Writers Strike

Alright so many of you have probably heard that the writers in Hollywood are officially on strike. (If you haven't click here). Now like the article says this will first only affect the late night talk shows, then daytime talkshows and soap operas. Also it won't really affect any prime-time shows such as Heroes or Grey's Anatomy, because they have enough shows to go into early next year, nor will it affect the movies because they have dozens of scripts. However, depending on how long these writers plan to strike it could get to the point where it will affect prime-time.

Personally I'm just hoping that they get over this before it gets to the point where it affects my Heroes XD, and but in the mean time I feel bad for the late night talk show watchers and I'm soon to feel bad for the daytime talkshow/soap opera watchers XD

But it is affecting prime-time shows...

Maybe not the super-processed ones like Heros where they need the special effects so they HAVE to shoot far ahead...

But after next week, they have to start running reruns of The Office... which upsets me

I understand where the writers are coming from and I support them, though.

I really hope it'll get resolved as I just cant go on without Greys and such xD

I think England will just show repeats if it doesnt sort itself out soon but arnt we behind with shows from America anyway? So by the time it hopefully sorts itself out we may not even be caught up with where america is?

I agree, I will be most unhappy if it goes on for too long.

And cookie, I think that maybe you're right for some networks. Where they have to do loads of special effects and such, but also there are a lot of other prime-time shows that aren't affected yet, because they start filming way early for whatever reason. So most major prime-time shows should have most, if not all, of their season shot already.

I have to say that I am completely surprised that everyone is going against the WGA. As writers ourselves(well, roleplayers) we should learn to respect their wishes. They are not being paid adequently for their hours of work. Without these talented writers, your favorite television shows would merely be people asking yes or no questions or walking down the streets. The writers are what make the show, and I support them on their quest 100%.

The main arguement it seems is that "Writers are currently paid 1/3 of one cent per dollar received by studios for digital downloads, but the studios say they don’t pull in any significant revenue on downloads either." It takes less than two cents to make a DVD. Granted, the studios do put the actors together, and all of the special affects and everything- but without a script, they have no show. The writers contracts had recently ended; and therefore it was the right time to strike. After all, working without a contract would have just made the writers look weak. They deserve all they can for the time and effort they place into making your favorite shows work.

Seriously; people should be supporting the WGA. Many people have; granted within thirteen days of the livejournal community wga_supporters; 2300 members had joined. Yes, 2300 members, I among them. The dedications these writers show in their work also shows in their stuggles.

A letter from the WGA-East President:

Quote :

Dear Fellow Members of the Writers Guild of America, East:

By now you've heard the great news that leaders from the Guilds and the AMPTP have mutually agreed to resume formal negotiations on Monday, November 26. This would have been impossible without your extraordinary hard work and support.

During the more than 25 years that I've been involved with this union I have never seen such wholehearted, full-throated solidarity among our members, such devotion and dedication to one another. You realize that a portion of revenues from the Internet and new media is crucial to our mutual survival as writers; that for us, this is the fight of our creative lives.

You have turned out on the picket lines in droves. You've attended meetings, volunteered to write articles and produced ingenious and savagely funny viral videos. You have made phone calls and helped out in our office, you've made yourselves available for media interviews. You've even baked cookies for your friends and colleagues on the picket. Thank you.

In New York this week, we've had three effective actions putting the spotlight on the corporate conglomerates that dominate film and television production. Together, these companies - General Electric, Time Warner, Walt Disney, News Corp, Sony, CBS and Viacom -- reported 2006 revenues of more than 350 BILLION dollars. All we're asking for, in a fair and respectful contract, is a minute fraction of those big bucks.

On Tuesday, we were in the financial district, picketing and leafleting the moneyed men and women of Wall Street. Wednesday brought a huge crowd to the World of Disney store on Fifth Avenue, where we delivered a loud and pointed message to the House of Mouse. And Thursday, despite rain and chill, you showed up in force to demonstrate outside the corporate headquarters of Viacom, owners of Paramount, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and MTV.

Joining us this week were many of our stalwart union allies, including friends from SAG, AFTRA, Actors Equity, and the DGA, as well as Denis Hughes, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, and Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers. We continue to receive letters of support from creative unions around the world, and this week, at the annual meeting of the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG) in Montreal, an International Day of Solidarity was declared for Wednesday, November 28. Writers in our support will demonstrate in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, English and French Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico and France.

Also this week, two opinion surveys reported that the American public strongly backs the writers. A Pepperdine University national poll found that 63% of the public is on our side, 4% percent back the studios and 33% were unsure. In a poll of Los Angeles residents, conducted by SurveyUSA, 69% supported us and 8% the AMPTP.

The welcome return to negotiations is a result of all of this public pressure, attention and activity. But we still have a long way to go. Remember, until further notice, WE ARE STILL ON STRIKE.

As my companero in California, Patric Verrone, wrote his members in the West last night, "Our work is not done until we achieve a good contract and that is by no means assured. Accordingly, what we achieve in negotiations will be a direct result of how successfully we can keep up our determination and resolve."

Keep up the energy and the great work. Keep educating your family, friends and neighbors about our issues. Go to our website, www.wgaeast.org, for information and updates. Check out the amazing blogs and videos not only on the Guild website but such other sites as www.strikenotes.blogspot.com, www.lateshowwritersonstrike.com, and www.unitedhollywood.com. Show them, e-mail them, to everyone you know.

This Tuesday, we'll be picketing the Sony Corporation. We'll be at their corporate HQ, at 56th and Madison, from 10-2. Join us.

We're contemplating other strategies for this week and next, too, so keep checking the Guild website. Have a terrific week. And a very Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family and friends. We've got a lot of good reasons to be thankful.

Onward,
Michael Winship
President
Writers Guild of America, East

If I did not have school everyday; I would be out in times square with them. This will affect your television shows, yes. Without writers for a few weeks, they will become backed up and you might have to wait a few extra weeks for a new season. Even still, that is only if Coorperate Heads get their acts together and stop taking the money for themselves and continuing the widening of the classes. The strike in the 80's lasted 22 weeks; and I would not be surprised if this lasts just as long because of the greedy hands of the CEOs(long story; will rant if asked XD).

By the way, in case you are wondering, here is how many episodes of your favorite television shows are left as of 11/16

Quote :

0 NEW EPISODES LEFT
The Office (NBC)

2 NEW EPISODES LEFT
My Name Is Earl (NBC)
Private Practice (ABC)
The Unit (CBS)
Two and a Half Men (CBS)

3 NEW EPISODES LEFT
Back to You (Fox)
Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
*Heroes (NBC)
How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Pushing Daisies (ABC)



4 NEW EPISODES LEFT
Big Shots (ABC)
Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Criminal Minds (CBS)
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)
Shark (CBS)
The Game (The CW)
30 Rock (NBC)
'Til Death (Fox)
Women's Murder Club (ABC)

5 NEW EPISODES LEFT
*Bones (Fox)
Chuck (NBC)
Gossip Girl (The CW)
House (Fox)
Journeyman (NBC)
Prison Break (Fox)
Reaper (The CW)
*Supernatural (The CW)
Ugly Betty (ABC)

6 NEW EPISODES LEFT
Girlfriends (The CW)
Life Is Wild (The CW)

7 NEW EPISODES LEFT
Boston Legal (ABC)
Carpoolers (ABC)
Family Guy (Fox)
Samantha Who? (ABC)
*Smallville (The CW)

8 NEW EPISODES LEFT
Cavemen (ABC)

10 NEW EPISODES LEFT
The Simpsons (Fox)

11 NEW EPISODES LEFT
Aliens in America (The CW)
K-Ville (Fox)
King of the Hill (Fox)

12 NEW EPISODES LEFT
Notes From the Underbelly (ABC)

13 NEW EPISODES LEFT
American Dad (Fox)
October Road (ABC)

14 NEW EPISODES LEFT
Men in Trees (ABC)

15 NEW EPISODES LEFT
Everybody Hates Chris (The CW)

I know my ranting is not about everyone. It jsut sortof appalls me that these people are not being paid what they should and are falling victim to the coorperate gap and all you guys seem to care about is when Heroes or Pushing Daises, ect will be back on. The last time the strike was going on, studios lost over $500 million. Maybe when they lose that kindof money again they will realise that it is better to be fair than to abuse your power. I do not feel bad one bit for the studios or the watchers; but instead the writers. It is not the writers that have a decision to make; it's the studios: to be fair or to have crappy television shows and lose money? Hmm...

(Okay. -end rant- -deep breath-

I am sorry if I offended anybody; but this is something I truly care about. As a writer, and as a fan of such television shows, I feel for the WGA. Hopefully soon the Studios will get their acts together and realize that they need the writers. Usually the writers are competing against eachother for the best material; it is good to see them at it for a common cause.)

ZOMG.

Only 5 episodes of Gossip Girl left!!

*dies*

Well the CW is being more wise about their eppys, the next one isn't even this week it's next week. I think they're probably gonna end up just stretching them out XD

.... why does my show have to be the only one with no episodes left?



I DO support the writers, but that doesn't mean I can't get sad over the consequences of the strike...

To answer to what you said elucidation, I don't think that being sad that shows we love are being stopped means we don't respect their wishes or support their causes. It has nothing to do against them - simply the fact that we enjoy what they write, and it doesn't mean anybody wants to push them to go and write again.

I do hope that they will start writing again, but I don't hope that because I want my shows back - I hope that because I want them to get what they're asking for. I hardly watch tv anyway.

I'm happy that the strike is officially over. All my tv shows are back on air.

Gossip Girl


ohhh and im dying for some Grey's Anatomy.

yeah but I heard because of the strike, a lot of the seasons are gonna be cut short, not sure whether this is true though

Yeah... i think Gossip Girl only has nine episodes filmed.

It airs tommorrow night, tho!

that sucks, yeah my girlfriend is crazy about One Tree Hill, which comes on right after that. I think it's going to be 4 episodes shorter than normal she said

lol. I don't like one tree hill that much.
Supernatural is the best show overall for me.