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
Hollywood Reporter
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The Price of Striking Writers
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Comedy, Daytime, Drama, Late Night, Mini Series, Prime Time, News,
The writer’s strike is still going strong, though new negotiations are scheduled to begin next week. That’s a really good thing, too, considering how expensive all these picket lines are getting. If the strike continues into next month, it’s projected that LA will lose $20 million – per day. It won’t just affect our TV watching and give a real boost to reality shows, it will actually hurt the economy of the entertainment-based city.
For those who forgot, the disputing writer’s guild wants to split more revenue with the Alliance of Producers, who don’t want to give it up. That’s what’s been keeping the picket lines going. The last strike, by the way, lasted 22 weeks and cost right around $500 million, all told.
LA Times
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 Rachael 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.
AOL News
‘Family Guy’ Continues Without Show’s Creator
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Animation, Comedy, FOX, 24, Family Guy, House, News,
FOX has been hit especially hard by the writers’ strike, and already some big ratings shows are off the schedule. There will be no 24, no more House, and all the network’s scripted shows are pretty much up in the air. So, FOX is going to go it alone.
Though Family Guy creator and voice talent Seth MacFarlane is on the picket line with the other writers, the network is producing new episodes of the hit animated comedy without his input. (Last Sunday’s episode was the last episode completed pre-strike.) Although MacFarlane told FOX they could continue the show without his him, he hoped they would not. Unfortunately, that’s just what they’re doing. Best of luck.
MacFarlane, by the way, voices main characters Peter Griffin, dog Brian and homicidal son Stewie.
Yahoo!
‘Lost’ Returns to TV and Web
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Drama, Prime Time, Sci-Fi/Horror, ABC, Lost, Internet, News,
Fans stunned by last May’s Lost cliffhanger have been chompin’ at the bit waiting for a new season to begin. For their patience, they were promised an uninterrupted 16 weeks of episodes come 2008. Of course, the current writers strike had many wondering if their show’s status was in jeopardy.
Although some may fans may not like how ABC has decided to resolve this issue, others will probably be grateful they have something - anything - to look forward to at this point. The network could have opted to shelve their unfinished season (like FOX recently did with 24); they have instead chosen to air the finished eight episodes. In other words, viewers will get only half of what was originally promised. The good news? Co-creator and executive producer Damon Lindelof says the eighth episode does come with its own cliffhanger. The bad news? Lindelof admits the planned story arc may have to adjust accordingly.
So until Season Four kicks off sometime this February, fans will have mini-teasers to tide them over. ABC’s website will soon begin posting weekly vignettes featuring characters from the show. The episodes - each only a few minutes long - are separately shot videos that somehow belong into the much larger Lost puzzle. You can find the first ‘mobisode’ starting this Monday (November 12th).
E! Online
Alternatives For Late Night TV
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Late Night, Reality, Talk Shows, Cable, FX, MTV, Editorial,
It’s only been a full work week since Hollywood’s writers went on strike, and already it seems the days of great late night talk programs are long gone. The last time the writer’s guild went on strike, it lasted an agonizingly long 22 weeks. Without Colbert, Stewart, Letterman and Leno, how is American supposed to get its satirical, tongue-in-cheek twists on current events?
With a shortage of new scripts and a hiatus of many major shows, more Americans are now channel-surfing to find an entertainment fix. What they’ll find is a mishmash of reality TV - those wonderfully unscripted programs that are always there in the event of a script shortage. Channels like Travel, Discovery, Animal Planet and the Food Network are largely unaffected by the strike, though how MTV (and channels like it) will continue with their staged reality programs is anyone’s guess.
Instead of watching repeats on network TV, turn to these cable channels as the midnight hour approaches. Animal Planet, the Discovery Channel, E!, FX, The History Channel, and VH1 are among those still offering brand-new episodes. It’s better than re-runs.
MSNBC
FOX Suffering Symptoms of Strike
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, 24, American Idol, House, News,
FOX is already making changes to their schedule, and we’re only three days into the writers strike. The intense drama 24 has been pulled from the schedule, as fewer than half the season’s 24 scripts have been written. But that’s not the only problem FOX is about to have with their programming. Big ratings-grabber House is about to run out of scripts, pushing the reality show Hell’s Kitchen into the cushy post-American Idol time slot in April. Two other FOX shows, the new Back to You and ‘Til Death, have also shut down for the season.
Yahoo! News
Writers Strike: Changes For ‘24’ and ‘Prison Break’
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Action, Drama, Prime Time, FOX, 24, Prison Break, News,
The writers strike will obviously be doing a number to all the network schedules. Here are two big highlights announced today by FOX:
Not wanting to interrupt 24 only halfway through its day, the execs have decided to delay its premiere altogether. Season 7 had been scheduled to start Jan. 13/14; now the debut is on indefinite hold. If nothing else, maybe this will allow Kiefer Sutherland to serve his entire jail sentence all at once.
Speaking of jail, the boys at Prison Break will now be returning to the airwaves sooner than expected. The show was originally slated to end its fall run on Dec. 17th and return April 14th; it will now start its Christmas break after Nov. 12’s episode then return on Jan. 14th.
TV Guide
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
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.
Yahoo News
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