Most days in Tinsel Town, the word “strike” simply means that you’re done filming and you’re taking down the set.
But this past week, “strike” has meant something entirely different.
The Writers Guild of America has gone on strike. Stages have gone dark, things are a bit moody on the lot, and every time I drive on or off the lot, I have to drive past a picketing square of my friends and colleagues.
It’s weird. If I were in the WGA, I’d have voted for the strike, and I’d be out there with them on the picket line.
But for now, I can only do my best not to interrupt their marching and just keep giving the best tours that I can.
I’m worried though, (and yes, I know this will make me sound waaaaay too caught up in pop culture and the entertainment industry) about what will happen to the shows and characters that I love so much.
New shows like Moonlight, Pushing Daisies, The Big Bang Theory, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (new show, not on the air yet), and of course Chuck (!!) will probably suffer the quickest and most visible setbacks.
And even though Pushing Daisies and The Big Bang Theory have received pick-ups for the entire season, they still need their writers to write new episodes. This whole past week, stage 25 (where The Big Bang Theory films) has been dark and empty, and yesterday technical equipment was being returned. It’s really hard to produce new episodes with an empty soundstage, so even though new episodes have been written, no production is happening. Eventually, this work stoppage is severely going to affect the show and its fans.
Old hands like Cold Case, Two and a Half Men, and Lost are a little more secure in terms of job security.
But really, no one’s safe.
Wanna read more about the strike? Go here. And support the WGA, even if only in your prayers. I really hope they get everything straightened out now, so that when I join the Guild, I’ll be taken care of.
Go writers!
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