Writers Strike Finally Over
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Late Night, Talk Shows, NBC, Saturday Night Live, News
We can officially start the jig now.
After more than 3 months on the picket lines, the Writers Guild of America has finally announced an end to their strike. Of the 3,775 votes cast, 92.5% elected to stop the walkout. This means WGA members can resume doing what they do best starting tomorrow.
While it may be weeks before we see new episodes of our favorite shows, this news will immediately affect those programs that churn out daily fare. This means we should expect to see the return of late-night monologues ASAP. Meanwhile, the folks behind Saturday Night Live anticipate a brand new show come Feb. 23rd. (Of course, in true SNL fashion, that will probably be followed up by a repeat the following weekend.)
Of course, we could be revisiting this whole work stoppage issue again at the end of June; that’s when the current contract between SAG/AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers is set to expire.
But let’s just think happy thoughts until then, okay?
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| Variety
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Could the Writers Strike Really Be Ending?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Award Shows, News
The Writers Guild has just dropped two of their demands: proposals to unionize animated movie and reality TV writers. This brings us all right back to the central issue: Internet and new-media revenue. By the Guild’s own admission, this concession (which comes only after the writers were repeatedly asked to make just this concession) is an olive branch - everyone wants the strike to end. Negotiations will continue this week as both sides try to reach some conclusion.
The writers have also made the decision not to picket the Grammy ceremony, which bodes well for the rest of the awards season. The striking writers, so far, have not agreed on an interim deal which will allow them to be a part of the musical spectacle. But there does seem to be some hope on the horizon…at last.
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| LA Times (Registration Required)
Award Shows Must Go Writer-Free
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Award Shows, Gossip, News
If Jay Leno can go on without his writers, so can the awards shows. At least, that’s the hope. The striking writers guild will not be involved in either the Oscars or the Golden Globes—at least not this awards season.
Producers asked that writers be allowed to contribute despite the strike, and though the announcement is not yet official, members of the WGA say that’s not going to happen. The Golden Globes reps say there might still be some way the writers can participate, and hope to work out an agreement with the Guild.
Not only will the telecasts be deprived of all those witty written jokes during telecast, the stalemate with the writers could leave the shows without participants. Union actors wouldn’t want to cross picket lines to make presentations (doing so wouldn’t be union-friendly) while winners may choose not to accept their awards.
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| Hollywood Reporter
No Deal: Writers and Producers No Longer Talking
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Reality, News
All the channel-flipping in the world doesn’t help when there’s nothing new to watch on TV. Despite an attempt by both parties to negotiate new contract terms, the writers and producers have again failed to reach agreement.
The new talks lasted a little over a week, but the situation isn’t at all improved. Neither side is willing to give in to the other, which doesn’t bode well for future TV-watching. There are over ten thousand writers on the picket lines, but they only represent part of the story. Many other workers in the industry remain without pay as the writers hold their signs, which puts a real damper on any sort of holiday cheer for these laborers. More than fifty shows have already been completely shut down by the strike, and there’s no end in sight.
FOX has already suffered programming gaps which pushed new reality shows to the forefront; if the strike continues to drag the entire 2008 season could be in jeopardy.
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| LA Times
Party Politics and the Writer’s Strike
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Daytime, Prime Time, Specials, Talk Shows, ABC, CBS, 24, Desperate Housewives, House, News
This is how it works. The Writer’s Guild of America has gone on strike. For most of us, this means that shows like House, 24, Desperate Housewives and a whole host of others won’t be on the air. But the writer’s strike has a bigger effect, and not just on our TV watching. Not only will this strike begin to effect the economy, but now it’s affecting the future of our nation. Because when party politics mixes with a writer’s strike, no one gets to benefit.
Let’s talk about Democrats. Support for unions is one of the bedrocks of the Democratic party – in fact, no self-respecting Democratic politician would ever be seen crossing a picket line. And right now, there are plenty of picket lines in front of TV studios. How does it affect you? If you’ve been looking forward to another Democratic primary Presidential debate (and there’s one scheduled December 10), you may wind up disappointed. Hosted by CBS News, this particular debate was scheduled many months in advance. But the Democratic contenders who will appear in the debate absolutely will not cross a picket line. That’s party politics.
Click to continue reading Party Politics and the Writer’s Strike
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| Hollywood Reporter
Daytime TV Hosts Forging Past Picket Lines
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Daytime, Talk Shows, Syndication, Oprah Winfrey Show, Gossip, News
The writers’ strike is still raging on, but several notable daytime TV hosts don’t seem to care. At least, they are walking through the picket lines to continue with their work. The writers’ guild has publicly rebuked Ellen DeGeneres for these actions, though she is not the only host to walk past the strikers. Oprah Winfrey and Rachel Ray are also keeping their shows going, so The Ellen DeGeneres Show still has some ratings competition.
Ellen has canceled some New York shows, but her studio in LA remains open. DeGeneres says she’s remaining open to support her staff, as a mind-boggling 135 individuals depend upon her show’s production to keep their own paychecks coming. Her actions, however, and the actions of other daytime hosts, are not endearing to striking writers.
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| AOL News
Writers Strike Begins
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Daytime, Late Night, News
It’s official – the Writers Guild has gone on strike after negotiations with the Alliance of Producers failed. Picketers will make their stance in New York City and Los Angeles until a deal can be reached. Writers are demanding more revenue from DVD sales, but the producers refuse to give in. Late night talk shows will be the first to stop airing new episodes, as these programs remain very current in news and events. Daytime TV, which tapes about a week’s worth of shows in advance, will be the next casualty of the strike. Most studios have dozens of scripts stockpiled for favorite TV series and new movies, enough to last until early next year. The strike may set a precedent for the Screen Actors Guild, as contracts are scheduled to run out next June.
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| Yahoo News
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