If the Writers Strike occurs...

[dth1971]

If a Writers Strike occurs after Halloween, will it affect production of 2008 episodes of prime time cartoons "The Simpsons", "King of the Hill", "Family Guy", "American Dad", and/or "South Park" since they have writers unless Trey and Matt write their own "South Park" scripts on a budget if they are not Writers Guild members?

[Tobias]

I thought Trey and Matt wrote all their own scripts, anyway.

But Cartoons make their episodes more in advance than live action series do, so a lot of these shows should be good to go script wise for a while, barring rewrites and the FCC.

Then shows like Robot Chicken and Family Guy don't look like they really even need an actual script to go by, so all Seth McFarlane and Seth Green would have to do is just do what they now: Insert random pop culture references and a little shred of actual story.

And the way Fox pre-empts their cartoon lineup, Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy and American Dad should all have their current seasons already finished (or getting there) with next seasons scripts in the early stages.

[Blackstar]

As I mentioned here a couple of times before, it takes at least 6 months to make a 22 minute episode of an animated cartoon, so if the writers' strike were to occur, say, next week, it wouldn't affect the shows made for this season, as all or most of the episodes from this season have already been made months in advance and are already in the can by now. At the most, it may delay the shows made for the following season.

[Fan of Sponge]

I thought Matt & Trey made fun of the Screen Actors Guild in Team America. Do they belong in the group or not? Because the looks of it, Matt & Trey seems not to belong in the group. They could actually parody the strike (if the strikes happens) in one of their upcoming episodes.

[EinBebop]

I thought Matt & Trey made fun of the Screen Actors Guild in Team America.You mean the Film Actors Guild. :D

[Peter Paltridge]

No, it won't visibly affect most cartoons since they are done so far in advance.

[dth1971]

The Writers Strike if it starts this weekend unless a new deal is reach won't affect 2008 South Park episodes but would affect Comedy Central's The Daily Show and Colbert Report to go into indefinate reruns.

[Blackstar]

The Writers Strike if it starts this weekend unless a new deal is reach won't affect 2008 South Park episodes but would affect Comedy Central's The Daily Show and Colbert Report to go into indefinate reruns.

Nothing goes into indefinite reruns unless it ends. Please do some research before you type things like this.

[DrTooth]

All I can say for this is clearly this is yet another reason for Hollywood to figure "we don't need writers! We can rip off some reality program from some foriegn country and call it 'original programming', and not have to pay doodly squat for writers or actors." to which Fox responds, "We don't need people to research foreign programs. Let's just find out what someone has on their fall schedual, and make a cheaper copy of it, and rush it out as fast as we can. That way our braindead target audience will think we came up with it."

Seriously. This is not the kind of TV climate to strike!

[Lutochris]

So what about some of the cable shows like Adult Swim stuff and South Park (no one's really answered this yet) that are produced on a short schedule? What about anime dubbing - are ADR script writers affected by this?

[Mandouga]

ADR writers might not be affected unless they're part of the Writer's Guild of America (or whichever union is the one planning it).

[dth1971]

ADR writers might not be affected unless they're part of the Writer's Guild of America (or whichever union is the one planning it).

What are ADR writers?

[Rud]

How do you need writers for abnime dubbing, its already written!!??

[Kuroba]

How do you need writers for abnime dubbing, its already written!!??
It needs to be translated and writers are needed to rework the script so it will make sense in English.

[livingfruitvirus]

ADR writers might not be affected unless they're part of the Writer's Guild of America (or whichever union is the one planning it).

I doubt they will be affected at all. Most ADR writers seem to be actors anyway.

[livingfruitvirus]

Tonight's meeting ended. The strike is officially on.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia9c51f5ef29150aab578ab26a6f5c205

[Rud]

what do these writers want anyway?

[Moto Pete]

it's all about the DVD's

TODAY'S QUESTION: What's the deal with the WGA strike?

1. Okay, what's basically going on?

The Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) expired today, Thursday, November 1. This contract sets the minimum standards for everything from compensation to arbitration between "the writers" (the WGA) and "the studios" (the AMPTP). The previous version was signed three years ago (click here to read it).

2. What's preventing a new MBA from being signed?

Both the WGA and AMPTP have submitted MBA proposals to each other (click here to read the AMPTP's, click here to read the WGA's) however obviously a consensus has yet to be reached.

Each proposal highlights their group's inherent philosophy. For the writers, it's that they aren't being compensated sufficiently for the work they're currently doing. For the studios, it's that they can't afford to pay any more than they already do.

3. So what are the specific points of contention?

In total there's about two dozen areas being negotiated however the focus seems to be on three major issues:

a. The home video residual formula. WGA members currently receive 0.3% of the distributors' gross for the first $1 million and 0.36% thereafter. This translates to about 5 cents per unit in most cases. The WGA is seeking to double that rate. The often mentioned rationale is that novelists receive up to 15% of the publisher's gross, literally 500 times that of TV and film writers.

b. Non-traditional media residuals. WGA members are not compensated for use of their work on cell phones, online streaming, etc. when the user doesn't pay for them. If they do (pay-per-view, video-on-demand, etc.), the residual rate is the same as the home video one - 0.3%. The guild is pressing for the following: "1.2% for features whether streamed or downloaded, 1.2% for TV product when the viewer pays, and 2.0% for post-1984 TV product or 2.5% for pre-1984 TV product when it is free to the viewer."

c. Jurisdiction and terms for made-for new technology. Writers working on content specifically created for the internet or other non-traditional media aren't subject to the same MBA standards as those who work on traditional media. The WGA hopes to close the gap.

4. Why then would the WGA go on strike?

Like all union-related disputes, a strike is designed as a bargaining ploy to force an agreement. Prior to Wednesday's deadline, WGA members passed a resolution - to record turnout - that the gives the guild's negotiating party the power to call a strike should they see it fit. 90.3% of the 5,507 votes cast were in favor of the resolution (read the story).

5. What then does it mean that the WGA is "on strike?"

According to the guild's strike rules, there's essentially one basic principle:

You (and your agent or other representative on your behalf) may not pitch to or negotiate with a struck company, and you may not provide writing services, sell or option literary material to a struck company.

In addition, members are expected to ask the struck companies to return any "spec" material (i.e. work that was completed in the hopes of being sold) as well as adhere to basic strike etiquette (don't cross picket lines, report any strike breaking activity, etc.).

Furthermore, members are allowed to continue in any non-writing capacity (actor, director, producer, etc.) as long as those activities do not involve writing in any way.

6. Does that mean primetime television production as a whole will be shut down?

Yes and no. Actors, directors and producers will continue to work on any completed scripts however considering that most shows work a month or so ahead of their air dates, that pool will dry up rather quickly. As of this writing most series currently on the air are filming their 9th-11th episodes while scripts have been delivered through their 13th-17th episodes (depending upon how many were ordered in the case of new series). Additionally, midseason offerings like "24" and "Lost" work on a production schedule several weeks behind their fall counterparts leaving even less episodes and scripts completed.

7. So when will this start affecting my viewing habits?

For the most part, networks are expected to continue as normal through the November sweeps period meaning December would be the earliest you'd see any changes. Not that you'd necessarily notice at that point - last year less than 28% of the broadcast networks' schedules consisted of first-run programming during the last two weeks of December (read the story). January then realistically would be the first time you'd see any substantive changes.

8. What could happen then if the strike lasts longer than a few months?

Industry insiders have speculated all sorts of scenarios but no one has gone on record with any prolonged strike contingency plans. Nevertheless, reality series and game shows will undoubtedly be heavily featured. Nearly 20 new reality series and game shows are already in various stages of production at ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and the CW in addition to such returning fare as "American Idol," "Wife Swap," "Supernanny," "The Apprentice" and so on.

9. How long did the last strike last?

The previous WGA strike - nearly 20 years ago - lasted 22 weeks, from March 7, 1988 through August 7, 1988. It's estimated the five-month strike cost the TV and film industry a collective $500 million. A prolonged strike in today's marketplace could double, triple or even quadruple that number.

10. So what happens next?

The reality is at some point an agreement will have to be reached. Whether that's in two days or two months is anyone's guess. Regardless, stay tuned to The Futon Critic for the latest news.

[jlaking]

If a Writers Strike occurs after Halloween, will it affect production of 2008 episodes of prime time cartoons "The Simpsons", "King of the Hill", "Family Guy", "American Dad", and/or "South Park" since they have writers unless Trey and Matt write their own "South Park" scripts on a budget if they are not Writers Guild members?


Animation is not part of the Writer's Guild.

[J-man]

If the WGA isn't in animation, then this thread should really be in the entertainment section.

And no new Lost episodes!? NOOOOOOOO! Everything else I could really care less about.;)

[DrTooth]

Ah... well, that means that greedy producers get to crap out a whole other line of insuffereable reality shows that WILL stick even if they clear this.

Thanks alot greedy producers and writers. Pricing themselves out of the business just as Homer said.

[EinBebop]

Non-traditional media residuals. WGA members are not compensated for use of their work on cell phones, online streaming, etc. when the user doesn't pay for them. If they do (pay-per-view, video-on-demand, etc.), the residual rate is the same as the home video one - 0.3%. The guild is pressing for the following: "1.2% for features whether streamed or downloaded, 1.2% for TV product when the viewer pays, and 2.0% for post-1984 TV product or 2.5% for pre-1984 TV product when it is free to the viewer."Think we the consumer have to side with the Film Actor's Guild based on this part... the studios are less likely to be giving away anything free if the writers are going to be reaching into their pocket everytime they do.

[Lutochris]

So does anyone know about South Park? It Trey in the WGA? Now that I think about it, even if he was he'd probably still write stuff and credit himself as Robert T. Pooner or something.

[J-man]

So does anyone know about South Park? It Trey in the WGA? Now that I think about it, even if he was he'd probably still write stuff and credit himself as Robert T. Pooner or something.

Man, this post made me laugh. I could definetly see Matt & Trey doing that.

[SAMaine]

I think this Writer's Strike will probably last longer than the last one. Mostly due to not only Reality and Game Shows, but also that many people writing unique internet content, even popular internet content, are not part of the Writer's Guild, even by the Guild's admission. In 1988, you didn't have Reality Shows, Prime Time Game Shows, or YouTube.

[J-man]

I think this Writer's Strike will probably last longer than the last one. Mostly due to not only Reality and Game Shows, but also that many people writing unique internet content, even popular internet content, are not part of the Writer's Guild, even by the Guild's admission. In 1988, you didn't have Reality Shows, Prime Time Game Shows, or YouTube.

That makes an excellent point.

The big question now is: Who will cave in first? The WGA or the networks?

[Master Moron]

Am I the only one who thinks the problem stems from paying actors too much? I mean, if they didn't pay actors so much then they'd have more money for the writers. Don't get me wrong. I know acting is hard work and long hours, but the actors in TV shows get a ridiculous amount of money compared to everyone else who works on a TV show. Cut the actors salary and there won't be a problem.

[dth1971]

If the Writer's Strike 2007-2008 is long, new cartoons for the 2008-2009 TV season could be delayed or something.

I know the 1980 actor's strike delayed ABC's new Saturday Morning lineup for 1980-1981 (with Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Richie Rich/Scooby Doo Show, Thundarr the Barbarian, Heathcliff and Dingbat, and the Plastic Man/Baby Plas Super Comedy Show) until October-November 1980 as well as 2 of NBC's Saturday Morning 1980-1981 shows (The Flintstone Comedy Show didn't premiere until November 1980 and Space Stars didn't premiere until the 1981-1982 NBC Saturday Morning season), The 1981 writer's strike and animator's strike delayed the 1981-1982 Saturady Morning lineup debut of ABC's Laverne and Shirley in the Army until October 1981. The 1987 cartoon voices strike delayed the start of ABC 1987-1988 Saturday Morning lineup cartoons Little Clowns of Happytown, Little Wizards, and All New Pound Puppies until the last weekend of September 1987 (the same weekend NBC premiered on its Saturday Morning lineup for 1987-1988 an animated version of ALF). And finally, though not cartoon related: The 1988 writers strike put Pee-Wee's Playhouse in reruns on CBS Saturday Morning 1988-1989 lineup for that season (except for a Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special in December 1988 and 2 new Pee-Wee's Playhouse episodes in March 1989).

What about writers of Canadian produced cartoons (from the studios of Nelvana, Cookie Jar/Cinar, and CineGroupe) and British produced cartoons (I wish there was a revival of Dangermouse by the Brits and BBC!)? Are they seperate from the American WGA? Of course Canada had its own Actor's Strike lasting about 2-3 months earlier this year.

[Anthonynotes]

If the Writer's Strike 2007-2008 is long, new cartoons for the 2008-2009 TV season could be delayed or something.

I know the 1980 actor's strike delayed ABC's new Saturday Morning lineup for 1980-1981 (with Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Richie Rich/Scooby Doo Show, Thundarr the Barbarian, Heathcliff and Dingbat, and the Plastic Man/Baby Plas Super Comedy Show) until October-November 1980 as well as 2 of NBC's Saturday Morning 1980-1981 shows (The Flintstone Comedy Show didn't premiere until November 1980 and Space Stars didn't premiere until the 1981-1982 NBC Saturday Morning season), The 1981 writer's strike and animator's strike delayed the 1981-1982 Saturady Morning lineup debut of ABC's Laverne and Shirley in the Army until October 1981. The 1987 cartoon voices strike delayed the start of ABC 1987-1988 Saturday Morning lineup cartoons Little Clowns of Happytown, Little Wizards, and All New Pound Puppies until the last weekend of September 1987 (the same weekend NBC premiered on its Saturday Morning lineup for 1987-1988 an animated version of ALF). And finally, though not cartoon related: The 1988 writers strike put Pee-Wee's Playhouse in reruns on CBS Saturday Morning 1988-1989 lineup for that season (except for a Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special in December 1988 and 2 new Pee-Wee's Playhouse episodes in March 1989).

What about writers of Canadian produced cartoons (from the studios of Nelvana, Cookie Jar/Cinar, and CineGroupe) and British produced cartoons (I wish there was a revival of Dangermouse by the Brits and BBC!)? Are they seperate from the American WGA? Of course Canada had its own Actor's Strike lasting about 2-3 months earlier this year.

Canadian and British writers aren't affected by this strike; one of the remote possibilities of this strike being prolonged would be the networks considering airing British or Canadian TV shows (apparently NBC's the likeliest candidate----they're thinking of airing the UK version of "The Office").

[Cobblepot1982]

Am I the only one who thinks the problem stems from paying actors too much? I mean, if they didn't pay actors so much then they'd have more money for the writers. Don't get me wrong. I know acting is hard work and long hours, but the actors in TV shows get a ridiculous amount of money compared to everyone else who works on a TV show. Cut the actors salary and there won't be a problem.


If the actors don't get as much, they take their business to someone who WILL pay them as much, if not more. It's about economics dude- if the demand for an actor is high, he wants more money for his work.

Hey, why doesn't YOUR job just cut the rate of pay YOU'RE getting so there's plenty of money and hours left for everyone else?


Instead, what you COULD'VE said was: in an age when no one really watches TV anymore, this was a REALLY poor time to pull a Strike...it's sorta like a show being about to get canned, and the main actor says "I will not continue playing my part unless you pay me more money". Yeah...brilliant..

Then again, this IS Hollywood. Expecting intelligence from Hollywood is like expecting Dustin Diamond to become an A-list celebrity, get married to Tara Reid, and for them to become the "Cute couple" of Hollywood...

[DrTooth]

Canadian and British writers aren't affected by this strike; one of the remote possibilities of this strike being prolonged would be the networks considering airing British or Canadian TV shows (apparently NBC's the likeliest candidate----they're thinking of airing the UK version of "The Office").


UGH! I can't wait to see how many cuts they're going to make for that show.

They better the *&^%% reach an agreement tonight. No matter who wins or loses in this "battle" we know the real losers are us, the TV watching public.

[Master Moron]

If the actors don't get as much, they take their business to someone who WILL pay them as much, if not more. It's about economics dude- if the demand for an actor is high, he wants more money for his work.

And if no one pays them that much, then where are they going to go? The thing is, the salary of most actors doesn't usually start that high, it gets higher and higher as the actors demand more and more money. Is it possible that an actor on a hit series can go to a different show and get paid more? Maybe, but not always. Sometimes studios think that audiences want to see a certain actor, so they pay them a lot of money, but when the writing sucks, the show fails. If a new show wants a big name actor, but the actor is demanding a ridiculous salary, they can always get someone else to do it. There's always someone willing to do the work cheaper.


Hey, why doesn't YOUR job just cut the rate of pay YOU'RE getting so there's plenty of money and hours left for everyone else?

Well, I don't currently make any money, but I plan to be a lawyer. So, you're saying clients should pay less money to lawyers and more money...to who? Expert witnesses?


Instead, what you COULD'VE said was: in an age when no one really watches TV anymore, this was a REALLY poor time to pull a Strike...it's sorta like a show being about to get canned, and the main actor says "I will not continue playing my part unless you pay me more money". Yeah...brilliant..

That's probably how this situation got so bad in the first place. If actors didn't constantly ask for more money then they'd have more money to pay the writers.

[Merrick Bill]

Am I the only one who thinks the problem stems from paying actors too much? I mean, if they didn't pay actors so much then they'd have more money for the writers. Don't get me wrong. I know acting is hard work and long hours, but the actors in TV shows get a ridiculous amount of money compared to everyone else who works on a TV show. Cut the actors salary and there won't be a problem.


The problem is not the actors. Only a handful of actors earn the enormous paychecks. The problem is the studio heads aren't happy making a hundred million dollars a year. They want to make 200 million dollars a year. They don't want to share the money they make with the people who made it for them.

The studios make a fortune on DVDs, on demand plays, and Internet downloads, and yet they say that they're not making any money. The writers want a small percentage of the take (less than 1% by the way). And with a percentage deal, if the studios don't make money the writers won't either. If the dvds and on demand plays do make money, then the writers should get their fair share.

Bill

[Alph]

Am I the only one who thinks the problem stems from paying actors too much? I mean, if they didn't pay actors so much then they'd have more money for the writers. Don't get me wrong. I know acting is hard work and long hours, but the actors in TV shows get a ridiculous amount of money compared to everyone else who works on a TV show. Cut the actors salary and there won't be a problem.

I agree 100%. Our society diefies these people who show up on the screen and completely ignores the people who are actually behind the scenes doing the bulk of the work (unless they are completely high up there, like George Lucas or Peter Jackson).



If the actors don't get as much, they take their business to someone who WILL pay them as much, if not more. It's about economics dude- if the demand for an actor is high, he wants more money for his work.

Hey, why doesn't YOUR job just cut the rate of pay YOU'RE getting so there's plenty of money and hours left for everyone else?


But the fact is, there shouldn't be someone willing to pay them that much. The only reason there are is because the viewers are like mindless sheep who watch stuff based more on what actors are in it and less on whether or not the writing is any good. Seriously, why else would reality shows about famous actors doing a bunch of random nothingness be so successful?

If people cared more about writing (and by people, I mean both viewers and network execs alike), and less about how well known their actors are (seriously, would it hurt THAT much to expand the playing field by hiring unknown actors more often?), we'd get better shows overall and the writers would get payed the amount they deserve.

[SAMaine]

Am I the only one who thinks the problem stems from paying actors too much? I mean, if they didn't pay actors so much then they'd have more money for the writers. Don't get me wrong. I know acting is hard work and long hours, but the actors in TV shows get a ridiculous amount of money compared to everyone else who works on a TV show. Cut the actors salary and there won't be a problem.

Impossible... Because if they cut the pay of actors, the Screen Actors Guild will go on strike, and it's obviously harder to replace actors than it is to replace writers.

[Beat]

It's a consumer driven business. And the bottom line is that the consumer won't care about who earns what unless it affects them in some way. If a huge reality-show backlash occurs in the midst of the strike, writers will earn more. If demands for known actors goes up, actors will stand to earn more. Executives want to make these as non-issue as possible so they make more.

Frankly, the success or failure of this strike depends entirely on the taste of the public.

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Impossible... Because if they cut the pay of actors, the Screen Actors Guild will go on strike, and it's obviously harder to replace actors than it is to replace writers.

I dunno. Drama classes are a lot more common in High Schools than Creative Writing classes, and everyone has probably acted at least once or twice, in a school play or church pageant or something.

Not saying they'd be just as good, but replacing writers is tough work, too. As a writer myself, I can say that it takes a lot of hard work and years of honing your skills.

Yes, so does acting. But acting is more of a skill you used in your everyday life.

[Beat]

But it's more common for a show to be sold on actors than writing staff.

[lordsmurf]

Impossible... Because if they cut the pay of actors, the Screen Actors Guild will go on strike, and it's obviously harder to replace actors than it is to replace writers.
Many actors are overpaid. Grossly overpaid. Let them strike. You can replace an actor easier than you can replace a writer.

[KuwabaraTheMan]

But it's more common for a show to be sold on actors than writing staff.

Sure, but there have been many popular shows that started out with casts of relative unknowns.

I don't believe it would happen, but I personally think it would be easier to find new actors than new writers.

[SAMaine]

Actually, the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild are about as peeved as the Writers Guild about not getting as much money from DVDs and New Media, only the Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild contracts expire in June, which is why I don't think the strike will last longer than July, because without Writers, Directors, and Actors, there IS no programming.

[Moto Pete]

Actually, the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild are about as peeved as the Writers Guild about not getting as much money from DVDs and New Media, only the Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild contracts expire in June, which is why I don't think the strike will last longer than July, because without Writers, Directors, and Actors, there IS no programming.
7 months is a long time


i say 3 months the strike will be over before LOST Starts

[YoshiAngemon]

Maybe the networks can gather ratings with movies, like Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and others during prime time.

[Alph]

Sure, but there have been many popular shows that started out with casts of relative unknowns.

I don't believe it would happen, but I personally think it would be easier to find new actors than new writers.
And yet the vast majority of shows and movies try to aquire big names, even though (as you said) it's been proven that unknowns can work great. The fact is, network execs are afraid of looking for new acting talent nowadays, which is what makes it so hard for someone to be successful as an actor unless they are in the lucky minority. This makes the circulation of actors downright pitiful, and that's why the few actors that do make it big are practically worshipped by the media, and have there faces plastered everywhere.

But when you get right down to it, using talented unknown actors is in many ways better for a show. Specifically character oriented shows. If you are trying to identify with a character, it doesn't help if you already recognize their face from somewhere else.

[Samurai]

All this debating about who's more important between actors and writers... quite frankly, neither are that important in the grand scheme of things. Hollywood is just make-believe and not some essential profession like teachers or doctors or cops which you need to make society run. Society could still run without Hollywood actors or writers... it'd be a little more boring without the TV or movies to go to, but hey, maybe people will be forced to go out & play more sports (since America is the most obese nation), do more work, hang out with friends, etc.

[David Lucas]

Which America do you live in?

This strike wont even cause a single extra sit-up in the world. The fat of society will still forsake sunlight to watch whatever the hell they can, repeats or not.

[Beat]

It's either that or this causes a migration to podcasts and the like. Either way, people will continue to look for entertainment from external sources.

[J-man]

Ah... well, that means that greedy producers get to crap out a whole other line of insuffereable reality shows that WILL stick even if they clear this.

Thanks alot greedy producers and writers. Pricing themselves out of the business just as Homer said.

I heard of one good example of one of those reality shows: Farmer Wants a Wife, and I believe it was going to be aired on NBC, but I'm probably mistaken. I can only cower at what else the big networks are going to crap out...

[DarthGonzo]

I heard of one good example of one of those reality shows: Farmer Wants a Wife, and I believe it was going to be aired on NBC, but I'm probably mistaken. I can only cower at what else the big networks are going to crap out...

Thank god I don't watch broadcast TV. Better off avoiding the nonsense.

[hobbyfan]

If the Writer's Strike 2007-2008 is long, new cartoons for the 2008-2009 TV season could be delayed or something.

I know the 1980 actor's strike delayed ABC's new Saturday Morning lineup for 1980-1981 (with Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Richie Rich/Scooby Doo Show, Thundarr the Barbarian, Heathcliff and Dingbat, and the Plastic Man/Baby Plas Super Comedy Show) until October-November 1980 as well as 2 of NBC's Saturday Morning 1980-1981 shows (The Flintstone Comedy Show didn't premiere until November 1980 and Space Stars didn't premiere until the 1981-1982 NBC Saturday Morning season)

Actually, IIRC, it was a year earlier, 1979. I remember waiting until the last weekend in September for premieres of Scooby & Scrappy-Doo, Plastic Man, Spider-Woman, et al. Space Stars was delayed a year, but I think that it was another reason altogether. As memory serves, the class of 1980 (Thundarr, Heathcliff, Fonz, et al) started on time.

[Gary L Thompson]

All I can say for this is clearly this is yet another reason for Hollywood to figure "we don't need writers! We can rip off some reality program from some foriegn country and call it 'original programming', and not have to pay doodly squat for writers or actors." to which Fox responds, "We don't need people to research foreign programs. Let's just find out what someone has on their fall schedual, and make a cheaper copy of it, and rush it out as fast as we can. That way our braindead target audience will think we came up with it."

Seriously. This is not the kind of TV climate to strike!


Animation is not part of the Writer's Guild.




If the Writer's Strike 2007-2008 is long, new cartoons for the 2008-2009 TV season could be delayed or something.

I know the 1980 actor's strike delayed ABC's new Saturday Morning lineup for 1980-1981 (with Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Richie Rich/Scooby Doo Show, Thundarr the Barbarian, Heathcliff and Dingbat, and the Plastic Man/Baby Plas Super Comedy Show) until October-November 1980 as well as 2 of NBC's Saturday Morning 1980-1981 shows (The Flintstone Comedy Show didn't premiere until November 1980 and Space Stars didn't premiere until the 1981-1982 NBC Saturday Morning season), The 1981 writer's strike and animator's strike delayed the 1981-1982 Saturady Morning lineup debut of ABC's Laverne and Shirley in the Army until October 1981. The 1987 cartoon voices strike delayed the start of ABC 1987-1988 Saturday Morning lineup cartoons Little Clowns of Happytown, Little Wizards, and All New Pound Puppies until the last weekend of September 1987 (the same weekend NBC premiered on its Saturday Morning lineup for 1987-1988 an animated version of ALF). And finally, though not cartoon related: The 1988 writers strike put Pee-Wee's Playhouse in reruns on CBS Saturday Morning 1988-1989 lineup for that season (except for a Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special in December 1988 and 2 new Pee-Wee's Playhouse episodes in March 1989).

What about writers of Canadian produced cartoons (from the studios of Nelvana, Cookie Jar/Cinar, and CineGroupe) and British produced cartoons (I wish there was a revival of Dangermouse by the Brits and BBC!)? Are they seperate from the American WGA? Of course Canada had its own Actor's Strike lasting about 2-3 months earlier this year.Canadian and British writers aren't affected by this strike; one of the remote possibilities of this strike being prolonged would be the networks considering airing British or Canadian TV shows (apparently NBC's the likeliest candidate----they're thinking of airing the UK version of "The Office").


Actually, the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild are about as peeved as the Writers Guild about not getting as much money from DVDs and New Media, only the Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild contracts expire in June, which is why I don't think the strike will last longer than July, because without Writers, Directors, and Actors, there IS no programming.

I can't help but wonder something--could this turn out to be a heaven-sent opportunity for anime series?

I mean, think about it. TV networks will want to air something that could be considered fresh. What other entertainment could they possibly get their hands on that would be so cost-effective? They could go through a few hundred anime series already in the can, and select a few they could judge as just maybe having a chance at mass appeal.... There would be no overhead beyond paying for the rights to air the series.

Of course, this sort of thing needn't necessarily be limited to anime, obviously. But where else would they get such an existing pool of entertainment product? I mean, I suppose it is possible they might pick up some existing sitcoms and adventure shows made in English abroad. That's the only other thing I can think of, aside from turning their networks into round-the-clock sports, game show, and reality programming.

[macattack]

I could see anime airing a year or so down the line, when the networks are getting desperate. But I see the networks cycling through everything else first, then picking up anime just because there's nothing else left to air.

I see them rushing to pick up BBC programming and the like first, once they're out of TV shows. We'll also be seeing a lot of sports and "unscripted" programming for a while, and when those shows eventually go down the toilet, and the reruns of existing programming falter (IF they falter), then they might give anime a shot.

[goofygraffix]

I can't help but wonder something--could this turn out to be a heaven-sent opportunity for anime series?

No, because in the eyes of your average soccer mom, the math goes something like this:

Anime = animation
Animation = Cartoon
Cartoon = something the kids watch so they stay the hell away from me while I'm watching "Miami Ink"

No self-respecting "adult" wants to watch a kids show, not when they can be parked in front of yet another insipid rendition of "Dancing with the [Unemployed] Stars". Besides, most anime shows have plots that require the viewer to pay close attention for more than sixty seconds, and that's asking an awful lot...

So, get ready for more fingernails-on-the-chalkboard quality reality-based entertainment about people working in tanning salons, amusement parks, hotel laundry rooms, God-knows-where else, etc.

I can hardly wait...

[Kyuss]

If people want entertainment, they should probably just stick to video games and RPGs.

TV shows and movies have become as irrelevant and pointless as politics.

[macattack]

Take a look at this. Think we might have David Mamet writing for Chowder or Spongebob any time soon? :p

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071107/en_nm/screenwriters_strike_animation_dc_1

But seriously, this is interesting. And it validates the argument that animation may not be seriously affected by the Writer's Guild strike. We might see an onslaught of cartoons soon whether it is desired or not because writers need work and animation could provide that work.