Posted on 12/03/2008 7:49:13 AM PST by Kevin J waldroup
SAG Strike Could Spell Disaster for TV (Cable Networks DeathWatch™)
Nov 25, 2008
-By Nellie Andreeva, THR.com
LOS ANGELES Already engaged in deep soul searching following a dismal fall TV season and flatlining ad market, broadcast networks are facing another blow: a potential Screen Actors Guild strike early next year.
SAG's decision during the weekend to seek a strike authorization from its membership following the breakdown of its negotiations with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers has shifted the once-remote possibility of a SAG walkout much closer to reality.
While its effect would not be as far-reaching as this year's strike by the Writers Guild of America -- a SAG walkout would only affect scripted prime-time fare -- it would derail the broadcast season for a second straight year, this time in the midst of a severe economic crisis.
"Everyone is praying that it won't happen, but the reality starts to sink in that there may be a strike," one TV studio exec said.
On Monday, TV executives who normally would be embarking on a Thanksgiving vacation were working on contingencies. For now, there are no plans to cancel or shorten the prime-time series' holiday hiatuses, scheduled for the last two weeks of December, in order to get more episodes in the can.
The bulk of prime-time scripted series will have 60 percent to 75 percent of their episodes completed before they stop for a holiday break and as many as five unaired episodes in various stages of post-production.
(Excerpt) Read more at adweek.com ...
Why am I not the least bit concerned about this?
Because your priorities are well thought out.
There must be at least 100 years’ worth of Law & Order shows they can re-run.
The disaster is how many crap tv shows are ON television.
WGN has an oldies Sunday lineup that is worth watching - I wish they’d pull out shows like McHale’s Navy, F-Troop, Hawaii 5-0, etc - but I realize they aren’t “politically correct”
Praying? Praying to whom, the purple spined dessert frog?
TV sucks.
A SAG strike also could further cable's momentum. The cablers gained ratings ground this year because their series are produced in smaller batches throughout the year and thus were far less affected than those of the broadcast networks.
The world would be a better place if the lot of them went on permanent strike.
Please, Oh PLEASE go. And never come back again.
Just for a little balance, this does matter a whole lot to many in Los Angeles since a large number of people derive their living from making Television programs and I am not just talking about the few actors and directors. The writers and those who work their tail off behind the scenes to make those TV series function.
One of the issues is that networks/producers don’t have to pay residuals when programs are shown online. Right or wrong, this is a big sticking point.
Point is that while you might not care, it’s because it’s not an industry you are involved in nor derive your paycheck. If it was, you’d sing a different tune.
Followed by at least 50 years worth of CSI. So, we need not worry until sometime around the year 2150 and by then the earth will be far too hot to inhabit much less sit comfortably to watch TV. I hope all these “stars” enjoy their time off.
Neither side can afford this strike.
If you are, or know any of these morons that produce, direct, or act in the septic system called TV programming ... give up your day job.
First the UAW, now the SAG. Both are parasites willing to kill the host instead of symbiotic entities trying to work to better both themselves and the host.
NEW NEW YORK, Eastern Confederation (January 2034) - Season 7 of 24 finally premiered after being delayed more than 27 years by various strikes in the media collective. In the new season, Al-Kiefer bin Sutherland, son and heir of the previous star of Seasons 1-6, finds that the Confederation has been threatened with an EMP bomb in space. The Leader of the Confederation refuses to negotiate with Icelandistan.....
I’d pay actor less and writers more.
is this about internet streaming again?
seems the producers are staging themselves to be able to jump to the next means of media delivery and teh performers want a piece of the the action, IF that is the case.
The real question is whether anyone will notice if the “ghetto” part of the dial has no viewers.
If Katie Couric does not perform for the nightly news, does the world continue to turn? day follow night?
WILL THE TIDES EBB AND FLOW IF THE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES FAIL TO COMMAND THE SEAS TO DO SO?!!!!!
(/theatrical sarcasm off)
You really have no idea what you are talking about. DO you know anything about TV production? It’s not just actors, directors and producers. They are the tip of the iceberg in producing a TV show. There are those who build the sets, operate the cameras, feed the crew, move the equipment, etc etc. They are numerous and are normal hard working blue collar types who aren’t the rabid leftists you associate with hollywood. They have car payments, mortgages, kids, etc just like NORMAL people. But you are so filled with hate for a select few in hollywood that you are myopic in what this strike would do to not just those who work on the TV shows but all the other non hollywood supporting businesses that earn their living off these productions. But heck, it’s your right to expose yourself as an ignorant person online. You won’t be the first or last.
Screen writers already came to a deal but ended up pretty much getting what was originally offered before their disastrous strike. The actors have taken their time. The actors have more to lose than the producers, imho and why the producers can afford a strike. Again, there are very few actors that actually make a decent living acting. It’s apparent by those who have posted on here that many have no clue as to how the business works. There are many people in Los Angeles who aren’t radical libs who earn a paycheck working in hollywood and many idiots on here would love to see them suffer because they don’t like a few of the liberal actors/producers/directors who have tons of money to be able to weather a strike. There are many who can’t and many of them are Republicans.
I like the WGN retro lineup. Good TV is timeless. With most of the stuff on network, I have plenty of old shows on DVD.
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