The Writers Strike Thread

[Kodos]

Looks like it's time to use Netflix to catch up on 24 and other series that I'm interested in. (Midway through season 3 of 24 right now).

[Joe]

Looks like the Office is wrapping early since Steve Carrell isn't crossing the picket lines.

[Sgran]

www.scab.writer.in.Hungary.works.cheap.com

[Joe]

Strikes halting production on 7 shows

11/6/2007, 5:20 p.m. ET
By GARY GENTILE
The Associated Press


LOS ANGELES (AP) — Production of the hit show "Desperate Housewives" and at least six sitcoms filmed before live audiences will be halted as a result of the writers strike — developments that raised the stakes Tuesday in the walkout targeting movie studios and TV networks.

Producer Alexandra Cunningham said "Desperate Housewives" will stop production on Wednesday after running out of scripts. Shows that have already been completed won't last until Christmas, she said.

"It's unfortunate. We want to get back to work," Cunningham said.

Sitcoms that will stop the cameras include "Back to You," starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton, which will not return from a planned hiatus, said Chris Alexander, a spokesman for 20th Century Fox Television.

Star Julia Louis-Dreyfus said production also stopped on her CBS show, "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

In addition, "Til Death," which airs on Fox, and "Rules of Engagement," "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory," all on CBS, will also end filming, according to people familiar with production of the shows who were not authorized to be quoted and requested anonymity.

Network officials referred calls to the individual companies producing each show.

It was not immediately clear how many of the programs might already be finished.

The sitcoms are typically written the same week they are filmed, with jokes being sharpened by writers even on the day of production.

The disclosures came during the second day of the strike by the Writers Guild of America against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Pickets returned to studios in Los Angeles and New York.

In Toluca Lake, near Warner Bros. studio, writers converged on a house serving as a location shoot for "Desperate Housewives."

"We write the story-a, Eva Longoria," about 30 strikers chanted, referring to a star of the hit ABC show.

"It is a very serious business," said Larry Wilmore, a writer on "The Daily Show," explaining that protesters were marching "so we can get back to being funny."

Shooting continued Tuesday inside the house despite the protests, said Chandler Hayes, a spokesman for ABC.

Marc Cherry, executive producer and creator of the show, said the writers had his blessing to picket as long as they were respectful to the actors.

Actress Louis-Dreyfus joined the protesters.

"I'm really here because I'm a union member," she said, explaining she belongs to the Screen Actors Guild and her husband is a member of the writers guild.

"If we prevent them from working today, that's a small victory," she said.

Longoria left the house and handed out pizza to strikers.

"We are done, and we'll be on the lines supporting you," she told them.

"I have a whole crew that will have a terrible holiday season because there's no resolution," she said. "I care about people losing their homes, I care about my hair and makeup artists who can't make ends meet."

In New York, strikers picketed outside Silver Cup Studios in Queens, the site of shooting for "30 Rock" and "Gossip Girl."

The strike began Monday after last-minute negotiations failed to produce a deal on how much writers are paid when shows are offered on the Internet.

No new negotiations were scheduled.

Nick Counter, chief negotiator for the producers union, has said he expected a long standoff. Writers said the next move was up to the studios.

The walkout immediately sent late-night comedy shows into reruns.

It was not expected to have an immediate impact on production of movies or most prime-time TV programs. Most studios have stockpiled dozens of movie scripts, and many TV shows have scripts or completed shows in hand to last until early next year.

While scripted shows suffer from the strike, reality shows could flourish because they don't use union writers, despite an aggressive attempt by the writers guild to organize the staffers on the programs.

Viewers could also check out more entertainment on the Internet, ranging from user-generated fare on YouTube to professionally produced shows such as "Quarterlife."

Writers have not gone on strike since 1988, when the walkout lasted 22 weeks and cost the industry more than $500 million.

___

AP Writer Karen Matthews in New York contributed to this report. Raquel Maria Dillon also contributed in Los Angeles.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by 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.

Do you work in the industry?

[rkmsuf]

I love this strike.

[Mustang]

My life is so hollow now without the guiding wisdom of TV

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Galaxy

Do you work in the industry?

I do not work in the industry, but I pay heavy attention to the industry and have several friends within, one of whom was an entertainment reporter for Variety and now writes freelance.

Either way, it doesn't take knowledge of the industry or a Harvard MBA to see that online distribution is the future of television and that it will be extremely profitable. Not only that but it will decrease the value of syndication deals and DVD sales, meaning the writers (and later, directors and actors) will actually be taking a pay cut unless they get a share of online revenue.

The studios tried to say they wouldn't deal with the writers because they were asking for an unreasonable increase in DVD revenues. The writers dropped this from the table and said, fine, we just want the online revenue. The studios clearly didn't expect that and they had to go scrambling to the PR machines to paste together some reason why they still won't give in. Basically, they got caught lying and are actually losing the PR war, which is amazing considering they control the media.

This is going to laste for a while, I think. The studios are stubborn and they will not give in. Lawsuits against actors and showrunners will probably start soon, and even if that doesnt work, we'll see tons of unscripted reality crap filling the entire schedule.

I can't wait for World's Most Extreme Text Sim Bugs!!!

[JonInMiddleGA]

I thought Eisner had a decent point today, questioning the wisdom of throwing away existing paychecks in order to chase revenue that really doesn't exist yet.
As I understood his comments (and have only seen them in brief recap form) he wasn't saying this wasn't a fight worth fighting at some point but doubted that this was the time for it.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I thought Eisner had a decent point today, questioning the wisdom of throwing away existing paychecks in order to chase revenue that really doesn't exist yet.
As I understood his comments (and have only seen them in brief recap form) he wasn't saying this wasn't a fight worth fighting at some point but doubted that this was the time for it.

That's more reasonable than some of the other studio comments, but I certainly don't see why the writers should trust that the studios will agree to a better deal down the line, especially after they see how profitable it is. It seems like then the studios will have even more incentive to want to hold on to that money.

And the revenue does exist. The studios are collecting revenue from ads. Now it may not be enough, but that's just too bad. They have to figure out a business model that works. When they charge for the content, the writers do get paid. By supporting the content with ads instead of an upfront fee, the studios are using a technicality to get out of paying writers what was agreed to in the previous contract.

[Drake]

Basically, they got caught lying and are actually losing the PR war, which is amazing considering they control the media.

Except that the media is also comprised of writers.

[cuervo72]

I thought John Rogers (I have his rss feed on Netvibes bc he is the writer for the Blue Beetle comic) had a pretty good blog entry on this topic.

http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com/2007/11/why-strike-ii.html

[JonInMiddleGA]

Given the quality of TV writing at this point, I really have a hard time feeling as though this really isn't opening the door to break the writer's union altogether.

Many, if not most, are lucky to have jobs at all AFAIC. And out there somewhere, in the unwashed masses, I believe there are capable replacements for them. I don't believe those replacements are as easy to find as some who suggest "just hire anybody, it'd be just as good" but I do believe they exist.

[cuervo72]

Another good article, one that has a theory for why the quality of TV isn't so great these days too.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...nion-rightrail

(again, linked from Rogers' blog)

[Flasch186]

I saw some desperation in FOX, a Now Casting phone # at the bottom of "Kitchen Nightmares" tonight....the reality push is upon us

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Another good article, one that has a theory for why the quality of TV isn't so great these days too.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...nion-rightrail

(again, linked from Rogers' blog)

That's a great article

SI

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

I saw some desperation in FOX, a Now Casting phone # at the bottom of "Kitchen Nightmares" tonight....the reality push is upon us

Dude, it's Fox.

What makes you think it has anything to do with the WGA strike?

[cuervo72]

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

I saw some desperation in FOX, a Now Casting phone # at the bottom of "Kitchen Nightmares" tonight....the reality push is upon us

As opposed to CBS that ran an actual commercial for the Amazing Race casting

[14ers]

Does anoyone know what shows will NOT be stopping production because of the strike? I also can't find info about how the strike will impact those shows not made in the US. I think most of the SciFi and CW shows are made in Canada.


I was talking to my folks about how this was already effecting Letterman and Leno, and my mom said she just watched Oprah this morning and it was a live show. I wonder if there are any other shows that are going to continue on as usual and just replace those that go on strike? Anyone catch in of the morning shows today?

[Travis]

Originally Posted by 14ers

Does anoyone know what shows will NOT be stopping production because of the strike? I also can't find info about how the strike will impact those shows not made in the US. I think most of the SciFi and CW shows are made in Canada.


I was talking to my folks about how this was already effecting Letterman and Leno, and my mom said she just watched Oprah this morning and it was a live show. I wonder if there are any other shows that are going to continue on as usual and just replace those that go on strike? Anyone catch in of the morning shows today?

Not sure if it was mentioned in this thread, but they discussed on the radio here a few days ago that Oprah doesn't use members of the writer's guild for her show so she shouldn't have any issues because of the strike.

Sorry for the bad news.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by 14ers

Does anoyone know what shows will NOT be stopping production because of the strike? I also can't find info about how the strike will impact those shows not made in the US. I think most of the SciFi and CW shows are made in Canada.


I was talking to my folks about how this was already effecting Letterman and Leno, and my mom said she just watched Oprah this morning and it was a live show. I wonder if there are any other shows that are going to continue on as usual and just replace those that go on strike? Anyone catch in of the morning shows today?

No shows are going to be replacing those that go on strike. For the live shows, they will be ad-libbing it as they go. Letterman did this during the 1988 strike. I can assure you that scab writers will not be used.

[14ers]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

No shows are going to be replacing those that go on strike. For the live shows, they will be ad-libbing it as they go. Letterman did this during the 1988 strike. I can assure you that scab writers will not be used.

But, are there any other show out there, like Oprah, that do not use writer's guild members?


Could this mean more Reality based TV?

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by 14ers

But, are there any other show out there, like Oprah, that do not use writer's guild members?


Could this mean more Reality based TV?

It will defintiely mean more reality based TV.

[Joe]

more reality tv, more gameshows, more reruns. can't wait..

[Joe]

oh, in good news, I heard that The View won't be interrupted because of the strike.

[Brillig]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

I can't wait for World's Most Extreme Text Sim Bugs!!!

Who Wants To Be a Text Sim Developer?

Are You Smarter Than Daivd Winter?

I'm sensing potential here. Let's do lunch.

[dervack]

Something that I didn't see mentioned in this thread is that the Screen Actors Guild contract is up I believe some point next year and that they are hoping to base the resolution of this strike as a starting point for their contract as well.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by dervack

Something that I didn't see mentioned in this thread is that the Screen Actors Guild contract is up I believe some point next year and that they are hoping to base the resolution of this strike as a starting point for their contract as well.

same with the director's guild of america. in june, i think.

[Young Drachma]

A guy I do business with has a son that writes for The Daily Show and said that he's still working since he's not a member of the union and they said that if after two weeks it's not resolved, then they're going to lay him off.

[JonInMiddleGA]

For people who are really into this sort of thing, here's a link to a pretty good read on some (possible) collateral damage from the strike.
http://www.medialifemagazine.com/art...ouble_spot.asp

Basically, poorly performing shows/reruns/slapdash network schedules will mean that local market ad buys will underperform ...meaning the local affiliates will have to do makegoods (free spots to make up underdelivery vs promised) ... meaning inventory will get tighter & prices will start climbing ... meaning some buyers will place orders earlier trying to avoid peak pricing if they can ... and all buyers will be needing more spots to hit their delivery goals (since lower ratings mean it takes more spots to hit the same number of people ... all at a time when there's some heavy demand for political + car dealers coming back into the ad market after an extended absence + holiday retail ad campaigns.

Bottom line could be that local stations literally don't have enough inventory of any kind to meet their needs. OR they could have too much since there's a legitimate fear that " advertisers will panic and pull their money out of spot TV".

[Chief Rum]

"We write the story-a, Eva Longoria," about 30 strikers chanted, referring to a star of the hit ABC show.

I know it's been said before, but, sheesh, these people are writers?!?

[Easy Mac]

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-en...Long/800026937

A list of shows and how many episodes they have left

30 Rock: Ten episodes will be produced. Five episodes have aired, so there are five left.

Aliens in America: Seventeen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are 11 left.

Back to You: Nine episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are three left.

Bionic Woman: Roughly nine episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are three left.

Bones: Twelve episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are six left.

Boston Legal: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are nine left.

Brothers & Sisters: Twelve episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are five left.

Chuck: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are six left.

CSI: NY: Fourteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are seven left.

Desperate Housewives: Ten episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are three left.

Dirty Sexy Money: Eleven episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are five left.

Friday Night Lights: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are eight left.

Gossip Girl: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are six left.

Grey's Anatomy: Eleven episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are four left.

Heroes: Eleven episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are four left.

House: Twelve episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are six left.

Jericho: Seven episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are seven episodes left.

Law & Order: SVU: Fourteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are eight left.

Life is Wild: Twelve episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are six left.

Lost: Eight episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are eight episodes left.

Medium: Nine episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are nine episodes left.

Men in Trees: Nineteen episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are 13 left.

Numbers: Twelve episodes will be produced. Eight, so there are four left.

One Tree Hill: Twelve episodes will be produced. None have aired yet, so there are twelve episodes left.

The Office: Twelve half-hour episodes will be produced. Eleven half-hour episodes have aired, so there is one half-hour episode left.

Prison Break: Thirteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are six left.

Private Practice: Ten or 11 episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are four or five left.

Pushing Daisies: Nine episodes will be produced. Five episodes have aired, so there are four left.

Reaper: Ten to 12 episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are three to five left.

Samantha Who?: Twelve episodes will be produced. Four episodes have aired, so there are eight left.

Scrubs: Twelve episodes will be produced. Three episodes have aired, so there are nine left.

Shark: Eleven episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are four left.

Smallville: Fifteen episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are eight left.

Supernatural: Ten to 12 episodes will be produced. Six episodes have aired, so there are four to six left.

Ugly Betty: Twelve or 13 episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are five or six left.

[rkmsuf]

man I love this strike. stay strong writers!

[Pumpy Tudors]

This is a golden opportunity for Fox to dust off their old tapes of "Open House" and "The Edge" so we'll have something new but old to watch.

[Easy Mac]

I hope they bring back all these shows



Now Playing:

family guy cancelled video

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

I hope they bring back all these shows



Now Playing:

family guy cancelled video

I agree.

[larrymcg421]

Pretty good video put together by the WGA...

[korme]

NO THE OFFICE

[14ers]

I wonder if this means we will be able to see the remaining Caveman episodes?

[Mustang]

"Family" feud afoot for Fox cartoon

Wed Nov 14, 2:55 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Fox is producing fresh episodes of its animated comedy "Family Guy" without the participation of its striking creator Seth MacFarlane, who does many of the main voices, sources said.
ADVERTISEMENT

The last episode completed before the Writers Guild of America strike began November 5 aired Sunday. Fox and sibling studio 20th Century Fox TV had the choice of going into reruns or continuing the show without MacFarlane, whose outspoken defiance of his employers has made him a cause celebre for striking writers.

After a large writers rally outside the Fox lot on Friday, where he was one of the speakers, MacFarlane said the studio could proceed without him, though he hoped it would not.

20th TV had no comment on the matter Tuesday but confirmed that it remains in production on new episodes. The first episode finished without MacFarlane's blessing has been delivered to Fox. Sources said it is one of three very close to completion, with others in various stages of production.

In addition to executive-producing the show, MacFarlane voices the characters of Peter, Brian and Stewis Griffin, the male members of the hapless Rhode Island family at the core of the domestic satire.





Who thought this was a good idea?

[larrymcg421]

The networks did not expect so many showrunners to step down. They figured they'd be able to produce all remaining completed scripts. When the showrunners walked as well, they realized they didn't have nearly as many episodes as they'd planned. Now they're scrambling to get whatever new material up they can.

[Galaxy]

Always a fan of Conan, but he gets another level of respect with this:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...PeqiAD8T7MD9G0

http://www.latenightunderground.com/...rom-cona.shtml

[stevew]

I hate this f'n strike. But I suppose if it gives me more episodes of "Kitchen Nightmares" I could live with it.

[IMetTrentGreen]

Why do you need more than one episode of Kitchen Nightmares? Every single one is the exact same.

[14ers]

Originally Posted by Mustang

"
In addition to executive-producing the show, MacFarlane voices the characters of Peter, Brian and Stewis Griffin, the male members of the hapless Rhode Island family at the core of the domestic satire.

How do you make a Fanily Guy show without Peter, Brian and Stewis Griffin?

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by IMetTrentGreen

Why do you need more than one episode of Kitchen Nightmares? Every single one is the exact same.

because it's fun to watch gordon curse the idiots out and make fun of their food?

[stevew]

I've worked in several shithole failing restaurants, so I enjoy watching Gordon tell the owners the things that I always wanted to say.

[14ers]

Does anyone know what the hell is going on in Late Night TV?

US talk show 'Letterman' back after strike deal: writers
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...E191G0SnHfL1Iw

Leno and Obrien will be crossing the Picket line on Jan 2, AND Letterman has some how cut a deal with the union to allow his company "WorldWide Pants" to start production again on their shows. Does anyone know if the Band members will be comming back to these shows?

Should be interesting to see who Leno can convince to cross a union picket line and come on his show.


ALSO, Can individual shows cut their own deals with the writers union?

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by 14ers

Does anyone know what the hell is going on in Late Night TV?

US talk show 'Letterman' back after strike deal: writers
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...E191G0SnHfL1Iw

Leno and Obrien will be crossing the Picket line on Jan 2, AND Letterman has some how cut a deal with the union to allow his company "WorldWide Pants" to start production again on their shows. Does anyone know if the Band members will be comming back to these shows?

Should be interesting to see who Leno can convince to cross a union picket line and come on his show.


ALSO, Can individual shows cut their own deals with the writers union?

I don't see any reason why the band members wouldn't be coming back. The WGA has decided to try and work with the individual production companies to strike deals, so it's legit.