Click here to visit the new home of AOLTV!

Hot on HuffPost TV:

See More Stories
EDITION: U.S.
CA Canada US United States UK United Kingdom
Powered by i.TV
May 26, 2012

Studios say this season is over, and next season might be too

by Bob Sassone, posted Jan 15th 2008 2:22PM

Jerry StillerThis isn't a good sign at all.

Yesterday, four of the major studios - CBS Paramount, 20th Century Fox Television, NBC Universal, and Warner Brothers Television - canceled the contracts of dozens of writers and put an end to over 65 development deals, which basically means that there are no new scripts to choose from to start filming pilots for next fall's schedule. This will save the production companies millions, since they won't have to keep paying the writers for the deals.

And that's not the end of it. One studio exec says that if the strike lasts into February, there will be another round of contract terminations. I think this all means that in September of 2008, we're all going to be watching American Gladiators: The Apprentice, infomercials, and whatever DVDs we have piled up on our coffee tables.

Link Squad

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

32 Comments

Filter by:
Kenny

Support the writers? People seem to forget that the writer's union does not represent all writers. There are still perfectly good, professional writers out there who don't belong to a union. Have you tried to acquire an agent recently? Good luck!

January 22 2008 at 11:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rebecca

blindguy - Why should the writers get a cut of each DVD sold? They're paid to do a job. They shouldn't keep getting paid. Do programmers get paid for every copy of software sold? Do journalists get paid for every newspaper/magazine sold? No. So why should writers be different?

January 17 2008 at 4:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
khamel

ive been blowing through alot of shows via dvd/torrent/tivo recently and fear i will be running out before the strike ends. i've even watched a bunch of bbc shows so im already diversifying. i might have to (gulp) READ! and i just bought a new 42" 1080p tv!! nope, no reading going on here.

January 16 2008 at 5:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Patrick R

end of scripted tv = end of tv that I watch

I've been catching up on Dexter (so amazing!!) and once that's done, Weeds is up next. Go writers!

January 16 2008 at 3:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
R-Bro

Except for wanting--nay, needing--to see more Lost and Battlestar Galactica, I'm fine without the scripted shows. It means more time to read, hang out with the family, and do other virtuous stuff. At least, that's what I'm telling myself...

January 16 2008 at 12:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ac

If it wasn't for the Colbert, Conan, and Dirty Jobs I'd cancel my cable after my shows run out. I'm down to Lost and Smallville. And if the SAG union strikes too when their contract ends scripted shows are double screwed. We need more deals like Letterman made with his writers. Maybe that would solve this silent treatment thing both sides are giving each other at the moment.

January 15 2008 at 5:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
segsig

A good book to read during the strike "The Homeless Channel".

January 15 2008 at 5:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cody

I think it would be funny if Jerry Stiller's sign was saying "SOLIDARITY NOW!" Maybe his writers are striking too.

January 15 2008 at 5:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Oreo

As several people have pointed out some "reality" shows are doing better than the scripted shows for a fraction of the cost and none of the mess. I don't think it's being over stated that this could bring the downfall of scripted network TV as we know it.

January 15 2008 at 4:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Oreo's comment
Ashley Boyd

But, how much of that is because there is nothing else new to watch?

(granted something that is unmeasurable but a deluded hypothesis anyway)

January 15 2008 at 6:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brian.stuart

Reality TV may be cheap to produce, but it doesn't repeat well. Studios make a ton on successful scripted programs because they can put it into syndication, sell DVD's, etc. Reality TV just doesn't have the same kind of upside in those areas. Which is WHY writers are fighting over those upside areas and why producers ultimately do want the writers under contract. A reality show can hold its own when first-run, but its value is pretty much used up right then. Not so with scripted TV, and the studios ultimately know that.

January 15 2008 at 7:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chadwick hansford

All well. That's what the gym and sports are for guys. Guess what? Books still exist! I know it's shocking for some of you but its true. Perhaps if your really motivated you can pick up a instrument and start learning how to play music. That's right. Create your own entertainment. Wow!

January 15 2008 at 4:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to chadwick hansford's comment
Alicia

Then um.... why are reponding on a blog about TV?

I WANT MY TV BACK!!!!

January 15 2008 at 7:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

Follow Us

TV Squad Hot Topics

From Our Partners