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« Ausiello Report
Scary Scoop: Writers Strike Could Come ASAP
Surprised? Hollywood will be, too, and, according to my source, the Writers Guild of America is counting on it.
Here's the deal: TV and movie scribes are already up in arms over issues such as compensation for new media (translation: Internet downloads) and they're primed to strike. But the suits have been content to reassure themselves that it won't happen any sooner than spring, when the Screen Actors Guild contract is up as well and both groups can walk picket lines together.
Instead of waiting, however, WGA members received an e-mail just moments ago announcing a strike authorization vote — the results of which could be revealed in the next 10 days. If they vote to strike, the group could pack up their laptops when its contract expires on Nov. 1.
This would majorly tighten the noose around the necks of the guys holding the purse strings, because movie studios won't have had time to fast-track blockbusters to see them through a strike, and most fall TV shows will only have 10 or 11 episodes in the can at that point.
So what do you think? Will it happen? Should the networks and studios just pony up already? Or will this finally be what brings to the googleplex "Paradise Hotel: The Movie?" — Additional reporting by Ben Katner
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Oct 1, 2007 4:18 PM
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this is a little scary.
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Oct 1, 2007 4:35 PM
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I don't think this is gonna happen. A deal will be reached before November first, I'm sure of it. This is what strikes are for, to threaten people into making a deal, and Hollywood has gone through this before and knows how much it'd cost them.
Although I'm not entirely sure what exactly the writers expect. Internet downloads? I mean, really, how many people really watch the shows online instead of on the television? It can't be so many as to make it a significant number when it comes time for payment negotiation, right?
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Oct 1, 2007 4:41 PM
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Speaking for myself, after one week of the fall season -- and a weekend spent trying to catch up on everything I taped -- I'll be ready for a break by the end of November.
I've got books I haven't read, DVDs I haven't watched and I'm still seven or eight episodes behind on Jericho and Ugly Betty.
I say, go ahead and strike, writers. See where it gets ya.
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Oct 1, 2007 4:42 PM
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Without knowing the demands or complaints of the union all I can do is hope that this gets worked out quickly!
Without the writers, all we will be left with is sports, reruns and reality TV!
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Oct 1, 2007 4:44 PM
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I better re-up my Netflix.
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Oct 1, 2007 5:17 PM
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First of all: It's just a strike vote. No one is threatening a strike. This is standard procedure with unions. They have to make sure that when the contract expires they have bases covered, and one base is striking. All the leaders are doing is asking their members if they want to strike. The members can vote no and if enough vote no, then no strike will be had.
Secondly, Hollywood is not known for fair labor negotiations. I think it's possible for a strike to occur.
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Oct 1, 2007 5:37 PM
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Hollywood has always underestimated its writers. Yet, it can't function without them. Maybe it needs to be reminded of that.
And Oskar, I think you'd be surprised at how many people use Internet downloads. I know I do, because I have a life, but no TiVo or DVR. I'll bet you over a million people download, and that could add up.
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Oct 1, 2007 5:53 PM
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call me an optimist... call me naive (call me whatever you want), but i think that most television writers are pretty invested in their shows (invest enough, at least) to stay on board. i wouldn't worry too much about no television
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Oct 1, 2007 5:54 PM
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If my memory is correct, there was a writers strike in the past, and it was a disaster for television shows. I believe some that were on the edge were canceled during this. I know this will affect night time TV and movies, but what about daytime soaps? They have been struggling since they were preempted for so long during the the OJ trial, and this could kill some of them.
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Oct 1, 2007 6:04 PM
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I think we have nothing to worry about.
...or have I spoken too soon?
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Oct 1, 2007 6:26 PM
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I know this will affect night time TV and movies, but what about daytime soaps? - bantling14
You know, that's a good question! I don't remember daytime soaps being affected by the last writers strike (in 1988, I believe). I'm pretty sure they kept airing uninterrupted.
How did they get around that? It's the same guild, isn't it? Did producers and other non-WGA-writers work from plot outlines prepared by the writers or what? Does anyone know the answer to this?
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Oct 1, 2007 6:28 PM
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At least we don't have to worry about the many shows that don't employ professional writers, like Caveman! They should be unaffected..... What?!!
They ARE professional?!
My bad................
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Oct 1, 2007 6:43 PM
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Seriously? I'd love to see a Paradise Hotel return.
...but not at the expense of all of the other good tv shows out there.
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Oct 1, 2007 7:43 PM
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So what! Season 2 of Jericho is done filming, right? And there are plenty of Rangers who've already written zillions of scripts who would work for free. I'm not worried. Maybe the shows could have the fans write the scripts. Might even improve some shows...
(Secretly, I really hope "Dirty Sexy Money" has a lot of stuff in the can!!)
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Oct 1, 2007 7:43 PM
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