Actress still waiting for writers' strike to end

Fox News Oct 14, 08 12:39 PM CDT
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The Hollywood writers' strike ended in February, but it lives on for Tara Reid, Fox News reports. The American Pie actress last week said she'll "go back into acting once the strike stops." While she waits it out, Reid is focusing on a clothing line inspired by self-help bestseller The Secret . "You put the energy out there, that's what the line is all about," Reid says.
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AFTRA approval weakens strike chance

Los Angeles Times Jul 9, 08 9:19 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Despite a campaign by the larger Screen Actors Guild to convince them otherwise, members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists yesterday approved a new contract with Hollywood studios, the Los Angeles Times reports. The ratification is seen as signaling weak support for an actors strike as SAG continues negotiations on its own deal with studios.
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Larger SAG, with contract set to expire, aims to torpedo smaller union's deal

Los Angeles Times Jun 30, 08 10:45 AM CDT
(Newser)
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In the escalation of a long-simmering turf war, the largest Hollywood actors union is attempting to scuttle a deal reached by its smaller rival with studios, the Los Angeles Times reports. Though the Screen Actors Guild isn't planning to strike when its contract expires tonight, it's urging members who also belong to the American Federation of Television and Radio Actors to vote against that contract.
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Cautious restart means crew members struggle to find work

Los Angeles Times Apr 28, 08 3:57 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Even though the writers’ strike ended 2 month ago, TV production crew members are still working less than usual and feeling the financial burn, the LA Times reports. The networks took a cautious approach after the strike, putting many shows on hold until next season and ordering fewer episodes of those that returned. Location permits are down 43% from last year.
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Networks, still shaking off writers strike, hoping big names' May return is cure

MSNBC Apr 24, 08 6:43 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Television shows hoping for welcoming arms after a strike-imposed hiatus are out of luck: Viewership is down sharply for scripted shows, in many cases more than 10%, the Hollywood Reporter notes. The exception appears to be CBS’ Monday night lineup, which is up after returning ahead of most other shows last month, leading perhaps to a new maxim: hurry back.
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Filmmaker takes reduced role in union after Leatherheads flap

Variety Apr 4, 08 11:41 AM CDT
(Newser)
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George Clooney has all but severed his ties to the Writers Guild after a dispute over screenwriting credit for the new film Leatherheads , reports Variety . The film's director, co-producer, and star says he overhauled a weak script, but a 2-to-1 arbitration vote went against him. He didn't publicize the move because the strike, which he supported, was imminent.
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Television
Sitcom poised to wring 8th season out of new network

Hollywood Reporter Mar 24, 08 11:58 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The Writers Guild strike not only didn't deliver the death blow to Scrubs —it may have resurrected the veteran sitcom, according to the Hollywood Reporter . Production restarted today on the show, which NBC had already decided not to renew beyond a handful of episodes left over from before the job action. In stepped ABC, which owns the studio that produces the show, and a deal is near for an eighth season.
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Chances of a walkout are about 50-50, one analyst says

Hollywood Reporter Mar 13, 08 7:48 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The chances of Hollywood actors going on strike when their contract expires in June are about 50-50, an industry analyst said today. If they walk, it could hurt television networks more than writers' recent 100-day walkout, the Hollywood Reporter says. Studios are still reeling from the WGA strike and can't afford the hit, said the credit analyst from Standard & Poor's.
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93.6% of writers approve contract

Variety Feb 27, 08 10:33 AM CST
(Newser)
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Writers Guild members have ratified the 3-year deal that ended their strike earlier this month, union leaders reported yesterday. “This contract is a new beginning for writers in the digital age,” said WGA chief Patric Verrone. The deal gives the WGA jurisdiction over writing for new-media products, and sets residual payments for Internet reuse, both downloads and streaming of feature films and TV programs.
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Shorter schedule leaves this year's patter less edited, scribe says

Los Angeles Times Feb 24, 08 9:40 AM CST
(Newser)
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Oscar banter may provide the show's shakiest moments, but stars and scribes are known to battle over these lines behind the scenes, the Los Angeles Times reports. This year though is different: The show's strike-shortened schedule is sparing writers from the usual pre-show scrutinty. "The celebrities and their support squads haven't had time to parse every word," banter pro Bruce Vilanch said.
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Producers, writers scramble to get fall TV season in shape

Los Angeles Times Feb 15, 08 4:25 PM CST
(Newser)
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With the TV writers back at work, the networks are scrambling to put together some semblance of a fall season, the LA Times reports. Pilot scripts and casting calls are weeks behind where they'd normally be, and studios are trying to determine which already-in-hand scripts to produce. "I feel a little bit like we're all Rip Van Winkle or Snow White," says one producer.
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Industry shakeup cost LA a bundle, economist tells Newsweek

Newsweek Feb 14, 08 10:28 AM CST
(Newser)
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With the writers' strike settled and Hollywood returning to work, Newsweek asks entertainment industry economist Mark Young what toll the strike took on Los Angeles. Based on lost productivity and uncollected taxes, Young pegs the hit at “around $3.5 billion … it's still a little too early to assess what the actual damage is going to be.”
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Strike ends after three months of negotiations

Los Angeles Times Feb 12, 08 11:14 PM CST
(Newser)
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Members of the Writers Guild of America voted today to end a three-month strike that shut down more than 60 TV shows and cost networks tens of millions of dollars, the Los Angeles Times reports. The new contract gives writers residual payments for shows streamed online and rights for online programming. Studios had originally proposed a multiyear study rather than paying writers residuals.
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Blogger lends a hand as couch potatoes plan for return to the sofa

Chicago Tribune Feb 11, 08 12:16 PM CST
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If everything goes according to plan and writers get back to work on Wednesday, when will scripted TV shows get back on the air? In general, the most popular shows will go into production again immediately, but many others won't return until the next season, if at all, reports Chicago Tribune blogger Maureen Ryan.
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