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FILM & TV

Writers Strike Will Have a Big Impact On Scripted Television

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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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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.)”

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 BadFamily Guy, and 30 Rock had seasons shorter than their original plans. Other programs like EntouragePrivate Practice, and Pushing Daisies postponed the rest of their seasons for the new year and cycle. In addition, reality series like The Amazing RaceBig 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.

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.