Writers' Block

Why Actors Strike Wouldn't Hurt TV

Los Angeles Times  |  Dec 1, 08 4:34 AM CST

(Newser) - No offense, actors, but TV viewers probably wouldn't notice a Screen Actors Guild strike if it happens. Production schedules will suffer, but not nearly like the disruption last year's writers strike caused, reports the Los Angeles Times . Many scripted series are almost done filming for the season, and more of them are now covered by AFTRA, a rival artists agency. More »

Hey, Tara, the Strike Is Over

Fox News  |  Oct 14, 08 12:39 PM CDT

(Newser) - 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. More »

Actors' Family Feud Creates More Hollywood Labor Unrest

Los Angeles Times  |  Jun 30, 08 10:45 AM CDT

(Newser) - 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. More »

Network TV Records Worst Ratings Ever

Variety  |  May 21, 08 11:25 AM CDT

(Newser) - With just a few days left in the 2007-'08 TV season, Fox is set to take the ratings belt from five-time winner CBS. But it’ll be something of a hollow victory, because network TV on the whole recorded its worst year ever, Variety reports. Among the top five networks, audiences fell 7%, and the coveted 18-49 demographic fell 10%. More »

Writers Strike Fallout Lingers Behind the Scenes

Los Angeles Times  |  Apr 28, 08 3:57 PM CDT

(Newser) - 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. More »

Absent Original Scripts, Studios Reel in Lit

Variety  |  Apr 18, 08 3:43 PM CDT

(Newser) - Movie execs counting on a flood of scripts after the writers strike wrapped up in February are snug and dry and turning to books and magazine articles instead, Variety reports. Plump with new fiscal-year budgets, studios are snatching up literary pieces faster than in years past; prison escapes, sunken-ship salvage, and offshore drilling are likely subjects of upcoming flicks. More »

Clooney, WGA Part Ways Over Disputed Credit

Variety  |  Apr 4, 08 11:41 AM CDT

(Newser) - 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. More »

Networks Rethink New Shows

Wall Street Journal  |  Mar 31, 08 6:03 PM CDT

(Newser) - Networks are rethinking how they develop new TV shows after the writers strike, the Wall Street Journal reports. NBC is switching to a staggered debut schedule, and many networks are shying away from traditional, expensive pilots. With fewer chances to test-drive possible shows, networks are sticking especially closely to trusted concepts and remakes of previous hits. More »

Worries Rising Over Looming Actors' Strike

Hollywood Reporter  |  Mar 13, 08 7:48 PM CDT

(Newser) - 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. More »

Movie Industry on a Roll

Wall Street Journal  |  Mar 6, 08 8:10 AM CST

(Newser) - Nearly 30 films took in more than $100 million each last year as the movie industry recorded its best box office year ever, reports the Wall Street Journal. The writers' strike, rising costs, and a spate of so-so releases at the end of the year put a damper on an otherwise outstanding 2007 that saw the industry earn $26.7 billion.  More »

Writers Endorse 3-Year Deal

Variety  |  Feb 27, 08 10:33 AM CST

(Newser) - 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. More »

Writers Strike Hobbled Oscars

USA Today  |  Feb 25, 08 2:00 PM CST

(Newser) - The Oscars were mediocre, to say the least, and USA Today TV critic Robert Bianco chalks the "padded bore" up to the writers strike. With the standoff settled just 2 weeks before the big night, the staff putting clever lines in Jon Stewart's mouth was on a tight schedule. The result: Stewart became "an amusing but underemployed bystander," and the broadcast relied heavily on collages of old clips. More »

There Will Be Bad Banter

Los Angeles Times  |  Feb 24, 08 9:40 AM CST

(Newser) - 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. More »

Wanted: Comic Who Can Imitate This Candidate

New York Post  |  Feb 20, 08 6:31 PM CST

(Newser) - The latest indication Barack Obama is one of a kind: Saturday Night Live can’t find an actor to impersonate the Democratic presidential candidate. Show mastermind Lorne Michaels says mimicking any celeb's “mildly irritating” minor tics is crucial to any impersonation. The show, returning Saturday from the writers' strike, could have a new cast member portraying the Illinois senator, the New York Post reports. More »

NBC Ditching Fall Debuts

New York Times  |  Feb 20, 08 4:37 PM CST

(Newser) - NBC appears to have followed through on pledges to use the writers' strike as a springboard to changing the television industry, ditching traditional fall debuts of new shows for staggered introductions throughout the year. The move is designed so the network can keep things fresh, and work more closely with advertisers, the New York Times reports. More »

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