"I didn't see it coming" WTF were you thinking then?

[Fat Elvis]

http://tv.yahoo.com/news/article/urn:newsml:tv.ap.org:20080115:hollywood_labor

Report: Studios cancel writers contracts
Tue Jan 15, 4:45 AM PST

Four major studios have canceled dozens of writers' contracts in a possible concession that the current television season cannot be saved, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

The move means the 2-month old writers strike may also endanger next season's new shows, the Times said.

January is usually the beginning of pilot season, when networks order new scripted shows. But the strike leaves networks without a pool of comedy and drama scripts from which to choose.


20th Century Fox Television, CBS Paramount Network Television, NBC Universal and Warner Bros. Television told the Times they have terminated development and production agreements.

Studios typically pay $500,000 to $2 million a year per writer for them and their staffs to develop new show concepts.

"I didn't see it coming," Barbara Hall, a writer and producer whose credits include former CBS series "Joan of Arcadia" and "Judging Amy," told the Times, which said ABC executives gave her the news Friday. "I am not entirely sure what their strategy is, all I know was that I was a casualty of it."

The newspaper said more than 65 deals with writers have been eliminated since Friday.

Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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Seriously, wth are these people thinking? I'm gonna go on strike even though I make $200K a year writing crappy tv shows and my job is going to be secure? How could you NOT see it coming?

[Nzoner]

Cool maybe they'll bring back some crappy oldies like Kolchak The Night Stalker PBJ

http://videoaddicts.8m.com/kolchak.jpg

[Mr. Laz]

good .... America will be better off with less t.v.

[alanm]

Cool maybe they'll bring back some crappy oldies like Kolchak The Night Stalker PBJ

http://videoaddicts.8m.com/kolchak.jpg
You can catch Kolchak on the Chill network. :thumb:

[Demonpenz]

oh's no's now we have to get real jobs

[munkey]

so long oscars....

:clap:

[Nzoner]

You can catch Kolchak on the Chill network. :thumb:

cool,thanks

[ChiefsGirl]

good .... America will be better off with less t.v.

There won't be less TV. Just more reality and game shows.

[|Zach|]

good .... America will be better off with less t.v.
How does this mean less TV.

It means more reality TV.

[Mr. Plow]

Sweet. More time for the internet. And pay per view porn.

[Rausch]

I'd do it for half that and a good bottle of scotch...

[kepp]

I thought it was humorous that the Golden Globes didn't have their big awards show but, instead, just had a press conference type of thing. To me, it shows who really makes Hollywood what it is.

[Mr. Laz]

There won't be less TV. Just more reality and game shows.How does this mean less TV.

It means more reality TV.
it won't take long before people are watching less t.v.


i can't even watch 1 full show of 80% of this reality trash.

[Mr. Plow]

it won't take long before people are watching less t.v.


i can't even watch 1 full show of 80% of this reality trash.

Personally, I like "Who wants to marry a one legged midget"

[DaFace]

I guess I don't get the surprise here. I don't disagree with the writers overall, but when you go on strike, it shouldn't come as a surprise when the studios end up canning you.

[Ultra Peanut]

Seriously, wth are these people thinking? I'm gonna go on strike even though I make $200K a year writing crappy tv shows and my job is going to be secure? How could you NOT see it coming?Oh, God forbid the writers make sure they don't get completely shut out of the revenue stream that will eventually cannibalize the television model! How dare they protect their (and the directors', and the actors') best interests for the next several decades!

[Simplex3]

it won't take long before people are watching less t.v.


i can't even watch 1 full show of 80% of this reality trash.
You need to make better use of your DVR. I can watch a one hour game show or reality show in like 15 minutes. They're damn near bearable then.

[Sure-Oz]

I saw leno's monologue last and it was so shitty, i assume their writers arent back either?

[Simplex3]

Oh, God forbid the writers make sure they don't get completely shut out of the revenue stream that will eventually cannibalize the television model! How dare they protect their (and the directors', and the actors') best interests for the next several decades!
If these choads (the writers in this case) are so f**king indispensable then those other choads will have to tote them along to the new medium too.

[Fat Elvis]

Oh, God forbid the writers make sure they don't get completely shut out of the revenue stream that will eventually cannibalize the television model! How dare they protect their (and the directors', and the actors') best interests for the next several decades!


See DaFace's comments. It isn't a right or wrong statement regarding the strike. It is a comment on how the writers didn't see it coming.

You know, you can be a real idiot at times.

[el borracho]

Cool. Maybe some new, unknown talents will get a shot at writing. It would be a great time to break into the biz as a writer.

[ILikeBigTiddys]

I could care less. As long as "Intervention" and "The First 48" are able to crank out new episodes I will be happy.

[Bump]

well they're already bringing back Night Rider, maybe this means there is going to be a ton of remakes. How about some new Dallas, M*A*S*H, Fresh Prince, Urkel, and what not...lol

[StcChief]

break the Union about time

[Lzen]

OMG, $500k-$2M a year is not enough to get by. Gotta feed my family. :deevee:

[Sure-Oz]

OMG, $500k-$2M a year is not enough to get by. Gotta feed my family. :deevee:
Probably not compared to the actors etc on the shows, but still i wouldn't bitch.

[MTG#10]

Sweet. More time for the internet. And pay per view porn.
You pay for porn?

[Brock]

Great news for the lunkheads who like reality TV.

[Phobia]

OMG, $500k-$2M a year is not enough to get by. Gotta feed my family. :deevee:
$500k gets you a double-wide and an Escort in L.A.

[Tribal Warfare]

$500k gets you a double-wide and an Escort in L.A.


I actually heard on Mancow one of the writers on strike say "I can't live off of 500 grand a year!!!!" I was laughing my ass off in disgust

[Hydrae]

OMG, $500k-$2M a year is not enough to get by. Gotta feed my family. :deevee:


Studios typically pay $500,000 to $2 million a year per writer for them and their staffs to develop new show concepts.

Reading comprehension 101 - "for them and their staffs"

[chasedude]

I don't watch that much TV. Screw 'em, they got what they had coming. The shows on TV are crap anyway.

[BigMeatballDave]

Well, at least I got 8 episode of Lost coming.

[Valiant]

Reading comprehension 101 - "for them and their staffs"


Yeah funny how people passed that buy.. What and most writing crews get up over 8-10 people also???


Still find it funny that studios supposedly make zero money on the internet broadcasts and want everybody to believe that they do it to be nice.. When in reality studios make a ton, and soon to be more then tv, because unlike tv with tivo/dvr you are actually forced to watch the advertisements that pay them..

[DaFace]

$500k gets you a double-wide and an Escort in L.A.

I think I'd telecommute.

[Valiant]

I don't watch that much TV. Screw 'em, they got what they had coming. The shows on TV are crap anyway.



Most yes..

Dexter
Smallville
Heroes
Supernatural
Journeyman
The Shield

Are all awesome guy shows..

[NewChief]

I could care less. As long as "Intervention" and "The First 48" are able to crank out new episodes I will be happy.

Should be some upcoming episodes of "Intervention" along the lines of:

John, once a successful screenwriter, threw it all away on an ill-fated writers' strike and has turned to booze to console himself.

[irishjayhawk]

Wow, the hate people have for TV. It's just like literature or movies. Find what you like, but don't sit here and claim that there's NOTHING worth reading/watching.

[irishjayhawk]

And after re-reading some posts, it's clear that people don't understand the strike.

If you aren't on the writers side, you don't understand the strike. Plain and simple.

[NewChief]

In all fairness, and as a guy who made some money as a writer in the past, I can see where these people are coming from. There's tons of cash flowing around, and they're getting a very small piece of the pie, when they're responsible for a pretty significant portion of the product.

[Chief Henry]

Cool maybe they'll bring back some crappy oldies like Kolchak The Night Stalker PBJ

http://videoaddicts.8m.com/kolchak.jpg


DUDE...his first movie scared the CRAP right out of me. I locked myself in the bathroom and wouldn't come out. I would love to watch the
original movie of that show.

[Tribal Warfare]

And after re-reading some posts, it's clear that people don't understand the strike.

If you aren't on the writers side, you don't understand the strike. Plain and simple.



Easy the want royalties on in internet broadcast material, which includes streaming on other networks like Veoh or Youtube

[BigMeatballDave]

What does the average writer make per episode? I'd guess somewhere between $8000-$15,000. Thats great money. But, compared to the actors, its pocket change. The Friends cast made a million per episode during the final few seasons of that show. 22 million per season and $300,000 per season. Yeah, thats fair.

[chasedude]

Wow, the hate people have for TV. It's just like literature or movies. Find what you like, but don't sit here and claim that there's NOTHING worth reading/watching.

I don't HATE TV, that's a strong word. I'm just getting tired of the mindless crap they put out today. Reality, TMZ and Jerry Springer shows just don't do it for me. I find myself watching more public and educational stuff on the ol' boob tube. Football's educational right? :thumb:

[irishjayhawk]

Easy the want royalties on in internet broadcast material, which includes streaming on other networks like Veoh or Youtube

Yes, and the last deal they made they only got $.04 per DVD. Seriously. They charge what for new dvds? $16.99? And the writer gets 4 friggin cents?

They want to rectify that and cover themselves for the downloading era. Can't blame them.

[irishjayhawk]

I don't HATE TV, that's a strong word. I'm just getting tired of the mindless crap they put out today. Reality, TMZ and Jerry Springer shows just don't do it for me. I find myself watching more public and educational stuff on the ol' boob tube. Football's educational right? :thumb:

Fair enough. And I'll agree that the market is saturated with MTV-style crap. Reality this, reality that. In fact, I argue that MTV is responsible for the demise of television - or at least the crap we have now.

That said, there are some damn good shows out there.

[BigMeatballDave]

I don't HATE TV, that's a strong word. I'm just getting tired of the mindless crap they put out today. Reality, TMZ and Jerry Springer shows just don't do it for me. I find myself watching more public and educational stuff on the ol' boob tube. Football's educational right? :thumb:That IS crap.

[TN_Chief]

Idiot writers. With the exception of a few notable shows (like Lost...pretty original show) most writers seem to essentially plagarize anything else that has any success at all. Sure, some names are changed and details are slighly different, but they're basically the same show. 3 CSIs? 4 Law and Orders? Constant remakes of movies? Caveman on ABC?

Tell ya what writers...when you come up with something originial I'll be in your corner. Until then...no, I don't want to supersize my value meal.

[BigMeatballDave]

Yes, and the last deal they made they only got $.04 per DVD. Seriously. They charge what for new dvds? $16.99? And the writer gets 4 friggin cents?

They want to rectify that and cover themselves for the downloading era. Can't blame them.4 cents? Thats a fuggin joke.

[TN_Chief]

FWIW...rant above aside, I do understand why they're on strike and what they're looking for in a new contract. And in principle I agree with them. But I'd be a lot more sympathetic to their cause if most of what's on TV wasn't such absolute shite.

[mikey23545]

What does the average writer make per episode? I'd guess somewhere between $8000-$15,000. Thats great money. But, compared to the actors, its pocket change. The Friends cast made a million per episode during the final few seasons of that show. 22 million per season and $300,000 per season. Yeah, thats fair.

I'd be fine with the "actors" making the same as the writers....

[irishjayhawk]

Idiot writers. With the exception of a few notable shows (like Lost...pretty original show) most writers seem to essentially plagarize anything else that has any success at all. Sure, some names are changed and details are slighly different, but they're basically the same show. 3 CSIs? 4 Law and Orders? Constant remakes of movies? Caveman on ABC?

Tell ya what writers...when you come up with something originial I'll be in your corner. Until then...no, I don't want to supersize my value meal.

Umm, okay Mr. Uninformed.

Sometimes producers employ writers to write what they want. I would suspect this is the case with the 3 CSIs and stuff. Caveman as well. Remakes of movies: A) it brings it to current generations B) if done well, can be really good and C) is often the studio's pushing.

And again, the originality argument couldn't be more wrong, misled or stupid. There are plenty of original things out there. Find them instead of broadly painting the whole group.

[stevieray]

Fair enough. And I'll agree that the market is saturated with MTV-style crap. Reality this, reality that. In fact, I argue that MTV is responsible for the demise of television - or at least the crap we have now.

That said, there are some damn good shows out there.

MTV did more damage to music, IMO..

Ironically, TV began to change with Fox's original lineup...Married with Children spawned Roseanne, etc...CBS was the last to let it all hang out..Touched by an Angel, Murder She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder etc.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

does this mean that the shows will be completely different from now on? i only watch two TV shows (the office and lost), both of which could be completely different if new writers come on.

[TN_Chief]

Find them instead of broadly painting the whole group.No thanks, I'll just broadly paint the whole group. Since they went on strike en masse, that's how I'll discuss them.

[irishjayhawk]

MTV did more damage to music, IMO..

Ironically, TV began to change with Fox's original lineup...Married with Children spawned Roseanne, etc...CBS was the last to let it all hang out..Touched by an Angel, Murder She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder etc.

Probably true. MTV moves music to MTV 2. Now, the music is, well, virtually no where to be found. MTV 2 just fills up with new or rerun shows.

Still, if Real World wasn't successful, I don't think many of the other reality shows ever got green lit.

[irishjayhawk]

No thanks, I'll just broadly paint the whole group. Since they went on strike en masse, that's how I'll discuss them.

:spock:

Really? Wow.

[irishjayhawk]

does this mean that the shows will be completely different from now on? i only watch two TV shows (the office and lost), both of which could be completely different if new writers come on.

If new writers came on, you'd notice differences. Not significant, I don't think, but changes nonetheless. Further, the shows won't resume with "new" writers.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Further, the shows won't resume with "new" writers.

i don't understand. they terminated the contracts of the old writers, but the shows won't resume with new writers? so all television shows will just cease to exist now?

[irishjayhawk]

i don't understand. they terminated the contracts of the old writers, but the shows won't resume with new writers? so all television shows will just cease to exist now?

They haven't terminated the contracts. It expired. Big difference.

The shows, I believe, won't return. New shows will pop up, but not the old ones. But most of that is up to the creator and since creators are mostly writers, it's moot.

[macdawg]

IMO having a great delivery of the jokes & the acting involved....the actors deserve more pay than the writers but in the Friends show example, anyone would agree 300k for writers and 22 mil per actor is way out of whack. Just about everyone has had jobs where they feel underpaid and that their work is being taken for granted, props to them if they can pull this off.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

I feel bad for the writers.

Dexter, The Office, Scrubs, My Name is Earl are really the only shows that I watch, so I'm not a huge consumer of pop culture via TV.

Yeah, there is a lot of hog shit on TV and most movies are borderline unwatchable, but there is also some really good shit that we are getting screwt out of because the studios aren't willing to part with what amounts to pocket change.

[BigMeatballDave]

FWIW...rant above aside, I do understand why they're on strike and what they're looking for in a new contract. And in principle I agree with them. But I'd be a lot more sympathetic to their cause if most of what's on TV wasn't such absolute shite.To each his own. Television is entertainment. Much like professional sports. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean its crap.

[stevieray]

To each his own. Television is entertainment. Much like professional sports. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean its crap.

doesn't mean it isn't, either... :doh!:

[pikesome]

And after re-reading some posts, it's clear that people don't understand the strike.

If you aren't on the writers side, you don't understand the strike. Plain and simple.

I haven't gotten through the whole thread yet but the arrogance of the union (a strike kick-off party?) isn't making me fond of them. They do have a point about internet revenue but, like every other union, a lot of it looks less like defending the writers and more like "how hard can we cornhole the production companies". And that isn't a good attitude regardless.