Writers' Strike

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I assume many people have heard about the tv writers' strike. I've been following it closely, and wrote a 9 page paper on it for my Communications class. Because my AS obsessions are TV shows and all that relates to them, I've had a lot of high anxiety lately, because it looks like we could go for long periods with no new TV. Ellen is a show that really calms me down - it shut down, but Ellen crossed the picket line and it will resume Friday. I figured a lot of people here are also really into TV, and might be worried about it too, so I figured I'd start this topic (I dont think one's been started?)

Are animated sitcoms being affected by this?

Tim

From what I understand shows such as Late Night Shows (David Letterman, Tonight show...), certain daytime talk shows and maybe a few sitcoms.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6hqP0c0_gw&eurl=http://defamer.com/[/youtube]

Anything that relies on daily writing teams is already affected. The late night talk shows are already shut down (and in reruns), some dramas have shut down (and have a couple shows left to broadcast). Soap operas are said to be okay until the new year. Reality shows supposedly don't use writers.
My favorite show only has two shows left, The Office. And Steve Carell isn't crossing the picket line so they aren't filming. They employ writer-performers.

I support this strike 100%. There needs to be changes in the entertainment industry over rights and royalties that match the changes in media outlet, like DVDs and the Internet, for the people who are the creative force behind the industry, and it needs to start somewhere. Musicians aren't unionized in this way, and guess what, the Actors' Guild have been planning a similar strike for next summer. It's due time, in other words. Sorry if you are inconvenienced and have to make effort to find other ways to amuse yourselves - don't expect sympathy from me. This is America. People deserve to be paid properly and fairly for their work, not exploited and screwed over by big corporation bullies. That's why unions and guilds are part of our nation. And God bless them.

And yes, this will effect workers in the industry on many levels, as Eva Longoria so pathetically whimpered about on camera the other day. That's how strikes work - by demonstrating to the higher-ups have valuable to the industry these people are. And it's not like they didn't try negotiating before this. It's not very ethical to say the writers have to put up with unfair practices so Susie the Make-Up Artist can work this week or because the non-paying coach potatoes at home will be annoyed because they don't get a full season of "24.". How would you feel if someone told you that? That you don't deserve to be paid fairly for your work, and then you shouldn't complain because it might hurt someone else's paycheck or it might cut into someone else's veg time? Yeah, I wouldn't be very happy about that myself.

It kind of sucks because I enjoy watching primetime shows, but in a way I'm not too bothered by it because I could use a break from those shows. Too many shows to keep up with and so little time.

As a writer myself I think that they deserve to get paid more. But I'm obviously biased.

Seriously, though. Screenplay writing is easier said than done. Watch the quality of the writing in TV and movies go downhill when they hire second-rate scabs....

Considering that I get most of my news from the Daily Show and the Colbert Report, I am taking this very well.

Tim