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« WGA Post-Strike Watch: News About Returning Shows
WGA to Weigh New Deal on Saturday; Writers Could Return to Work Soon After
The latest buzz from the inner circles at the informal strike talks indicates that "there is strong support for the deal" that came together over the weekend, a source tells TVGuide.com. The latest terms are due to be presented to the WGA membership on Saturday, Feb. 9, and if the guild likes what they hear, the strike order could be lifted soon thereafter — even before it is formally ratified (a process that could take several weeks).
George Clooney, who was recently (and erroneously) rumored to want to personally intervene in the talks, said at a Monday taping of AMC's Shootout Oscar Special, "We're very close to having a deal. We have a tentative agreement with the writers' guild, but it needs to be ratified by the board. I think it will be."
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Feb 5, 2008 11:58 AM
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I'll believe it when I see it. I'm optimistic that progress is being made, but there are still plenty of opportunities for the studio suits to screw things up.
Just look at the DGA...they still don't officially have a final deal yet, do they?
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Feb 5, 2008 12:22 PM
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I hope its true but BOTH sides could screw it up. Not to mention down the road..the SAG could strike. The truth is a lot of folks out in TV Land are getting used to not having their shows. Just this morning a collegue said she didn't care about Greys Anatomy...found she didn't miss it at all. Most of what's on is fluff, easily replaced.
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Feb 5, 2008 12:56 PM
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It's absolutely true that SAG could strike. That's a huge reason that the WGA deal needs to be a good one instead of just caving and taking something bad. No point in taking a sucker deal like the DGA did if it just means being out of work again this summer due to a SAG strike.
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Feb 5, 2008 1:46 PM
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Saturday?
Seriously, what are they doing for the next three days that they can't look it over before then?
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Feb 5, 2008 2:33 PM
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God I hope so!
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Feb 5, 2008 2:41 PM
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"Seriously, what are they doing for the next three days that they can't look it over before then?"
Probably continuing to negotiate and refine the wording. These contracts are very complicated, and it takes a long time to sort things out and come to agreements on the most basic things.
Look how long it has been since the DGA announcement, and that deal is still very light on details.
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Feb 5, 2008 2:46 PM
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I pray the writers can get back to work on Monday.
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Feb 5, 2008 3:12 PM
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I will believe this when I see it.
I really don't care anymore either if I do see my favorite shows. This strike has turned me off to watching my favorite channels. So I watch nick at nite, hallmark and TV Land.
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Feb 5, 2008 3:15 PM
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"We're very close to having a deal. We have a tentative agreement with the writer's guild, but it needs to be ratified by the board. I think it will be." attributed to G. clooney
If I'm missing something, please feel free to set me straight, but...
Why has George Clooney insinuated himself into all this? He comes off sounding like an arrogant interloper. Is he a member the writers guild? Its all well and good to support the writers but he seems to be taking credit where credit isn't due. "We have a tentative agreement"??? This isn't a middle east summit and he's no president.
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Feb 5, 2008 4:22 PM
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I think Clooney's "we" was as a producer and possibly as a writer. I think he sort of has his hands in every stage of most films he's in these days, so he could conceivably have interests on both sides of that table. Either way, good for him. He hasn't done anything wrong, so I don't really get the trash talking.
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Feb 5, 2008 4:36 PM
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I bet they won't announce anything until Thursday or Friday...(if then) The news on Wed will be full of post Super Tuesday analysis and prognosticating.
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Feb 5, 2008 5:12 PM
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Folks, Clooney got nominated for an Oscar (and WGA award nom) for co-writing the original screenplay Good Night and Good Luck for which he basically served as the impetus of the project as I understand it.
Still, you go yeah George what do you mean "we"? Did the negotiating committee give you an honorary green ribbon of participation? I give those hard working picketers some major credit for sticking it out, SAG for sticking by the writers (sure it's in prep for their own contract but it's smart and generous of them) and the below the line folks who've understood what the WGA needed from this. It's not just about fairness even, it's about the future of benefits and they had to do it. I know we've been trying to show the writers we appreciate them but after this is all over it might be fun to find a way to give a symbolic 'thanks guys, we know it was hard and we're glad you're back at work' to the folks who got laid off.
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Feb 5, 2008 5:43 PM
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I certainly hope the writers are back at work by Monday. BTW,the DGA's board approved their deal last week. In any case,I think it would be in SAG's best interest to begin their contract negotations as soon as possible.
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Edited by Rhonda at 02/06/2008 8:37 AM
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Feb 6, 2008 11:32 AM
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