Writers say they will go on strike
Union keeps option open for last-minute talks
The Associated Press
updated 7:38 a.m. ET, Fri., Nov. 2, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood writers said they would strike for the first time in nearly 20 years but left open the door for last-minute talks to avert a crippling walkout.

Writers Guild of America President Patric Verrone drew loud cheers when he announced in closed-door session Thursday night that the union could strike as early as Sunday, several writers told The Associated Press.

However, guild officials said privately the strike would most likely start on Monday.

The WGA board was to meet Friday morning to approve the strike and set a time for the first picket lines. A strike captains’ meeting was set for Saturday morning.

Union leaders said they would delay the action if producers showed movement in contract negotiations — especially on the key issue of paying writers when TV episodes are sold or streamed over the Internet.

“It’s going to have to be a good deal, but we would much rather negotiate than go on strike,” WGA chief negotiator John Bowman said.

Nick Counter, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, said in a statement the alliance was not surprised by the strike announcement.

“We are ready to meet and are prepared to close this contract this weekend,” he said.

The first casualty of the strike will likely be late-night talk shows, which are dependent on current events to fuel monologues and other entertainment.

The strike will not immediately impact film or prime-time TV production. Most studios have stockpiled dozens of movie scripts, and TV shows have enough scripts or completed shows in hand to last until early next year.

About 3,000 of the union’s 12,000 members attended Thursday’s meeting. Writers said the line of questioning inside the meeting wasn’t whether the group was going to strike, but how the job action would be carried out.

“Where the membership stands could not be more clear,” said Carlton Cuse, an executive producer of the television drama “Lost” and a member of the guild negotiating committee. “There was not a single dissenting voice in the room.”

Guild members already had authorized their negotiators to call the first strike since 1988. That strike lasted 22 weeks and cost the industry about $500 million.

The mood was more subdued as writers filed out of the building and headed to their cars.

Janis Hirsch, a veteran TV writer, was among the 10 percent who had voted against striking.

“It’s sad, but I’ve got to support my union. At this point it makes sense,” she said.

The stakes are high for writers, actors and directors. While the revenue generated by Internet sales and rentals of films and TV shows is minuscule compared to DVDs, the guilds say Internet revenue eventually will become dominant.

Consumers are expected to spend $16.4 billion on DVDs this year, according to Adams Media Research.

By contrast, studios could generate about $158 million from selling movies online and about $194 million from selling TV shows over the Web.


“Every incremental window of distribution has added revenue and profitability to the business model,” said Anthony DiClemente, an entertainment analyst for Lehman Brothers Equity Research. “Digital is likely to be a positive thing for the studios.”

Studios argue that it is too early to know how much money they can make from offering entertainment on the Internet, cell phones, iPods and other devices.

Producers are uncertain whether consumers prefer a pay-per-view model over an advertising-supported system. They want the economic flexibility to experiment as consumer habits change in reaction to technology.


URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21570821/

I should really visit the other forums (i.e. SVU) since I watch that show religiously.

Now we know why EMmy is so warped in the first place....

*Takes away the remote. No fictionalized crime/ law drama featuring sexual acts for you.*

*Now, here's a tomato to play with....*

HEY!

I think I'm going to develop a tomatophobia someday, and I will know who to blame...

*Hands back the remote and a stuffed tomato. I was only kidding you, EMmy. We know you can't do the voodoo you do on the Real Triangle withou being as warped as you are...*

To weckar, I'm proud to be the cause of your tomatophobia.... or were you talking to EM?

I guess I'll have to blame both of you when things stop to click...

*Hands weckar a vial of promicin. Promicin prevents tomatophobia.*

Not 'till the test is perfected you don't!

*Spoil sport. Besides, Kevin already told me you would survive the shot. He has the X-rays to prove it, too*

Well, couldn't hurt to try then...

*takes the shot*

Oh it's ok... I know I'm warped!

And we know you're warped, too. It's the question of the TV censors knowing your warped....

I suppose if they read my posts, they know.

I'll never tell....

UPDATE.....

Writers Will Strike
Nov. 2, 2007, 5:42 PM EST
By Dave McNary, Cynthia Littleton
Variety

The Writers Guild of America has announced that its 12,000 members will go on strike Monday morning against studios and networks, but left the door open for new talks.

Guild leaders, speaking at a Friday afternoon news conference at WGA West headquarters, stressed that they want to negotiate with the companies this weekend -- as long as the companies will back off their insistence that residuals for DVDs cannot be increased.

"We have 48 hours," said WGA negotiating committee chairman John Bowman. "We don't want to strike. What we really want to do is negotiate."

Rest of Story

EM. Thanks for the updates. I hope things settle down soon. I'm tired of reruns.

Well, W., what ability did you develop?

Hopefully something non-annoying and non-threatening...

like making everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside.... a giant cosmic Oprah if you will...

My ability will be to grow delicious tomatoes, instantly. Oh wait, I think that's been done already.

ug Oprah? she makes me feel sick to my stomach...how bout a giant cosmic goose down comforter LOL

LOL

The LA Times posted a list of where shows on the different networks stand in regards to the writers strike and how they'll be affected. Here's what it said for USA:

IN PLAIN SIGHT - New show, episodes are nearly wrapped
PSYCH and MONK - Enough scripts in hand to guarantee a full second half of each season
LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT - Enough for first half of the season (10); the second half (12) will be affected (meaning not enough scripts to guarantee production start as scheduled.)
BURN NOTICE - Scheduled to start production of Season 2 in January
THE STARTER WIFE - Scheduled to start production in March

So..........should we be worried that there's no mention whatsoever of THE 4400?

Edited to add a link to the article: The TV Grid

Yeah that too. I know it's still not 100% confirmation, since the article specifically says "Here's a look at where many shows stand", not all shows. And there's a lot of other network shows currently in production that aren't on that list. But it's getting harder and harder for me to stay optimistic here...

Another blurb about the strike taken from AOL News. It doesn't mention 4400, but it does mention USA shows:



Why can't they "repurpose" 'The 4400' too???

I think they used Psych and Monk as examples, vs being an exclusive statement. I would guess that 4400 might not be used due to it's long complex story as well as it's presumed similarity to Heroes. But who knows?!?

Here's an article that give a possible update on the writers' strike...



tvguide.com

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-11-30-voa20.cfm

If it is not bad enough that the writer's are on strike, I saw an interview with Jessica Alba who let it slip that if this is not resolved soon, there is also going to be an actor's strike.

That's gonna mean more and more "reality TV"......

That stinks. As much as I like some reality TV shows, I would hate to lose the quote-real shows-unquote that I love.

Bottome line: bring back The 4400!!! Please!!!!!!!!!

***Stupid Question Alert***

Why would the actors go on strike? Is it to support the writers, or do they have thier own issues?

***End Stupid Question Alert***

I think it is because they are supporting the writers.

Showrunner of Battlestar Galactica, Ronald D. Moore, posted a picture from the writers' strike on his blog of my hero and head writer of The 4400 and Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Ira Steven Behr.

http://www.rondmoore.com/Site/Blog/Entries...Picket____.html

So cool!

I read in an old interview that apparently Ron Moore offered Ira a job on BSG, but Ira was not interested in doing more space opera drama at the time.