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Writers Guild to Make Example of American Idol

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American Idol by Michael Becker/Fox
The WGA is back in business after the long strike season, and one of its renewed goals is to push for jurisdiction over reality shows — beginning with the biggest one of them all: American Idol.

Over the past three years, the WGA has been trying to expand its hold over not just scripted shows, but reality, gameshow and animation programming as well. Since those items were taken off the table during the strike, the Guild's trying to gain support the old fashion way — by holding a press conference and then bussing supporters/protestors to San Francisco to stage their own version of American Idol outside the show's real auditions at the Cow Palace.

What does their "own version" of Idol mean? I'm guessing it's either hideous karaoke or their version of what the show would be like without any "writers" on board. I'm kind of hoping they have a Ryan Seacrest impersonator who just primps himself in a mirror during the whole show.

Do you think the WGA has any business interfering in reality TV shows like Idol? — Erin Fox

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Posted by The Idol Chatters
Jul 11, 2008 11:39 AM
Yes I do believe it's exactly the WGA's business. (I find it interesting that you use the word "interfering"). Whether they succeed or not is another issue entirely. I can't imagine that the writers who work on reality, game shows and animated series wouldn't want to have the increased pay, health insurance and other benefits that working under a WGA negotiated contract would give them. Go for it, WGA.
Posted by betsyw
Jul 11, 2008 1:04 PM
I wouldn't use the word "interfering" because I think we all know that "reality" shows aren't entirely unscripted.

AI is an odd example though - Seacrest is the only participant who sticks out as someone who would have much of what he says written for him. I'm sure there are many more reality shows where writers are more involved. They must just be picking the highest profile show they can. And it'd be hard to stage their "own version" of Survivor in San Fran.
Posted by Dianora
Jul 11, 2008 3:20 PM
*sigh* Busing only has one S, erin, if you mean transporting those people to San Fran. Bussing, with two of the S letter means kissing and I don't think that will get them to San Fran - although it might be more fun. ;)
Posted by Katcon
Jul 11, 2008 5:34 PM
Ryan has his own daily radio show. Somehow, I think he could manage his voice-overs and results announcements without the help of writers.

What else would be covered on this show?
Posted by Sheldon
Jul 12, 2008 9:56 AM
The WGA has no business messing with American Idol and I just wish they would go away!
Posted by belle98
Jul 12, 2008 3:08 PM
Sheldon, in response to your question... above and beyond host copy, the show features an large number of packages pre-produced to tape clearly exhibiting the influence of writers.

For example --- during the auditions, you'll notice lots of background packages on interesting contestants. If you've ever heard a contestant speak about themselves in a stilted, nobody-talks-like-that manner, the seams are showing --- there's scripting and interview response guidance aplenty going on there. Good writing as a story producer goes unnoticed --- which is a large chunk of the trouble in proving the presence of writers on reality programs.

Once the show gets under way, the preproduced segments really pick up steam. Visits with top talent (like contestants dropping in to work with Stevie Wonder, for example) are heavily coordinated with plenty of interview guidance going on.

As Idol is essentially a variety program, which should be covered by the WGA agreement (as was Temptation, Fremantle's game show whose writers walked after the company refused to pony up $5k for their helth insurance), it's the belief of a lot of folks in town that their writers should be covered.

Abuses I've heard about from ex-Idol employees on all levels would indicate that the workplace is needlessly toxic and heavily reliant on lower-level non-union employees of all stripes working crazy amounts of unpaid overtime, in clear violation of California labor law.

The fact that people have to take stands against enourmously profitable enterprises not to get rich but to simply be paid for work performed is reason enough for the WGA, teamsters, and others to take a stand. If not with Idol, than with whom shall the fight for appropriate compensation be waged?

We love IDOL here in our home, and feel sure that Fremantle will come around and do the right thing. Cecile Frot-Coutaz and the show's producers won't break the bank by treating their people right.
Posted by StoryProducer
Aug 3, 2008 7:27 PM
My apologies for my few typos above... I'm simply passionate about the cause of nudging Fremantle to create a better workplace, and have a tendency to go straight for the old "Send" button rather than preview.
Posted by StoryProducer
Aug 3, 2008 7:29 PM
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