What are you watching this summer?

[Brent]

NBC BENCHES 'SINGING BEE,' 'HEROES: ORIGINS'; ABC EXTENDS 'MURDER CLUB'
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- NBC has pulled "The Singing Bee" from its November sweeps schedule, opting for expanded two-hour editions of "The Biggest Loser" in its place on Tuesday nights.

"Bee" posted a 1.7 adults 18-49 rating according to preliminary Nielsen data last night, marking a first-run series low. The newcomer opened to a stellar 5.0 rating in the key demographic on July 10.

The executive producers of "Bee" are Phil Gurin and Robert C. Horowitz.

Meanwhile, the Peacock has also given the hook to "Heroes: Origins," a previously announced six-episode spin-off of Tim Kring's popular drama featuring one-off tales about new characters in the show's universe. It's understood the project has been shelved indefinitely due to financial concerns as the network readies for the expected WGA strike. Kevin Smith, Eli Roth, Michael Dougherty and John August were among the names set to be involved with "Origins," which was still in the early stages of pre-production.

And finally over at ABC, "Women's Murder Club" has been given the go ahead to pen three additional scripts. The news leaves "Cavemen" as the only ABC newcomer without some sort of extension.

James Patterson, R. Scott Gimmell, Elizabeth Craft, Sarah Fain, Brett Ratner and Joe Simpson are the executive producers of "Club," a 20th Century Fox Television production.

Ack! This headline had me freaked until I saw it's "Heroes: Origins," not "Heroes" which is being shelved.

Heroes is really down this year, I'm not sure what happened but NBC's whole fall schedule is collapsing. It's still one of the highest-rated shows they have, but it's really hurting.

FWIW... as far as I know, the strike has not happened yet, but it could at anytime(or it may hold off til next week). As soon as I hear something I'll post it. I've heard nothing today.

Ratings for last night:

Code: Select all

SHOW                                HH  A18-49     Viewers  A18-34

PUSHING DAISIES                 5.6/10   2.7/8   8,570,000
PRIVATE PRACTICE                7.8/13  3.8/10  11,342,000
DIRTY SEXY MONEY (10:02pm)      5.7/10   2.8/8   8,197,000

KID NATION                       4.3/8   2.0/6   6,702,000
CRIMINAL MINDS                  9.5/15  3.6/10  14,937,000
CSI: NY                         8.7/15  3.6/10  13,400,000

PHENOMENON                       3.9/7   2.3/7   6,158,000
LIFE                             3.7/6   1.9/5   5,706,000

BACK TO YOU (R)                  3.4/6   1.8/6   5,257,000
TIL DEATH (8:32pm) (R)           3.2/6   1.7/5   5,009,000
KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (9:01pm) (R)  2.5/4   1.8/5   3,715,000

AMERICA'S TOP MODEL (clip show)  2.2/4   1.5/5   3,242,000   1.9/7
GOSSIP GIRL (R)                  1.1/2   0.6/2   1,516,000   0.8/2

[lurkey]

Heroes is really down this year, I'm not sure what happened but NBC's whole fall schedule is collapsing. It's still one of the highest-rated shows they have, but it's really hurting.

FWIW... as far as I know, the strike has not happened yet, but it could at anytime(or it may hold off til next week). As soon as I hear something I'll post it. I've heard nothing today.

The boycott of NBC is working???? j/k, though I have heard there is sorta of one going on b/c of the whole iTunes/Youtube/Hulu.com fiasco.

[GalvestonDuck]

FWIW... as far as I know, the strike has not happened yet, but it could at anytime(or it may hold off til next week). As soon as I hear something I'll post it. I've heard nothing today.

WGA West is having a meeting in L.A. at 7PM Pacific Time tonight, so we should know something a couple of hours after Grey's Anatomy.

I'm willing to bet there will be a strike. Four cents per DVD just doesn't cut it -- eight cents is an improvement, but still not enough.

Bring on reruns!

[JonathanBelles]

without TV, I can do more homework

[Brent]

FWIW... as far as I know, the strike has not happened yet, but it could at anytime(or it may hold off til next week). As soon as I hear something I'll post it. I've heard nothing today.

WGA West is having a meeting in L.A. at 7PM Pacific Time tonight, so we should know something a couple of hours after Grey's Anatomy.

I'm willing to bet there will be a strike. Four cents per DVD just doesn't cut it -- eight cents is an improvement, but still not enough.

Bring on reruns!

I'm convinced there will be a strike too, but if it can be resolved in a few weeks primetime effects will be minimal(November will be fine anyway), December and January are usually quite repeat-filled. It would be February when it got really noticeable.

I'm going to be watching a bunch of movies in the worst case scenario. I'm really behind anyway. Summer did nothing because I had so much to watch then too, LOL

Reminder: Grey's is running til 10:07 tonight! Don't ask.

[Brent]

WGA leaders call for strike
Final decision could come as early as Friday

By DAVE MCNARY

The Writers Guild of America is closing in on strike as early as Monday with prospects for a last-minute deal evaporating.

In an energetic meeting of 3,000 guild members Thursday night, the WGA's negotiating committee announced its strike recommendation, generating an impressively enthusiastic response.

Final decision on striking could come as early as today via meetings of the WGA West board and the WGA East Council - though leaders were mum as to how soon a strike will start.

WGA leaders told attendees at the meeting that they should go to work today and wait for a call or email from strike captains.

It's a foregone conclusion that the WGA panels will OK a strike and the consensus is that they'll probably select Monday as the starting day.

There's still a long-shot chance of re-launching the negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers over the weekend. But that scenario's uncertain, given the predictably vitriolic rhetoric that's dominated in recent days.

Hopes for a settlement cratered Wednesday night -- a few hours before the WGA contract expired -- amid bitter recriminations from both sides. The meltdown occurred when companies demanded that the WGA drop its demand to increase homevid residuals, prompting guild negotiators to leave without any indication when -- or even if -- they'd return.

WGA negotiators were particularly perturbed over the insistence by companies that they won't grant an increase in DVD residuals.

Nick Counter, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, said the companies believe they can make a deal by moving on other issues but insisted that increasing the DVD formula is a nonstarter.

"Due to overriding business reasons, no further progress can be made because of the WGA's continuing efforts to substantially increase the DVD formula," he said. "We are ready to meet at any time and remain committed to reaching a fair and reasonable deal that keeps the industry working, but the DVD issue is a roadblock to these negotiations."

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111797 ... =2821&cs=1

[lurkey]

"Box Up Personal Items When You Leave Work Thursday": WGA's Strike Checklist

http://tinyurl.com/2uu3kk

The comments are especially interesting. . .

[Brent]

Love this one...

I am a WGA writer and I think we are striking for a bunch of millionaire showrunners and millionaire A-listers. There are just not enough of us who make that much in residuals to justify a prolonged strike. Sure, negotiate for more, but strike over it? Something is very fishy about that.

This a battle between rich writers and rich studios and us more “blue-collar” writers are the pawns in the middle. We’re the ones getting screwed. We do not have the cash to outlast a strike.

We got suckered into this strike by a bunch of egomaniacs who have some fantasy of “sticking it” to the man by inflating their own residual checks.

We will regret this strike very quickly. The studios and networks will find replacements for us but we will not find replacements for them.

In the end, that's what it is. This strike will not help anyone. The WGA won't get what they want.

[Brent]

I've heard that NBC has shut down production on Heroes. They were in the middle of shooting Episodes 13 and 14. They were asked to reshoot the ending to Episode 11 (which ends the "Generations" volume) to be a season-ender.

More to come...

[LJR]

Monday
7:00 central time..... Dancing With the Stars
9:00 " "..... The Bachlor
11:00 " "..... Reno 911

Tuesday
8:00 Central time...... Dancing With The Stars
9:00 " "...... House Hunters
11:00 " "....... Reno 911

Wednesday
9:00 Central Time..... Dirty, Sexy. Money
11:00 " "..... Reno 911

Thursday
7:00 Central Time..... Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader
8:00 " "..... Don't forget the Lyrics
9:00 " "...... House Hunters
11:00 " "...... Reno 911

Friday
11:00 Central Time....... Reno 911

Saturday
at sometime today, I watch American Idol Rewind (twice)

Sunday
at sometime today, I watch American Idol Rewind (twice)

I love to watch Dog The Bounty Hunter and Reno 911 at any time, I check all the News channels for breaking news,,,(Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and CNN Headline News), Drake and Josh, Hannah Montanna, Three's Company, and Golden Girls.
I can never find Brady Bunch or Lassie anymore but I love to watch them too...especially Lassie.

[GalvestonDuck]

Love this one...

We will regret this strike very quickly. The studios and networks will find replacements for us but we will not find replacements for them.

In the end, that's what it is. This strike will not help anyone. The WGA won't get what they want.

Replacements will get blacklisted by the WGA. Unions don't like scabs. Although I'm not writing for TV, I'd be nuts to try to get my script out there now, in the midst of a strike. WGA rules call for no writing, no negotiating, no delivery or submission of materials, and no discussion of future writing. Nothing...during a strike.

Some of those other comments are laughable.

[Brent]

Love this one...

We will regret this strike very quickly. The studios and networks will find replacements for us but we will not find replacements for them.

In the end, that's what it is. This strike will not help anyone. The WGA won't get what they want.

Replacements will get blacklisted by the WGA. Unions don't like scabs. Although I'm not writing for TV, I'd be nuts to try to get my script out there now, in the midst of a strike. WGA rules call for no writing, no negotiating, no delivery or submission of materials, and no discussion of future writing. Nothing...during a strike.

Some of those other comments are laughable.

Yes they are. This whole situation is just pathetic. I am extremely disappointed... why does it have to happen now?! I almost wish it had occurred back in the summer so the TV season would have never started.

BTW: The Heroes thing above is not confirmed, no media outlets are reporting it yet, but I'm trying to find out more. It seemed a bit strange to me that NBC would cut their biggest show's episode order in half before the strike even begins. They must think it's going to be a very long one.

Oh and FWIW... Grey's beat CSI for the first time this season last night.

[lurkey]

What would happen if the writers went on strike and none of the viewers noticed?

I'm concerned that viewers won't come back to TV/Movies after the strike is over. It will hurt the networks and studios, of course, but ultimately everyone, including the WGA will be hurt by this. People are not coming back after the summer hiatus. . .

Don't get me wrong: I do sympathize with the WGA. They got screwed over on the last deal as far as DVD royalities (and they should have fired whomever in the WGA signed off on that one). But they need some better PR people, b/c they are not helping their case. It is getting annoying having to listen (or read) them fret over have to get a "real" job. As someone who has a "real" job, it is hard to be sympathetic.

[Brent]

I'm concerned that viewers won't come back to TV/Movies after the strike is over. It will hurt the network and studios, of course, but ultimately everyone, including the WGA will be hurt by this. People are not coming back after the summer hiatus. . .

Don't get me wrong: I do sympathize with the WGA. They got screwed over on the last deal as far as DVD royalities (and they should have fired whomever in the WGA signed off on that one). But they need some better PR people, b/c they are not helping their case. It is getting annoying having to listen (or read) them fret over have to get a "real" job. As someone who has a "real" job, it is hard to be sympathetic.

I totally agree. Viewers are already leaving network TV and I don't think it's going to get better. After the 5-month long 1988 strike, viewership declined by almost 10%. Now back then network TV viewership was double and triple it is today. I'd wager to guess if this strike goes on into February/March and more or less destroys the rest of the season, the decline when they return will be 20-25% at least or more. Really sad.

and I'm so sick of this whole thing with the WGA...

BTW: One of the ideas floating around is for a midseason Big Brother on CBS. I really like the idea. Just keep the Donatos AWAY from it!

There's also The Amazing Race which premieres Sunday and will run through January or February. American Idol premieres in January, 24 and Lost will probably be two of the few scripted shows on, but from what I've heard, both are not anywhere near completed, so they may only have half a season roughly(could 24 be renamed 12? LOL). DWTS will be back for another cycle in February/March, plus there's DOND, 1 vs. 100, Power of 10, and 5th Grader, and undoubtedly some new ones.

CBS is probably in the best shape because their crime dramas repeat very well, followed by FOX with 24 and Idol. I'd say NBC and ABC will be hurt big time(especially ABC which is on fire with the new shows ) and the fact that their serialized shows won't repeat well at all. I wonder if The CW will even survive a long strike...

[lurkey]

I totally agree. Viewers are already leaving network TV and I don't think it's going to get better. After the 5-month long 1988 strike, viewership declined by almost 10%. Now back then network TV viewership was double and triple it is today. I'd wager to guess if this strike goes on into February/March and more or less destroys the rest of the season, the decline when they return will be 20-25% at least or more. Really sad.

and I'm so sick of this whole thing with the WGA...

BTW: One of the ideas floating around is for a midseason Big Brother on CBS. I really like the idea. Just keep the Donatos AWAY from it!

There's also The Amazing Race which premieres Sunday and will run through January or February. American Idol premieres in January, 24 and Lost will probably be two of the few scripted shows on, but from what I've heard, both are not anywhere near completed, so they may only have half a season roughly(could 24 be renamed 12? LOL). DWTS will be back for another cycle in February/March, plus there's DOND, 1 vs. 100, Power of 10, and 5th Grader, and undoubtedly some new ones.

CBS is probably in the best shape because their crime dramas repeat very well, followed by FOX with 24 and Idol. I'd say NBC and ABC will be hurt big time(especially ABC which is on fire with the new shows ) and the fact that their serialized shows won't repeat well at all. I wonder if The CW will even survive a long strike...

Over on thefutoncritic.com, there is story about the network plans:

Of the networks:
Basically, Fox is in the best position to weather a strike. Followed by ABC, NBC, and CBS. I didn't see anything about CW, but I think this might finish them. HBO and Showtime will be ok, except current series will probably stop production. Sci-Fi will probably go into re-runs and they have movies (please, I beg of you, Sci-Fi, NO EWC wrestling). The Discovery Channel, History Channel etc, probably have a ton of new and old programs lying around. . .

The movie studios:
Have a backlog of movies that could be shifted around for about year, I think I heard. All current production will stop.

[x-y-no]

:eek:

I've heard that NBC has shut down production on Heroes. They were in the middle of shooting Episodes 13 and 14. They were asked to reshoot the ending to Episode 11 (which ends the "Generations" volume) to be a season-ender.

More to come...

Sigh. Well, if they dump it, maybe SciFi Channel can pick it up ...

[x-y-no]

Oh, crap ... it just occurred to me that this strike will probably kill most of the upcoming season of Battlestar Galactica. At least I assume they don't have the bulk of the season completely written yet.

[Brent]

http://community.tvguide.com/blog/TVGui ... /700000049

TV Guide - Ausiello Report

Strike Fallout: Heroes Prepping Season Finale!

Heroes' second season may be coming to a close a lot sooner than expected due to the forthcoming apocalypse, also known in some circles as the damn writers' strike.

Sources confirm that the show is going back and shooting an alternate ending to the Dec. 3 episode that, if used, would allow the episode to function as a season finale in the event of a strike. Originally, the episode was only supposed to serve as the conclusion of the current "Generations" arc. Should an 11th-hour agreement be reached and a strike averted (fingers crossed!), the alt ending would likely be scrapped.

In related news, the reality of this whole thing is only now hitting me. And I'm not happy.

[GalvestonDuck]

Approximately 15 mins from now, we should know something.

[Brent]

Writers will strike
WGA members will walk out Monday
By DAVE MCNARY, CYNTHIA LITTLETON

The Writers Guild of America and its 12,000 members is about to announce that it will go on strike Monday against studios and networks.
The official announcement will come at a news conference at WGA West headquarters in Los Angeles, following approvals in Friday meetings by the WGA West board and the WGA East Council.

Talks between the WGA and the companies broke down on Wednesday -- a few hours before the contract expired -- over the issue of DVD residuals and work for the Internet. No new talks have been scheduled.

The strike announcement follows a unanimous recommendation by the Guild's negotiating committee. WGA leaders told 3,000 members of the strike plans Thursday night at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

In voting several weeks ago, WGA members gave a 90% endorsement to authorize their leaders to call a strike if no agreement could be reached.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111797 ... oryid=2821