Monday, November 05, 2007

Writer's Blocked

The Writers Guild of America is on strike. The guild represents the writers of most TV shows and movies.
The main issue is how to distribute revenue from revenue streams that didn't exist when the last labor agreement was signed. That includes residuals from DVD sales and any kind of advertising or subscription fee from internet streaming or downloading.
The writers made a last ditch effort last night, offering a major concession, but the studios turned them down. I read statements from both sides and the union gave a list of things they wanted and things the studios refuse to give them. Basically, the studios were refusing to offer them any meaningful residuals on distribution from these new media.
The statement from the studios criticized the writers for going on strike.
That gives me the sincere impression that the writers are being dealt with unfairly and that the studios are being greedy, as big companies tend to be.
But here's the part you care about, what will happen to your favorite shows.
Late night talk shows like Leno, Letterman, Conan, Kimmel and The Daily Show may be forced into repeats immediately because they write new shows everyday and now they don't have the writers to do so.
Scripted programs have been working hard to get a lot of episodes in the can to prepare for a strike, which has been on the horizon for months. So many shows have enough episodes on tape to last into January.
Reality programs are not written per se so they should be unaffected. If the strike drags on we may see more reality shows starting in January.
Most TV watchers complain that new shows are not given a chance by the networks. Those new shows that are on the bubble, may not be renewed if this strike drags on.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous4:21 PM

    "Late night talk shows like Leno, Letterman, Conan, Kimmel and The Daily Show may be forced into repeats immediately because they write new shows everyday and now they don't have the writers to do so. Scripted programs have been working hard to get a lot of episodes in the can to prepare for a strike, which has been on the horizon for months."

    So the writers worked twice as hard to write for shows while their in hiatus?? That's interesting? Sought of like getting your deadlines in before going on vacation.

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