HOLLYWOOD'S WORST SCENARIO IS A REALITY SHOW

Negotiations over a new contract for Hollywood film and TV writers adjourned without resolution late Wednesday. A key point of contention in the current negotiation is how writers will be compensated for digital distribution of their work via the Internet, cellphones and other means.

What does it mean for your remote !? Don't worry (yet!) you won't see the effects right away, because this season is already in the can. But if the strike continue next fall you're going to see a lineup of "Big Brother" clones and all sorts of new reality-type shows. Programming, in other words, that doesn't require writers (just stupid people) Anything is possible from "The Life of Paris Hilton dogs ... to "How people are going to lose their jobs, homes and savings over the strike" (Hey! that's an idea!!!) Yes people if you have always dreamt of being famous without knowing the meaning and consequences, this may be the chance of a lifetime to ruin you life with a reality show !!!!

The movie industry is much more concerned about an actors' strike, which could happen if a contract doesnt come through by June 30 next year. You can shoot movies that have already been written without writers (and believe me Hollywood's writers have been busy busy lately) but you can't shoot movies without actors!!!

The last strike in 1988 lasted 5 months and broke many ... economsits predict this one will be even more painful !!! "It would affect everyone: the people who mow your lawn, those who serve you at restaurants, hotels, florists, and even dog groomers, It's not just the wealthy that are going to get hurt."

Comments

[Toby]

Actually, this season is very much NOT in the can. If they start to strike next week, scripted shows will start to run out of episodes by mid-season, daily soaps by next month and live comedy, like late night talk shows, SNL or The Daily Show will be off the air immediately.

[Greg]

Oh I am pretty sure that scripts for shows like Heroes or Ugly Betty are done already. They could not take the risk !!!

[Toby]

Well, I'm pretty sure they aren't. Why would the writers be in such a rush? The fact that the popular shows aren't finished is the major pressure source they can put on the producers in this conflict. But even if they did manage to finish writing the season, I'm not sure I want to see those episodes. Doing the work of a year in half the time can only mean bad things for the quality of the writing.

I do hope they resolve this fast, though. I don't think the world needs more reality tv.

[phil heffley]

A good source of information on this strike can be found at this blog:
http://www.newsfromme.com/
Smart producers who have seen this strike coming have had extra scripts written, but as Toby said that does not mean this season's TV shows are safe. For example, the Teamsters Union will show solidarity with the writers, which could stop the filming of some scripts that are already written. (Casting directors are in the Teamsters, for example.) Daily soap operas like As The World Turns (Luke and Noah's story) are typically filmed a few weeks ahead of air date, and have a few weeks more worth of scripts ready to tape, so they would last about 4 to 6 more weeks after a strike was called before being replaced on the air by sports, game shows, news or reality shows. Go read the excellent reports on this issue at
http://www.newsfromme.com/

[none@none.com]

>Oh I am pretty sure that scripts
>for shows like Heroes or Ugly
>Betty are done already. They
>could not take the risk !!!

Why would you say this? No way.

[Michael]

GO WRITERS! They deserve a piece of the action, too! Without them, we wouldn't be in awe, laugh, cry, or enjoy so many moments which eventually get interpreted by actors who are guided by directors from a writer's wonderful "blueprint" for presenting our entertainment!

[Chad]

I know for a fact HEROES isn't done for the season. And the network just pulled the plug on the ORIGINS spin off show too.

For most of the shows, they probably have enough scripts to film until Christmas. Which means you will see the last new episode air in February.

[Dan]

No!
not the Daily Show!!!!!
and SNL, and Ugly Betty and Heroes!
and all to be replaced by reality tv???

seriously, kill me now!

[Frank]

Somehow I don't think economists even blinked when they heard that Hollywood or TV writers were going to strike. No offense, but get your facts straight.