Writers on Strike: Impact on ‘Scrubs’
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Late Night, Prime Time, Talk Shows, NBC, Scrubs, Rumors,
Yep, the Writers Guild of America strike is underway and that means plenty of casualties like late-night talk shows and Saturday Night Live. Most shows have filmed episodes weeks in advance, so we should continue to see new episodes into January, but I suddenly panicked when I thought about Scrubs, which got a late start to the season. Scrubs has seen its fair share of misses and it’s a wonder the series has even survived seven years, given the constant switcheroo on the schedule. In fact, it’s faced near cancellation more than once. So, with a strike for who-knows-how-long, what is the fate of the comedy, now in its final season? The prognosis isn’t great—the last six eps of the series could be hanging in the balance. Bill Lawrence, the creator and exec producer said, “On a personal level, yeah, it would be nice to finish work on Scrubs the way I wanted to. That it looks like it’s not happening is certainly disappointing, I can’t lie. But it’s also not the end of the world.” He’s got his heart in the right place—with the writers: “What I care about more than anything right now is getting this thing settled so it’s either a short strike or no strike.” Right now there are two scripts written, so Scrubs will make it to episode 12… but the strike could have fans in misery over the final six episodes.
Yahoo! News
Gallery: Writers on Strike: Impact on ‘Scrubs’
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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.
Yahoo News
Gallery: Writers Strike Begins
Late Night Repeats for Writer-less Talk Shows
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Daytime, Late Night, Talk Shows, ABC, Cable, NBC, Syndication, General Hospital, Saturday Night Live, News,
If the Writers Guild of America strikes on Monday as scheduled, you can expect a slate of late-night reruns to put you to bed. Assuming a last-minute Sunday mediation session doesn’t prevent the 12,000 WGA members from walking out, daily productions ranging from The Colbert Report to Late Night with Conan O’Brien will immediately go into repeats. So much for November sweeps.
The impact will not necessarily be limited to evening fare; daytime chatfests like The Ellen Degeneres Show may be affected as well. Fortunately soap operas like my fave, General Hospital, have stockpiled scripts that should leave them immune for months to come.
Tonight’s Saturday Night Live with Brian Williams could also be the last Lorne Michaels production for some time. But given SNL’s lame tendency to air repeats anyway, who’d even notice?
Hollywood Reporter
Gallery: Late Night Repeats for Writer-less Talk Shows
Colbert Campaign Halted
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Comedy, Late Night, Cable, Editorial, News,
According to party executives, satirical comedian Stephen Colbert will not appear on the Democratic Primary ballot for the state of South Carolina. The party voted against Colbert’s campaign, though just last weekend the funnyman enjoyed a huge welcome from the state. Party execs met earlier this week to decide which candidates will appear on the ballot, and the Comedy Central variety show host was not on the long list. A thirty-five thousand dollar fee is likely to keep Colbert off the Republican ballot as well, meaning this week could be the quick end to Colbert’s short campaign. And though fans of the Colbert Nation will be in an uproar because of the news, there are many who think this is the right decision. Keeping popular candidates out of the election, which has become a national free-for-all for a ton of politicians, is apparently all part of the Democratic process.
Click to continue reading Colbert Campaign Halted
CNN
Gallery: Colbert Campaign Halted
Stephen Colbert Honored in South Carolina
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Late Night, Talk Shows, Cable, Daily Show, The, Gossip, News,
South Carolina’s self-proclaimed favorite son, Stephen Colbert, made his presidential campaign journey to the only state in which he’s competing and basked in the worship of sign-waving southern fans. The mayor of Columbia, SC gave Colbert a key to the city and announced the event on Sunday as ‘Stephen Colbert Day’.
Colbert made his preliminary announcement to run for the presidency on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, though the official announcement occurred a few minutes later on Colbert’s title show. Colbert intends to run as a Democrat and a Republican in the state of South Carolina, which could potentially cause a problem for the only other presidential candidate from the state: Democrat John Edwards.
LA Times
Gallery: Stephen Colbert Honored in South Carolina
It all started when long-running NBC darling Jay Leno said he was going to retire. The Tonight Show, currently enjoying its fifty-second season on the network, is a show that’s obviously bigger than any one man. So NBC execs immediately started casting about for Leno’s replacement. Early rumors linked Conan O’Brien’s name to the late night variety/talk show, leaving a hosting hole wide open on O’Brien’s gig. Jimmy Fallon became the heir apparent, and Leno’s retirement (not scheduled, by the way, until 2009) seemed a done deal. But now, Jay just might be changing his mind. Sources purporting to be close to the situation say Leno doesn’t want to go, and NBC has answered the rumor. The network says it wants to stick with Leno, and has no intention of giving the show to O’Brien (and collectively, we can all say “whew”). The network is anxious to keep Conan on his regular late gig, which doesn’t bode too well for Fallon’s career.
Read More 
| Yahoo News
Gallery: Late Night Mix-Up
Chevy Chase Guests on Brothers & Sisters
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Drama, Late Night, Prime Time, ABC, NBC, Saturday Night Live,
It’s the age old question: when did Chevy Chase become un-funny? I mean, SNL, Caddyshack, Vacation, and Fletch—Chevy ruled the comedy scene. Then it was as if his tank approached empty and he sputtered with every Caddyshack/Vacation/Fletch sequel. Not to worry, however. He has managed to show up in some recent films and even appeared on an episode of Law and Order last year (not to mention dropping in on SNL last weekend). So, his comedy chops may have fizzled, but he’s still around. Next up? A guest appearance on Brothers & Sisters, playing an ex-boyfriend of Nora’s (Sally Field). We’ll be seeing him on the series sometime in 2008 and he’ll stick around for a few episodes. I’m just hoping Chevy’s storyline is a little more interesting than last season’s guest, Peter Coyote, who played Nora’s potential love interest. And, since it’s a drama, he doesn’t even need to try and engage that dormant funny bone of his. Aww, I kid Chevy. I love Brothers & Sisters and I’m looking forward to seeing what role he’ll play.
Read More | Zap2it
Gallery: Chevy Chase Guests on Brothers & Sisters
Updated Update… Maya Rudolph Unquits!
Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live, Gossip, Rumors,
Huh? I know… I’m confused too. First, there were reports that Maya Rudolph would definitely continue on Saturday Night Live this season. Then a follow up report that she would not be on the show was announced shortly thereafter. Now TVGuide.com is saying that she is back on the show. Phew. Perhaps she heard my screams of “Nooooooo” when I heard that she quit? Although I think she’s underused on some episodes of SNL, she is still pretty darn funny. Rarely a week goes by when I’m not saying “Bobby Brown” in her signature Whitney Houston way (if you’ve never seen her do this, then you have no idea what I’m talking about—trust me, it’s funny). So, she’s back. And with the season premiere set for this Saturday, how does that all work? Will she be majorly cut from the sketches since she just re-signed and they are preparing this week? It’ll be interesting to see how it all goes down, but I definitely don’t think the show can afford to lose a female cast member at this point. Rudolph told TV Guide’s Michael Ausiello, “It was an agonizing decision, but ultimately, I feel I made the best choice both as a mother and as an actress. I couldn’t be happier to be returning to SNL.” And neither could I. Glad to have you back, Maya!
Read More | TVGuide.com
Gallery: Updated Update… Maya Rudolph Unquits!
UPDATE: Rudolph Not Returning to SNL After All
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live,
Despite their earlier scoop, TV Guide is now doing an about face on their Maya Rudolph report. It turns out she won’t be renewing her Saturday Night Live contract as hoped. After seven seasons on the show, the actress—widely known for her impressions of Oprah, Beyonce and Donatella Versace—is apparently leaving for ‘family-based’ reasons.
This now leaves only two females behind in the current cast. While we love Kristin Wiig and Amy Poehler, we hope Lorne Michaels can bring them some new help asap. We’d hate to see these ladies burn out too soon.
(For ANOTHER new development in this story, click here.)
Read More | TV Guide
Gallery: UPDATE: Rudolph Not Returning to SNL After All
Maya Rudolph Signs New SNL Contract
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Late Night, NBC, Saturday Night Live,
With only days to go until the season premiere, we can announce that regular Maya Rudolph has now been confirmed for Saturday Night Live’s newest season. Up until recently, Rudolph’s status with the long-running show was unclear. Her previous contract expired last May and she was reportedly weighing a future outside TV. My guess is Will Forte’s recent flick, The Brothers Solomon, encouraged her to stick around a little longer.
SNL’s 33rd season premiere is scheduled for Saturday, September 29th.
(For several new developments in this story, click here.)
Read More | TV Guide
Gallery: Maya Rudolph Signs New SNL Contract
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