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Author Topic: The End of TV as We Know it...  (Read 1989 times)
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chay´s head

Space Pope
****
« on: 11-04-2007 07:10 »

Not really, but there's going to be a WGA (Writers Guild of America) Strike this week, halting production of a lot of shows. (They stop writing, so nothing new can be filmed.)

I only just found out about this.

See here, here and here

Lost is my main concern... but aparently the scripts for this season are already written so fingers crossed it goes ahead.

Other shows that may be affected:

Heroes
24
The Simpsons
K-Ville
SNL
Daily Show
Colbert Report
Jay Leno
Conan O'Brian
David Letterman
BirthdayClown

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #1 on: 11-04-2007 07:43 »
« Last Edit on: 11-04-2007 07:43 »

Pfft. Writers are overrated. As long as there are reality shows, I'm one happy clown.     :)
Go Kid Nation!
A thought has just come to my brilliant...brain thing. Terrorists are obviously fans of American TV and movies, right?(who isn't?!) So we withhold new episodes and movies until they behave. It'd work, and you know it!

Anyway, part of me would like to see the strike go on for a while. I like seeing dramatic changes every once in a while just for the hell of it. 80-year-old me: "Remember when there were no new TV shows or movies being made? Networks filled their lineups with 24 hours of Survivor and American Idol. It. Was. AWESOME!"
i_c_weiner

DOOP Secretary
*
« Reply #2 on: 11-04-2007 08:01 »
« Last Edit on: 11-04-2007 08:01 »

I'll just quote what I wrote from the Futurama Movie News thread:
 
Quote
Originally posted by i_c_weiner:
Most television shows have scripts to last them through part of, possibly all of, the next season. Also, in all likelyhood, Season 4 of Lost has already been taped, as they (1)would probably tape Lost when it's nice out since it's in a tropical setting, (2)probably have a backlog of scripts, and (3)have already taped the season well in a advance due to J.J.'s involvement in Cloverfield and Star Trek. Don't expect any disruptions on your favorite shows for this current season or the winter season. Spring, however, could be a different story. As long as the show has a nice backlog of scripts they haven't used, things should be good. Your favorite late night shows, however, likely will be in re-runs. They need current info to be topical. If they have some scripts or sketch ideas (in the case of shows like Conan, Letterman, and SNL) sitting around, they can last a little bit, but they'll need their host/performers due to ad-lib or stand-up tactics to survive, especially with shows like Conan or Letterman.

It's fairly ironic that Patric Verrone, as Futurama writer, is the head of the WGA-West, one of the unions that is on strike, as the strike is supposed to be in part due to share of revenue from DVD releases. Wikipedia says the strike will officially begin at 12:01AM on November 5th. (Remember, remember, the Fifth of November.) It's possible that some writers will be pushing that "deadline", of sorts, so the shows they work on have a library of scripts before the strike begins.

However, another strike is looming as well. The SAG and DGA (directors) have their contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers ending next June. If the WGA and AMPTP don't come to an agreement by then (which, personally, I don't think it'll come to), then it's not only possible but probable that the SAG, DGA, and WGA will have a joint strike agains the AMPTP, forcing the producers into submission, as well as the film industry. Once again, viewers are lucky because the AMPTP is preparing for the possible strikes by pushing production dates of upcoming films and television series up as to make sure there is a stockpile available. Good for the viewer, as we shouldn't see any disruptions in release dates in the short run, however, in the long run, this might be used as a bargaining tool by the producers to say that they don't need the collective guilds just yet.

It's complicated. It's politics. All you need to know is that Futurama's movies have likely already been written. Patric Verrone had fair warning of the strike being the head of the WGA-West; it's possible he made sure the show was prepared for this. It's also possible that some episodes have been written and have been stockpiled, although there is no information to confirm this theory.

I think that's enough of The Weinage talking about this strike for now.


Also, Bendless Love has given me an idea: how do you sign up to be a scab writer?


On the other side of optimism, the strike has already had it's first casuality. The Heroes spin-off is being halted. The logistics of the show (viewers watch the spin-off, vote for the new hero they like best, the new one is put into the show) doesn't quite work if you can't write new material.
DogDoo8

Liquid Emperor
**
« Reply #3 on: 11-04-2007 09:10 »
« Last Edit on: 11-04-2007 09:10 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by i_c_weiner: Remember, remember, the Fifth of November.

thats just scary. I just Wikied Guy Fawkes like 2 hours ago. [shudders]

It'll be difficult for live late night shows indeed, but then I don't really watch them, so no complaints here.

I'll just rely on my DVD collection and Vic my video store guy to get me whatever, wherever, however and most of all "Cheap" -ever.
Pitt Clemens

Urban Legend
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« Reply #4 on: 11-04-2007 11:08 »

Attention, people of America:

GO READ A BOOK.
tyraniak

Urban Legend
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« Reply #5 on: 11-04-2007 12:02 »

most sitcoms and dramas won't be affected that much, since most of the material is written in advance, as for colbert, Leno, Letterman, TDS, and SNL, there's gonnna be a lot of reruns until this whole mess gets sorted out
Javier Lopez

Urban Legend
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« Reply #6 on: 11-04-2007 12:36 »

No galactica on it, no concerned XD
Futuramadrama

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #7 on: 11-04-2007 12:59 »

I do not watch TV. It is overrated.

i watch Simpsons, South Park and Futurama online or on DVD...

other than that..TV is rubbish.
Bendersfan1221

Space Pope
****
« Reply #8 on: 11-04-2007 14:08 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Pitt Clemens:
Attention, people of America:

GO READ A BOOK.

I do read books. In fact I read so many books I have 6 shelves of books which is why I watch so much TV. To even out the amount of reading that I do. Something that rots my brain gets evened out with something that helps my brain therefore my brain does absolutly nothing.

The only show on that list of shows that I watch that maybe affected that I actually watch is The Simpsons and they could use a little different writing anyway.
KurtPikachu2001

Urban Legend
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« Reply #9 on: 11-05-2007 11:51 »

I read books, myself.  The only shows I watch are House, The Shield, Reno 911, Futurama, American Dad, and South Park.  I'm not too worried about the strike.  Too bad about K-Ville, though.  The only shows that won't be affected are the reality shows, which is kind of a letdown. 

Hope House won't be affected.  Then again, it probably will.
tyraniak

Urban Legend
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« Reply #10 on: 11-05-2007 12:48 »

It really all depends on how long the strike lasts, most prime time shows wouldn't be  drastically affected if the strike gets resolved within the coming days and weeks, the last time this happenned was 1988, it lasted 22 weeks and cost an estimated $500 million, if this strike lasts as long or longer, the enertainmemnt industry could lose billions
~FazeShift~

Moderator
DOOP Ubersecretary
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« Reply #11 on: 11-05-2007 13:58 »

What the hell is a "writer"...  :confused:
TV shows are magically (wizards) created inside my TV machine.
Otis P Jivefunk

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #12 on: 11-05-2007 15:40 »

If Lost Season 4 does gets messed up I will be pissed. Hopefully they are all written already, god they better be!...
Sk8PrO

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #13 on: 11-05-2007 19:07 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by KurtPikachu2001:
I read books, myself.  The only shows I watch are House, The Shield, Reno 911, Futurama, American Dad, and South Park.  I'm not too worried about the strike.  Too bad about K-Ville, though.  The only shows that won't be affected are the reality shows, which is kind of a letdown. 

Hope House won't be affected.  Then again, it probably will.

I'm gonna cry if it is affected. Only show I watch currently on TV.
DrThunder88

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #14 on: 11-06-2007 02:50 »

That's it.  Bring in the illegal immigrant comedy writers.
Nixorbo

UberMod
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #15 on: 11-06-2007 09:31 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Javier Lopez:
No galactica on it, no concerned XD

That probably has something to do with it not premiering until April or something.

My feelings on the strike closely echo those found here
Gopher

Fallback Guy
Space Pope
****
« Reply #16 on: 11-06-2007 10:14 »

 
Quote
tyraniak said
as for colbert, Leno, Letterman, TDS, and SNL, there's gonnna be a lot of reruns until this whole mess gets sorted out
Wait, SNL still has writers? I thought they replaced them with monkeys back in 2002...
Xanfor

Moderator
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #17 on: 11-06-2007 10:14 »

"They're giving out the minor technical awards. I think they're up to writing."  ~
~FazeShift~

Moderator
DOOP Ubersecretary
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« Reply #18 on: 11-06-2007 20:13 »

The shows must go on.
futurefreak

salutatory committee member
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #19 on: 11-07-2007 03:04 »
« Last Edit on: 11-07-2007 03:04 »

wasn't 24 on hiatus anyway, due to that whole keifer - with - jailtime thing.

 
Quote
Originally posted by Gopher:
   
Quote
tyraniak said
as for colbert, Leno, Letterman, TDS, and SNL, there's gonnna be a lot of reruns until this whole mess gets sorted out
Wait, SNL still has writers? I thought they replaced them with monkeys back in 2002...
  :laff:   :laff:

oh man, thy humans really cracketh me up <20 days>
chay´s head

Space Pope
****
« Reply #20 on: 11-07-2007 05:59 »

Dayum....

Scrubs may not get a season finale, and Lost is only up to episode 8...

 :(

C'mon MPAA cave already!
Gopher

Fallback Guy
Space Pope
****
« Reply #21 on: 11-07-2007 08:18 »

Bah. It'll do mankind some good to live without new TV for a while. Just think... Dogs may be walked... children played with... parties thrown...

Not buying it? ok... then think of all the quality shows with poor ratings who'll have a chance to get some attention as novelty-starved tv-addicts scan the channels for something they haven't seen already.
i_c_weiner

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #22 on: 11-07-2007 15:48 »

According to this story, some cable TV series (the article mentions The Closer, but it likely won't be limited to just it) may have a chance on network TV. I'd like to see Monk on NBC. Also in the story, it's stated that NBC is toying with the idea of airing episodes of the original British "The Office". This could be interesting.
BirthdayClown

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #23 on: 11-07-2007 17:41 »

Monk used to be on ABC, so they probably still have the rights to air it. *shrugs*
Juliet

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #24 on: 11-07-2007 17:58 »

Oh this is BS!  :(
seattlejohn01

Space Pope
****
« Reply #25 on: 11-09-2007 20:00 »

It's not just the writers who are affected.  The stuntmen & women, costumers, prop people, location managers, etc.  Or, as Homer Simpson calls them, "the surly teamsters".

I've got a buddy who works on CSI, and if this BS goes on for more than a month, he's severely screwed.  Most of these people live paycheck to paycheck, so there's no joy in Hollywood right now...
tyraniak

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #26 on: 11-10-2007 00:40 »

most of the TV stars are picketting with the writers, the office, 24, grey's anatomy, and my name is earl have already stopped filming, so we're pretty much fucked
BirthdayClown

Urban Legend
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« Reply #27 on: 11-10-2007 02:51 »

You silly Chicken Littles.
seattlejohn01

Space Pope
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« Reply #28 on: 11-13-2007 02:10 »

I spoke to my buddy who works on CSI.  His boss just told him that he thinks the strike will last at least a couple of months, as the writers & studios are very much apart at this time.  The last strike like this lasted a long time (it was 4-6 months, if I remember), so we may be in for a long haul here.  If that's the case, my buddy needs to find another type of job pretty quickly...
chay´s head

Space Pope
****
« Reply #29 on: 11-13-2007 07:49 »

22 weeks in 1988 was the last one.
tyraniak

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #30 on: 11-14-2007 12:55 »

this sounds like a terrible decision
 http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071114/tv_nm/family_dc

DarrinPA

Bending Unit
***
« Reply #31 on: 11-14-2007 15:14 »

The whole idea of stock piled scripts was just not believable.  Prison Break is already on hold and the strike is only on it's 2nd week. 
Officer 1BDI

Starship Captain
****
« Reply #32 on: 11-14-2007 15:49 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by tyraniak:
this sounds like a terrible decision
 http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071114/tv_nm/family_dc

D:<

I'm not even a fan of the show anymore, and the thought of FOX taking over without MacFarlane's input is absolutely horrifying.  How does that even work; he voices half the cast!
seattlejohn01

Space Pope
****
« Reply #33 on: 11-14-2007 16:13 »

It doesn't work artistically or entertainment wise at all.  This just shows that the money whore suits at the studios care ONLY about the bottom line.  They'll put these 1/2 assed shows out (without the correct voices of Peter, Brian & Stewie), and it will tank.  When the writers come back from the strike, the show may be so unpopular by then that they will have cancelled it (again)...
winna

Avatar Czar
DOOP Ubersecretary
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« Reply #34 on: 11-14-2007 17:21 »

Which will be hilarious.  :)
futurefreak

salutatory committee member
DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #35 on: 11-14-2007 18:32 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by DarrinPA:
The whole idea of stock piled scripts was just not believable.  Prison Break is already on hold and the strike is only on it's 2nd week. 
heh heh...FOX called it a "fall finale"
Slackit02

Urban Legend
***
« Reply #36 on: 11-14-2007 18:47 »
« Last Edit on: 11-15-2007 00:00 »

I was listening to the radio the other day, and they were talking about the strike.  They had information about when shows would stop having new episodes:

The Office: Last new episode will be tonight this thursday
Heroes: First week in december
Desperate Housewives: I dont watch it, but in case any of you do, its filmed through the first week of december as well
Lost: As we all know by now, the lost crew is lazy as... well the strike will really screw it over now, because of it lost may not air until next september OR february 2009.  Same goes for 24

*Edit* For some reason, Ive thought it was thursday on tuesday.  I also thought it was thursday today.  Finally, its really thursday!
David A

Space Pope
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« Reply #37 on: 11-15-2007 01:01 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by chay's head:
Not really, but there's going to be a WGA (Writers Guild of America) Strike this week, halting production of a lot of shows.

Is that so?

*goes back to watching Japanese cartoons and Canadian sitcoms*

 
Quote
Originally posted by Pitt:
Attention, people of America:

GO READ A BOOK.

I wish I could find the time.  I've a list of things that I'd like to be reading, but I never quite seem to get around to it.
coldangel

DOOP Secretary
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« Reply #38 on: 11-15-2007 01:13 »

 
Quote
Originally posted by Pitt Clemens:
Attention, people of America:

GO READ A BOOK.

I'm not a people of America... am I allowed to join in?
I'm doing my bit - currently reading Moby Dick.
seattlejohn01

Space Pope
****
« Reply #39 on: 11-15-2007 01:40 »

I would read a book, but MTV ruined my attention span back in the 80's...
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