The WGA Strikeis in full swing, and some of America’s biggest TV shows already feel the squeeze. Many late-night talk show fans will have noticed their shows have gone dark. Networks are showing reruns during the strike.Saturday Night Liveis on strikeas well. There are a lot of big TV shows and miniseries that are being affected by the strike.
Some of them are even cutting into their season’s episode count. Meaning that if the WGA (Writers Guild of America) and the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) don’t reach an agreement soon, their season might be shorter than originally planned.
This Writers’ Strike – the last one was in 2007-08 – has resulted from the entertainment industry’s steady migration towards streaming platforms and studios failing to adapt employment contracts to the changing times. The issues run the gamut from how much writers get paid to AI’s role in the future of the industry.
Most of the changes causing writers' grief are subtle behavioral changes from studios that have made it more difficult for writers to find work. The WGA is currently fighting for contractual obligations that will create more opportunities for writers everywhere. In the meantime, some of our favorite shows have been put on hold.
Related:Barton Fink: How Writer’s Block Led to the Coen Brothers’ Most Underrated Film
Late-Night Talk Shows
Jimmy Kimmel Live,The Late Show,Tonight, andLate Nightare all going dark for the strike. These are some of the WGA’s biggest bargaining chips. When these shows stop, the industry feels it, and people notice immediately. These shows also represent an attack on some of the biggest TV producers in the nation. They’re made by ABC, CBS, and NBC, respectively. While their production pauses, the networks will air reruns of the shows during their timeslots.
In the same vein of late-night TV,Saturday Night Livewill cease production for the duration. Some will remember that the editors’ teamthreatened to strike back in Marchin response to an insulting counter-offer NBC gave them to update their contracts. The editors successfully strengthened their position and ended up not having to strike. But now, writers are standing with each other across the industry to increase the leverage of the WGA in their negotiations with the AMPTP.
Real Time with Bill Maherwill also be going off the air, as well asLast Week Tonightwith John Oliver and Comedy Central’sThe Daily Show. The political talk shows typically follow the weekly news cycle and regularly have guest speakers.The Daily Showis currently in the middle of rotating its hosts with visiting celebrities. There is no word yet as to how the strike will affect the forecast schedule for upcoming guest hosts.
One late-night show resolved to continue broadcasting during the strike is Fox News’Gutfeld!. Unlike other talk shows, Greg Gutfeld’s political opinion program will remain on.
Related:Everything to Know About the Possible Writers' Strike
Other Big TV Shows
Abbott Elementarywill be supporting the Writers’ Strike. Their writers’ room was meant to begin meeting on May 2, the day the strike started.Abbott Elementaryis an important program to keep an eye on during the strike. Not only is the show popular, with its multiple Emmys, but it’s also a show that writes while it airs. Writer Brittani Nichols toldDemocracy Now!,
“If this strike goes on for a significant period of time, our show will not come out on time and that could change the amount of episodes which I’m sure people will be very upset about.”
Some Netflix series meant to be working on their new seasons have also gone on strike.Big MouthandCobra Kaiwere both in the middle of working on their upcoming seasons, and both have stopped.Big Mouthwas writing its 8th and final season. Reportedly, they would have finished in August without a strike.Cobra Kaiwriter Jon Hurwitztweeted his support for the strike, informing the public that no writers were on set for season 6 production.
Neil Gaiman also notably tweeted his support for the WGA. The prominent author and writer ofGood Omensmentioned that he had already handed in his script for season 2. But he pointed out that he was a member of the WGA andwould join the Guild in striking.
“I’m in the Writers Guild of America. I wish this wasn’t happening and support it absolutely. When I wake up tomorrow I’ll be on strike.”
Yellowjacketsis also halting production. Co-creator Ashley Lyle tweeted her support, saying that all progress on season 3 has stopped after just one day of work.House of the Dragonis strikingas well, but the scripts for season 2 have already been finished.
These represent some big names in the entertainment industry. If producers hadn’t heard the plea of the WGA before, halts on these shows that continue in the coming months will begin to have monetary consequences that studios will feel soon.
While many big-name TV shows can continue production because their writing process has finished, many studios may require rewrites in the middle of production. Studios have also been buying up scripts in anticipation of this strike, so it’s quite possible it could continue for a while. But only time will tell.
