Being the huge TV fan that I am, when I first heard about the possible writers' strike, I must admit that I was a little bit worried. I remember they went on strike before, but the 1988 strike sounds like nothing compared to the impending one because more is at stake right now. My main concern was this: Would we be able to watch full seasons of our shows or would we be stuck with a huge break at the most inopportune moment?
Since I'm involved in the spoilers world, I'm well aware of completed scripts, episodes that are currently shooting, etc. Usually, shows that have their premieres in the fall start producing new episodes in July. Of course, the crew (writers, producers, etc.) are at work a bit before that but they start shooting new episodes at the end of that month.
In an attempt to prepare for the strike, networks started productions of a lot of their shows earlier than usual. For example, NBC's Las Vegas started casting for new characters Piper and Cooper in mid-April and had the season premiere script in the can at the end of that month. Other shows followed about the same shooting schedule as in previous years but more scripts are completed than usual.
You can also see that networks are less trigger happy with the new shows and are giving them more weeks to gather an audience (except for Viva Laughlin, which was rightfully canceled after two episodes). They also ordered additional scripts for most of the new series. Could it be another way to prepare for the strike? It sure sounds like it because that way they have more scripted shows on air the longest time possible.
Seeing that networks are trying to prepare for the strike, it helped me be a little bit less worried. Still, it means that we may have a huge break at one point but at least we will have had a good amount of episodes before that happens.
What will networks air during the strike once all new episodes have aired? Will we be stuck with repeats or ton of reality shows? Post your reactions and comments below.
If you want to know more about the strike and its possible impact, AOL has a comprehensive primer on all things writers' strike related.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-29-2007 @ 8:38AM
straylight said...
I remember the last tiem we had a big strike, it was the spawn of what I considering one of the most unholy genres of TV- Reality Television.
While Im no fan of this stuff (the fake drama leaves a sour taste in my mouth), I can only imagine how much I will miss reality TV when a new demonspawn type of TV evolves from this strike.
On the other hand, the strike might be a godsend though. How many of have been upset by a network which cancelled a show after a handful of episodes. Maybe this will give our favorite new shows time to blossom into full blown series-hood.
-straylight
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10-29-2007 @ 9:05AM
segsig said...
The networks have hung onto series and ordered additional scripts to be prepared. On the other hand, if nbc hadn't done that, this strike could have been a good thing for them seeing as they only have TWO scripted shows that finish above third place in their timeslots. If they throw out their entire schedule it could only be an improvement.
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10-29-2007 @ 9:23AM
Chris said...
I not really worried, but I am paying attention to the situation.
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10-29-2007 @ 10:01AM
Vito The TiVo said...
Television is going to run out of material REAL fast. The major network drama I am working on only just completed their Christmas script.
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10-29-2007 @ 10:29AM
KHook said...
The strike could be interesting if it's true that the networks might air foreign hit shows and cable shows. I'm sure I'll change my mind once my favorite shows run out of episodes to air, but I wouldn't mind seeing what happens if there's a strike. I liked the rumor that NBC would air the UK version of The Office.
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10-29-2007 @ 10:42AM
TVGenius said...
I'm looking forward to it... I want to see the 'establishment' shaken up a little... see some innovative ideas.
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10-29-2007 @ 11:11AM
vacelts said...
With the amount of stuff on my DVR, I can probably survive a month of a writer's strike without noticing. More, if I actually get some new hobbies. And then there's always reruns of my favorite shows on DVD.
From what I've read, some networks are trying to get ahead of the game starting production earlier and already ordering a season's worth of scripts, which I think is good thinking.
My biggest fear is that we'll be inundated with even more reality shows.
Personally I don't remember the 1988 strike. I was in high school and more concerned with boys and school.
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10-29-2007 @ 11:13AM
Oreo said...
They need more game shows, they are huge right now and they should be fast tracking more. I can see Deal or No Deal on at least 3-4 times a week when the strike happens. More game shows, no reality stuff.
Or just give the writers the money they want from DVDs, I always thought that writers got money from them, and shocked to learn they didn't. Give them DVD money. Go writers! Don't give in!
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10-29-2007 @ 11:15AM
RadioScott said...
Frankly, I have such a backlog on my TiVo right now, I'd like the chance to catch up! I've only watched one episode of Heroes so far! I haven't even started on Bionic Woman or old favorites like Smallville.
I remember during the last strike, ABC (I think) dusted off some old Mission: Impossible scripts and remade the old episodes with a new cast. I liked it!
What other old shows could be remade, I wonder?
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10-29-2007 @ 11:53AM
Kenban said...
I am almost looking forward to a strike a lot of the shows on right now are not worth watching anyways. There has been talk of NBC showing the UK version of the office but there has also been talk of them showing Battlestar Galactica. Maybe some network will pickup the Robin Hood series which is currently airing its second season on the BBC. The Sci-fi channel has been showing the new Doctor Who series but I think it could do well on one of the big networks (NBC does own the Sci-fi channel).
ABC can bring back The wonderful world of Disney. With ABC being owned by Disney they have a huge archive of material to pull from.
Between the huge archives, shows from other networks, shows from overseas, game shows, and reality shows. I don't think the networks have anything to worry about. I think a strike might burn out the public on game shows and reality shows. But what I am hoping is that the networks show some of the great programming that many have never seen before.
A strike might end up being good for the industry.
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10-29-2007 @ 1:50PM
Marggy said...
I'm really worried about television being taken over by reality television. It's just so cheap, TV will probably never be the same. I hope some kind of agreement can be made.
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10-29-2007 @ 1:35PM
Matt said...
I'm growing more worried about the situation. If 24 and LOST face delays next year, I will raise hell.
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10-29-2007 @ 2:26PM
Clayton said...
Those of you that think the strike is a good thing are INSANE.
The strike doesn't affect writer's... Who are mostly out of work all the time. It affects the crew who really make the show.
During the last strike caused hundreds if not thousands of families to lose their homes. It broke families apart, careers ended.
Strikes of this size are not good for "big business" -- But they are far worse for the little guys that are forced to feel the aftershocks.
On my show, my entire crew is afraid... Each and every one fears for their home and their family.
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10-29-2007 @ 4:29PM
Karen said...
Strikes are never good. Everyone loses. The money lost by all parties can never be recouped. The viewers lost may never be regained. Advertisers will pass their lost revenue on to the consumer, us, with higher prices for their products. Hopefully, a compromise will be reached by all parties. The writers should be compensated for their work in whatever medium it is used.
If the strike occurs, I will not watch boring reality shows, I'll read more instead and be prepared to pay more for the products I buy. Perhaps, we, the viewers, should strike to show our displeasure.
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10-29-2007 @ 3:22PM
Mel said...
I'm actually pretty worried about this strike. I was hoping for more progress, less crossed-arms stubborness. I don't think a strike will be good for the industry, because I see a lot of people (myself included) turning to the internet for entertainment.
Also, I don't want a strike to kill the couple of new shows I'm actually hooked on! Stick us with a bunch of reruns, or worse *gag* Reality CrapTV, and you will lose your audience, Networks and WGA!
Let's have some compromising guys, there are a lot of people besides writers that will be affected by this.
If Reality TV takes over, I'm moving to a deserted island where not even Survivor can find me!
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10-29-2007 @ 5:02PM
Kenban said...
Clayton I totally understand and agree that the writers strike is going to hurt the crews more then anyone. This strike could put a lot of good people out of a job and for those people who work on shows still made in Hollywood California is not a cheap place to live. The only good news here is that a reality program still needs a crew. Plus it sounds like most shows have a few weeks worth of scripts at least so they are not going to suddenly stop filming if a strike does happen. If its short it might have little effect on the programming or on the crews who work on these shows.
But there are a lot of bad shows on TV today. Sometimes I can't help but wonder why many of them were green lit in the first place. My hope is that if a strike does happen it will get networks to put some quality programming which is already available on the air. The BBC produces a lot of great shows and more of them should be on major networks in the US. There are great shows on cable channels which are as good or better then the programming in prime time.
Its my hope that a strike might force the networks to look outside their safe zones for programming. That they will run some of the great shows which continue to be over looked because they are on a cable channel or might not even be available in the US. Maybe it will change how the networks handle shows and what shows they green light in the future.
I can hope at least...
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10-29-2007 @ 5:51PM
Mel said...
The writer's strike terrifies me because...
1) My show's storylines may get screwed up.
2) I can't stand reality television.*
3) Being a television writer is my dream career, and I really don't want to have to go through this some day.
*Except for Sci Fi Channel's "Who Wants To Be A Superhero?". That show rocks.
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10-30-2007 @ 5:42AM
Will said...
I certainly hope things get worked out. In addition to several new shows that I really like, I have a ton of older shows I watch. While I don't mind watching reruns, I prefer it to be my choice, such as A&E reruns of 24 and Third Watch. I'm old enough to remember the last strike and while the specifics of it I no longer recall, I do remember it getting old fast. Of course, there's a lot more variety to watch now, but still. I might finally get to catch up on all the movies I've missed.
I do agree the more important aspect of this will be the loss of jobs for all those in the other aspects of producing tv. While most of the jobs are probably pretty well paid, not too many families fare well when deprived of their income for long. No one wants to be in that position.
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10-30-2007 @ 1:06PM
solomeeeo said...
No harm done. Nothing on worth watching anyway!
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10-30-2007 @ 1:08PM
solomeeeo said...
No harm done. Nothing on worth watching anyway!
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