Janie BoschmaWhat if Meredith stopped lusting after McDreamy on “Grey’s Anatomy?” Or what if Michael stopped ogling Jan’s breasts on “The Office?” How about if Jon Stewart couldn’t cover the news in his usual satire on “The Daily Show?”
Well, this is what is happening and what is going to happen. These shows, and many others on network and cable Television stations, have halted production, according to the Los Angeles Times. While there still are fresh episodes left for shows such as “Heroes” and “Desperate Housewives,” their stash is being depleted week by week. The last finished episode of “The Office” ran Thursday.
Show production has stopped because of the 2007 Writers’ Guild of America Strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The Guild is made up of two organizations: The Writers Guild of America, East and The Writers Guild of America, West. These two organizations represent film, television and radio station writers in the United States. The AMPTP represents the interests of the producers and the film industry.
The strike began on Nov. 5. AMPTP and WGA then halted negotiations after WGA began its strike. The two groups had been in negotiations since July. This is the first strike in Hollywood in more than 20 years and it affects more than 12,000 writers.
What is being done to solve this strike? Nothing. While I am depressed about “Law and Order: SVU” reruns, I’m not saying the WGA doesn’t have a right to strike.
Their reasons include compensation for material streamed on the Internet and cell phones and increased compensation for home video and DVD sales.
The AMPTP argues that streaming shows on the Internet and cell phones is a form of promotion and doesn’t need to be compensated for. The Internet is a money maker with online advertising revenue topping $16.9 billion in 2006, up 35 percent from 2005, according to a report conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Interactive Advertising Bureau.
Arguing that the Internet is just a promotional tool is like saying Jim doesn’t belong with Pam.
The writers are also asking for double compensation from home video sales. The WGA offered to remove this from the agreement at the end of negotiations before the strike, marking a major move on their part. The issue is now back on the table. Currently, the WGA receives six cents for every copy of a $19 DVD sold, according to the Los Angeles Times. Studios get $9. DVD revenue totaled $16.3 billion in 2005, up 5 percent from 2004. With revenue like that, six cents seems a little small.
The WGA has called the strike a “marathon” and claims it could last months. A previous WGA strike in 1988 lasted five months, forcing reality shows like “Cops” to fill in for shows stuck in reruns. The AMPTP says they won’t negotiate with the WGA while they are striking. So where does that leave us? Without our favorite shows and with possible reality show fill-ins, such as “Big Brother” or “The Biggest Loser.”
So what are all of these writers doing instead of writing? Picketing, of course. Starting on Nov. 5, thousands of WGA members crowded in various locations, including outside the Fox and Time Warner Studios, with signs reading “Honk if you support the writers” and “Writers Actors Guild of America: On Strike.” The WGA is using public relations tactics, such as using YouTube and having themed picketing days, such as bring a star or bring your child to picket days, in order to attract media attention to their cause.
The writers aren’t the only ones involved. Actors, both those in shows affected by the strike and those who just support the cause, are joining the protests and holding signs, according to the Los Angeles Times. Others have made public statements in support of the strike. Still others, including Steve Carell from “The Office,” have refused to go to work, forcing production to be shut down.
While I applause the enthusiasm and energy of both the writers and actors for so passionately defending their work, I am concerned about the money factor. Many of these writers are now without pay and insurance. While the WGA said it will do the best it can to support these people, how long can it last? Weeks? Months? Years? And what will happen to shows?
Fans of shows in their last seasons such as NBC’s “Scrubs” might have to wait to find out what happens to JD and Elliot. The show has yet to write and shoot its final episode. Creator Bill Lawrence said he will write the finale and run it once the strike is over, according to The Hollywood Reporter Web site.
What about shows about to premiere? Several networks have pushed back premiere dates or chosen not to pick up sitcoms.
What it all comes down to is money and compensation. The writers want more, and the producers don’t want to give it to them.
Hopefully they will come to an agreement. Until then, I’ll be stuck watching reruns of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Oh well, I guess I can just pretend it’s in between seasons … again.
