half Men get on the air. But that's not even really a good example. The writers of Two and a Half Men may not be very good from an artistic standpoint (or they might just be selling out), but they clearly know what people will like.

As for Cavemen, that was a brilliant ad campaign that was stretched into an unsuitable format. I'm not even sure a good writer could have made it work.

I guarantee you if they brought in scabs to write for The Office, Scrubs, 30 Rock, Dexter, BSG, Chuck, etc. then you'll be able to tell the difference in a big way.