2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike

American media labor dispute August 2023 August 2023 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike Wga rally - ave stars - crossing street.JPG Striking WGA members at Fox Plaza, Los Angeles, on November 7, 2007 2007 11 5 2008 2 12(2007 11 5 2008 2 12, or 2007 11 5 2008 2 12) United States Lack of agreement on a new contract between Writers Guild of America and AMPTP Increased DVD residuals, jurisdiction over, and residuals from, new media Writers Guild of America, EastWriters Guild of America West AMPTP Picketing, protest Agreement to end strike reached on February 12, 2008 From November 5, 2007, to February 12, 2008, all 12,000 film and television screenwriters of the American labor unions Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) went on strike.Horiuchi Vince 2007-11-04 Writers strike to hit TV first - and hard The Salt Lake Tribune http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/ci_7372315 dead July 20, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120313120036/http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/ci_7372315 March 13, 20122008-02-13 Strike over, Hollywood writers head back to work CNN http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/13/writers.strike/ 2008-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20080413003541/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/13/writers.strike/index.html April 13, 2008Handel Jonathan http://www.jhandel.com Hollywood on Strike!: An Industry at War in the Internet Age Hollywood Analytics 2011 978-1-4382-3385-7 Los Angeles, CA 580 February 26, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20010712151407/http://www.jhandel.com/ July 12, 2001 live The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike primarily sought increased residual rates for DVD sales as well as jurisdiction over and residuals from new media. It was targeted at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), a trade association representing the interests of 397 American film and television producers.Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers http://www.amptp.org/aboutus.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20100808232125/http://www.amptp.org/aboutus.html August 8, 2010 2010-07-11 AMPTP The most influential of these were eleven corporations: CBS (Les Moonves), MGM (Harry E. Sloan), NBCUniversal (Jeff Zucker), The Weinstein Company (Harvey and Bob Weinstein), Lionsgate (Jon Feltheimer), News Corporation (Peter Chernin), Paramount Pictures (Brad Grey), Liberty Media/Starz (Chris McGurk), Sony Pictures (Michael Lynton), The Walt Disney Company (Bob Iger), and Warner Bros. (Barry Meyer).Hollywood Moguls Claim 'Common Goals' December 16, 2007 Nikki Finke https://deadline.com/2007/12/hollywood-moguls-advertise-common-goals-4442/ April 8, 2026 live https://web.archive.org/web/20090415234933/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/hollywood-moguls-advertise-common-goals/ 2009-04-15 Deadline Hollywood Negotiators for the striking writers reached a tentative agreement on February 8, 2008, and the boards of both guilds unanimously approved the deal on February 10, 2008.Littleton Cynthia McNary Dave February 10, 2008 Showrunners back to work Monday Variety https://variety.com/VR1117980626.html live 2008-02-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20080213140914/http://www.variety.com/VR1117980626.html February 13, 2008 Striking writers voted on February 12, 2008, on whether to lift the restraining order, with 92.5% voting to end the strike.Finke Nikki February 12, 2008 Strike Over: Hollywood Back to Work! https://deadline.com/2008/02/strike-end-game-wga-members-vote-4855/ April 8, 2026 Deadline Hollywood 2008-02-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20080221075649/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/strike-end-game-wga-members-vote/ live On February 26, the WGA announced that the contract had been ratified with a 93.6% approval among WGA members.2008-02-26 Letter from the Presidents WGA http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2781 dead 2008-02-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110927002558/http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2781 2011-09-27 The Writers Guild later requested a court order seeking that the agreement be honored and implemented. The guilds were on strike for 14 weeks and 2 days (100 days).2008-02-12 The 100-Day Writers' Strike: A Timeline The New York Times http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/the-100-day-writers-strike-a-timeline/ 2008-02-13 2008-02-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20080214233341/http://tvdecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/the-100-day-writers-strike-a-timeline/ live In contrast, the previous strike in 1988, the longest in the history of the Guild, lasted 21 weeks and 6 days (153 days) and cost the American entertainment industry an estimated $500 million.2007-11-04 Hollywood Writers Go on Strike Over New-media Pay Los Angeles Agence France Press http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j9z48HzVgG3HdYSBT2GVQZwoUq0A dead July 20, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110825121433/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j9z48HzVgG3HdYSBT2GVQZwoUq0A 2011-08-25http://minneapolisfed.org/research/data/us/calc/ Consumer Price Index Calculator https://web.archive.org/web/20080115101557/http://minneapolisfed.org/research/data/us/calc/ January 15, 2008 MinneapolisFed.org Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis According to a National Public Radio (NPR) report filed on February 12, 2008, the strike cost the economy of Los Angeles an estimated $1.5 billion. A report from the UCLA Anderson School of Management put the loss at $380 million, while economist Jack Kyser put the loss at $2.1 billion.https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/business/media/12cnd-strike.html Writers Vote to End Strike https://web.archive.org/web/20170316102133/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/business/media/12cnd-strike.html 2017-03-16 The New York Times February 12, 2008https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aKdwR9oC54WM Hollywood Writers Return to Work After Ending Strike Bloomberg News https://web.archive.org/web/20090122224028/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103 2009-01-22 The Milken Institute estimated the losses at $2.1 billion ($20 million per day) and 38,000 jobs.https://laist.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/tv-and-movie-writers-could-go-on-strike-on-monday-heres-whats-at-stake TV and Movie Writers Strike over 'Gig Economy' Conditions As Talks Break Down. What's at Stake in the WGA Walkout Horn John LAist 2023-05-01 What was the economic impact? The Milken Institute estimated: $2.1 billion in economic losses Net loss of 37,700 jobs directly and indirectly tied to the entertainment industry. Those 2007-08 losses worked out to about $20 million a day, or close to $30 million in today's dollars. The financial and job loss estimate includes not only lost pay for screenwriters, but also for people who work in production, and businesses that either cater to or depend on production: everything from costume and prop rental companies to caterers and equipment rental outfits. 2023-05-02 2023-04-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20230429020519/https://laist.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/tv-and-movie-writers-could-go-on-strike-on-monday-heres-whats-at-stake live The big win for the Writers Guild was jurisdiction over new media, which was precedent-setting. Streamers would have to hire WGA writers on shows over certain budgets. Other than that, they received a new percentage payment on the distributor's gross for digital distribution based on the deal that the WGA made during the strike.Carr David February 12, 2008 https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/arts/television/12strike.html Who Won the Writers Strike? https://web.archive.org/web/20170308204531/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/arts/television/12strike.html 2017-03-08 The New York Times Issues in the strike right|thumb|Writer-actor Jeff Garlin of Curb Your Enthusiasm (foreground, right) and others at a WGAW rally outside the Fox Studios in Los Angeles. right 25% We are ready to meet at any time and remain committed to reaching a fair and reasonable deal that keeps the industry working, but the DVD issue is a roadblock to these negotiations. — AMPTP president Nick Counter2007-11-01 End of Day Statement from AMPTP President Nick Counter http://www.amptp.org/negs.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090415151742/http://www.amptp.org/negs.html 2009-04-15 20 July 2010 Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers right 25% Every issue that matters to writers, including Internet reuse, original writing for new media, DVDs, and jurisdiction, has been ignored. This is completely unacceptable. — WGA Negotiating CommitteeContract 2007 Negotiations Statement 2007-10-31 Writers Guild of America http://www.wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2526 20 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100613103217/http://wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2526 13 June 2010 Every three years, the WGA negotiates a new basic contract with the AMPTP by which its members are employed. This contract is called the Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA).2004 2004 Writers Guild of America–Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement http://wga.org/uploadedFiles/writers_resources/contracts/MBA04.pdf dead Writers Guild of America https://web.archive.org/web/20071109215623/http://www.wga.org/uploadedFiles/writers_resources/contracts/MBA04.pdf 9 November 2007 2007-11-09 In 2007, negotiations over the MBA reached an impasse and the WGA membership voted to give its board authorization to call a strike, which it did on Friday, November 2, 2007; the strike began the following Monday, November 5, 2007. Among the many proposals from both sides regarding the new contract, there were several key issues of contention including DVD residuals, union jurisdiction over animation and reality program writers, and compensation for "new media" (content written for or distributed through emerging digital technology such as the Internet).Contract 2007 Proposals http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2485 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080102204219/http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2485 2008-01-02 WGA DVD residuals Background In 1985, the Writers Guild went on strike over the home video market, which was then small and primarily consisted of distribution via video tape. At that time, the entertainment companies argued home video was an "unproven" market, with an expensive delivery channel (manufacturing VHS and Betamax tapes, and to a smaller extent, LaserDisc). Movies were selling in the range of between $40–$100 per tape, and the Guild accepted a formula in which a writer would receive 0.3% of the first million of reported gross (and 0.36% after) of each tape sold as a residual. As manufacturing costs for video tapes dropped and the home video market widened, writers came to feel they had been shortchanged by this deal. DVDs debuted in 1996 and rapidly replaced the more-expensive VHS format, outselling VHS for the first time on the week of June 15, 2003. The previous VHS residual formula continued to apply to DVDs. Prior to the strike, the home video market had become the major source of revenue for the movie studios. In April 2004, The New York Times reported the companies made $4.8 billion in home video sales versus $1.78 billion at the box office between January and March.Waxman Sharon 2004-04-20 Studios Rush to Cash in on DVD Boom; Swelling Demand for Disks Alters Hollywood's Arithmetic The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/20/movies/studios-rush-cash-dvd-boom-swelling-demand-for-disks-alters-hollywood-s.html live 2007-11-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20071109062837/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B06E1D7113BF933A15757C0A9629C8B63 9 November 2007 Proposals WGA members argued that a writer's residuals are a necessary part of a writer's income that is typically relied upon during periods of unemployment common in the writing industry. The WGA requested a doubling of the residual rate for DVD sales, which would result in a residual of 0.6% (up from 0.3%) per DVD sold.WGA Contract 2007 Proposals http://www.wga.org/contract_07/proposalsfull2.pdf dead Writers Guild of America https://web.archive.org/web/20071109214209/http://www.wga.org/contract_07/proposalsfull2.pdf 9 November 2007 2007-11-09 The AMPTP maintained that studios' DVD income was necessary to offset rising production and marketing costs.Verrier Richard 2007-10-20 Writers Guild Votes Overwhelmingly to Authorize a Strike https://latimes.com/business/la-fi-ballot20oct20,1,4589784.story?coll=la-headlines-business dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071106103337/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ballot20oct20%2C1%2C4589784.story?coll=la-headlines-business November 6, 2007 2007-11-09 Los Angeles Times They further insisted that the current DVD formula (0.3%) be applied to residuals in other digital media—an area which was also contested by the Writers Guild. The WGA provisionally removed the increased DVD residual request from the table, in an effort to avert a strike and on the understanding of certain concessions by the AMPTP, the night before the strike began. However, after the strike began, WGAW President Patric Verrone wrote that the membership exhibited "significant disappointment and even anger" when they learned of the proposed removal of the request; and Verrone also wrote that, since the removal of the increased DVD residual request was contingent on concessions by the AMPTP which did not happen, the writers would and should continue to "fight to get our fair share of the residuals of the future."Finke Nikki 2007-11-05 On the Line, Part II: Strike News Day One Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/on-the-line-part-ii-more-strike-news/ live 2008-01-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20080101194632/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/on-the-line-part-ii-more-strike-news/ 1 January 2008 Conclusion There was no change to the calculation of DVD residuals.The 2008 Writer's Strike Explained http://hlrecord.org/2008/02/the-2008-writers-strike-explained/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20170407145630/http://hlrecord.org/2008/02/the-2008-writers-strike-explained/ 2017-04-07 2017-04-06 hlrecord.org en-US New media right|thumb|WGA West president and Futurama writer Patric Verrone speaks at a strike rally in Los Angeles. Driven by the then-recent contract between Viacom and the creators of South Park,2007-08-28 Digital 'South Park' The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/28/opinion/28tue3.html?_r=0 2017-02-04 2017-03-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20170326225712/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/28/opinion/28tue3.html?_r=0 live one of the critical issues for the negotiations was residuals for "new media", or compensation for delivery channels such as Internet downloads, IPTV, streaming, smartphone programming, straight-to-Internet content, and other "on-demand" online distribution methods, along with video on demand on cable and satellite television.Leopold Tony 2007-11-08 Changing Media Landscape Takes Center Stage in Strike CNN http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/08/strike.impact/index.html 2007-11-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20071109113303/http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/08/strike.impact/index.html November 9, 2007 Background Prior to the strike, the WGA had no arrangement with producers regarding the use of content online, and two models of internet distribution were negotiated. The first is "electronic sell-through" (also known as "internet sales" or "digital sell-through"). In electronic sell-through, the consumer purchases a copy of the program and downloads it to a local storage device for subsequent viewing at their convenience. Examples include movies and television shows purchased through the iTunes Store and Amazon Video on Demand. In the second model, "streaming video", the consumer watches a program in real time as it is transmitted to their computer but is usually not saved. In either case, the program may be viewed directly on a computer or on a traditional television via media distribution devices (e.g. TiVo). The convenience of both these technologies lowers the barriers to entry into the digital distribution marketplace making it more accessible to mainstream consumers. It was widely expected by industry observers that new media would eventually supplant both DVD in the home video market and television in the broadcasting market as the primary means for distribution.2007-08-27 Internet Media Replacing Traditional Media Podcasting News http://www.podcastingnews.com/2007/08/22/internet-media-replacing-traditional-media/ dead 2008-01-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20100110212027/http://www.podcastingnews.com/2007/08/22/internet-media-replacing-traditional-media/ 2010-01-102007-04-16 Most Americans Would Replace Cable and Satellite TV with Broadband TV, If TV Content Was the Same http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-16-2007/0004566099&EDATE= live https://web.archive.org/web/20080119032122/http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F04-16-2007%2F0004566099&EDATE= 19 January 2008 2008-01-14 P R News WirePrediction on personal ent./media environment http://www.elon.edu/e-web/predictions/expertsurveys/2004_entertainment.xhtml live https://web.archive.org/web/20080119201623/http://www.elon.edu/e-web/predictions/expertsurveys/2004_entertainment.xhtml 19 January 2008 2008-01-14 Elon University - Pew Internet Project2006-11-27 Online video 'eroding TV viewing' BBC News https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6168950.stm live 2008-01-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20071214102100/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6168950.stm 14 December 2007 2005-10-17 The Death of Television Slate magazine http://www.slate.com/id/2128201/ live 2008-01-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20080201153309/http://www.slate.com/id/2128201/ 1 February 2008 Say good-bye to Hollywood... http://brianedmondson.com/blog/say-good-bye-to-hollywood dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080117022557/http://brianedmondson.com/blog/say-good-bye-to-hollywood 17 January 2008 2008-01-14 BrianEdmondson.com As in the mid-1980s, the companies argued that new media represents an unproven and untested market and asked for additional time for study. However, feeling resentment from the 20-year-old home video deal and unwilling to make similar concessions in a so-called "new market" yet again, WGA members remained adamant that whatever deal they made for new media, it could not resemble the DVD formula. New media was widely seen by most WGA writers as the central issue for the strike. Writer-director Craig Mazin (Scary Movie 3) has dubbed new media "the One Issue" that matters.Mazin Craig Elliot Ted Patience... Paaaaaatience... http://artfulwriter.com/?p=315 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080119101325/http://artfulwriter.com/?p=315 19 January 2008 2008-01-14 Artfulwriter This sentiment was further articulated by a self-described "skeptic", writer Howard Gould, at a meeting of the full WGA membership the night before the strike date was announced. He said, to a standing ovation: Soon, when computers and your TV are connected, that's how we're all going to watch. Okay? Those residuals are going to go from what they are towards zero if we don't make a stand now. ... This is such a big issue that if they see us roll over on this without making a stand - three years from now, they're gonna be back for something else. ... I might have been the most moderate one up here when we started, but I sat there in the room the first day and they read us those thirty-two pages of rollbacks. And what they wanted us to hear was that "if you don't give us what [we] want on the important thing, we're gonna come after you for all those other things." But what I heard was, if we give them that thing, they'll still come after us for those other things. And in three years, it'll be "we want to revamp the whole residual system," and in another three years, it'll be "y'know what, we don't really want to fund the health fund the way we've been." And then it will be pension. And then it'll be credit determination. And there just is that time when everybody has to see—this is one where we just gotta stand our ground.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beMNePzqpzQ Hear Howard Gould Talk About What the Strike Is About November 6, 2007 Gould Howard YouTube 20 July 2010 https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/beMNePzqpzQ 2021-12-21 live Conclusion The WGA established the groundwork for Guild-covered writing in streaming, years before the technology changed the business. Once Netflix and Amazon began producing shows, they were obligated to hire Guild writers, because of the rules created in 2008. On back end, the WGA took the DGA's deal: For downloads, writers were granted 1.2% of distributor's gross receipts for rentals and 0.65%-0.7% of gross receipts. For ad supported streaming writers were granted 2% of gross receipts beyond the initial 17 days. Jurisdiction in reality and animation The WGA's membership of approximately 12,000 writers (more than 7,000 in WGAW and more than 4,000 in WGAE) primarily work on live-action, script-driven movies and television programs.November 5, 2007 FACTBOX-Screenwriters Strike by the Numbers http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21604567/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071107170135/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21604567/ November 7, 2007 MSNBC Reuters Exactly if and how the WGA's Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) should apply to other TV and film categories such as reality television and animation had been inconsistent over the years and were an area of much dispute. The WGA had been pushing for jurisdiction of reality and animation, but dropped these issues as the WGA and AMPTP entered into informal negotiations.2008-01-22 United Hollywood: Letter from the Presidents - State of Negotiations https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/01/letter-from-presidents-state-of.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20080201001133/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/01/letter-from-presidents-state-of.html 2008-02-01 2009-03-20 Unitedhollywood.blogspot.comDiOrio Carl 2008-01-23 Wga Drops Reality Demands https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/wga-drops-reality-demands-94727/ subscription 8 May 2023 Adweek Background right 25% The negotiations between the AMPTP and the WGA are at an impasse because the WGA has continued to press a series of unreasonable demands that have nothing to do with new media and the real concerns of most working writers. — AMPTP statement: The State of the Strike: Day 47The State of the Strike: Day 47, An Open Letter to the Entertainment Industry from the AMPTP 2007-12-21 AMPTP http://www.amptp.org/proposals.html 2008-01-07 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071216040323/http://www.amptp.org/proposals.html 16 December 2007 Programs such as Real People and That's Incredible!, which were arguably "reality" shows of the 1980s, were covered by the MBA, whereas more recently produced reality shows such as Survivor and America's Next Top Model are not.From the E-Mailbag... http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2007_10_14.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221080840/http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2007_10_14.html#014180 21 December 2007 2008-01-14 NewsFromMe.com Many producers of reality programming argue that since these shows are mostly, if not entirely, unscripted, there is no writer. The WGA counters that the process of creating interesting scenarios, culling raw material, and shaping it into a narrative with conflict, character arc, and storyline constitutes writing and should fall under its contract. In the summer of 2006, the WGAW attempted to organize employees of America's Next Top Model.Hollywood ProtestWatch: Writers Vs. Top Models http://defamer.com/hollywood/top/hollywood-protestwatch-writers-vs-top-models-189137.php dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060813061943/http://defamer.com/hollywood/top/hollywood-protestwatch-writers-vs-top-models-189137.php 2006-08-13 2008-01-14 Defamer.com2006-08-10 Picket Line, Not Catwalk, at 'Top Model' https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-08-10-reality-tv-strike_x.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20080119041020/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-08-10-reality-tv-strike_x.htm 2008-01-19 2008-01-14 USA Today Associated Press Los Angeles The employees voted to join the WGA, but then they were fired and production continued without them. Animated films and TV programs have also been an area of heavy contention. The majority of animated film and television writing is not covered by the WGA's MBA. Most animated feature films have been written under the jurisdiction of another union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 839, also known as The Animation Guild. IATSE's jurisdiction stemmed from Walt Disney's tradition of creating an animated feature via storyboards written and drawn by storyboard artists. In the years up until the strike, most studios began hiring screenwriters to write script pages which are then storyboarded. According to the WGA, 100% of animated feature film screenplays in 2005 were written by at least one WGA member. Some animated features, such as Beowulf, were written under the WGA contract.news from me - ARCHIVES http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2007_12_19.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090415124650/http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2007_12_19.html 15 April 2009 2009-03-20 Newsfromme.com The only animated television programs affected by the strike were Fox's The Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill and American Dad!Open Letter to All IATSE Members and Locals Engaged in Motion Picture and Television Production Local 839, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees http://www.animationguild.org/WGAstrike.htm 2007-11-16 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090415010916/http://www.animationguild.org/WGAstrike.htm 2009-04-15 The WGA and the IATSE have an ongoing disagreement as to which union should represent animation writers.Finke Nikki 2007-11-14 Bitchslapping Between IATSE & WGA: Why Tom Short Is Pissed At Verrone et al. http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/bitchslapping-between-iatse-wga-why-tom-short-is-pissed-at-verrone-et-al/ 20 July 2010 Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly 2007-12-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20071230032935/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/bitchslapping-between-iatse-wga-why-tom-short-is-pissed-at-verrone-et-al/ live Proposals Regarding reality programming, the WGA requested contract language clarifying that reality programming does fall under its jurisdiction. They further proposed the adoption of a credit, "Story Producer" and "Supervising Story Producer" to be given to those writers performing story contributions to a reality show.2007-07-16 Proposals for the Writers Guild of America 2007 Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement http://www.wga.org/contract_07/Proposals.pdf dead Writers Guild of America https://web.archive.org/web/20070731221754/http://wga.org/contract_07/Proposals.pdf July 31, 2007 26 December 2014 As for animation, the WGA proposed clarifying its jurisdiction to cover all animation in TV and film that did not encroach on the jurisdiction of another union. Conclusion WGA president Patric Verrone announced that the reality and animation jurisdiction proposals were formally removed from the table.2008-02-12 The show will resume The Economist http://www.economist.com/business/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=10677757 20 July 2010 2008-02-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20080220174911/http://www.economist.com/business/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=10677757 live Negotiations and strike activity The final negotiations between the WGA and AMPTP before the WGA's contracts expired on October 31, 2007,Cieply Michael 2007-08-31 To Strike or Not? Hollywood's Next Drama The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/01/movies/01labo.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin 2007-11-06 2017-06-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20170626151141/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/01/movies/01labo.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin live began on October 25, but the talks broke down due to the issues surrounding new-media royalties. After the contracts expired, the WGAW held a meeting at the Los Angeles Convention Center, which was attended by 3,000 WGAW members, and the negotiating committee formally recommended a strike,Fernandez Maria Elena 2007-11-01 A Line in the Sand http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/11/their-entire-st.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20071215031739/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/11/their-entire-st.html 2007-12-15 2007-11-06 Los Angeles Times after which the WGAE and the WGAW officially announced that the strike would begin at 12:01 AM on November 5.McNary Dave Littleton Cynthia 2007-11-02 Writers Call for Strike: Union Producers to Resume Talks Sunday Variety https://variety.com/2007/biz/news/writers-call-for-strike-1117975256/ live 2007-11-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20071104063514/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975256.html?categoryid=10&cs=1 4 November 2007 http://www.wga.org/videos/strike_announcement.html Presidents' [sic] announce WGA strike embedded video Writers Guild of America 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20080102204326/http://www.wga.org/videos/strike_announcement.html January 2, 2008 dead In a last-ditch conciliation to try to avoid the strike, the WGA temporarily withdrew its DVD proposal on November 4, but the companies still insisted on a lack of residual for new media,2007-11-04 Contract 2007 Negotiations Statement Writers of Guild of America, West http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2540 dead 2007-11-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20071105193548/http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2540 5 November 2007 and the talks subsequently broke down, with both sides accusing the other of walking out.Finke Nikki Deals, Lies & Backchannelling: Why This Is a Bigger Mess Now Than Ever Before http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/deals-lies-backchannelling-why-this-is-a-bigger-mess-now-than-ever-before/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20071109055355/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/deals-lies-backchannelling-why-this-is-a-bigger-mess-now-than-ever-before/ 9 November 2007 2007-11-04 Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly Thus, on November 5, nearly 3,000 WGAW members, plus additional SAG and Teamsters members, picketed or refused to cross the picket lines at 14 targeted studios in Los Angeles, and many more Writers Guild of America, East picketers marched in locations in New York including Rockefeller Center. The picket lines continued, along with various rallies, throughout the strike period in both cities. Following four days of targeted picketing, a large rally was held outside the Twentieth Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles on Friday, November 9, drawing an estimated 4,000 WGAW members and supporters, including a sizeable number of SAG members.McNary Dave 2007-11-09 Writers stage big rally Variety https://variety.com/2007/biz/news/writers-stage-big-rally-1117975682/ live 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20090415200339/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975682.html?categoryid=2821&cs=1 2009-04-15 Speakers included WGA West president Patric Verrone, Family Guy and American Dad! creator Seth MacFarlane, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, and producer Norman Lear. The rally was opened with a two-song performance by Zack de la Rocha and Tom Morello (as The Nightwatchman) of Rage Against the Machine.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQAzNsPLlDk United Hollywood provides rally footage YouTube 2008-01-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20071215101753/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQAzNsPLlDk 15 December 2007 live On November 16, 2007, both the WGA and the AMPTP made the following announcement: "Leaders from the WGA and the AMPTP have mutually agreed to resume formal negotiations on November 26. No other details or press statements will be issued."Finke Nikki 2007-11-20 Secret Agent Men http://www.laweekly.com/news/deadline-hollywood/secret-agent-men/17755/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080316064017/http://www.laweekly.com/news/deadline-hollywood/secret-agent-men/17755/ 16 March 2008 2008-03-30 LA Weekly The AMPTP then submitted a new proposal to the WGA on November 29, 2007, reportedly worth an additional $130 million in compensation. The WGA responded that it did not understand how the $130 million figure had been calculated, but was pleased the AMPTP was proposing figures in that range. Both sides agreed to a four-day recess at the WGA's request. Talks were resumed on December 4. Following a renewed push on jurisdiction in reality programming by the WGA, including a rally outside North American headquarters of non-signatory reality producer FremantleMedia, talks again broke off on December 7 when the AMPTP walked away from the table, issuing a press release that they would return only upon the WGA dropping several key proposals, among them the reality proposal.December 8, 2007 Judge AMPTP's Ultimatum For Yourselves http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/judge-amptps-ultimatum-for-yourself/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20080129004636/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/judge-amptps-ultimatum-for-yourself/ 29 January 2008 2008-01-14 Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly This move had been predicted by reporter Nikki Finke and others, many of whom suspected the AMPTP was intentionally delaying negotiations so that it could terminate unwanted production contracts via force majeure.December 7, 2007 Nikki Finke is Clairvoyant - or Maybe the Playbook is Just Too Obvious https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/12/nikki-finke-is-clairvoyant-or-maybe.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20080102215142/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/12/nikki-finke-is-clairvoyant-or-maybe.html 2 January 2008 2008-01-14 United Hollywood According to Wall Street, the impact of accepting all of WGA's proposals was "largely negligible" and "financially small", suggesting that the studios were afraid that reaching a favorable settlement with the writers might "embolden directors and actors in their coming renegotiations."Goetzl David 2007-12-24 Report Puts Another Digit on TV Writers Strike, but Main Issue Is Digital http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=73247 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090415103602/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=73247 2009-04-15 2007-12-28 MediaDailyNews MediaPost Publications In mid-December, the WGA announced plans to try to negotiate with individual production companies to end the impasse.2007-12-16 U.S. screenwriters guild to negotiate with individual companies CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/u-s-screenwriters-guild-to-negotiate-with-individual-companies-1.633547?ref=rss live 2007-12-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20071224121857/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2007/12/16/writers-union-companies.html?ref=rss 24 December 2007 The AMPTP and WGA agreed to resume informal talks in an effort to organize formal negotiations on January 19, 2008.January 22, 2008 WGA, producers set to begin informal talks http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2008/01/22/wga_producers_set_to_begin_informal_talks/9879/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080204220005/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2008/01/22/wga_producers_set_to_begin_informal_talks/9879/ February 4, 2008 2009-03-20 UPI.com This was accepted and both parties decided to go back to the negotiating table as of that date, however the president of the WGA had ordered a media black-out, with no WGA employees reporting any news to the media. WGA President Patric Verrone did, however, report on January 22 that the animation and reality jurisdiction proposals had been dropped. On January 25, it was announced that the WGA had made an interim agreement with Lionsgate and Marvel Studios. However, the AMPTP has commented on these types of agreements as "meaningless", although talks between them and WGA continued and many critics believed the strike could be over within two weeks.TV Guide Staff 2008-01-27 From the Picket Lines: Strike Over By Oscars? http://community.tvguide.com/blog/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Wga-Strike-Watch/800059822 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080124024106/http://community.tvguide.com/blog/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Wga-Strike-Watch/800059822 24 January 2008 2008-01-27 TV Guide On February 2, 2008, despite a media blackout agreed to by both parties during unofficial negotiations, multiple media reports suggested there had been significant progress involving breakthroughs on key issues in the talks. Further reporting suggested that by the end of the business week starting February 4, 2008, a contract proposal might be announced.Breakthrough in Striking Writers Talks https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080202/ap_en_tv/hollywood_labor_2 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080207125120/https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080202/ap_en_tv/hollywood_labor_2 2008-02-07 2008-02-02 Yahoo!http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/is-wga-mogul-deal-about-to-clinch/ Is WGA-Mogul Deal About Done? https://archive.today/20130121180334/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/is-wga-mogul-deal-about-to-clinch/ 2013-01-21 Deadline Hollywood Daily 2008-02-02https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/business/media/02cnd-writers.html Progress Toward Ending Writers' Strike https://web.archive.org/web/20170626142619/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/business/media/02cnd-writers.html 2017-06-26 The New York Times 2008-02-02 Pro-WGA blog UnitedHollywood.com confirmed that "creative solutions to the biggest differences between the AMPTP and the WGA have gotten the tentative and cautious approval of both sides", but cautions that the specific legal language has not yet been drafted.February 2008 United Hollywood: NY Times Reports Progress in Talks https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/02/ny-times-reports-progress-in-talks.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20080206084535/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/02/ny-times-reports-progress-in-talks.html 2008-02-06 2009-03-20 Unitedhollywood.blogspot.com The next day, rumors continued to mount; Deadlinehollywooddaily.com reported that Peter Chernin had told fellow Super Bowl XLII attendees that "the strike is over."http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/chernin-tells-super-bowl-pals-strike-is-over Strike Is Over https://web.archive.org/web/20080205075650/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/chernin-tells-super-bowl-pals-strike-is-over/ 2008-02-05 Deadline Hollywood Daily February 4, 2008 " right 25% This is not over. Nor is it close. Until the moment it is over, it can never be close. Because if we see the finish line we will flag and they are absolutely counting on us to do that. In the room, reason. On the streets, on the net, I say reason is for the 'moderates'. Remember what they've done. Remember what they're trying to take from us. FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT. — Joss WhedonFebruary 2008 United Hollywood: From Joss Whedon: Do Not Adjust Your Mindset https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/02/from-joss-whedon-do-not-adjust-your.html 2009-03-20 Unitedhollywood.blogspot.com 2010-03-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20100306063520/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/02/from-joss-whedon-do-not-adjust-your.html live On February 5, 2008, the WGA leadership scheduled a meeting for active members on Saturday, February 9, 2008, to discuss and gain feedback on a proposed contract.McNary Dave 2008-02-05 WGA schedules Saturday meeting Variety https://variety.com/2008/scene/markets-festivals/wga-schedules-saturday-meeting-1117980231/ live 2008-02-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20080209105204/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980231.html?categoryid=2821&cs=1 9 February 2008 TV executives had described the deadline as February 15 for new material to be produced for the 2007–2008 television season.Littleton Cynthia McNary Dave 2008-02-03 Strike: An End in Sight? https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/strike-an-end-in-sight-1117980100/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20080219194627/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980100.html?categoryid=2821&cs=1&nid=2565 2008-02-19 2008-02-05 Variety2008-02-06 Striking Writers to Debate Labor Deal on Saturday https://www.reuters.com/article/us-screenwriters-strike-debate-idUSN0460617520080206 2023-05-08 Reuters en On February 9, 2008, WGA President Patric Verrone emailed the membership announcing that the WGA leadership and AMPTP had reached a tentative deal. The tentative contract proposals were provided to the membership, and a meeting to discuss them as well as future process was scheduled the same day on both coasts. According to reports, the first deal discussion meeting for WGAE's members, ended on an optimistic note.Hayes Dade 2008-02-09 Writers Upbeat but Still No Vote https://variety.com/2008/biz/news/writers-upbeat-but-still-no-vote-1117980597/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20080213171701/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980597.html?categoryid=18&cs=1 2008-02-13 2008-02-09 Variety The WGA started a 48-hour vote for guild members on February 10, 2008, regarding a motion on ending the three-month-old strike.Writers Voting on Ending Strike, Yahoo!, February 12, 2008 January 2016 Voting ended for WGAE at 7PM EST, on February 12, 2008. The WGAW voted from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. PST, and at approximately 6:51 PST, WGA president Patric Verone announced that 92.5% of the membership voted to end the strike. On February 26, about 93.6% of WGA members approved a new three-year contract that would be effective until May 1, 2011, with pay hikes ranging from 3 to 3.5%.DiOrio Carl 2008-02-27 WGA Members Approve Contract http://hollywoodreporter.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=WGA+members+approve+contract&expire=&urlID=26790771&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hollywoodreporter.com%2Fhr%2Fcontent_display%2Fnews%2Fe3i9bc8e6a8d007f627adfe7196ef6275d2&partnerID=3690 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110708164224/http://hollywoodreporter.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=WGA+members+approve+contract&expire=&urlID=26790771&fb=Y&url=http:%2F%2Fwww.hollywoodreporter.com%2Fhr%2Fcontent_display%2Fnews%2Fe3i9bc8e6a8d007f627adfe7196ef6275d2&partnerID=3690 2011-07-08 2008-03-30 The Hollywood Reporter At the beginning of April 2008, about one and a half months after the end of the strike, the Writers Guild of America, East filed lawsuit against the ABC television network and Corday Productions over alleged violations of a strike-termination agreement. The legal basis for the suit was that ABC and Corday continued using strike-replacement writers for the soap operas All My Children and Days of Our Lives rather than allowing the original writers to return to work after the end of the strike.Weprin Alex 2008-04-01 Writers Guild of America East Files Arbitration Case Against ABC Broadcasting & Cable http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6546970.html?rssid=193 2008-04-05 Strategies and tactics AMPTP right 25% The WGA organizers are grasping for straws and have never had a coherent strategy for engaging in serious negotiations. The AMPTP may have different companies with different assets in different businesses, but they are all unified in one common goal – to reach an agreement with writers that positions everyone in our industry for success in a rapidly changing marketplace. — AMPTP spokesman Jesse HiestandResponse to a Statement from the WGA Negotiating Committee 2007-12-15 AMPTP http://www.amptp.org/statements/121507.html 2008-01-08 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080118144433/http://www.amptp.org/statements/121507.html 18 January 2008 Foreseeing the possibility of a strike, production companies accelerated production of films and television episodes in an effort to stockpile enough material to continue regular film releases and TV schedules during the strike period.McNary Dave 2006-12-19 Studios brace for life without scribes Variety https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/studios-brace-for-life-without-scribes-1117956115/ live 2007-11-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20071109171426/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117956115.html?categoryid=18&cs=1 9 November 2007 A list of 300 high-priority film projects reportedly circulated around talent agencies in accordance with this effort.Havens Edward 2007-09-13 List of Pre-Strike Films Getting Made http://moviewhores.tribe.net/thread/aed37fc0-2836-4a14-b1cf-963b1edaa8cc dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100707190019/http://moviewhores.tribe.net/thread/aed37fc0-2836-4a14-b1cf-963b1edaa8cc 7 July 2010 20 July 2010 Utah Street Networks blog Following the refusal of many showrunners (writer-producers) to cross the picket line in the first week of the strike, production companies sent breach-of-contract letters and suspended many of them without pay.Finke Nikki 2007-11-09 'Suspension Is Not Firing': Fox Stops Paying Showrunners & Hyphenates http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/fox-axes-all-its-showrunnershyphenates 20 July 2010 Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly 2007-11-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20071110225945/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/fox-axes-all-its-showrunnershyphenates/ live There was also speculation the companies were seeking out other sources of writing services, including in the UK.Dawtrey Adam 2007-11-08 Will producers turn to UK. writers? Variety https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/will-producers-turn-to-u-k-writers-1117975626/ 20 July 2010 The Writers' Guild of Great Britain attempted to thwart this effort, however, by discouraging British union members from participating.Elsworth Catherine 2007-11-14 US TV strike could give British a star role Daily Telegraph London https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/14/wstrike114.xml dead 2007-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20071115001529/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2007%2F11%2F14%2Fwstrike114.xml 15 November 2007 Paul Cornell, a writer for several successful television series in the UK, mentioned in a post on his blog on December 14, 2007, that he had declined an approach to cross the WGA picket line and write for an American series.Cornell Paul 2007-12-14 The Twelve Blogs of Christmas: One https://paulcornell.blogspot.com/2007/12/twelve-blogs-of-christmas-one.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080223194413/http://paulcornell.blogspot.com/2007/12/twelve-blogs-of-christmas-one.html 2008-02-23 2007-12-30 The AMPTP announced on December 6 that it had hired the public relations services of Chris Lehane and Mark Fabiani, self-dubbed the "Masters of Disaster", who had previously worked for Democratic politicians (including Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, and Gray Davis) and who, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, "earn up to $100,000 a month for pulling their clients out of public relations quicksand."Garofoli Joe 2004-10-24 How Chris Lehane, revered by some and reviled by others, gets the campaign consultant job done San Francisco Chronicle http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/24/CMGDV8VS6S1.DTL dead 2008-01-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20080209180703/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2004%2F10%2F24%2FCMGDV8VS6S1.DTL 9 February 20082004-01-16 Clark's Rivals Irked by Campaign Aide's Tactics San Francisco Chronicle https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/16/us/the-2004-campaign-strategy-clark-s-rivals-irked-by-campaign-aide-s-tactics.html?pagewanted=2 live 2008-01-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20071226154422/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DEED91E30F935A25752C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 26 December 2007 The AMPTP also hired former Arnold Schwarzenegger campaign manager Steve Schmidt of Mercury Public Affairs in Sacramento.2007-12-06 Studios Bring in PR Doctors https://latimes.com/business/la-fi-strike06dec06,1,5301480.story dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071225003859/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-strike06dec06%2C1%2C5301480.story December 25, 2007 2008-01-14 Los Angeles Times Fabiani & Lehane's strategy appeared to be to try to weaken the WGA membership's resolve and foment resentment and doubt regarding WGA leadership within its ranks and in the film industry at large, especially with below-the-line workers, by framing the strike as "havoc... wreaked... by the WGA's actions" (paraphrased) and by blaming the WGA for "start[ing] this strike".Finke Nikki 2007-12-17 AMPTP Statement Recycles Same Old Shit Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/amptp-statement-recycles-same-old-shit/ 20 July 2010 2007-12-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20071219013042/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/amptp-statement-recycles-same-old-shit/ live They also appeared to be attempting to recast language in terms more favorable to the AMPTP, such as referring to WGA negotiators as "organizers" and branding the AMPTP proposals as a "New Economic Partnership".Finke Nikki 2007-12-11 AMPTP's PR Firm Justifies Its Existence But Masters Of Disaster Make Own Mess Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/amptps-pr-firm-justifies-its-existence/ 20 July 2010 2007-12-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20071215002520/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/amptps-pr-firm-justifies-its-existence/ live In response to their work for the AMPTP, Fabiani & Lehane's union clients SEIU Local 99 and Change To Win terminated their contracts with the consultants.Labor Unions Support WGA, Fire Union Busting Consultant Chris Lehane http://firedoglake.com/2007/12/11/labor-unions-fire-union-busting-consultant-chris-lehane/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20080113065654/http://firedoglake.com/2007/12/11/labor-unions-fire-union-busting-consultant-chris-lehane/ 13 January 2008 2008-01-14 Fire Dog Lake.com WGA right 25% If they gave us everything we had on the table right now, if they gave us everything we wanted—everything—and they then made a deal with the DGA and matched it, which is what they'll do, and then they made a deal with the Screen Actors Guild and tripled it, which is typically what happens...if they did that—if they gave us everything—on a company-by-company basis they would be giving all of us less than each of their CEOs makes in a year. And in some cases, a lot less. — WGAW president Patric Verronehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub-ppnrQyxE WGAW President Patric Verrone says writers want fair play 2007-11-09 Youtube 20 July 2010 https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Ub-ppnrQyxE 2021-12-21 live It was initially expected that the strike, if it occurred, would be scheduled for the summer of 2008 to coincide with the expiration of the Screen Actors Guild's contracts. Instead, the strike started shortly after the WGA's contracts expired. This was apparently done to give the AMPTP less time to stockpile scripts and otherwise prepare for a strike in 2008."Frustrated TV and Film Writers on Verge of Strike https://web.archive.org/web/20181118101738/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15858206 2018-11-18 ", All Things Considered, NPR. During the pre-strike negotiations, the WGA created "contract captains" in order to keep the general membership informed on a person-to-person basis of the latest developments. Once the strike started, these members became "strike captains", tasked with communication duties as well as helping to coordinate pickets. The WGA assigned picketers to location shoots in an attempt to shut down production, and set up picket lines in front of studio gates to encourage Teamsters, particularly truck drivers, not to cross the line.Finke Nikki 2007-11-08 Writers Strike News, Day 4 Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/on-the-line-writers-strike-news-day-4/ 20 July 2010 2007-11-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20071111091557/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/on-the-line-writers-strike-news-day-4/ live For its second week of picketing, the WGA reduced their studio strike list from fourteen to ten, shifted picketing hours to earlier in the day, and scheduled a series of daily strike themes ranging from "Bring-A-Star-To-Picket-With-You" (also called "Cast Day") to "Bring-Your-Kids" special events.Scheduled 'Bring-a-Star-to-Picket-with-You Event November 11, 2007 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/tourists-are-gonna-go-nuts-for-this/ 2007-11-11 2007-11-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20071111214604/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/tourists-are-gonna-go-nuts-for-this/ live "November 11, 2007 UnitedHollywood Discusses Week 2 Strike Strategies https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/week-two-picket-changes.html 2010-07-11 UnitedHollywood.Blogspot.com 2011-07-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20110708072207/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/week-two-picket-changes.html live The WGA made a direct appeal to the public to explain the issues behind the strike, including use of online videos and blogs.United Hollywood Appeals directly to the public https://web.archive.org/web/20160630080350/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ55Ir2jCxk 2016-06-30 . YouTube. WGA strike captains also encouraged fans to mail pencils to the film and TV moguls en masse.2007-11-16 Pencils for Moguls https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/pencils2mediamoguls.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20100807042512/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/pencils2mediamoguls.html 7 August 2010 2010-07-11 Unitedhollywood.blogspot.com2007-11-28 Pencils 2 Media Moguls Update https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/pencils2mediamoguls-update.html 2010-07-11 Unitedhollywood.blogspot.com 2011-07-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20110708072314/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/pencils2mediamoguls-update.html live They also considered unorthodox methods, including performing a mock exorcism against Warner Bros. and holding the last rites for the former MBA.WGA Strike: Horror Writers Performing Exorcism! - ShockTillYouDrop.com http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=3745 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090415013035/http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=3745 April 15, 2009 2009-03-20 ShockTillYouDrop.com dmy-all Additionally, the WGA appealed to members of crew and industry craft unions, including the Teamsters, and IATSE, some of whom may not have been aware that their union also received residuals to pay for health and pension programs, and that they were expected to directly benefit from residual gains made by the WGA.December 6, 2007 Informational Video to Non-WGA Industry Unions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNK54SVcaKk live https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/BNK54SVcaKk 2021-12-21 2010-07-11 YouTube In late December, the WGA announced a new "divide and conquer" strategy designed to break the solidarity of the AMPTP by negotiating strategic interim deals with individual networks, studios, and production companies who were willing to agree to the WGA's proposals. This was intended to put pressure on the other member companies, especially those who were competing with companies that were then able to return to production. The approach resulted in deals with David Letterman's television production company Worldwide Pants,Finke Nikki 2007-12-28 WGA Agrees to Allow Dave's Late Night Shows to Return with Writers Jan. 2; Will This Divide The Guild? Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/letterman-story-upcoming/ 20 July 2010 2012-07-28 https://archive.today/20120728230112/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/letterman-story-upcoming/ live 2007-12-29 Letterman to return with writers BBC https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7164033.stm live 2007-12-29 https://archive.today/20080101113052/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7164033.stm 1 January 2008 another with feature studio United Artists,"WGA signs deal with United Artists ", Variety. and a third one with film studio The Weinstein Company.diOrio Carl Goldstein Gregg 2008-01-11 WGA's latest: Deal with Weinstein Co. The Hollywood Reporter https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/wgas-latest-deal-weinstein-102298 2008-02-05 2014-02-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20140227183657/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wgas-latest-deal-weinstein-102298 live The new strategy contained some risk for the WGA, however, as there was a risk that some members may resent a few writers working while others were still on strike. On January 14, 2008, two additional side deals were announced by the WGA – one with Media Rights Capital, a production company working on both features and television, and the other with Spyglass Entertainment.Goldstein Gregg 2008-01-15 Spyglass, MRC Ink Their Own Deals with WGA https://hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i1f048e311710f2fb6346c434e23a2b16 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090108014407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i1f048e311710f2fb6346c434e23a2b16 January 8, 2009 2010-07-11 The Hollywood ReporterLatest 1-14-08 http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2717 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090416012032/http://www.wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2717 2009-04-16 WGA On January 25, 2008, another side deal was reached; the WGA and Marvel Studios signed an interim comprehensive agreement."Marvel Studios and WGA Sign Interim Agreement! https://web.archive.org/web/20080128101715/http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6715 2008-01-28 " On February 3, 2008, the WGA made a deal with four more filmmakers in New York City.Writers Guild, 4 NY Filmmakers Settle https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080203/ap_on_bi_ge/writers_guild_agreement_3 2008-02-03 Yahoo! Effect on television Effect of the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike on television Production employees Because production ceased for all scripted television programming, hundreds of thousands of support staff were laid off by the studios. The AMPTP estimated that WGA writers and crewmembers in the IATSE union lost $342.8 million in wages.Littleton Cynthia 2007-12-19 WGA strike taking toll on L.A.: Labor issue could cost up to $2.5 billion Variety https://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/wga-strike-taking-toll-on-l-a-1117977983/ live 2008-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20080124165024/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117977983.html?categoryid=1066&cs=1 24 January 2008 Dale Alexander, the key grip for The Office, wrote to the LA Times, expressing thoughts on the strike from the perspective of a production employee.November 9, 2007 A grip's view of the strike Los Angeles Times http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/11/i-was-until-rec.html 2010-07-11 2009-10-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20091010185151/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/11/i-was-until-rec.html live Shows All scripted Hollywood shows except October Road were expected to shut down by the week of December 19, 2007.WGA Strike Shuts Down Most Scripted Shows https://web.archive.org/web/20080222003626/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2007/12/14/wga_strike_shuts_down_most_scripted_shows/8516 February 22, 2008 , United Press International, December 14, 2007 Hollywood journalist Nikki Finke reported, "CEOs are determined to write off not just the rest of this TV season (including the Back 9 of scripted series), but also pilot season and the 2008/2009 schedule as well. Indeed, network orders for reality TV shows are pouring into the agencies right now."Finke Nikki 2007-12-24 Attempt Fails To Restart WGA-AMPTP Talks; Outlook Very Grim Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/exclusive-attempt-fails-to-restart-wga-amptp-talks-outlook-very-grim/ 20 July 2010 2007-12-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20071229045610/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/exclusive-attempt-fails-to-restart-wga-amptp-talks-outlook-very-grim/ live Within the first week of the strike, AMPTP-member companies fired writers' assistants, production assistants, and other lower-level staffers working on shut-down programs. Writer-producer Seth MacFarlane called this a "desperate, punitive act" and called on "all show-runners whose assistants are terminated, if you have the means, keep paying your assistants because this strike is about the little guys."Seth MacFarlane calls on show runners to continue paying assistants https://web.archive.org/web/20080102204328/http://www.wga.org/videos/rally_macfarlane.html January 2, 2008 Of the "Big Four" networks—CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox—NBC had the most severe ad shortfall as its prime time ratings declined sharply; none of its new shows achieved breakout success.Kang Stephanie Dana Rebecca 2007-12-12 NBC Gives Money Back to Advertisers The Wall Street Journal preview https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119742320500222409 live 2007-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20071214090438/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119742320500222409.html 14 December 2007 Moreover, during 2007, NBC saw its prime time 18-to-49-year-old viewership drop by 11%. CBS dropped the same demographic by 10%, and ABC lost 5%.Hanson Joyce 2007-12-22 Old media hits the skids as new models roil market Crain's New York Business http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071223/FREE/465255421/1010/rss26&rssfeed=rss26 2008-01-23 2008-01-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20080122105241/http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071223/FREE/465255421/1010/rss26&rssfeed=rss26 live Fox executive Peter Chernin suggested the strike is "probably a positive" for the network, as he expected its non-WGA reality hit American Idol to do especially well given reduced competition.Fox Exec Says Strike Is "Probably a Positive" Thing http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Wga-Strike-Watch/Fox-Exec-Says/800027376 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071119172336/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Wga-Strike-Watch/Fox-Exec-Says/800027376 November 19, 2007 TV Guide Editors' Blogs Although both are WGA members who pledged support for the writers, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien announced that following the collapse of negotiations, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O'Brien would return to air on January 2, 2008, without writers, citing their non-writing staff facing layoffs as the main reason.Finke Nikki 2007-12-17 WGA Reminds Returning Jay And Conan: No Monologues Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wga-reminds-returning-jay-conan-dont-write-monologues/ live 2007-12-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20071219201014/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wga-reminds-returning-jay-conan-dont-write-monologues/ 19 December 2007 Finke Nikki 2007-11-27 WGA Scolds Carson Daly For Returning 'To Support Staff' And Seeking Scab Jokes Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/accusation-carson-daly-seeks-scabs/ live 2007-12-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20071229225202/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/accusation-carson-daly-seeks-scabs/ 29 December 2007 Unlike Leno and O'Brien, whose talk shows were produced and owned by NBC, David Letterman owned his own independent production company, Worldwide Pants, which on December 28 announced an "interim agreement" with the WGA. This agreement allowed his talk show and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson to return to air with writers during the strike under terms contained in the WGA's previously rejected proposals to the AMPTP. The guild stated it had no plans to target Leno and O'Brien with protestsFinke Nikki 2007-12-13 Carson Daly's Taping Disrupted by Writers Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/carson-dalys-taping-disrupted-by-writers/ live 2007-12-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20071215205318/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/carson-dalys-taping-disrupted-by-writers/#comment-15925 15 December 2007 such as were aimed at non-WGA member Carson Daly, who was accused of setting up a joke hotline as a strike-breaking effortCarson Daly Seeking Scabs http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/1127073carson1.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20071221063940/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/1127073carson1.html 21 December 2007 2007-12-19 The Smoking Gun when he returned to air.Gorman Steve 2007-12-17 TV hosts Leno, O'Brien to return despite strike Entertainment Yahoo! News https://www.reuters.com/article/us-screenwriters-strike-idUSN1464427120071217 2007-12-19 2016-01-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20160121212221/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-screenwriters-strike-idUSN1464427120071217 live After being back on air, however, Leno was charged by WGA of strike violation after he penned and delivered monologues, but it is unclear as to what action the guild would take.Finke Nikki 2007-01-04 Part III: So What's the Real Story? LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/part-iii-so-whats-the-real-story-kimmel-joined-leno-complaining-to-wga-jay-was-threatening-to-go-fi-core-verrone-to-enforce-strike-rules-against-jay/ live 2008-01-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20080107042213/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/part-iii-so-whats-the-real-story-kimmel-joined-leno-complaining-to-wga-jay-was-threatening-to-go-fi-core-verrone-to-enforce-strike-rules-against-jay/ 7 January 2008 Bauder David 2008-01-04 Union, NBC spar over Leno monologues USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-01-03-leno-strike_N.htm 2008-01-11 2008-01-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080117032932/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-01-03-leno-strike_N.htm live Andreeva Nellie 2008-01-04 WGA maintains hard line on Leno The Hollywood Reporter https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0235886/ 2008-01-11 2016-01-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20160121212221/http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0235886/ live Later, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert announced that their respective shows, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, would also return without writers on January 7, 2008.2007-12-21 Stewart, Colbert Returning to the Air Associated Press http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE0uIqtrdPXiNMr1qniAIsCAa0fwD8TLG11G1 dead 2007-12-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20071224154844/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE0uIqtrdPXiNMr1qniAIsCAa0fwD8TLG11G1 24 December 2007 The WGA accused Comedy Central and NBC of forcing hosts back on air by threatening the jobs of the staff and crew of their shows, and said it would picket them.2007-12-21 Daily Show to return in January BBC https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7155335.stm live 2007-12-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20071224095253/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7155335.stm 24 December 2007 2 January 2008 Late-night talkers return with pickets The Hollywood Reporter https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0235804/ 7 June 2013 2017-04-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20170407233635/http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0235804/ live To show respect to the writers, The Daily Show was renamed, for the duration of the strike, A Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Similarly, The Colbert Report was rebranded as The Colbert Report (with hard T's) for its first new episode since the strike began. In support of the strike, Screen Actors Guild urged its members to appear on programs that had independent agreements with the WGA, such as the Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.Finke Nikki 2008-01-04 Part IV: So What's the Real Story? LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/part-iv-so-whats-the-real-story-nbc-rejects-wgas-investigation-of-leno/ live 2008-01-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20080108054940/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/part-iv-so-whats-the-real-story-nbc-rejects-wgas-investigation-of-leno/#comments 8 January 2008 Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor of The Nation rejected an invitation to appear on The Colbert Report, in solidarity with the writers.Gillette Felix January 3, 2008 Nation Editor Rejects Invitation to Appear on The Colbert Report, Citing 'Solidarity' with Writers The New York Observer https://observer.com/2008/editor-nation-rejects-invitation-appear-colbert-report-cites-solidarity-writers live April 17, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20080104215419/https://observer.com/2008/editor-nation-rejects-invitation-appear-colbert-report-cites-solidarity-writers January 4, 2008 After returning to air, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report experienced an increase in ratings. At the end of January 2008, The Daily Show was up 17% for viewers between 18 and 34 from January 2007 and up 9% for 18- to 49-year-olds in the same period. The Colbert Report was up 21% for 18- to 34-year-olds and 15% for 18- to 49-year-olds over the same time period. By contrast, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson experienced a fall in ratings against the previous year, while the Late Show with David Letterman remained level. +Late night ratings averages for the week of January 21–25, 2008 Show Viewers 18-49 Jay Leno 5.0 M 1.5 M David Letterman 3.7 M 1.1 M Nightline 3.0 M 0.9 M Conan O'Brien 2.0 M 0.8 M Craig Ferguson 1.7 M 0.6 M Jimmy Kimmel 1.4 M 0.5 M Carson Daly 1.1 M 0.4 M One reason given for the increase in The Daily Show and Colbert Report ratings was the 2008 presidential election, allowing them a large amount of political humor to use. However, one journalist commented that the raise of ratings in these two shows without the writers, "has to be a big PR setback for the WGA."Downey Kevin 2008-01-29 Hefty bounces for Stewart and Colbert http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Cable_20/Hefty_bounces_for_Stewart_and_Colbert.asp dead Media Life Magazine https://web.archive.org/web/20081010181737/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Cable_20/Hefty_bounces_for_Stewart_and_Colbert.asp 2008-10-10 2008-01-31 After the strike began, more unscripted shows were ordered by networks, most coming from the reality genre. One of those shows was the game show Duel, which was ordered by ABC as a result of the strike; the show initially aired as a six-episode long tournament in December 2007 before being renewed for 10 additional episodes as a weekly series. Entertainment award telecasts The writers' strike also created turmoil for various entertainment awards that were broadcast on television. Many awards were severely curtailed or canceled as a result. As a result of the Screen Actors Guild's solidarity with the WGA, they gave the SAG a waiver on December 11 granting permission for guild writers to create material for the 14th Screen Actors Guild Awards which was shown on TNT and TBS on January 27.The 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards http://www.tbs.com/stories/story/0,,98071,00.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070204121209/http://www.tbs.com/stories/story/0%2C%2C98071%2C00.html 2007-02-04 2007-12-23 The WGA also issued one nine days later allowing writers to write material for Film Independent's Spirit Awards on February 23.Finke Nikki 2007-12-20 WGA Allowing Writers On Indie Awards Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wga-allows-writers-on-indie-spirit-awards/ 20 July 2010 2007-12-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20071229020839/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wga-allows-writers-on-indie-spirit-awards/ live On December 18, the WGA announced it would not issue waivers for the Golden Globe Awards and Academy Awards (Oscars) ceremonies. In an act of solidarity, SAG also decided not to support the Golden Globes as well.Statement from Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg https://web.archive.org/web/20080507195600/http://www.sag.org/?q=statement-screen-actors-guild-president-alan-rosenberg May 7, 2008 2007-12-17 No WGA Waivers for Globes or Oscars (and Other News from Tonight's Meeting); AMPTP Nominates WGA for "Worst Union" http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/no-wga-waivers-for-golden-globes-oscars/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071218233731/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/no-wga-waivers-for-golden-globes-oscars/ 2007-12-18 20 July 2010 Labor experts stated that this move was "an attempt by the guild to bring the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers back to the bargaining table."2007-12-20 Striking Writers Will Do Spirit Awards Associated Press http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gF1489Z005Z-tuMMqNtA-3IeDAFgD8TLRFFO2 dead 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20071224110923/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gF1489Z005Z-tuMMqNtA-3IeDAFgD8TLRFFO2 24 December 2007 The People's Choice Awards, which was also denied a waiver, stated it would have to revamp the format of the ceremony by releasing a taped ceremony for January 8 telecast on CBS, instead of airing it live as usual. As a result of the changes which were made, the telecast was viewed by just 6 million viewers, the lowest ratings ever in the show's history at the time.Gorman Steve 2008-01-09 Pre-taped People's Choice Awards bombs on TV Reuters http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyid=2008-01-10T074611Z_01_N08521074_RTRUKOC_0_US-PEOPLESCHOICE.xml dead 2008-01-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20080113230514/http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyid=2008-01-10T074611Z_01_N08521074_RTRUKOC_0_US-PEOPLESCHOICE.xml 13 January 2008 This was down from 11.3 million viewers the previous year.2007-01-19 Week of January 8-14th/2007 Complete Ratings https://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.tv/browse_thread/thread/83d151d9e9e50d95/52d6b91640b00991?hl=en&lnk=gst&q=Week+of+January+2007#52d6b91640b00991 dead https://archive.today/20130226041615/http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.tv/browse_thread/thread/83d151d9e9e50d95/52d6b91640b00991?hl=en&lnk=gst&q=Week+of+January+2007 2013-02-26 2008-01-12Trechak Brad 2008-01-10 Did You Catch the People's Choice Awards? Neither Did Anyone Else http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/01/10/did-you-catch-the-peoples-choice-awards-neither-did-anyone-els live https://web.archive.org/web/20080117201449/http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/01/10/did-you-catch-the-peoples-choice-awards-neither-did-anyone-els 17 January 2008 2008-01-12 TV Squad The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which hosts the Golden Globes, tried to reach an agreement with the WGA for a waiver, but it fell through. Striking writers then threatened to picket the event, after which almost all of the celebrities due to attend announced they would skip the ceremony rather than cross the picket lines. Facing the prospect of being left without presenters or accepters, HFPA and NBC were forced to adopt another approach for the broadcast. After NBC canceled its exclusive newscast of HFPA announcing the winners, HFPA took complete control of the awards announcement and opened its press conference to all media. WGA assured HFPA that it would not picket the event, citing HFPA's honesty and its honorable and respectful treatment of the guild as reasons.Finke Nikki 2008-01-11 Confirmed! NBC Cancels Golden Globes Newscast Exclusivity Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/confirmed-nbc-cancels-globes-newscast/ live 2008-01-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20080112140114/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/confirmed-nbc-cancels-globes-newscast/ 12 January 2008 The NBC telecast plummeted in the ratings from 16.0 for the full ceremony in 2007 to 4.7 for the press conference in 2008, fourth (and last) among major networks that night.Miller Geri 2008-01-14 Bare Bones Golden Globes a Ratings Loser People http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20171600,00.html dead 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100729184554/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20171600%2C00.html 29 July 2010 The WGA issued two more waivers for awards telecast. One was issued towards the NAACP on January 15 for the NAACP Image Awards a month later,Malkin Marc January 14, 2008 Breaking! NAACP Image Awards Get Strike Waiver http://www.eonline.com/gossip/planetgossip/detail/index.jsp?uuid=a707dcbf-d100-4ee8-b65b-5ebed35be989 https://web.archive.org/web/20080118095917/http://www.eonline.com/gossip/planetgossip/detail/index.jsp?uuid=a707dcbf-d100-4ee8-b65b-5ebed35be989 January 18, 2008 E! Online - Planet Gossip and one on January 29 to the NARAS for the 50th Grammy Awards held on February 10."Writers Union Gives OK for Grammy Awards https://web.archive.org/web/20080205140635/http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=325727&z=7 February 5, 2008 ", Post-Bulletin, 2008-01-29. The strike ended twelve days before the Academy Awards were held on February 24. Many blamed the strike for the show's low television ratings, since the writers had less time to prepare. The strike also hindered promotion at ABC, the broadcaster in the United States.Brian Lowry, "The 80th Annual Academy Awards - From Your Couch https://web.archive.org/web/20090416061321/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117936299.html?categoryid=32&cs=1 2009-04-16 ", Variety, 2008-02-24. Television viewership A white paper released by Nielsen Media Research on April 2, 2008, showed that most television viewers spent more time around alternative forms of entertainment outside of broadcast television, including cable television and online video sites, during the course of the strike.Eggerton John 2008-04-02 Nielsen: Cable, Internet Benefited from WGA Strike Broadcasting & Cable http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6547313.html?rssid=193 2008-04-05 Compared with the same time period from 2006 to 2007, during the months of the strike (November 2007 through February 2008) the average primetime ratings for that time period declined by 6.8%.Moss Linda 2008-04-01 Writers Strike Took Toll On Broadcast Viewing: Nielsen Broadcasting & Cable http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6548063.html 2008-04-05 2008-04-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20080408020128/http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6548063.html live Response Actors 25% right They claim there's no money in the Internet. That's a shell game. — Actor Robin Williams2007-11-09 More celebs show solidarity at writers' picket lines USA Today Associated Press https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-11-08-celebs-strike_N.htm?csp=34 20 July 2010 2011-12-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20111224085359/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-11-08-celebs-strike_N.htm?csp=34 dead The Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) contracts with the AMPTP both contain a "no strike" clause, meaning that working members of the acting unions are not supposed to walk off their set in support of another union's strike. However, many actors, backed by their unions, expressed their support and solidarity with the writers' strike, with some marching with writers and even refusing to cross the WGA's picket line.2007-11-13 Picket with the Stars: Tuesday, 12-2 at Universal https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/picket-with-stars-tuesday-12-2-at.html 20 July 2010 United Hollywood 2008-01-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20080102222230/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/picket-with-stars-tuesday-12-2-at.html live Many actors participated in a series of short PSAs as part of the Speechless Without WritersUnited Hollywood SpeechlessHollywood https://www.youtube.com/user/speechlesshollywood#g/u 2010-08-26 YouTube 2009-11-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20091121105234/http://www.youtube.com/user/speechlesshollywood#g/u live campaign presented by United Hollywood,MyloSPECIES: Water21 Feb 2008 2008-02-21 United Hollywood https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20100807041916/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/ 7 August 2010 2010-07-11 Unitedhollywood.blogspot.com which was founded by a group of WGA members."Stars Join 'Speechless' Campaign for Writers Guild", 2007-11-22. List of actors picketing 14em Alan Tudyk Albert Brooks Alex Kapp Horner Ali Larter Alyson Hannigan Amy Acker Amy Brenneman Amy PoehlerGold Matea 2007-11-06 Actors in a bind over the picketline Show Tracker Los Angeles Times blog http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/11/new-yorkwhats-a.html 20 July 2010 2009-01-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20090117225501/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/11/new-yorkwhats-a.html live Angela Kinsey Anna Paquin Anthony Edwards April Matson Archie Kao Ashley Scott BD Wong B. J. Novak Beau Bridges2007-11-07 Celebrity Support For Striking Hollywood Writers The ShowBuzz CBS News http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/07/tv/main3464692.shtml dead 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20081011012405/http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/07/tv/main3464692.shtml 11 October 2008 Ben Stiller Benjamin McKenzieBen Pix Central http://community.livejournal.com/ben_pix_central dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101107073227/http://community.livejournal.com/ben_pix_central/ 2010-11-07 2010-07-11 Community.livejournal.com Bianca Kajlich Bill Paxton Bob Stephenson Brad Garrett Brenda Song2007-11-13 Writers Guild of America Picket at Universal Studios http://www.dailyceleb.com/production/?view=event&eid=5326&cap=james+belushi&PHPSESSID=c5 DailyCelebJune 2016 medicmedic Brenda StrongBrenda Strong Picture http://updates.absolutely.net/20071113/wga_strike_089_wenn5054124.html dead https://archive.today/20090415012534/http://updates.absolutely.net/20071113/wga_strike_089_wenn5054124.html 2009-04-15 2009-03-20 Updates.absolutely.net Brian McNamara Brigid Brannagh Bruce Thomas C. S. Lee Camden Toy Camryn Manheim Clark Gregg Colin Ferguson Constance Marie Creed BrattonFischer Jenna Jenna Fischer 2007-11-08 More about the Strike http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=27753303&blogID=326790564 20 July 2010 Pam/Jenna MySpace Blog blog 2012-11-29 https://archive.today/20121129114933/http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=27753303&blogID=326790564 live Currie GrahamA Socialite's Life - Celebrity Gossip Is Served A Socialite's Life http://socialitelife.buzznet.com/categories/writers_strike/ 2007-11-19 https://archive.today/20071116074803/http://socialitelife.buzznet.com/categories/writers_strike/ 2007-11-16 Dana Delany Dana Gouldhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg23x58zMYo Hollywood Rally for Hollywood Writers YouTube 22 May 2013 https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Dg23x58zMYo 2021-12-21 live Danny Glover Danny Pino David Berman David BoreanazCaroline van Oosten de Boer, Milo Vermeulen 2007-11-09 Comments on 14676 : Summer Glau on the Picket Line for WGA http://whedonesque.com/comments/14676 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090415111458/http://whedonesque.com/comments/14676 15 April 2009 2009-03-20 Whedonesque David Duchovnyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74_hzeG1BTo WGA Strike Log Day 8 - John Bowman negotiating committee YouTube 22 May 2013 2007-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20071209063639/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74_hzeG1BTo live David Hyde Pierce Debrah Farentino2007-11-24 Eureka Photographs from the Picket Lines http://www.visiteureka.net/news.html?nid=172 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110724123241/http://www.visiteureka.net/news.html?nid=172 24 July 2011 20 July 2010 VisitEureka.net Diane Farr Donal Logue Doug Savant Drew Fuller Dylan Bruno Ed Helms2007-11-05 Strike! sur Flickr : partage de photos ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/rickyv/1877257964/ 2009-03-20 Flickr 2007-11-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20071109120729/http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickyv/1877257964 live Edie Falco Edie McClurg Eliza DushkuDecember 4, 2007 Thespians To Grace Protestation http://whedonesque.com/comments/14886 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071206193758/http://whedonesque.com/comments/14886 6 December 2007 2007-12-02 Whedonesque Ellen Pompeo Enrique Murciano Ethan Embry Eva Longoria Felicia Day Fionnula Flanagan Frances Fisher Garry Marshallhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVvSG1c8tt0 Garry Marshall un-Happy Days 2007-11-08 YouTube 20 July 2010 https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/uVvSG1c8tt0 2021-12-21 live George Lopez Gilbert GottfriedMcNary Dave 2007-12-14 WGA likely to see final offer soon - Entertainment News, WGA Writers Strike, Media Daily Variety https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/wga-likely-to-see-final-offer-soon-1117977260/ live 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20090415191703/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117977260.html?categoryId=2821&cs=1 2009-04-15 Greg Grunberg Hamish Linklater Harry Groener Holly Hunter Hugh Laurie Ian Hart Isaiah Washington J. August RichardsDecember 8, 2007 J. August1 sur Flickr : partage de photos ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/21666475@N03/2095761433/ 2009-03-20 Flickr 2014-02-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140220085927/http://www.flickr.com/photos/21666475@N03/2095761433/ live Jack Black Jack Coleman Jack McBrayer Jaimie Alexander James Belushi James Denton James Remar Jamie Kaler January Jones Jason Alexander Jeanne Tripplehorn Jeremy Ratchford2007-11-13 COLD CASE Cast on the Picket Line https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/cold-case-cast-on-picket-line.html 20 July 2010 United Hollywood blog 2007-12-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20071227082522/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/cold-case-cast-on-picket-line.html live Jessica Biel Jim Parsons John Finn John Glover2007-11-14 WGA Strike log Day 9 - Picketing with the Stars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z100VG3Xiss live https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Z100VG3Xiss 2021-12-21 20 July 2010 WGA Strike Log YouTube video John Leguizamo John OliverDel Signore, John November 15, 2007 John Oliver, Writer http://gothamist.com/2007/11/15/john_oliver_wri.php dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080420091836/http://gothamist.com/2007/11/15/john_oliver_wri.php 20 April 2008 27 September 2014 Gothamist John Stamos Jon CryerStriking Writers "Picket with the Stars" 2007-11-13 Writers Guild of America http://www.wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2571 20 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100613101606/http://wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2571 13 June 2010 Jon Wellner Jordan Hinson2007-12-05 Eureka Actors Showing Support http://www.visiteureka.net/news.html?nid=177 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110724123248/http://www.visiteureka.net/news.html?nid=177 24 July 2011 20 July 2010 VisitEureka.net Josh Stewart Joshua Jackson Julia Louis-Dreyfushttps://latimes.com/la-fi-writersstrike-vid,0,6321329.blurb?coll=la-home-center Actress Sally Field Joins Striking Writers on the Picket Line 20 July 2010 Los Angeles Times 2011-08-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20110805055028/http://www.latimes.com/la-fi-writersstrike-vid,0,6321329.blurb?coll=la-home-center live Julianna Margulies Julianne Moore Juliet Landau Justin Chambers KaDee Strickland Kaley Cuoco Kat Foster Kate Walsh Katherine Heiglhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkE_GPi2p1E Patrick Dempsey: "They WANT the strike!" A tragedy... 2007-11-07 YouTube 20 July 2010 https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/tkE_GPi2p1E 2021-12-21 live Kathy Griffin Keith Carradine Keith Szarabajka Ken Jenkins Kevin Chapman Kim Delaney Kristen Bell2007-12-14 WGA Gets Some Help from Heroes http://popsugar.com/873727 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090415124855/http://www.popsugar.com/873727 April 15, 2009 PopSugarBell Kristen Heroes: Kristen Bell on the Strike http://tv.ign.com/articles/840/840914p1.html 2008-01-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20071215031544/http://tv.ign.com/articles/840/840914p1.html 15 December 2007 live IGN 2007-12-11 Eric Goldman Kristin DavisSklar Rachel 2007-11-27 Solidarity! Tina Fey, Tim Robbins, Kristin Davis, John Edwards, and the Creepy Guy from "Lost" Rally for Striking Writers Huffington Post https://huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/27/solidarity-tina-fey-tim_n_74394.html 20 July 2010 2008-01-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20080115155855/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/27/solidarity-tina-fey-tim_n_74394.html live Kunal Nayyar Laura Harris Lena Headey Linda Cardellini Lisa Arch Lisa Edelstein Lisa KudrowNovember 14, 2007 In Pictures: WGA Strike 2007 http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/i93363/lisa-kudrow-and-matthew-perry.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071217063208/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/i93363/lisa-kudrow-and-matthew-perry.html 17 December 2007 2007-12-02 Digital Spy Liz Vassey Lori Loughlin Madison Pettis Maiara Walsh Marc Vann Marcia Cross Marg Helgenberger Masi Oka Matthew Modine Matthew Perry Maura Tierney Megyn Price Mekhi PhiferFinke Nikki 2007-11-07 On The Line: Writers Strike News, Day 2 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/on-the-line-strike-news-day-2/ 20 July 2010 Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly blog 2008-06-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20080630185611/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/on-the-line-strike-news-day-2/ live Michael Emerson Michael Fairman Mindy Kalinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6hqP0c0_gw The Office is Closed 2007-11-06 YouTube 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100823030216/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6hqP0c0_gw 23 August 2010 live Minnie Driver Nancy Lee GrahnNLG Supports the Writer's Strike http://nancyfan.com/videovault/strike.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20071226215240/http://nancyfan.com/videovault/strike.htm 26 December 2007 2007-12-02 NancyFan.com/Entertainment Tonight Nathan FillionDecember 7, 2007 IMG_8566 sur Flickr : partage de photos ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/sjacob/2095222365/ 2009-03-20 Flickr 2014-02-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140220085922/http://www.flickr.com/photos/sjacob/2095222365/ live Neil Patrick Harris Nia Vardalos Nicholas BrendonDecember 7, 2007 Live coverage from the Mutant Enemy day picket line http://whedonesque.com/comments/14922 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071209210426/http://whedonesque.com/comments/14922 9 December 2007 2007-12-02 Whedonesque Nicollette Sheridan Oliver Hudson Olivia Wilde2007-11-06 Olivia Wilde, star of the Fox TV network series House M.D., walks a picket line along with members of the Writers Guild of America at one of the gates Reuters https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/writers-slow-hollywood-machine-idUKN0522255420071106 8 May 2023 Oscar Nunez Parminder Nagra Patricia HeatonNordyke Kimberly 2007-11-09 'Raymond' cast shows love for WGA https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/raymond-cast-shows-love-wga-154723/ The Hollywood Reportermedic Patrick Dempsey Patrick Warburton Patton Oswalt Paul Lieberstein Paula Newsome Pooch Hall Poppy Montgomery Rachel Dratch Rainn WilsonWilson Rainn 2007-11-09 Dwight Schrute, Diplomat? Scribe Vibe blog http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2007/11/dwight-schrute-.html dead 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110823014418/http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2007/11/dwight-schrute-.html 23 August 2011 Rashida JonesZeitchik Steven 2007-11-06 High-profile writers Rock picket line in N.Y. The Hollywood Reporter https://hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3iefdf9c6b642b692d87f46900cd3b4e77 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081203234215/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3iefdf9c6b642b692d87f46900cd3b4e77 December 3, 2008 Ray Romano2007-11-08 Robin Williams, Ray Romano Support Strikers MSNBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21697069/ dead 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20071110171341/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21697069/ 2007-11-10 Rex Lee2007-12-14 Entourage Season 5 Not Returning To TV? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fRx15TEUPU 2009-03-20 YouTubeFebruary 2022 Rich Sommer Richard BelzerStrike gains supporters in N.Y. https://hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3idd208ea23fe632a00d4163e3ee0769ff dead The Hollywood Reporter https://archive.today/20130125181735/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3idd208ea23fe632a00d4163e3ee0769ff 2013-01-25 2007-11-09 Rob Morrow Robin Williams Ron GlassDecember 7, 2007 med-ron01 sur Flickr : partage de photos ! https://www.flickr.com/photos/julesong/2096219530/ 2009-03-20 Flickr 2014-02-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140220085929/http://www.flickr.com/photos/julesong/2096219530/ live Ron HowardVerrier Richard James Meg November 17, 2007 Writers, studios to resume talks Los Angeles Times https://latimes.com/business/la-fi-wga17nov17,0,4947249.story dead 2007-12-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20071224200843/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-wga17nov17%2C0%2C4947249.story December 24, 2007 Ron Rifkin Rondell Sheridan Roseanne Barr Sally Field Sally Pressman Sam Harris2007-11-20 Sam Harris WGA Strike VLOG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElaQzhlvjYk 2010-07-11 Youtube.comFebruary 2022 Sam Trammell Sam Waterston Sandra Oh Sara Ramirez Sarah Chalke Sarah Silverman Scott Grimes Sendhil Ramamurthy Seth Meyers2007-11-06 Weekday update with Seth Meyers Show Tracker Los Angeles Times blog http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/11/new-york--so-ho.html 20 July 2010 2008-05-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20080518232548/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/11/new-york--so-ho.html live Simon Helberg Sterling K. Brown Summer Glau Susan Savage T. R. Knight Teri Hatcher Thom Barry Thomas Dekker Tia Mowry Tim Robbins Tina Fey Tom Arnold Tom Lenk Tracie Thoms Tricia O'Kelley Tuc Watkins Valente Rodriguez Valerie Harperhttp://defamer.com/hollywood/defamer-on-the-street/defamer-visits-the-paramount-picket-line-320221.php?autoplay=true Defamer visits the Paramount picket line Defamer 2007-11-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20080919032705/http://defamer.com/hollywood/defamer-on-the-street/defamer-visits-the-paramount-picket-line-320221.php?autoplay=true 2008-09-19 dead Vanessa Marcil Vincent Kartheiser Wallace Langham Wanda SykesDillon Nancy Gaskell, Stephanie Hutchinson, Bill 2007-11-07 TV writers slam Eva Longoria for working while they strike New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/11/07/2007-11-07_tv_writers_slam_eva_longoria_for_working.html dead 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20080115233932/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/11/07/2007-11-07_tv_writers_slam_eva_longoria_for_working.html 2008-01-152007-11-06 Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Wanda Sykes Walk The Picket Line https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/julia-louis-dreyfus-and-wanda-sykes_06.html 20 July 2010 United Hollywood blog 2007-11-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20071116213631/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/julia-louis-dreyfus-and-wanda-sykes_06.html live Wendy Davis William Petersen Zach BraffSCRUBS Cast and Writers Picket Together https://web.archive.org/web/20080102215004/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/scrubs-cast-and-writers-picket-together.html 2008-01-02 . Hollywood Blogspot. Zachary LeviWGA Strike 2007-08 http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/wga-strike/images/439743/title/wga-strike-photo December 26, 2014 Fanpop 2015-09-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20150908133057/http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/wga-strike/images/439743/title/wga-strike-photo live List of celebrities expressing support for picketers 20em Alec BaldwinBaldwin Alec 2007-11-07 It's the Studio's Fault The Huffington Post blog https://huffingtonpost.com/alec-baldwin/its-the-studios-fault_b_71650.html 20 July 2010 2017-08-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20170823055327/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alec-baldwin/its-the-studios-fault_b_71650.html live Alicia Keys Andreas StenschkeAndreas Stenschke on WGAAmerica YouTube site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PPZV3dTzbg live https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/-PPZV3dTzbg 2021-12-21 2010-07-11 Youtube.com January 9, 2008 Russnow Michael 2008-04-20 Huffington Post article 23/3/2008 Huffingtonpost.com https://huffingtonpost.com/michael-russnow/the-sag-negotiations-two-_b_92973.html 2010-07-11 2011-01-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20110102035548/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-russnow/the-sag-negotiations-two-_b_92973.html live Angelina JolieAdler Shawn Carroll Larry 2008-01-08 Golden Globes: Do They Still Matter? Snoop Dogg, Angelina Jolie, More Weigh In On Stripped-Down Show Movie news MTV Networks http://www.vh1.com/movies/news/articles/1579292/20080108/story.jhtml dead 2008-01-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20080111060203/http://www.vh1.com/movies/news/articles/1579292/20080108/story.jhtml 11 January 2008 Artie Lange Ben AffleckBen on Strike: 'Every Day is a Shame' http://www.extratv.com/2008/01/16/ben-on-strike-every-day-is-a-shame/ 2014-08-17 2014-10-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20141014074420/http://www.extratv.com/2008/01/16/ben-on-strike-every-day-is-a-shame/ live Conan O'BrienBawden Jim 2007-11-12 Hot Box: TV to talk about Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/275577 live 2007-11-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20071117030448/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/275577 17 November 2007 David LettermanMalvern Jack 2007-11-02 Letterman sides with Hollywood writers as strike looms World News Times Online London http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article2793398.ece 20 July 2010 2008-05-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20080515225024/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article2793398.ece dead Eva Longoria6 November 2007 'Desperate Housewives,' 'The Office' & More Affected By Writers Strike access hollywood http://www.accesshollywood.com/desperate-housewives-the-office-and-more-affected-by-writers-strike_article_7351 7 June 2013 Glenn Close Howard SternNovember 12, 2007 ETM - 11/12/07 (1 of 3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4qTL3RxNmo 2013-03-11 YouTubeFebruary 2022 Jay Lenohttp://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2007/11/05/sot.leno.ktla.cnn Leno Backs Striking Writers 2007-11-07 KTLA via CNN 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100719232023/http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2010/07/16/jk.castro.bp.oil.spill.fri.cnn 19 July 2010 live Jenna FischerFischer Jenna Jenna Fischer 2007-11-07 Understanding the Strike http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=27753303&blogID=326434607 20 July 2010 Pam/Jenna MySpace Blog MySpace blog 2008-09-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20080919065301/http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=27753303&blogID=326434607 live Joaquin PhoenixReese Witherspoon - Stars Support Alternative People's Choice Awards - Contactmusic News http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/stars-support-alternative-peoples-choice-awards_1055644 Contactmusic.com 2010-07-11 2011-06-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20110607023137/http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/stars-support-alternative-peoples-choice-awards_1055644 live Jon StewartNovember 2, 2007 Jon Stewart Savors His Last Pre-Strike Moments Of Having 'Words' To Use https://www.gawker.com/318485/jon-stewart-savors-his-last-pre-strike-moments-of-having-words-to-use 2007-12-02 Defamer Justine BatemanNolan Tom Justine Batemen wrote an article in support of writers in Written By (referred in this link) http://www.wga.org/writtenby/writtenby.aspx dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100612202743/http://wga.org/writtenby/writtenby.aspx 2010-06-12 2010-07-11 Wga.org Kristen Bell Ray BradburyBradbury Ray 2008-02-26 WGA Strike Primer: The Wrap-up The Huffington Post blog https://huffingtonpost.com/robert-j-elisberg/wga-strike-primer-the-wra_b_88562.html 25 November 2011 2016-03-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305050411/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-j-elisberg/wga-strike-primer-the-wra_b_88562.html live Reese Witherspoon Robert Redford Stephen ColbertWerpin Alex 2007-12-04 WGA Strike Coverage: Colbert Report Plans Live Performance http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6509106.html?industryid=47168 2007-12-03 Broadcast & Cable 2007-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20071209164456/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6509106.html?industryid=47168 dead Steve CarellGentile Gary 2007-11-07 Carrell Ducks 'The Office' for Strikers Associated Press http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE0uIqtrdPXiNMr1qniAIsCAa0fwD8SP17803 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071110142918/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE0uIqtrdPXiNMr1qniAIsCAa0fwD8SP17803 November 10, 2007 Tom HanksDavidson Michael 2008-01-10 Hanks Urges End to Writers' Strike Entertainment - Industry Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSL1090411720080110?sp=true live 2008-01-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20080129001226/https://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSL1090411720080110?sp=true 29 January 2008 Tom Morello Viggo MortensenWeiss Joanna 2008-01-23 Writers' Strike Could Radically Alter Show The Boston Globe http://archive.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2008/01/23/writers_strike_could_radically_alter_show/ 20 July 2010 2016-03-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210727/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2008/01/23/writers_strike_could_radically_alter_show/ live Vincent MartellaKatz, Nikki April 3, 2009 Vincent Martella Talks About His Phineas Voice! http://www.juniorcelebs.com/vincent-martella-talks-about-his-phineas-voice/ usurped https://archive.today/20130127050127/http://www.juniorcelebs.com/vincent-martella-talks-about-his-phineas-voice/ January 27, 2013 2009-07-12 Junior Celebs (transcript from Popstar! Magazine) William Shatnerhttp://www.livevideo.com/video/ShatnerVision/5481B09D21C449F4A8BE4B98BD2ED97F/a-watershed-moment-thoughts-o.aspx https://web.archive.org/web/20110930095954/http://www.livevideo.com/video/ShatnerVision/5481B09D21C449F4A8BE4B98BD2ED97F/a-watershed-moment-thoughts-o.aspx dead September 30, 2011 A Watershed Moment: Thoughts on the Writer's Strike Live Video 2007-12-02 Zack de la Rocha Talk show hosts right|thumb|Ray Bradbury appeared at a WGAW rally at Fox Studios in Century City, Jan. 7, 2008 (writers Diane Doniol-Valcroze (l), Arthur K. Flam (r)). Ellen DeGeneres stated she supports the strike, but crossed the picket line, though she decided not to do a monologue on her show during the strike, explaining that she did not wish to lay off the 135 employees from her staff.Justin Neal November 16, 2007 Television: Tears, strike aside, Ellen shows go on http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/11828236.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221064005/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/11828236.html 21 December 2007 2007-12-16 Minneapolis St. Paul Star TribuneNovember 9, 2007 Ellen DeGeneres Speaks Only In Exotic Birdcalls As A Gesture Of Writer Solidarity https://www.gawker.com/321145/ellen-degeneres-speaks-only-in-exotic-birdcalls-as-a-gesture-of-writer-solidarity 2007-12-02 Defamer The WGAE issued a statement condemning DeGeneres, stating she was "not welcome in NY."Finke Nikki Nikki Finke November 9, 2007 WGAE States Ellen "Not Welcome In NY" http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wga-east-says-ellen-not-welcome-in-ny/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20071212093833/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wga-east-says-ellen-not-welcome-in-ny/ 12 December 2007 2007-12-02 Deadline Hollywood Daily DeGeneres' representatives asserted that she did not violate the WGA's agreement, arguing that she is competing with other first-run syndicated shows like Dr. Phil and Regis and Kelly during the competitive November sweeps period, and that DeGeneres must fulfill her duties as host and producers, lest her show lose its time slot or be held in breach of contract. In addition, a statement defending DeGeneres was subsequently issued by American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), pointing out that DeGeneres also works under the AFTRA TV Code, which bars her from striking. The WGAE then issued a response pointing out that DeGeneres is also a Writers Guild member, and that any writing work she does on her show during the strike constitutes struck work.Finke Nikki Nikki Finke November 9, 2007 URGENT! AFTRA Defends Ellen; Rep Says She "Has Done Nothing" To Violate WGA http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/advisory-i-have-ellens-response/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20071213065009/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/advisory-i-have-ellens-response/ 13 December 2007 2007-12-02 Deadline Hollywood DailyFinke Nikki Nikki Finke November 10, 2007 WGAE Replies To AFTRA About Ellen Mess http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wgae-replies-to-aftra-about-ellen-degeneres/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20071120210019/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/wgae-replies-to-aftra-about-ellen-degeneres/ 20 November 2007 2007-12-02 Deadline Hollywood Daily Early in the strike, it was rumored that Jon Stewart was continuing to pay his Daily Show writers out of his own pocket, but a spokesman later denied the rumor was true.Bercovici Jeff November 5, 2007 Update: Stewart's Rep Denies He's Paying Writers Out Of Pocket During Strike Huffington Post https://huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/05/update-stewarts-rep-den_n_71164.html live 2007-12-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20071203111335/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/05/update-stewarts-rep-den_n_71164.html 3 December 2007 However, The Daily Show temporarily changed its name to A Daily Show to show its support of the strike. Nikki Finke announced that David Letterman would pay his entire staff's salary out of his own pocket through the end of the year.Finke Nikki Nikki Finke November 14, 2007 Dave Opens Own Wallet To Pay His Staff http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/dave-opens-own-wallet-to-pay-his-staff/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20071129222736/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/dave-opens-own-wallet-to-pay-his-staff/ 29 November 2007 2007-12-02 Deadline Hollywood Daily She later announced that following NBC's firing of eighty staffers on The Tonight Show, Jay Leno would continue paying them out of his own pocket as well.Finke Nikki Nikki Finke December 2, 2007 Leno Digs Into Own Wallet To Pay Staff? http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/leno-digs-into-own-wallet-to-pay-staff/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20071203222035/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/leno-digs-into-own-wallet-to-pay-staff/ 3 December 2007 2007-12-02 Deadline Hollywood Daily Conan O'Brien also promised to pay the salaries of his non-striking staff through the end of the year.2007-11-30 Conan O'Brien to pay staff from own pocket CNN http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/30/hollywood.labor.obrien.ap/ 2007-12-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20071210092706/http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/30/hollywood.labor.obrien.ap/ December 10, 2007 Some comedy shows have performed live shows in order to provide money for the striking workers in a series of ON STRIKE! performances at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. The first two shows to perform were Saturday Night Live on November 17, and 30 Rock on November 19.Werpin Alex 2007-11-15 Strike Coverage: SNL, 30 Rock Plan Live Performances http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/strike-coverage-snl-30-rock-plan-live-performances/31094 Broadcasting & Cable 2007-12-04 2015-09-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20150913003810/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/strike-coverage-snl-30-rock-plan-live-performances/31094 live On December 3, The Colbert Report held a similar performance. Host Bill Maher vocally criticized the movement as the wrong time to carry out such a strike.March 2025 Writer-producers right|thumb|Family Guy and American Dad! creator and actor Seth MacFarlane speaks at a WGAW rally in Los Angeles on November 9, 2007. Many television writer-producers, also known as "hyphenates" (or "show-runners", if they are in charge of the day-to-day production of a television show) who are WGA members found themselves contractually obligated to continue their production duties while simultaneously barred from performing writing duties during the strike. In a show of solidarity with the writers, approximately 120 show-runners marched in Burbank on November 7, 2007, and many decided to honor the picket lines entirely, refusing to perform even their production duties during the strike.Finke Nikki 2007-11-07 On The Line: Writers Strike News, Day 3 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/on-the-line-writers-strike-news-day-3/ 20 July 2010 Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly 2007-11-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20071109084932/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/on-the-line-writers-strike-news-day-3/ live Agents Literary agents stand to lose business when the writers they represent are not working. Some agencies reportedly eliminated assistant positions and others asked their agents to take pay cuts during the strike."WGA strike means pay cuts at ICM ", Variety. A few of the larger and more prominent agencies, including William Morris, CAA, and ICM provided coffee, bagels, and churros for picketing writers."Agents https://web.archive.org/web/20080706061057/http://defamer.com/hollywood/agents/-321205.php July 6, 2008 ", Defamer. Agents had also reportedly been involved in back-channel efforts to get the two parties to return to the negotiating table before talks resumed November 26.Finke Nikki 2007-11-11 Glimmer of Hope That Agents Bringing WGA & AMPTP Back in Touch Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/glimmer-of-hope-that-agents-bringing-wga-amptp-back-in-touch/ 20 July 2010 2013-01-21 https://archive.today/20130121105708/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/glimmer-of-hope-that-agents-bringing-wga-amptp-back-in-touch/ live Media executives Two prominent executives, both of whom headed major studios in the 1980s and moved on to Internet-related ventures, voiced their disagreement with the tactics of the WGA. right 33% For a writer to give up today's money for a nonexistent piece of the future — they should do it in three years, shouldn't be doing it now — they are misguided; they should not have gone on the strike. — Michael Eisner, new-media executive Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner characterized the writers' strike as "insanity". He addressed a business conference, saying, "I've seen stupid strikes, I've seen less stupid strikes, and this strike is just a stupid strike."2007-11-06 Ex-Disney Boss Calls Writers Strike 'Too Stupid' MSNBC Reuters https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21673554 live 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20071109080539/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21673554/ 2007-11-09 Former Paramount and Fox CEO Barry Diller also stated the strike is "stupid". In comments to Fox Business Channel, he said, "There are no profits for the work that writers do that is then digitized and distributed through the Internet." Diller is currently the CEO of the Internet conglomerate IAC/InterActiveCorp. Diller also suggested that the Writers Guild should have waited five years to see where the revenues from new-media ventures were coming from. "We want to freeze this area until we can understand the revenues, which aren't going to develop for another few years."Finke Nikki 2007-11-12 Anyone Care What Barry Diller Thinks? http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/does-anyone-care-what-barry-diller-thinks/ 20 July 2010 Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly 2007-11-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20071113160745/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/does-anyone-care-what-barry-diller-thinks/ live Neither executive, however, expressed support for the AMPTP. Politicians left|thumb|Then presidential candidate John Edwards attends November 16, 2007, rally for striking writers at a WGAW protest at NBC in Burbank. The California governor at the time, Arnold Schwarzenegger, negotiated with both sides of the dispute "because it has a tremendous economic impact on our state."2007-11-09 Schwarzenegger Pushes for End to Hollywood Writers Strike CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/schwarzenegger-pushes-for-end-to-hollywood-writers-strike-1.636786 20 July 2010 2007-11-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20071111152029/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2007/11/09/hollywood-strike-gov.html live The 2008 Democratic presidential candidates, Senator and eventual President Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John Edwards, and Gov. Bill Richardson, each issued statements of support for the WGA.2007-11-06 The Latest Word — Negotiations Updates http://wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2543 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110728175123/http://wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2543 28 July 2011 20 July 2010 Writers Guild of America Although 2008 Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani stated that "a candidate for office really shouldn't get involved," he did offer to serve as a mediator between the parties, citing his experience "settl[ing] several difficult labor disputes" as Mayor of New York City.2007-11-13 Rudy Balks, Then Offers to Mediate Writers' Strike The New York Sun http://www.latestpolitics.com/blog/2007/11/rudy-balks-then-offers-to-mediate.html dead 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20080607080116/http://www.latestpolitics.com/blog/2007/11/rudy-balks-then-offers-to-mediate.html 7 June 2008 Civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson marched with the writers and spoke at a WGA rally on November 9, 2007.November 7, 2007 United Hollywood: Jesse Jackson on the Picket Line https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/jesse-jackson-on-picket-line.html 2009-03-20 Unitedhollywood.blogspot.com 2008-01-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20080102222058/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/jesse-jackson-on-picket-line.html live On November 13, 2007, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party adopted a resolution in support of the WGA.Los Angeles County Democratic Party Resolution in support of the WGA http://www.lacdp.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/071105supportwgastrike.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080612050030/http://www.lacdp.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/071105supportwgastrike.html 2008-06-12 2010-07-11 Lacdp.org WGAW president Patric Verrone and Screen Actors Guild president Alan Rosenberg traveled to Washington, D.C., on November 14 to meet with legislators and regulators about the unions' position on new media.Triplett William 2007-11-14 Verrone, Rosenberg go to D.C.: Duo meet lawmakers on strike matters Variety https://variety.com/2007/biz/news/verrone-rosenberg-go-to-d-c-1117976000/ 20 July 2010 On November 16, John Edwards appeared in person to picket and speak with the writers outside NBC studios in Burbank, CA."Rally Friday at NBC Burbank, featuring John Edwards https://web.archive.org/web/20071116115617/http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2007/11/rally-friday-at.html 2007-11-16 ", Scribe Vibe, Variety. The December 10, 2007, Democratic presidential debate that was to be held in Los Angeles, California, was cancelled on November 28, 2007, due to candidate boycott.Gorman Steve 2007-11-28 Democratic presidential debate canceled over strike Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2864134420071129 20 July 2010 2020-10-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20201017004839/https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2864134420071129 live On December 19, 2007, Los Angeles City Council's Housing, Community, and Economic Development Committee held a hearing on the economic impact of the strike on the local and regional economy, allowing the WGA and AMPTP to testify. However, the AMPTP declined to attend, but sent in Motion Picture Association of America to issue a statement to the committee on its behalf. The Los Angeles City Council approved a resolution which urged the two sides to return to the bargaining table.Finke Nikki 2007-12-19 AMPTP Shuns LA City Council Hearing... Deadline Hollywood Daily LA Weekly http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/amptp-shuns-la-city-council-today/ 20 July 2010 2007-12-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20071229151008/http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/amptp-shuns-la-city-council-today/ live Jerry Nickelsburg, an economics professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management, presented UCLA Anderson Forecast's economic report. He stated that so far, the strike has not affected the economy deeply, citing the network's inventory stockpiling in preparation of the strike and the increase in usage of reality shows.Haugsted Linda 2007-12-19 Writers Strike Threatens Los Angeles Economy Multichannel News http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6514310.html 20 July 2010 2007-12-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20071222024436/http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6514310.html live Stanhope Kate 2007-12-03 Writers' strike impact analyzed The Daily Bruin ASUCLA Student Media http://dailybruin.com/news/2007/dec/03/writers-strike-impact-analyzed/ dead 20 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20081205043209/http://www.dailybruin.com/news/2007/dec/03/writers-strike-impact-analyzed/ 5 December 2008 Ultimately, the Forecast predicted an economic impact of $380 million if the strike were to last 22 weeks, which was how long the 1988 strike had lasted. Jack Kyser, an economist of Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, predicted that the total amount of the direct loss and indirect loss so far was estimated at $220 million, and revenues generated for the county from the annual Academy Awards would dip if the strike were to continue and actors honored the picket lines. The strike ended twelve days before the awards show. On January 3, 2008, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee appeared on The Tonight Show. "I support the writers, by the way. Unequivocally, absolutely. They're dead right on this one... I don't think anybody supports the producers on this one. Maybe the producers support the producers, but I think everybody in the business and even the general public supports the writers."Quaid Libby 2008-01-03 Huckabee appears on Leno's show The Boston Globe Associated Press https://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/02/huckabee_appears_on_lenos_show/ 20 July 2010 2009-04-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20090415133026/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/02/huckabee_appears_on_lenos_show/ dead Other unions and associations The WGA acknowledged support from several unions, including the Screen Actors Guild, the Teamsters, the Service Employees International Union, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, the National Writers Union, as well as writers guilds in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Germany, New Zealand, France, Netherlands, Greece, Ireland, Switzerland, and Belgium.2007-11-07 Drehbuchautoren in Deutschland "Wir wären Kriegsgewinnler" Der Spiegel Spiegel Interview http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/kino/0,1518,515773,00.html 20 July 2010 2007-12-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20071206093251/http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/kino/0,1518,515773,00.html live Writersdayofsupport's Videos https://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=writersdayofsupport&p=r 2007-12-19 YouTube video 2023-04-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20230415001023/https://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=writersdayofsupport&p=r live Many of the various genre writers associations also came out in support of the WGA's strike, including the Horror Writers Association,Horror Writers Association http://horror.org/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20071214182204/http://www.horror.org/ 14 December 2007 2007-12-19 Horror headlines The Horror Writers Association The Horror Writers Association, on behalf of its writer members, stands in support of the Writers Guild of America strike in seeking appropriate compensation for writers when their work is distributed digitally, either via DVD or Internet downloads. Although HWA is not a union, it is an organization of writers that advocates for authors' rights. Writers Guild of America and its demands fall solidly into this category. All writers will be affected by the outcome of this strike, and we stand in solidarity, resisting those who seek to distribute our work on the Internet, DVD, or any format without fair compensation. the Mystery Writers of America,Mystery Writers of America http://www.mysterywriters.org/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20100130034555/http://www.mysterywriters.org/ 2010-01-30 2007-12-19 Recent News Mystery Writers of America MWA is steadfast in its support of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike in seeking appropriate compensation for writers when their work is distributed digitally, either via DVD or Internet downloads. MWA is a professional crime writers' organization; we are writers first and foremost. All writers will be affected by the outcome of this strike, and MWA stands in solidarity with WGA in seeking fair compensation for its members' work. and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.2007-11-07 SFWA Supports WGA Strike http://www.sfwa.org/pressbook/SFWAPR/071110a-StrikeSupport.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071215073338/http://sfwa.org/pressbook/SFWAPR/071110a-StrikeSupport.html December 15, 2007 2007-12-19 SFWA Pressbook Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association right 33% The numbers speak for themselves and show that the WGA leadership is totally out of touch with the impact of their foolhardy tactics. Figures don't lie, liars figure. — IATSE president Tom Short2006-12-14 IATSE Rebuffs Writers On Ramp Up http://www.iatse-intl.org/news/pr_121406_2.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080119215130/http://www.iatse-intl.org/news/pr_121406_2.html 2008-01-19 2008-01-08 IATSE The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which represents most of the below-the-line motion picture employees (over 50,000 members) and has jurisdictional disputes with WGAW in animation, did not join the strike, citing a "no strike" provision in their contracts.IATSE President Short Orders Members to Honor Their Contracts 2007-10-31 International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees http://www.iatse-intl.org/news/IAMembersToHonorContract.pdf 20 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101005155231/http://iatse-intl.org/news/IAMembersToHonorContract.pdf 5 October 2010 IATSE president Tom Short has publicly criticized the tactics of the WGA, arguing that the Writers Guild intended to strike almost a year in advance of the expiration of the writers' contract. In a letter to Verrone made publicly available, Short wrote, "When I phoned you on Nov. 28, 2006, to ask you to reconsider the timing of negotiations, you refused. It now seems that you were intending that there be a strike no matter what you were offered, or what conditions the industry faced when your contract expired at the end of October." General public Several opinion polls gauged the public's response to the strike. One national survey conducted by Pepperdine University from November 7 to November 9 found that 84%, or more than four out of five Americans, were aware the strike was in progress.A survey conducted by Pepperdine University https://web.archive.org/web/20071127090052/http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/research/writersstrike/findings/writerstrike.pdf November 27, 2007 While 75% of respondents were found to have little to no concern over the strike, nearly two-thirds of the sample sided with the writers, one third was unsure, and only four percent sympathized with the AMPTP (1,000 American adults participated). A second regional poll conducted by SurveyUSA on November 11 among L.A. residents indicated that 8% supported the studios, while 69% supported the writers (550 American adults participated, with 482 identifying as familiar with the strike).http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=bbb91c3a-2bf2-4ef4-a009-e588fef04ed2 Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #12960 2007-11-17 2007-11-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20071118094605/http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportEmail.aspx?g=bbb91c3a-2bf2-4ef4-a009-e588fef04ed2 live According to a USA Today/Gallup Poll conducted six weeks into the strike from December 13 to December 15, 60% of Americans side with the writers, while 14% favor the studios (1,011 American adults participated). Among the viewers, 49% said they were more likely to watch reruns, 40% said they planned to watch reality series and other programming not disrupted by the strike, and 26% were more likely to buy or rent DVDs of television series from past seasons.Levin Gary 2007-12-19 Poll: Viewers side with striking writers USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-12-18-strike-poll_N.htm 20 July 2010 2011-12-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20111224090026/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-12-18-strike-poll_N.htm live Viewers of late-night talk shows have already changed their habits: out of 25% of the poll respondents who said they frequently or occasionally watch late-night talk shows, 27% watched another show, 25% went to bed earlier, and 25% read. Only 12% watched reruns, indicated by the shows' decreasing ratings. Viewers of individual television shows organized to support "their" writers. Fans4Writers, an outgrowth of Joss Whedon's fan base, walked the picket line and provided regular food drops to picketing writers.Whedon Joss 2007-11-07 More Joss Strike Talk http://whedonesque.com/comments/14650 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080518101619/http://whedonesque.com/comments/14650 18 May 2008 2008-05-29 Whedonesque.com2007-11-05 The Fans4Writers website http://www.fans4writers.com/ 2010-07-11 Fans4writers.com 2010-02-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20100210113219/http://www.fans4writers.com/ live Additionally, one of the largest fan-based pickets began the morning of January 24, 2008, at NBC Studios in Burbank when fans of the series Xena: Warrior Princess, a popular series which had ceased production in 2001, lined up to march in support of the WGA. Producers and actors from the TV show joined the line, including performers Renee O'Connor, Adrienne Wilkinson, and Timothy Omundson, and producers Robert Tapert, RJ Stewart, Steven L. Sears, Liz Friedman, and others. As with Fans4Writers, Xena fans had been donating food and water to the picket lines for the duration of the strike and an upcoming Xena Convention in Burbank offered the opportunity of a focused show of support from fans worldwide.Writers Strike - Day 81 - Xena Picket Day: LAist http://laist.com/2008/01/24/writers_strike_24.php dead https://web.archive.org/web/20170410165440/http://laist.com/2008/01/24/writers_strike_24.php 2017-04-10 2017-03-27 The long-term effect on the viewing habits of the general public is difficult to gauge. For reference, estimates suggest that 10% of the overall television-viewing audience was lost as a result of the 1988 writers' strike, a drop-off that has not been reversed.Goodman Tim 2007-10-31 What a Writers Strike Would Mean for Viewers SFGate.com https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/tim-goodman-what-a-writers-strike-would-mean-for-3235292.php 20 July 2010 2007-11-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20071102053415/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/31/DD15T32OE.DTL live Related work stoppages Past Hollywood guild walk-outs List of Hollywood strikes 2000 commercial actors strike, almost six months. 1988 Writers Guild of America strike, 22 weeks. 1987 Director's strike, 3 hours and 5 minutes. 1985 Writers strike, two weeks. 1981 Writers Guild of America strike, three months. 1980 Actors strike, three months. 1960 Actors strike, led by SAG President Ronald Reagan, six weeks. 1952 Actors strike, two and a half months. 1945 Set decorators Hollywood Black Friday strike, six months. 1942–44 Musicians' strike, thirteen months plus. 1941 Disney animators' strike, five weeks. 2007–2008 CBS News writers strike 2007–2008 CBS News writers strike On November 19, 2007, news writers for CBS News and CBS-owned stations voted to authorize strike action against their employers. Timed closely to the WGA strike, this action has resulted in statements from politicians unwilling to cross picket lines for interview shows and candidate debates. On January 9, the WGAE and CBS News struck a tentative deal.McNary Dave 2008-01-09 WGA, CBS News strike deal Variety https://variety.com/2008/tv/news/wga-cbs-news-strike-deal-1117978739/ live 2008-01-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20080112152828/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978739.html 12 January 2008 On January 24, 2008, the WGA announced that its members had voted to ratify the contract, which runs to April 1, 2010.Writers Guilds of America-CBS News Employees Overwhelmingly Ratify New Contract Agreement 2008-01-24 WGA http://wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2737 2008-04-03 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080423232103/http://www.wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=2737 23 April 2008 Other 2008 industry-wide strike threats Any increase for the benefits of health insurance, pension, or residual gains made by the WGA are also likely to be demanded by other entertainment industry labor unions when their contracts expire. This is a practice known as pattern bargaining — the first union to reach a contract with the AMPTP usually sets the template for the agreement with other unions. The contracts for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Directors Guild of America (DGA) expired on June 30, 2008.Sanders Peter 2008-04-03 Actors Guild Faces Drama In Its Ranks The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120711563749782857 2008-04-06 Directors Guild of America The Directors Guild of America (DGA), whose members are directors as well as below-the-line workers (1st and 2nd assistant directors), was less focused on the WGA's most contentious issue, new media residuals. The DGA's negotiations with the AMPTP started on January 12, 2008, and on January 17, the DGA announced they had reached a tentative agreement.Elber Lynn 2008-01-17 Directors, Hollywood Studios Reach Deal Yahoo! News Associated Press https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080117/ap_en_tv/hollywood_labor https://web.archive.org/web/20080119031707/https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080117/ap_en_tv/hollywood_labor January 19, 2008DGA and AMPTP Agree to Begin Contract Negotiations January 11, 2008 Directors Guild of America http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2008/01/11/371540/134198/en/DGA-and-AMPTP-Agree-to-Begin-Contract-Negotiations.html 2014-12-26 2014-12-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20141226113053/http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2008/01/11/371540/134198/en/DGA-and-AMPTP-Agree-to-Begin-Contract-Negotiations.html live Following the DGA announcement, ER executive producer and former WGA president John Wells stated he believes that using the DGA agreement as a template, the strike could be easily resolved within two weeks.2008-01-19 Guild Heads Back to Table Santa Rosa Press Democrat http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080119/WIRE/801190412/1033/NEWS01 dead 2008-01-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20080121090432/http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080119/WIRE/801190412/1033/NEWS01 January 21, 2008Verrier Richard Eller Claudia 2008-01-19 Writers, Studios to Revive Negotiations Los Angeles Times https://latimes.com/business/la-fi-strike19jan19,1,2347780.story dead 2008-01-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20080206152655/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-strike19jan19%2C1%2C2347780.story February 6, 2008 Other writers disagreed with Wells' positive assessment.2008-01-21 United Hollywood: The Writer and the Gun - How The WGA Is Being Rewritten https://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/01/writer-and-gun-how-wga-is-being.html 2009-03-20 Unitedhollywood.blogspot.com 2011-07-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20110720130813/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/01/writer-and-gun-how-wga-is-being.html live Screen Actors Guild Like the WGA, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is very concerned with residuals in new media and were especially supportive of the WGA's strike effort.Rosenberg Alan 2007-12-16 A Message From SAG President Alan Rosenberg http://www.sagaftra.org/content/a-message-sag-president-alan-rosenberg-wga-rally-119 live https://web.archive.org/web/20141226092950/http://www.sagaftra.org/content/a-message-sag-president-alan-rosenberg-wga-rally-119 December 26, 2014 2014-12-26 Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists SAG president Alan Rosenberg suggested that SAG could choose to ignore the tradition of pattern bargaining if terms of the DGA's deal were deemed insufficient to the actors. Thus, if the new media issue was not resolved to their satisfaction by the DGA or WGA by July 2008, SAG was likely to strike when their contract expired, a move which could potentially bring the Hollywood film industry to a near-complete standstill.McNary Dave 2007-07-31 Hollywood in strike zone Variety https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/hollywood-in-strike-zone-1117969465/ 20 July 2010 The previous deal between the SAG and AMPTP expired on June 30, 2008; however, on May 6 both organizations had ended talks without a deal.Grossman Ben 2008-05-06 SAG, Studios End Talks Without Deal Broadcasting & Cable http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6558178.html?rssid=193 live 2008-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20080510235137/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6558178.html?rssid=193 10 May 2008 The SAG scheduled a rally for the morning of June 9 in Los Angeles; the WGA subsequently encouraged its members to support SAG members in that rally.2008-06-07 SAG Tries To Turn Up The Heat Broadcasting & Cable http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6568235.html?rssid=193 2008-06-07 Outcomes On November 19, 2008, the Writers Guild of America announced they were filing arbitration against the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers for not honoring the agreement that ended the strike.Krukowski Andrew WGA Files for Arbitration, Claims Producers Aren't Paying New-Media Residuals http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/11/wga_files_for_arbitration_clai.php dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100106024545/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/11/wga_files_for_arbitration_clai.php 2010-01-06 2010-07-11 Tvweek.com The matter was resolved with WGA and AMPTP, and a new agreement took effect on May 2, 2011.Memorandum of Agreement for the 2011 WGA Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement http://www.wga.org/uploadedFiles/writers_resources/contracts/MOA2011.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120508113442/http://www.wga.org/uploadedFiles/writers_resources/contracts/MOA2011.pdf May 8, 2012 October 13, 2012 WGA See also List of Hollywood strikes 1960 Writers Guild of America strike 1981 Writers Guild of America strike 2023 Writers Guild of America strike Effect of the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike on television Financial core – regarding National Labor Board v. General Motors, a 1963 U.S. Supreme Court case ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television in the United States Who Made Huckabee? Related groups AMPTP WGAE WGAW References 30em External links Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) official site Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) official site Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) official site Organized Labor Television Film 2007-08 Category:2007 controversies in the United States Category:2008 controversies in the United States Category:2007 labor disputes and strikes Category:2008 labor disputes and strikes Category:2007 in American television Category:2008 in American television Category:2007 in American cinema Category:2008 in American cinema Category:November 2007 in the United States Category:December 2007 in the United States Category:January 2008 in the United States Category:February 2008 in the United States Category:2007 in radio Category:2008 in radio