2008 Woodie Awards
Writers strike entering week 11 but WGA is making progress
Alivia Wildey
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Entertainment
Popular television shows are still at a standstill and late-night comedy series and dramas are being forced to continue showing re-runs. Filming of some popular sitcoms has stopped completely.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is entering week 11 of its strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The strike began on Nov. 5, 2007, when WGA and AMPTP could not negotiate a deal on paying writers from profit made off Internet streaming.
The writers believe they should receive pay when their shows are streamed on-line. They are refusing to write scripts until change in the industry is made.
Prime-time television shows such as "The Office," "Desperate Housewives," "Carpoolers" and "Two and a Half Men" have stopped shooting new episodes as a result of the strike.
These shows, as well as others, have run out of scripts, and are unable to film new episodes, since none are being written.
Local college student Amber Andrew said, "I'm sure almost all of us have been affected by the strike in one way or another. Every Sunday night I looked forward to 'Desperate Housewives,' my favorite show, and I can't stand that it isn't on anymore!"
When the strike began in November, television and movie writers, along with some actors, picketed in New York and Los Angeles.
Television's saving grace at the moment is reality television. Reality programs will not be affected by the strike since the shows do not operate by written scripts. Lucky for the television industry, reality shows have become increasingly popular over the last decade.
When the strike was taking place in November and December there was no end in sight. There seemed to be no possible way for the AMPAP to compromise with the writers.
However, progress has been made.
The AMPTP recently negotiated a formula for paid downloads with the Directors Guild of America (DGA), which is based on distributors gross.
Following that decision, News Corp. President Peter Chernin was expected to meet with the WGA for possible negotiation.
The last writer strike was in 1988. It lasted nearly five-and-a-half months, and cost the television industry over $500 million.
While television viewers are frustrated at the lack of new shows, many still take the writers' side on this issue.
"It seems like the writers have a solid position," said Brian Perry of Indianapolis. "They would receive compensation if their work was distributed through traditional channels such as movie theaters or DVD sales. To ask them to make nothing off of internet-based application seems both hypocritical and unreasonable."
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is entering week 11 of its strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The strike began on Nov. 5, 2007, when WGA and AMPTP could not negotiate a deal on paying writers from profit made off Internet streaming.
The writers believe they should receive pay when their shows are streamed on-line. They are refusing to write scripts until change in the industry is made.
Prime-time television shows such as "The Office," "Desperate Housewives," "Carpoolers" and "Two and a Half Men" have stopped shooting new episodes as a result of the strike.
These shows, as well as others, have run out of scripts, and are unable to film new episodes, since none are being written.
Local college student Amber Andrew said, "I'm sure almost all of us have been affected by the strike in one way or another. Every Sunday night I looked forward to 'Desperate Housewives,' my favorite show, and I can't stand that it isn't on anymore!"
When the strike began in November, television and movie writers, along with some actors, picketed in New York and Los Angeles.
Television's saving grace at the moment is reality television. Reality programs will not be affected by the strike since the shows do not operate by written scripts. Lucky for the television industry, reality shows have become increasingly popular over the last decade.
When the strike was taking place in November and December there was no end in sight. There seemed to be no possible way for the AMPAP to compromise with the writers.
However, progress has been made.
The AMPTP recently negotiated a formula for paid downloads with the Directors Guild of America (DGA), which is based on distributors gross.
Following that decision, News Corp. President Peter Chernin was expected to meet with the WGA for possible negotiation.
The last writer strike was in 1988. It lasted nearly five-and-a-half months, and cost the television industry over $500 million.
While television viewers are frustrated at the lack of new shows, many still take the writers' side on this issue.
"It seems like the writers have a solid position," said Brian Perry of Indianapolis. "They would receive compensation if their work was distributed through traditional channels such as movie theaters or DVD sales. To ask them to make nothing off of internet-based application seems both hypocritical and unreasonable."
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