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« WGA Post-Strike Watch: News About Returning Shows
Will the Strike Force The Closer to Close Up Shop?
The Closer by Andrew Eccles/TNT
The Closer herself may be used to ending negotiations to her satisfaction, but this time it seems like Brenda has met her match in the WGA strike. "We were due to go back into production in about a month and we can't, because the writers need a two-month head start before we can get to work," J.K. Simmons, who plays Chief Pope on the TNT hit, told TV Guide at this week's Critics Choice Awards. "I think that if we're not back at work by sometime in April, there is no way we can deliver episodes in the summer. If that becomes the case, I don't know if TNT is willing to push it into the fall or if we lose an entire season."
In the meantime, Simmons is enjoying the success of TV's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Juno, both of which he has roles in and both of which nabbed awards on Monday. "Juno is richly deserving of all the attention it's getting," he says. "Diablo [Cody]'s script, Jason [Reitman]'s direction, all of the cast... it's really something I am proud to be in." — Carita Rizzo
More strike coverage:
• Weinsteins to Announce Interim Deal with WGA
• Good News for WGA and CBS News
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TVGuide Links:
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Jan 11, 2008 9:23 AM
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The one thing I look forward to in the summer is The Closer. I already lost my new season of 24. Will I now end up losing a new season of The Closer, too?
Damn this strike. 
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Jan 11, 2008 10:22 AM
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OK, awards shows are cancelled, Hollywood has lost 1 billion dollars so far (and counting) and none of our favorites shows are on! Hollywood, make a deal NOW with the writers. It is obvious how crucial they are. Pay them what they are worth and give us back our entertainment!
No new seasons of 24 and Closer is unforgivable!
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Jan 11, 2008 10:34 AM
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Lose an entire season of The Closer??? Unacceptable! They need to get back to the bargaining table now.
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Jan 11, 2008 11:15 AM
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Too bad we can't conjure up Brenda Lee, a la The Purple Rose of Cairo, and sit her down with the producers. She'd have 'em crying on the floor and signing whatever she put in front of them.
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Jan 11, 2008 11:19 AM
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I had sympathy for the writers at first.They deserve to be paid for what they do. However,the writers are now being greedy and if they won't negotiate then bust them! They must not forget that we, the viewers are their real employers,and the big boys in the TV industry must remember that also.
It is time for both sides to sit down and not get up until they work it out.
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Jan 11, 2008 12:20 PM
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gerogedan:
It's not the WGA who won't negotiate! It's the AMPTP who refused to sit down with them. Please put the blame on Mame.
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Jan 11, 2008 12:38 PM
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The writers' demands haven't changed. The studios won't bargain fairly with them, or bargain at all. And now we are at a standstill watching a lot of ego take down not only shows, but people who had jobs with those shows. Of course the suits don't care...the little people mean nothing to them. The viewers don't mean that much to them either, really. I'm not sure what's going to be the straw that breaks the (media) camel's back...but I hope someone finds it soon so everyone can get back to work!
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Jan 11, 2008 12:58 PM
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The Closer is one of the best shows on TV and I'd hate if it wasn't on during the summer. I think all of Hollywierd is way to demanding and they need to quit acting like a bunch of freakin' babies and get back to work. I have even forgotten what they were whining about in the first place. ">
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Jan 11, 2008 1:41 PM
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I think that sucks big time. How could TNT not wait for the Closer to catch up. Say it aint so!! Mrs. Fish
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Jan 11, 2008 2:24 PM
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ekelks - Of course there will be "internal disagreements" - writers are a notoriuosly independent bunch. But so far only Ridley and some Soap wrtiers have gone fi-core, and Leno is writing in violation of the rules. They can squabble internally as much as they want, that doesn't mean that they'll break.
The fact that World Wide Pants, United Artists and now the Weinstein Company have negotiated separate deals with the WGA, indicates that while the moguls may talk united, they aren't either.
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Jan 11, 2008 2:26 PM
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The AMPTP needs to get off their butts and get back to the negotiating table. This silence is ridiculous!! The WGA seems to want this strike to end, but the AMPTP seems to want to punish the writers and the viewers.
I'm already coming to terms that there will be no 24, but The Closer is essential summer viewing and I can't wait until 2009 for both.
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Jan 11, 2008 2:40 PM
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I certainly hope the Closer doesn't go off the air , it is a great show that we enjoy very much and there are so few really entertaining shows anymore . The interacting between Brenda and Fritz as well as her staff is so funny , please , please don't let them take it off the air, we can wait until the strike is over if we have to , but we are praying for an end to the strike that will benefit all concerned.
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Jan 11, 2008 2:49 PM
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Well if the writers get their own way, then EVERYBODY EVERYWHERE will lose their jobs, because they (the writers)aren't getting what they want. Do they care at all about the countless other careers and jobs that have been affected by their selfish strike? It doesn't even seem like they're trying to take any steps to end it either. As far as I'm concerned, I think they should all be fired. Then the studios can hire people who really want to work for a living and take care of their families.
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Jan 11, 2008 3:45 PM
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