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« WGA Post-Strike Watch: News About Returning Shows
More Studios Ax Deals, Take ABC's Lead
Four TV studios, including Warner Bros. TV, CBS Paramount Network TV, 20th Century Fox TV and Universal Media Studios have axed deals with producers and writers on their rosters, according to Variety. The networks cite the effects of the WGA strike as the catalyst. Their decisions almost immediately follow a similar move by ABC Studios on Friday, which some sources said also initiated some larger-scale trimming of staff.
While none of the numbers are definitive, CBS Paramount has cut more than half a dozen (but had fewer to start with than other studios), including Mark Johnson, John McNamara, René Echevarria and Hugh Jackman, who, the Hollywood Reporter notes, had a multi-year deal as a nonwriting producer for Seed Productions, among others.
At 20th Century Fox, almost 15 producers have been released from contracts, including K-Ville producer Jonathan Lisco and writer Larry Kaplow, as well as Journeyman's Paul Redford. The team of Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts (Pepper Dennis), were also cut, but they will return as staffers on the returning Women's Murder Club.
Not much information is available on either the WB cuts or those at UMS, but Warner is said to be terminating fewer than six deals. All of the studios issued statements in which they blamed the strike for their decisions. Given this tumult in the hub of the industry, where will this lead creative talent — and creative content? Do you see an eventual turnaround, or has the industry been changed irrevocably? Give us your take. — Anna Dimond
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Jan 14, 2008 10:28 PM
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If WGA didn't see this coming, that should be alarming to those walking the line. If they did see it coming and were hoping to use the mass firings strategically, that's even worse. There is no way to see this story and not blame WGA's strike for the firings. I wonder how long it will be before SAG bolts. I know IATSE and the other crew unions are already very upset. The writers are getting residuals this whole time, and are protected by a strike fund. The tech crews are getting nothing.
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Jan 15, 2008 9:21 AM
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So will happen now, that these studio's fired the producers and writers? does this mean these studios will hire non union writers or ghost writers to finish out the season?
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Jan 15, 2008 9:42 AM
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This is getting scary. I hope George Clooney comes through fast with his All-Star mediation team.
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Jan 15, 2008 10:26 AM
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Help us, Obi Wan Clooney, you're our only hope! - MWM
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Jan 15, 2008 10:43 AM
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So the companies are firing guys from Kville, Journey Man, and Viva Laughlin and we're supposed to believe its because of the strike...?
When they fire the guys from Lost, then I'll start shaking in my boots.
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Jan 15, 2008 10:49 AM
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This is just a scare tactic. And it shows that the studios and producers think the writers (and the viewers) are stupid.
Guess again. I fully blame the studios and producers for not coming back to the table to negotiate.
Some good news - did you really mean that Women's Murder Club is returning? Because I haven't seen that anywhere - and I really love this show!
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Jan 15, 2008 11:17 AM
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LOL
Obi-Wan Clooney
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Jan 15, 2008 11:56 AM
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this strike is ridiculous. they are WRITERS. why not try using the power of their words in the media to persuade? this strike makes the writers look like idiots.
boo WGA! grow up and get back to work!
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Jan 15, 2008 12:09 PM
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Not unexpected this. The studios are exercising the force majure clauses in the contracts, which give them the right to break the deals after a certain time (about 8 weeks)due to "unforseen circumstances" beyond their control - the "act of God" thing. Of course one could argue the unforseen circumstances portion of the argument, since the studios are the ones not going back to the table.
Since, in many circumstances, they give development deals to get people (Jackman), there is probably a certain amount of - "thank heavens we can get ourselves out of this", going on.
Of course, given the rumors that a deal may be announced with the DGA as soon as today, the studios needed to cancel the development deals before that.
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Jan 15, 2008 12:26 PM
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I just had a terrible thought--what if Warner Bros. fires Eric Kripke? Oh, God, I feel sick just imagining that possibility!
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Jan 15, 2008 12:31 PM
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Let me just say, I DO NOT support the writers anymore! Maybe I did in the beginning, but they just suck! First, they are being selfish, forcing everyone else to stand by them, not letting actors even so much as attend awards ceremonies or appear on late night, not to mention keeping countless other artistic, behind the scenes employees out of work. Second, how many writers out there are actually any good! I mean, really -- how many quality shows are there on tv? Most network tv really sucks. HBO, Showtime and a handful of other shows (Lost, Mad Men, and maybe a few others), actually have decent writers. So quit being so selfish and forcing everyone to suffer with you, because most of your work is not even very good! Ok, rant over.
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Jan 15, 2008 12:46 PM
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why is the 4400 part of the quick link, were they part of the firing?
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Jan 15, 2008 12:47 PM
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Hollywood is self destructing and its OK with me. Foul language and scandalous behavior was never a good substitute for quality writing.
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Jan 15, 2008 12:49 PM
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Oh way to go, writers. You're managing to ruin the very industry that you were damn lucky to be a part of. You don't seem to care whose careers you ruin, just as long as you get your chance to get more money. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. You better take a good hard look at the union leaders who are taking you down this merry path. Your own careers are self-destructing right before our eyes. TV will find a way to continue eventually, even if it means bringing in TV shows from other countries. Oh give yourselves a pat on the back for screwing up royally. And good luck trying to find another job where you'll get paid to be creative.
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Jan 15, 2008 1:05 PM
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