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Hollywood Writers in Cliffhanger

Talks break off as contract expires; strike would affect late-night talk shows first

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Nov 1, 2007 7:35 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Fans of soaps and late-night talk shows, get ready for reruns; a strike looms as soon as tomorrow after Hollywood’s writers and producers failed to reach agreement on a new deal last night. Stalled talks were called off before the writers' contract expired at midnight, and the sides are deadlocked on key issues, including increased residuals for DVDs and other digital distribution channels.

"In short, the DVD issue is a complete roadblock to any further progress," a spokesman for the producers told the AP. No talks are scheduled for today; union members of the West Coast branch of the Writers Guild of America will meet tonight; no word on their East Coast counterparts. The last time writers walked out was 1988; that strike lasted 5 months.

Fans of NBC's The Tonight Show lineup outside the studio Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, in Burbank, Calif. Late-night shows could be the first victims of a Hollywood writers strike, forced into reruns by a lack of fresh skits and monologues. (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Fans of NBC's The Tonight Show lineup outside the studio Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, in Burbank, Calif. Late-night shows could be the first victims of a Hollywood writers strike, forced into reruns by a...   (Associated Press)
Bolivian President Evo Morales, left, speaks with Daily Show host Jon Stewart, right, on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in New York, Tuesday Sept. 25, 2007. Morales's translator is seen at center. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Bolivian President Evo Morales, left, speaks with Daily Show host Jon Stewart, right, on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" in New York, Tuesday Sept. 25, 2007. Morales's translator is...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and host Jay Leno chat during the taping of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno at NBC studios in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker says Conan O'Brien will take over 'The Tonight Show' in 2009....
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and host Jay Leno chat during the taping of "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" at NBC studios in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. NBC...   (Associated Press)
Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, left, talks to host Jay Leno after announcing that he is formally joining the 2008 White House race, during the taping of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at the NBC Studios in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007. Thompson, 65, enters a crowded...
Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, left, talks to host Jay Leno after announcing that he is formally joining the 2008 White House race, during the taping of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios...   (Associated Press)
This photo released by ABC shows actors Shawn Pyfrom, Joy Lauren and Kyle Maclachlan in a scene from Desperate Housewives. With Hollywood writers poised to log off their laptops as soon as Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, TV networks were bracing for the need to fill the airwaves with reality shows,...
This photo released by ABC shows actors Shawn Pyfrom, Joy Lauren and Kyle Maclachlan in a scene from "Desperate Housewives." With Hollywood writers poised to log off their laptops as soon as Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
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