Sunday, December 16

Current Event: The Writers' Strike


On Nov. 5, 2007, the Writers Guild of America (comprised of the West and East divisions), which makes up approximately 12,000 movie and TV writers, went on stike in their contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The WGA went on strike 15 years ago, and that one lasted five months and cost the entertainment industry about $500 million. Word is, advertisers are already pulling out. So yes, this stike could amount to a Very Big Deal.


What's it all about? In a nutshell, the writers want to come up with some kind of compromise for payment for shows released on DVD and those delivered via Internet. Until an agreement is made, how will this strike affect us, the movie-goers and TV-watchers of America?


1. The stockpiled TV programs should get us through to early 2008. But, well, that's just a few weeks from now! I'm gonna be desperate for Desperate Housewives!

2. Reruns of Jay Leno and other such TV shows. Though it is kind of fun to see Jay Leno and his guests back in the 80's.

3. Rise of unscripted TV shows and gameshows. That's right, folks. More reality TV. Can we handle it?

4. Possibility of TV shows and writers coming from abroad. Hmm. Might expand our minds, eh?

5. As for movies, apparently it will take about a year for the movie theaters to show the effects. So we can cross our fingers that the strike is over before then. Then again, You Tube videos will still be in ample supply, right? I wonder what "Spaghetti Town," (my sons' all time favorite and worth a peek, IMO) would look like on the big screen?

6. More time to READ BOOKS! :) Speaking of, just 10 days till THE SECRET LIFE OF A TEENAGE SIREN is out. Woot woot!
I'd love to hear your insights about this strike and how it's affecting you.

8 comments:

TJ Brown said...

you know, I thought the strike would really impact my viewing habits, but honestly, I have been going to bed so early I haven't been keeping up with anything:)
Teri

Amanda Ashby said...

Even though I live in NZ, some of my fav shows come from the US so I guess it's going to get to me soon enough. However, power to the writers for standing up for themselves, and thank goodness for boxed DVD sets! (and woot indeed for Siren - I can't wait to read it!!!)

Wendy Toliver said...

Teri, I'm with you. I don't really get to watch very much TV anyhow. Mainly because I'm so busy, and when it IS on, it's usually tuned to a kids' show.

Amanda, I hope it doesn't go on so long that it will impact your viewing in NZ.

C'on guys, compromise already!

Gerb said...

I haven't had time to watch as much TV as I thought I would, coming back to the States. I will say, though, that I'm not much into reality TV, so a rise in that direction would not be welcome. And I just discovered Samantha Who? Very funny. It will be a shame to see that go into reruns half way through its first season. I think we're already seeing reruns with House. Glad he settled on a staff first!

I'm all for the writers asking for their fair share of the pie, but the strike affects so many people down the production line who are now out of work. I wonder if those people feel much solidarity with the writers right now...

Gerb, who has preordered Siren on Amazon and is counting down the days, too!

Alyson Noel said...

Not having new episodes of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report is a huge hardship! Okay, maybe it's not really a hardship, but I'm anxious for this strike to end so I can get back to my regularly scheduled programs!

Sara Hantz said...

I echo everything Amanda said!!!

Wendy Toliver said...

Gerb, yes it's interesting to see how many movie and tv people are affected by this strike. Scary. And thanks for ordering SIREN. I hope you enjoy it!

Alyson, I hear you. I wonder if when the strike is over, the writers will be full of amazing ideas? Or if there will be a lull in witty writing, perhaps?

Sara, I was thinking of you NZ folks when I wrote this post because I am curious how long it will take to show its effects down there. I hope we don't have to find out!

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