Hollywood writers' strike

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Writers Guild Files Complaint Against Studios

Striking Hollywood writers say studios illegally broke off talks

(Newser) - Striking Hollywood writers, charging that studios acted illegally when they broke off negotiations Dec. 7, yesterday filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. The goal is to force producers back to the table, reports the AP, but  experts say it could backfire, shutting down any...

Directors Hope to Call 'Cut!' on Strike

Guild plans to talk with studios, raising pressure on writers

(Newser) - Hollywood directors will likely begin contract negotiations with studios in early January, a move that will put added pressure on writers to resolve their strike, the AP reports. The directors' guild had held off for two months in deference to the writers, but the latest collapse of talks has changed...

'Heroes' Can't Save NBC From Ad Refunds

Dismal fall ratings, writers' strike prompt unusual move

(Newser) - With a lack of fall blockbusters keeping its ratings down and the writers' strike jeopardizing current and future offerings, NBC is giving money back to advertisers for prime time underperformers, the Wall Street Journal reports. Typically, networks give advertisers additional spots—“make goods"—when shows fail to draw....

Strike Threatens Star Attraction at Golden Globes

Big stars unlikely to cross picket lines at Golden Globes, Academy Awards

(Newser) - The Hollywood writers' strike seems certain to impact the big awards shows, with picket lines under consideration at both the Golden Globes and the Oscars—and few stars willing to cross them, reports Daily Variety. The Golden Globes nominations will be announced tomorrow. The Writers Guild of America is unlikely...

Struggling Stage Workers Demand End to Writers' Strike

Support crews lose jobs as productions close

(Newser) - Rank-and-file production workers marched through downtown Hollywood yesterday calling on the Writers Guild of America and the producers association to end the five-week strike. The group focused attention on the plights of those put out of work by the strike. Set decorators, hair and make-up artists, prop specialists and hundreds...

Writers' Strike Deals Strong Dose of Reality

If no deal comes soon, expect more dancing, survivors, idols on TV

(Newser) - Reality will likely strike primetime TV with a vengeance if stalled talks between screen scribes and networks don't kick into gear, the New York Times reports. With most popular dramas on hiatus for lack of scripts, reality shows are about to explode onto the airwaves—and they may well stick...

Writers' Strike Talks Collapse
Writers' Strike Talks Collapse
Dec 8, 2007 6:14 AM CST

Writers' Strike Talks Collapse

Producers walk out after union pushes on reality TV writers, web revenues

(Newser) - The prospects for an end to the Hollywood writers' strike turned grim last night, as producers walked out on tense talks with writers, vowing not to return to the negotiating table until writers cave on six of their demands. The two sides remain so far apart that the strike may...

Word! Fans Cozy Up to Writers on Picket Line

But plot suggestions could pose legal pitfall for scribes

(Newser) - Picket lines are offering a rare opportunity for fans to get in touch with their favorite striking screenwriters. In LA, "Heroes" buffs and aspiring filmmakers are trekking alongside some of the 12,000 members of the Writers Guild of America to lend their support, network—or just get an...

Tonight Show Crew the Latest Strike Victims

Angry staff laid off by NBC despite promises from Jay Leno

(Newser) - Some 80 non-writer staff members of the Tonight Show were shocked to be handed pink slips by NBC yesterday; they'd been banking on assurances by host Jay Leno, shortly after the strike started 4 weeks ago, that their jobs were safe. Conan O'Brien, whose staff was also furloughed yesterday, has...

Writers Reject Producers' New Offer
Writers Reject Producers'
New Offer
Nov 30, 2007 10:38 AM CST

Writers Reject Producers' New Offer

Two sides can't agree on internet pay as picketers march on

(Newser) - Striking writers angrily rejected a new offer from producers to resolve the biggest sticking point in negotiations—compensation for internet use. The producers said they offered $130 million more in annual compensation to writers, who dismissed the deal as a "massive rollback." Talks to end the 3-week strike...

Dems Cancel LA Debate Over Strike
Dems Cancel
LA Debate
Over Strike
Nov 28, 2007 10:02 PM CST

Dems Cancel LA Debate Over Strike

Party doesn't want to get caught in middle of labor disputes

(Newser) - Wary of crossing picket lines, the Democratic National Committee today backed out of a presidential debate scheduled to air next month on CBS stations, citing the ongoing strike by TV and film scriptwriters. While talks to end that walkout continue, a potential strike by CBS news writers also complicated matters,...

Writers, Producers Optimistic as Talks Resume

Hopes high for today's session, say insiders

(Newser) - "Reasonableness ruled the day” during yesterday’s renewed negotiations between producers and striking screenwriters, an insider tells Deadline Hollywood Daily scoop artist Nikki Finke. Producers and writers reviewed the status of proposals outlined Nov. 4 before talks broke off and the strike began, with plans to resume today, when...

Late-Night Comedy Scribes Find New Outlet

Blogs allow 'fun of working, without stress or pay'; talks resume

(Newser) - Striking late-night comedy writers have some serious issues—no jobs and, worse, no creative outlet. When the jokes went from "60 to zero," in the words of a "Colbert Report" staffer, many aimed new blogs and videos squarely at the studios on the other side of the...

Reality Woes Add to Scribe Strike
Reality Woes Add to Scribe Strike
Nov 24, 2007 4:15 PM CST

Reality Woes Add to Scribe Strike

Studios deny overtime, meal breaks to reality TV writers, guild says

(Newser) - With negotiations in the Hollywood writer's strike coming Monday, a new survey shows that writers for "unscripted" TV are denied overtime pay and meal breaks, the Los Angeles Times reports. Reality TV is a major sticking point in the strike, as studios insist that writers be classified as editors...

Writers March on Hollywood Blvd
Writers March on Hollywood Blvd
Nov 21, 2007 12:45 PM CST

Writers March on Hollywood Blvd

Alicia Keys performs at thousands-strong solidarity rally

(Newser) - Though one marcher was "Looking for Mr. Write," the other 4,000 striking writers and supporters who took over Hollywood Boulevard yesterday were marching to boost solidarity before for next week's negotiations with studios. An Alicia Keys performance kicked off a rally aimed at keeping strike commitment high....

NBC picks up 'quarterlife'
NBC picks up 'quarterlife'
Nov 19, 2007 12:42 AM CST

NBC picks up 'quarterlife'

Creators will retain creative control

(Newser) - The made-for-Internet show "quarterlife," created and largely financed by the brains behind "My So-Called Life" and "thirtysomething," will be appearing on TV thanks to a deal with NBC signed this week. The show will most likely hit old-media screens early next year, after all 36...

Live From NY, But Not On-Air
Live From NY, But Not On-Air
Nov 18, 2007 12:29 PM CST

Live From NY, But Not On-Air

Cast stages longer, uninterrupted, dirtier show to benefit strikers

(Newser) - It was SNL with all the trappings: opening monologue, musical guest, Weekend Update. But the extra-long, raunchier-than-usual show that never aired last night was witnessed by only 150 audience members at a Manhattan theater. "Saturday Night Live—On Strike!" benefited the long-running comedy show's striking production team, the...

Striking Writers to Resume Talks
Striking Writers to Resume Talks
Nov 17, 2007 5:48 AM CST

Striking Writers to Resume Talks

With 2 dozen TV shows shut down, will meet with studio reps Nov. 26

(Newser) - With the Hollywood writers' strike starting to cause economic pain, writers and studios have agreed to head back to the bargaining table Nov. 26. The breakthrough came via back-channel talks between top TV writers and studio execs, the Los Angeles Times reports. The strike halted production on some two dozen...

Letterman Opens Wallet for Staff
Letterman Opens Wallet for Staff
Nov 15, 2007 6:24 PM CST

Letterman Opens Wallet for Staff

Non-writers get help from boss as strike continues

(Newser) - David Letterman will open his own pocketbook to pay non-writer employees of two late-night shows his company produces, Deadline Hollywood Daily reports. With Letterman's own show and another hosted by Craig Ferguson idled by the writers' strike, Worldwide Pants confirmed today it will cover all or part of staff salaries...

Writers Unlikely to Find Happy Ending in Strike

Idealism trumps wallet in such disputes, New Yorker pundit writes

(Newser) - Strikes typically cost both parties more than they’re warring over, but labor relations aren’t “economically rational,” explains the New Yorker’s James Surowiecki, due to “asymmetric information.” Hollywood’s writers simply don’t know the underlying financial truth behind online revenues—the meat of...

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