Movie News

WGA Strike: Michael Scott Calls Off; ‘The Office’ Writers Speak their Peace

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on November 10, 2007

Earlier this week, production came to a screeching halt on my personal favorite show, The Office when members of the cast (most of whom are also writers on the show) took to the picket lines with the rest of their WGA comrades. The show’s star Steve Carell also was a no show, refusing to cross picket lines. The saddest news of all is that The Office is now another major victim of the strike. NBC only has two more episodes that are ready for broadcast, leaving only re-runs after the Nov. 15 episode.

In an article in The New York Times on Wednesday, Office Executive Producer Greg Daniels explained the reasons that he helped shut down the production.

“When we were in the 10th grade reading Mark Twain and dreaming about being a writer, none of us were thinking about residuals or payments for DVDs or anything like that,” Mr. Daniels said. “I suppose the reason people should care about this is because the television networks get their broadcast licenses from the government. They are supposed to create public culture. Instead, they are taking the attitude of ‘We will crush you’ toward the people who create their programming. They are talking of canceling scripted programming and replacing it with reality programs. I think that is not in the public interest.”

Also coming forth this week were members of The Office’s writing staff, who spoke out in the following video (posted at United Hollywood).

Let me say this: it was one thing when the strike knocked off the chances of Heroes: Origins being made and I was deeply saddened by the stoppage of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, but this is just too much. When I watch videos like the one above and the one that I posted earlier today I can barely hold back the anger that I feel toward the AMPTP. Come on guys, what is a few more cents on the dollar? Do you really need that money? I don’t see you living on the streets or your kids in line at the supermarket with food stamps (unless you are Britney Spears’ parents, but that is another story). These writers create the shows that make you money. Give them their fair share! And do it now… I don’t need to be missing any episodes of The Office because of this.

Topic of Discussion: What do you think of the strike? Are you willing to stand up, as fans, in support of the writers? Let your voice be heard below…