Hollywood writers strike

[Guest wwebone]

As of 12:01 am PT on Monday, Hollywood writers are going on strike.

Personally, I believe that this sucks. Shows like Leno, Conan, and Colbert will most likely be the first ones hurt by it. Be prepared to see plenty of reruns on shows like that for a little while.

[TheRyno]

Aw man, who's going to remake old 70's shows into movies now?

[KevinStorm]

And who's going to remake old movies into....newer versions of old movies now?

[Slogger]

So whats this all about?

[TheRyno]

And who's going to remake old movies into....newer versions of old movies now?

[Guest wwebone]

So whats this all about?

[Guest Onkel Hans]

If anyone's wondering, Meltzer has said that the only way this would effect wrestling is that NBC might look to WWE for some replacement prime-time programming.

[KevinStorm]

Are the WWE writers not a part of this?

[King Ellis]

Like anyone in wrestling has a union.

[Guest wwebone]

I read somewhere that the WWE doesn't use union writers, so the WWE is fine.

[Slogger]

That's right, Because most of WWE's staff is non-union that's why they get away with showing no credits at the end of a show.

[Ananas]

You'd think that wrestling would come under guild jurisdiction, but then again you'd think writers of shows like The Simpsons or Family Guy would too, only their programs are animated so it's somehow not "writing".

The residuals on new media is probably the biggest issue, but it's far from the only one. All of the AMPTP's proposals thus far include roll-backs on health care, dental and pensions. There are also jurisdictional issues; the guild wants to bring under their protection writers on animated programs as well as reality shows (yes, they have writers. Yes, it's ironic.). The real problem is that 21 years ago the writers took a bad deal on home video residuals because the market was "unproven", and they've been paying for it ever since. And until the producers show some movement on those core issues... well let's just say this is a guild with more resolve than ever before.

Even worse I've heard several writers label this a "lockout disguised as a strike". There is a fairly common conspiracy theory regarding these negotiations suggesting that following the disappointing performances of many new as well as returning series, producers would like this strike as a way of getting out of their existing series commitments and letting them reset for next year. If that's the case, you can bet they're more than willing to ride this one out. The only real proof of this theory is the absolute unwillingness to negotiate on the part of the producers, but I think that speaks volumes about their lack of concern for lost revenue.

In short, unless there are serious breakthroughs at the Sunday meeting with a federal mediator, we're probably in for the long haul. And I personally hope the writers take them for every cent they can bleed out of it. One can only assume that an industry with more invested in writers is a better industry.

[paulbd]

w00t now maybe some of my fan ficts might get made!

[Crybaby Bunting]

Couldn't places filled with non-union workers simply be raided?

[Mysterio2000X]

For a movie and TV lover like me, this is absolutely horrible news. Now shit that's unfinished, half-thought out or could have used a draft or two more before rolling are going to be greenlit by the studios, producing equally half-assed movies and shows. >_

[syck]

If this fucks with my Friday Night Lights or Heroes, I' am going to roll all around the floor like a three year old and have a temper tantrum.

What else can I do besides that?

[Gongsun Zan]

If I'm not wrong, there's been plans to end Heroes early. They're produced two epidsodes I think -- one if they plan to wrap things early for the season, and another if manage to get through the strike quick enough. So I think they'll be fine, I guess.

[paulbd]

If I'm not wrong, there's been plans to end Heroes early. They're produced two epidsodes I think -- one if they plan to wrap things early for the season, and another if manage to get through the strike quick enough. So I think they'll be fine, I guess.

[thuganomic]

If you care even a little bit at all about the writers, you'll understand why there's a need for the strike. People expect this one to last a while, as it doesn't look like either side is particularly desperate. Basically, yeah....see what Beatnik wrote.

[Crybaby Bunting]

Alternatively they could use the quick end to Heroes to finish things off, then once the strike is over do a "that didn't happen" kinda thing

That would probably be awful for die-hard fans but at least would allow them to end a series the way they truely wanted it.