WGA Strike: The Stars Come Out to Picket

Posted by Joe Ngo (joe@filmschoolrejects.com) on November 6, 2007

Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that many of the stars are coming out to support the WGA in its strike. It seems like the strike is really gaining momentum, and is starting to affect a lot of shows. Ellen Degeneres did not show up for the filming of her show Monday, in support of the writers. Episodes of her show were filmed in advance, but what is going to happen if the strike continues?

WGA East strikers displayed a giant inflatable rat as picketers shouted: “No contract, no shows!” Walking the line in NYC were Tom Fontana, Kevin Wade, Adam Brooks, Warren Leight, John Patric Shanley, Jon Robin Baitz, Charlie Rubin, Tina Fey, Eric Overmyer, Doug McGrath. Many of the writers of the late night shows, such as Conan and Dave Letterman also in the lines.

There are no scheduled talks between the WGA and AMPTP, seemingly because they can’t trust each other. Negotiations had continued on the west coast while WGA East had already started to picket. When informed of this, talks abruptly stopped. Deadline Hollywood Daily is saying that the CEOs are really pissed that there were plans of a strike no matter what the talks developed. They had hoped that the walkout/strike would be postponed while they tried to work out a deal. Dueling statements have been issued on both sides.

The WGA has also issued the following statement from Barack Obama:

Many high profile writers, such as Paul Haggis, are picketing their main place of employment, which they were told to do.. or else. The Office also had a short production day, with Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson not showing up for work, as they are both WGA members.

Finally, Break.com is holding a $5000 contest to all WGA members submitting a video to their website. They feel that with the large amount of views they get, its the perfect venue for the WGA to express their opinions.

I personally hope that the strike ends soon. Without these quality programs, the studios are going to submit us to more and more reality TV, and they won’t care because they’re still making money. People will have to watch because there will be nothing else on. I don’t want House to end early, just like many others out there whose favorite TV shows are in jeopardy. Hollywood needs to learn to handle these situations better, and not put us in the middle of it all.

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