What are you watching this summer?

[gtalum]

I disagree. They're doing it for the sake of their jobs, as well as directors, actors, and others.

They may think they are, but as I noted the end result will just be more "Reality" shows with no need for writers, actors, directors, etc.

Traditional television is quickly moving toward obsolescence.

[gtalum]

if that's the case, music might follow...and there's no such thing as reality music, is there?

They're trying to stave off the inevitable with this strike, and as you noted music will probably soon follow. There's just no viability for the dinosaur system that is in place. The internet has quickly made the traditional music industry obsolete. They just don't know it yet. You cannot strike or prosecute your way out of obsolescence.

[GalvestonDuck]

They're trying to stave off the inevitable with this strike, and as you noted music will probably soon follow. There's just no viability for the dinosaur system that is in place. The internet has quickly made the traditional music industry obsolete. They just don't know it yet. You cannot strike or prosecute your way out of obsolescence.

They may think they are, but as I noted the end result will just be more "Reality" shows with no need for writers, actors, directors, etc.

Traditional television is quickly moving toward obsolescence.

I seriously don't think there can be enough reality shows to fill all the cable networks. God forbid there are! Furthermore, internet broadcasts are part of what this strike is about. The WGA understands that and that's part of why they are striking -- residuals from internet.

Same could apply for internet music -- don't songwriters and singers have the right to get paid for the new media broadcasts and downloads?

[lurkey]

They're trying to stave off the inevitable with this strike, and as you noted music will probably soon follow. There's just no viability for the dinosaur system that is in place. The internet has quickly made the traditional music industry obsolete. They just don't know it yet. You cannot strike or prosecute your way out of obsolescence.

They may think they are, but as I noted the end result will just be more "Reality" shows with no need for writers, actors, directors, etc.

Traditional television is quickly moving toward obsolescence.

I seriously don't think there can be enough reality shows to fill all the cable networks. God forbid there are! Furthermore, internet broadcasts are part of what this strike is about. The WGA understands that and that's part of why they are striking -- residuals from internet.

Same could apply for internet music -- don't songwriters and singers have the right to get paid for the new media broadcasts and downloads?

I could be wrong, but I think he was talking about the networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX) as traditional media. The cable channels have more than enough material to get them through a strike of the WGA, SAG, and the DGA.

As for internet music: yes, they have right get paid for their music -- BUT 1) I question the current business model of internet music downloads, 2) I detest DRM and 3) I question how much the singer and songwriters get in actual money from royalities versus the labels (aka the middlemen). I read somewhere that bands make more money in touring than royalities, because labels are not involved in the tours. There is a lot of flaky accounting that goes on in Hollywood.

I am not sure how internet music is connected to new media broadcasts. Most internet broadcasts or podcasts are very careful about music they showcase. Most use only podsafe or Creative Commons Licensed music. Those that don't are upfront about the ASCAP/BMI fees they pay to play music. Internet radio pays fees to ASCAP/BMI.

[Brent]

Is an unresolved half-season of "Lost" better than no "Lost" at all?

ABC apparently thinks so. The network is -- for the moment, anyway -- holding to its plan to introduce the fourth season of "Lost" in February, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The decision stands in contrast to FOX's strategy for "24" -- rather than airing episodes produced prior to the writers' strike, FOX has put the show on hold until production starts again and it can air a full, unbroken season.

"Lost" has finished shooting eight of its 16 episodes this season, and executive producer Damon Lindelof has been quoted as saying that the eighth hour ends in a cliffhanger. How long fans of the show would have to wait to see the resolution is an open question. Both Lindelof and fellow showrunner Carlton Cuse are walking picket lines with the Writers Guild and, like others in their position, have pledged not to work at least until negotiations restart.

Neither the guild nor the media companies on the other side of the table have expressed any desire to resume talks in the four days of the strike.

ABC has a few other scripted series on tap for midseason: the comedy "Miss/Guided" and dramas "Eli Stone" and "Cashmere Mafia," all of which have at least a few episodes in the can. The network also has a bundle of unscripted shows on tap, ranging from another cycle of "Dancing with the Stars" to the ballyhooed do-gooding series "Oprah's Big Give."

There's no official word yet on a specific premiere date for "Lost," or which timeslot it will occupy on ABC's schedule.

[lurkey]

At the same time, the studios were bringing their own pressure to bear on the guild and its members. Early in the week, the companies began sending suspension notices to those who work for TV production companies they finance that are typically run by writer-producers, sending chills through industry ranks. Then they warned writer-producers, known in the industry as show runners, that they faced termination if they failed to carry out their production duties.

Many top show runners have refused to cross picket lines. In an apparent attempt to pressure them to return to work, CBS Corp., 20th Century Fox Television and NBC Universal sent "breach-of-contract" letters to several dozen writer-producers of their shows.

The CBS Paramount letters threatened to stop payment for producer services and to pursue legal action if the writer-producers continued to stay off the job. The Fox studio letters also notified writers that they were in default of their contracts. "You did not report to work . . . to render your non-writing services," stated the letters, which went out Wednesday night. "Twentieth Century Fox Television is hereby notifying you that the terms of your agreement are immediately suspended."

Walt Disney Co.-owned ABC Studios sent out letters to writer-producers this week warning them they needed to show up.

It's getting ugly fast. .

http://tinyurl.com/2mq98m

[lurkey]

Day 6 or is it 7?

Hollywood strike underlines bleak outlook for movie business

Writer and actors on stike, who cares? (Warning: Some harsh language)

DH is on tonite!!!!

[Brent]

Day 6 or is it 7?

Writer and actors on stike, who cares? (Warning: Some harsh language)

DH is on tonite!!!!

I say it's Day 7. Day 1 was Monday, so it makes sense.

and WOOHOO, DH AND B&S tonight!

I think there will only be 3 more episodes left after though

[Brent]

DeadlineHollywood with strike news:

URGENT! Glimmer Of Hope That Agents Bringing WGA & AMPTP Back In Touch.

EXCLUSIVE: This is one of those stories where I don't want to put the kibosh on possible progress by reporting on it. But I also need to post news as it comes to me. I just learned tonight that certain Hollywood agents are "really in the middle of this right now." A source tells me that a partner in one of the major tenpercenteries is having "much conversation" with WGA negotiating committee topper Dave Young. At the same time, a partner at a different major agency is talking to AMPTP president Nick Counter. (For the moment, I'm not going to reveal the names of the agents involved.) Together, the agents' goal right now is to just bring both sides back in touch with one another. A phone call is about to happen, or may have already happened, between Young and Counter today, I'm told. "Apparently, there will be a chat," the source said. I'm told the agents involved are "encouraged by the activity today." There's also hope the agents can help clear away side issues and facilitate the re-start of settlement talks, now at a standstill.

NOT getting my hopes up though.

So... how about DH tonight?! Or more importantly, that promo?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myHi-SlEHiA

LOVED Gaby knocking Victor overboard not once but twice. I was surprised he came back up the first time, but I knew he would go missing.

Bree and Orson was a great plot, nice for them to have some conflict finally.

Meh at Mike's drug addiction.

Lynette's sisters are evil, but her mom is pretty bad too. Loved that after all that arguing she goes off in a cab. Problem solved I guess.

[Pburgh]

Oh I think Polly will be back and end up living with Lynette. I loved the circumcision plot. Hilarious that Bree went to the Jewish home to have the job done. I really like Orson, sorry Mary, I still like him.

[lurkey]

DeadlineHollywood with strike news:

URGENT! Glimmer Of Hope That Agents Bringing WGA & AMPTP Back In Touch.

EXCLUSIVE: This is one of those stories where I don't want to put the kibosh on possible progress by reporting on it. But I also need to post news as it comes to me. I just learned tonight that certain Hollywood agents are "really in the middle of this right now." A source tells me that a partner in one of the major tenpercenteries is having "much conversation" with WGA negotiating committee topper Dave Young. At the same time, a partner at a different major agency is talking to AMPTP president Nick Counter. (For the moment, I'm not going to reveal the names of the agents involved.) Together, the agents' goal right now is to just bring both sides back in touch with one another. A phone call is about to happen, or may have already happened, between Young and Counter today, I'm told. "Apparently, there will be a chat," the source said. I'm told the agents involved are "encouraged by the activity today." There's also hope the agents can help clear away side issues and facilitate the re-start of settlement talks, now at a standstill.

NOT getting my hopes up though.

I read about in Variety and the LA times this weekend. Some of their clients are getting antsy about the strike and lack of work.

There are also some talk of outsourcing writing of shows to offshore, foreign writers -- namely the British. It was some long-convulated deal that attempt to bypass WGA rules. WGA is mainly an American concern with a few British and Canadian members, apparently. The British and Canadians would write for productions that are non-signatories to the AMTP and WGA and "foreign" production company would sell it the American production company. I'll dig up the article. It was interesting. .

[Brent]

Oh I think Polly will be back and end up living with Lynette. I loved the circumcision plot. Hilarious that Bree went to the Jewish home to have the job done. I really like Orson, sorry Mary, I still like him.

I really like Orson now too. I know I was one of his biggest critics last season, but it's pretty much all been forgotten now. Bree sure hasn't changed despite her promises... going behind his back to get what she wants?! Orson seems to be the more level-headed of the two.

Were Lynette's sisters evil or what? I know Stella is beyond annoying but she's your mother! Couldn't they have pooled money together and put her in a retirement home? Or, if she can take care of Lynette and her 5 kids, then why can't she support herself? Bugged me.

[JonathanBelles]

So, the US's 2 most popular cities are on strike, WGA, and Broadway...whats next?

[CajunMama]

WGA and Broadway are cities?

[lurkey]

So, the US's 2 most popular cities are on strike, WGA, and Broadway...whats next?

CBS news writer's strike apparently

ETA, so I find this link when I get home and bookmark them on del.icio.us:

Strike blog from the LA Times and TV Grid for the remainder of the season

[lurkey]

Scoop! Daisies, Trees Prep Season Finales

Add Pushing Daisies and Men in Trees to the list of shows preparing season finales as a result of the writers' strike.

Daisies creator extraordinaire Bryan Fuller informs me that the show's ninth episode — the last one for which a script is written — can function as a season finale in the event the strike extends into the new year and beyond.

"As we were scrambling to rewrite [Episode 9]," he reveals, "we added several elements that will put many balls into the air and hopefully encourage the audience to come back and see how they land."

Fuller confirms that production on the potential season finale got under way today, which means "our crew will now be able to work through Thanksgiving."

Over at Men in Trees, show-runner Jenny Bicks reports that prior to the strike, she prepared an alternate ending "in case the last episode we have written becomes our finale. We would be sad if this happened, but we are prepared."

As I pointed out in my handy strike chart, MIT — which came into the season with a backlog of unaired episodes — will be in the rare (and enviable) position of having nearly a season's worth of episodes in the can (19 in total) before it's forced to shut down production.

Soap Scribes Ponder Return to Work

A gaggle of soap opera scribes — allegedly at the top-rated The Young and the Restless in particular — have decided to give up their membership in the Writers Guild to return to work. Which is too bad, really, because whatever scabs would have come up with could have been chalked up to the handiwork of shape-shifting Nurse Sheila, anyway. — Ben Katner

[GalvestonDuck]

[I seriously don't think there can be enough reality shows to fill all the cable networks. God forbid there are! Furthermore, internet broadcasts are part of what this strike is about. The WGA understands that and that's part of why they are striking -- residuals from internet.

This says it so much better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a37uqd5vTw

[gtalum]

...whatever scabs would have come up with could have been chalked up to the handiwork of shape-shifting Nurse Sheila, anyway. — Ben Katner

I love unions. It all comes down to playground talk. "You're a scab!".

[lurkey]

"Family" feud afoot for Fox cartoon

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Fox is producing fresh episodes of its animated comedy "Family Guy" without the participation of its striking creator Seth MacFarlane, who does many of the main voices, sources said.

[Brent]

All-new episodes of Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, and Dirty Sexy Money tonight!

and on that same topic... two weeks from tonight on the 28th ABC will air "Shrek the Halls" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at 8. Yesterday, they announced that a new episode of Pushing Daisies would air at 9 pre-empting Private Practice with Dirty Sexy Money still at 10. Likely due to the strike(it appears PP and DSM will have a couple of episodes in January or later, whenever ABC decides to air them while PD will have it's "finale" on December 5th).

Other strike news:

Brothers and Sisters will have several episodes in January or later(they are still shooting scripts actually) while DH will only have 1(and there's rumors that the tornado episode on the 2nd may be the "finale" because it will have plenty of stuff that makes people come back). DH and B&S are both pre-empted this week for the American Music Awards and then will return on the 25th.

Same goes for Grey's... appears it's finale will be December 6th, part 2 of a 2-part episode that starts next Thursday. A repeat of the season premiere will air on the 29th. Ugly Betty(which will also repeat it's premiere on the 29th) and Big Shots(which is on hiatus til at least Mid-December) will have several episodes leftover in January.