Are Network Exec So Stupid, Or Why Yet Another Strike Is Upon Us…
By fred | June 20, 2008
Do you remember ?
It was the beginning of the year 2008, writers were on strike, studios were lying and refusing to even talk, actors were supporting their beloved writers (even Katherine Heigl), and on TV there was nothing but the occasional American Idol eight times a week or so. Aww, good times.
Yes, it was the good times, when we saw the global television audience drop and many viewers leaving never to return, when the strike cost Los Angeles around $3 billion…
In other words, it was great, so much that networks & studios are hoping we can do it again this summer ! What do you say, are you in ??
After the writers it’s the actors who have to renegotiate their deal, as the current one expires ten days from now, on June 30. And so far, things are not going too well, the talks - which began in April - have bogged down on about the exact same issues that led writers to stop working, namely payments over DVD sales and content created for the Internet.
Oh yeah, it all sounds way too familiar, and rumor is that a strike might be coming up. Yes, for real.
As a matter of fact, the networks are “quietly considering a postponement of the traditional September launch of the next broadcast season”. Oh God, are they all trying to kill television or what ?? Sure, a few shows are already filming and might have a couple of episodes in the can by the time everything stops again, but do they really think people are gonna be happy having only two or three new episodes of House, Heroes, E.R. or CSI and then nothing ?? Not to mention some shows wouldn’t even be back at all, so if you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives or The Office, well, I’m so sorry…
And what to say about the new series from last season, the ones like Life, Chuck or Pushing Daisies, which for some haven’t had one episode on the air since last freaking year ? It will be hard enough for them to get their audience back, having people to wait even longer is a sure way to kill the shows. And even of some of those are shooting already, airing a couple of episodes only won’t help.
Ironically, once again it might Fox who could get out of this the best, since their action-packed hit-drama 24 might be ready in time for 2009 as planned. Granted, that’s better than Idol, but still, if there’s really another strike, I might really turn my TV off… you?
Posted in News
Shows: 24, Chuck, CSI, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, House, Life, Pushing Daisies, The Office
