Writers Strike Will Have a Big Impact On Scripted Television
The Writers Guild of America is on strike to demand better treatment. How does this affect the public? It may affect everyone’s favorite television programs.
The Writers Guild of America is the national union of screenwriters in the United States. This union represents both writers of television and film writers to make sure that all writers have fair treatment. However, sometimes the proper respect is not given. That is what has led to the current Writers Guild strike. That means the screenwriters will not be doing work as long as the strike continues. This mainly affects television, as movies are more of a one-and-done deal. Therefore, the strike could affect many television series and possibly jeopardize them.
Rob Lowe on the picket line outside of the Paramount lot in LA today: “We’re only as good as the writing we get” #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/x7UASNi1af
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 2, 2023
The strike can affect television programs in many different ways. For instance, the hit workplace sitcom Abbott Elementary might face some problems. For the third season, the writer’s room was originally going to meet up in early May, but the strike has postponed this meet-up indefinitely. There could also be a shortened third season. Abbott Elementary writer Brittani Nichols commented, “We are a show that writes while we air. 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.”
The writers strike picket line outside of Warner Bros. in Los Angeles. https://t.co/2mx1TyHf1T pic.twitter.com/sBeOvNcPBZ
— Variety (@Variety) May 2, 2023
Abbott Elementary is not the only program with a closed-down writers’ room. Netflix’s action comedy Cobra Kai. This sequel to The Karate Kid is about to enter its sixth and final season. However, their writer’s room was shut down due to the strike, putting the season on hold. Co-creator Jon Hurwitz tweeted, “We hate to strike, but if we must, we strike hard. Pencils down in the Cobra Kai writer’s room. No writers on set. These aren’t fun times, but it’s unfortunately necessary. The moment a fair deal is in place, we’ll get back to kicking ass.”
thinking about Abbott Elementary and the writers’ strike pic.twitter.com/vSX54V8ErO
— Catherine Tinker (@catherinetinker) May 2, 2023
Thriller drama Yellowjackets will also halt production due to this strike. After one day in a writer’s room, the series paused its writing. The writers were working on the series’ third season, with the second season currently airing as planned. Co-creator Ashley Lyle tweeted, “It was amazing, and creatively invigorating, and so much fun, and I’m very excited to get back to it as soon as the #WGA gets a fair deal.”
“I think we have a list of demands that are all pretty reasonable and it feels like the other side is not negotiating in a good faith way.”
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 3, 2023
—‘Yellowjackets’ co-creator Bart Nickerson; day 1 of the writers’ strike pic.twitter.com/RHRcSX6co1
There are other series that will face problems in their productions. However, they have not all commented on the situation. For instance, the revival of the courtroom comedy Night Court will likely have production and writing on its second and final season paused during this strike. In addition, the popular adult animation series Big Mouth recently got a renewal for its eighth and final season. The writers already had a couple of weeks in their writer’s room, but it seems they will have to pause during this strike. The pauses are unfortunate, but it is all for a great cause.
Netflix didn’t start producing content until 2011. They’ve never truly experienced a writers strike. Amazon has made sure to keep unions out of their workforce but entered Hollywood after guilds were established… this is going to be interesting.
— Leah Poulliot (@astoldbyLP) May 2, 2023
Fortunately, this strike will not affect every currently running television series. House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones prequel, has confirmed to have already finished up the scripts for its second season. Furthermore, the popular fantasy series Good Omens has also completed its second season scripts. Creator Neil Gaiman tweeted, “I’m in the Writers Guild of America. I wish this wasn’t happening and I support it absolutely. When I wake up tomorrow, I’ll be on strike. (To forestall the inevitable questions, Good Omens 2 is completed and handed in. Although I may not be able to promote it as I had hoped.)”
“We’re fighting to stop the streamers and the studios from turning writing from a career into a gig job. They’re trying to take away our jobs and employ us one day a week like we’re Uber drivers…We’re fighting for fairness.”
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 3, 2023
—Adam Conover; day 1 of the writers’ strike pic.twitter.com/83KA2BYWdm
People can look at recent history to see the effect that the writer’s strike had on television. In 2007, there was also a writers strike that lasted exactly 100 days. As a result, series like Breaking Bad, Family Guy, and 30 Rock had seasons shorter than their original plans. Other programs like Entourage, Private Practice, and Pushing Daisies postponed the rest of their seasons for the new year and cycle. In addition, reality series like The Amazing Race, Big Brother, and The Price is Right had more episodes than planned as airtime needed filling, and they did not need writers. What happened 16 years ago could indicate what happens now.
you can pinpoint the minute the ‘07 writers strike hit and drastically changed the quality of every early 2000s piece of media and i need people to understand not only how bad that was, but how that impacted tv going forward. if you like the shows you watch, support the wga.
— alyssa ღ burzek canon era (@ruzekburgess) May 2, 2023
The public often takes television writers for granted. However, they are the driving force behind what is popular on television. In the upcoming days and/or weeks, more television series will inform the public of their status. It is unknown how long this strike will last, but until then, television might look different.
