The writers' strike is over! *SPOILERS* WE WON!

The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.

LemonMelon

More 5G Than Man
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
68,797
Location
Hollywoo
http://www.cnbc.com/id/23057002

Deal Has Been Reached to End Writers' Strike

A deal has been struck between the major media companies and the Writers Guild of America to end the writers' strike, former Walt Disney chief executive Michael Eisner revealed on CNBC.

"It's over," Eisner said. "They made the deal, they shook hands on the deal. It's going on Saturday to the writers in general."

Eisner, speaking live on CNBC's "Fast Money," seemed to hesitate initially about whether it was possible that the writers could still reject the agreement, but finally suggested the deal's acceptance was inevitable.

"A deal has been made, and they'll be back to work very soon," Eisner said, adding, "I know a deal's been made. I know it's over."

Eisner did not elaborate on terms of the agreement. He said he expects most of the media companies affected by the strike to have "small" write-downs as a result of the deal. Eisner said the deal was struck last Friday.

As a result of studio cutbacks, however, many of the writers who went on strike are unlikely to return to the same big-money contracts they'd had as individuals with the studios, Eisner said.

Shares of Walt Disney and CBS were both up in extended electronic trading Thursday.

EDIT: But, of course this has been posted already. :slant: Oh well, this is worth being posted twice. :wink:
 
There's one thing I don't understand.

How come they had the SAG awards and tonight they're having the Grammys but they DIDN'T have the Golden Globes?

Do different unions work for different shows?
 
AchtungBono said:
There's one thing I don't understand.

How come they had the SAG awards and tonight they're having the Grammys but they DIDN'T have the Golden Globes?

Do different unions work for different shows?

They got waivers from the WGA, the Golden Globes didn't-that's my understanding.

There could be a SAG/AFTRA strike in June, their contract is up. Hopefully there won't be.
 
I saw this on another site; not sure as to the source, but take it for what it's worth. When will your favorites return if the strike is indeed over?

In alphabetical order:

24
Expected to return this fall or January '09.

30 Rock
Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.

Back to You
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Future TBD*.

Bionic Woman
No new episodes expected. Ever.

Big Love
Expected to go into production on Season 3 in March. Airdate info is TBD.

Bones
Four pre-strike episodes left. Unclear whether additional episodes will be produced for this season.

Brothers & Sisters
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.

Chuck
No new episodes until fall.

Criminal Minds
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.

CSI
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.

CSI: Miami
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.

CSI: NY
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.

Desperate Housewives
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.

Dirty Sexy Money
No new episodes planned until fall; three remaining pre-strike episodes will undergo some tweaking and kick off fall run.

ER
TBD.

Everybody Hates Chris
Twelve pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.

Friday Night Lights
No new episodes expected for this season. Future TBD.

Gossip Girl
Expected to shoot up to 9 new episodes to air in April/May/June.

Grey's Anatomy
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May

Heroes
TBD.

House
Expected to shoot 4 to 6 new episodes to air in April/May.

How I Met Your Mother
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.

Jericho
Seven episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.

Las Vegas
Three pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.

Law & Order: SVU
TBD.

Life
No new episodes expected until fall.

Life Is Wild
No new episodes expected. Ever.

Lost
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Six additional episodes could air this season.

Medium
Six pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.

Men in Trees
Eleven pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.

Moonlight
No new episodes expected until fall.

My Name Is Earl
Expected to shoot 8 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.

NCIS
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes, only three of which may air this season.

The New Adventures of Old Christine
Seven pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.

Numbers
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes, only three of which may air this season.

October Road
Three pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

The Office
Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.

One Tree Hill
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

Prison Break
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

Private Practice
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.

Pushing Daisies
No new episodes until fall.

Reaper
Three pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

Samantha Who?
Three remaining pre-strike episodes could be held until fall (see Dirty Sexy Money).

Scrubs
Four pre-strike episodes remain. Four additional episodes will likely be shot; unclear whether they'll air on NBC or go straight to DVD.

Smallville
Four pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot 3 to 5 additional episodes to air in April/May.

Supernatural
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot 3 to 5 additional episodes to air in April/May.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Five pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.

Ugly Betty
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.

* TBD = To be determined
 
corianderstem said:
Scrubs
Four pre-strike episodes remain. Four additional episodes will likely be shot; unclear whether they'll air on NBC or go straight to DVD.

Typical.

NBC, you have been shitting on this brilliant show for so long, it's amazing it's even lasted seven years. This was supposed to be it's final year, so the least you can do is just let it air ALL of its episodes and let it go out with some dignity.

Just air the pre-strike episodes during February/March, and assuming they shoot the rest now, air the end of the season in April/May.
 
Jeez, I wonder if they'll show 24 from Fall straight through, or do a short break over X-mas season, or just wait til January. I'm guessing more on the latter, but they had better do a big advert blitz 'cause people are going to forget about the show.

I also don't have a problem with them cutting it off from the end of Dec til Feb if they start for the Fall.
 
abcnews.com

As Writers Strike Ends, What's Coming Back When
Late Night: Now. Comedies: Spring. Dramas: Fall or Next Year.
By SHEILA MARIKAR

Feb. 11, 2008 —

Sick of squinting at the computer? Given up on books? Lost faith in humankind because of reality TV? Fear not  your favorite shows are coming back, some as soon as this spring.

The Writers Guild of America is set to vote on the terms of an agreement with the major Hollywood studios and producers tomorrow, marking the end of their nearly three-month-long strike. But industry insiders said it's all a formality. Come Wednesday, they'll be scribbling, tapping, and scripting away.

"Everyone's going back to work  TV networks are looking at their schedules, seeing how soon can they get shows back on, seeing if they'll bring back shows in the summer," said Ben Grossman, Los Angeles bureau chief for Broadcasting & Cable. "Now that they know that writers can officially begin writing again on Wednesday, they can finally put their flag in the ground and begin figuring things out."

Most importantly, they will figure out when and if new episodes of some of TV's most beloved shows will return. Here's what to expect:

First, as early as Wednesday: late night talk shows that didn't strike a side deal with their writers.

Second, potentially by April: half-hour sitcoms including "The Office" and "How I Met Your Mother."

Third, possibly by late spring: hit series with a huge following, a la "Gossip Girl."

Fourth, in hibernation until next fall or winter: dramas including "Heroes" and "24."

And then there are the shows that may not ever see the glow of the screen again because of the strike: freshman series including "Chuck" and "Pushing Daises" and the critically acclaimed but ratings-sagging "Friday Night Lights."

Below, ABCNEWS.com's guide to what's coming back when  and what may not survive the strike at all.

Gossip Girl

Upper East Siders, rejoice: "Gossip Girl" could be back as early as this spring. "The show is probably the CW's top priority," NPR TV critic David Bianculli said of the freshman drama about New York City prep school partiers. "Whatever they can get back on, they will, because they do not want to lose the young viewers who really enjoy that show." According to Georg Szalai, New York bureau chief for The Hollywood Reporter, it's in the CW's interest to satisfy fans' rabid demand for more Blair/Serena drama. "We might see some new episodes as early as this spring," he said. "It could be either before May or even June/July. It would be unusual, but it could happen."

24

It'll be almost a year before a new day dawns for "24." "You'll definitely not see it until next year," Szalai said. "That show traditionally comes back early in the year and it's a show that requires 24 episodes at the get-go. They won't bring it back over the summer. They'll want to run it as one big block of content next January." Plus, with Fox leading the ratings race with "American Idol," there's no reason for them to rush to get Jack Bauer up and running in '08.

Lost

"Lost" fans found new episodes of the hit ABC drama two weeks ago, but it's unclear whether they'll stumble on more when the shortened season wraps up after its eight-week run. "If they get into production now, they can probably get in a few more episodes before the season ends in May," Szalai said. But even if that happens, "Lost" may struggle to regain time lost in the remainder of the series' life. "We don't know if they're going to do the whole 48 episodes or just condense everything into a smaller number of episodes," Bianculli said.

Entourage

Will Vinnie, Ari and the rest of the boys be back soon? Hopefully, and potentially as soon as this spring/summer. "'Entourage' might be fine," Bianculli said. "A strike isn't going to affect HBO as much as it affects a broadcast network with a more set rhythm." But then again, Aquaman fans are at the mercy of the cable network and its sometimes erratic programming schedules. "We've waited eight vernal equinoxes for a new 'Sopranos,' Bianculli added. "I don't know how many episodes they've produced of this season."

The Office

Good news for Dunder Mifflin fans: Michael Scott will resume mismanaging his troops in Scranton soon enough. The half-hour comedy is one of the easiest types of shows to get up and running in a short amount of time. "'The Office' you'll see back before the spring season," Szalai said. "I would assume that NBC could bring it back sometime in April, and they'll still have April and May to run new episodes."

Friday Night Lights

Fans of the high school football drama should brace themselves for a let-down. It was a surprise when NBC renewed the show for a second season last year, and it'll be a surprise if the network picks up the Emmy award-winning show, with a small but vocal fan base, again. "With 'FNL,' the question is whether NBC is going to be smart or stupid," Bianculli said. "They really may not make anymore. They may say this is enough." If NBC does renew, "FNL" will probably begin season three in September. "FNL is still finding an audience, it'll probably only come back in the fall," said Szalai. "The shows that you will see the networks bring back fastest are the ones that they won't need to promote heavily."

Family Guy

Fox's hugely popular, highly inappropriate family will probably be holed up until September. "Animated shows, once you've used up all the scripts you have, you're out for a while," Bianculli said. "They have a pipeline going normally but when you stop the pipeline and run dry, it's going to be six months until you see a new episode."

30 Rock

Like "Friday Night Lights," "30 Rock" is a critical darling, not a ratings powerhouse. But because it's a 30-minute sitcom with A-List stars like Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, it stands a good chance of making it through the writers strike alive. "It's one of those shows that's still developing a fan base," Szalai said. "It'll be interesting to see whether they decide to run more episodes this spring or just hold off on a potential return in the fall."

Grey's Anatomy

The surgeons of Seattle Grace will be back in their scrubs in no time. "'Grey's' is one of TV's biggest hits, it'll be back soon," Bianculli said. "I can't imagine a scenario in which ABC does not have 'Grey's' up in time for the May sweeps." Thank the legions of Dr. McDreamy fans for that. "It's similar to 'The Office,' an established show that viewers just can't get enough of," Szalai said. "It's a pretty safe bet for the network."

Ugly Betty

The comedy that follows "Grey's" will probably share its fate. "It's a popular show that's not in any jeopardy about being renewed," Bianculli said. Expect more bashful Betty and wiley Wilhelmina this spring. "It'll probably take a little longer than some of the other comedies because of its more intricate production, but I would expect they'll probably bring it back by April and still run six to eight episodes," Szalai said.

How I Met Your Mother

CBS' hit sitcom will speed back to air like "The Office." "There's less lead-time needed for a sitcom like this," Szalai said. So there's a chance that CBS will bring out a few more episodes in the spring."

Heroes

The fate of "Heroes" is certain: no more supernatural drama until fall. NBC announced that because of the show's high level of production, they won't roll out new episodes until September. "It's a high concept show that usually needs a bigger number of episodes to develop a storyline and it's also a very event-driven show," Szalai said. But the show, which attracted an average of 14.3 million viewers in its first season and dipped in popularity in its second, could suffer from the lag time. "It's a shame, Bianculli said, "because you have to worry about the momentum on that show."
 
FOX for one is airing new shows in the summer, in line with long promised attempts to do so. Not such a dumb idea I guess...

variety.com

As showrunners flip on the lights and scribes once again occupy long-abandoned writers' rooms, network and studio execs are still figuring out what lives, what dies -- and when it all comes back.

ABC got the ball rolling Monday, renewing nine series for fall in a post-strike pickup binge.

The renewals were essentially no-brainers, encompassing some of the Alphabet web's top-rated scripted performers. Frosh series scoring orders include "Dirty Sexy Money," "Private Practice," "Pushing Daisies" and "Samantha Who?" All four have received 13-episode pickups, as is standard practice among frosh skeins.

ABC staples earning another year include "Brothers & Sisters," "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost" and "Ugly Betty." Most of those received complete 22-episode orders (with some exceptions -- "Lost," for example, was originally slated to produce 16 episodes next year but may produce a few more if a full 16 aren't shot this year).

Several other networks are planning announcements in the next few days spelling out their spring and fall plans.

Network strategists have already worked out templates on how to handle remaining back-nine orders on returning shows: Some have been truncated, some scratched altogether -- and a few skeins will still be asked to deliver that entire full-season order.

But now, of course, the nets will finally be able to sit down with showrunners and writers to see what's doable in the few remaining months of the season.ABC

The early renewal of key primetime series has now given ABC and the studios behind its shows ample leeway in planning schedules for the next several months.

That's helpful because each show has different needs and capabilities. Some will still be able to produce a good chunk of their back-nine orders this year, allowing ABC to bring them back in the spring. ("Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ugly Betty" are all expected to reappear with several episodes before the season's out.)

Others may produce much of that back order but still wait until September before making a grand re-entrance. That's the case with Wednesday frosh entries "Pushing Daisies" and "Private Practice," as ABC -- which has been holding its own on the night anyway vs. "American Idol" competish -- opts to give those still-new shows a proper relaunch.

As for "Lost," exec producer Carlton Cuse said he and fellow showrunner Damon Lindelof would meet with ABC brass today to hammer out the plan for the rest of the season. They won't be able to finish the remaining eight segs of the show's planned 16-episode season -- five is a more likely number -- but they will be able to craft a completed storyline for the remainder of this season, Cuse said.

And whatever segs are not produced this season will be picked up down the road in the show's remaining two seasons, Cuse said.

"We're going to try to make as many as we can and do a good job of finishing out this season," he said. "We'll have to compress some of the storytelling we planned for this season, and that may not be a bad thing. Damon and I feel like we know how we can finish it off and still make it a really, really great story."


Over at David E. Kelley Prods., the shingle is prepping the return of "Boston Legal." A spokeswoman said the show could be back in front of cameras as soon as next Wednesday -- most likely making it the first drama to resume shooting post-strike. (Scribe Kelley can churn out scripts so swiftly that such a breakneck return to production isn't a surprise.)

"Boston Legal" had already shot 14 segs of its 22-episode order. Given the show's quick return, Kelley's production company believes it can still fulfill that commitment before the end of the season.

CBS

Dramas moving forward include all three editions of the "CSI" franchise, "NCIS," "Without a Trace," "Cold Case," "Numbers," "Criminal Minds," "Ghost Whisperer" and "Moonlight."

Laffers given a greenlight are "Two and a Half Men," "How I Met Your Mother" and "The Big Bang Theory."

Net is hoping to crank out eight segs of its comedies and six or seven segs of each of its dramas. Newcomer "Moonlight" will likely produce fewer segs.

Eye insiders are hoping to begin rolling out new episodes of the comedies by mid-March, while the hope is to have dramas begin popping up the first week in April.

While CBS isn't expected to finalize decisions until Wednesday at the earliest, a couple of shows are likely to stay out of production for now.

So far, CBS hasn't asked for more episodes of dramas "Shark" or "The Unit." Both shows are on the bubble for a return next fall.

CBS has told the producers of newcomer "Cane," meanwhile, that no more episodes will be produced this season. Skein remains a contender for renewal next season, however.

Also up in the air: midseason drama "Swingtown," which had been set to bow in the spring. CBS has produced only a couple of episodes of the show and is now undecided as to whether it will move forward with the project, which offers a vast departure from the Eye's usual crimetime fare.

CBS is also waiting to see more numbers for "The New Adventures of Old Christine" before deciding whether to expand its current midseason run. There's also no word yet on the future of "Rules of Engagement," which has done well when it aired on the net.

It's possible CBS will air originals of a few of its shows as late as June, but so far, no scheduling decisions have been locked in.

FOX

Fox plans to extend the regular TV season in order to take advantage of late-delivered episodes from shows including "House." Originals of certain shows could continue airing into June, web insiders said, or else in August. Such a scenario would make good on long-promised attempts at running original scripted fare during the vacation months.

As a result, in most cases, the net is still looking to honor full back-nine orders -- depending on the feasibility of such a task.

Serialized series won't return until next season, however; the net felt that producers -- not to mention viewers -- may have trouble getting back into those shows' storylines at this late date. (Certain skeins, like "Prison Break," already wrapped with a de facto season closer anyway.)

Then there's "24." Fox has decided not to try forcing a full season of the Kiefer Sutherland drama at this late date; show won't return until January.

As for its large crop of midseason shows, Fox's needs are already filled, which means no additional episodes of shows like "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" or "Canterbury's Law" will be shot.

NBC

NBC is expected to bring back most of its Thursday laffers, including "My Name Is Earl," "The Office" and "30 Rock." It's not yet clear how many episodes of "Scrubs" will be produced. NBC has said the skein is in its final season; network and producer ABC Studios are negotiating just how many segs creator Bill Lawrence will get to wrap up his show.

The Peacock is contractually obligated to produce more "ER" segs this season, and it seems likely at least four to six of those will air starting in April. The net is also said to be in talks with Warner Bros. TV about a reduction in "ER's" license fee that would allow the show to return for another season in the fall.

"Law & Order: SVU" should also resume production on new episodes, while "Medium" is gearing up to come back to finish out its season.

NBC remains high on newcomer "Chuck," but the odds are that the show won't return until late summer (after the Olympics) or early fall. "Heroes," with its elaborate serialized storyline, is also expected to take the summer to regroup.

It helps that ABC and NBC both have filled gaps in their skeds with successful reality skeins. The Peacock is doing well with "The Biggest Loser" and "Deal or No Deal," while the Alphabet's Wednesday reality skeins have scored decent ratings at a fraction of the cost of scripted fare.

Shows not expected to resume production include "Bionic Woman" and "Journeyman"; both are currently considered canceled. NBC insiders remain high on "Life," though it likely won't be back before the summer or fall.

Equally murky are the futures of "Friday Night Lights" and "Las Vegas." Latter won't produce more episodes this season but is still on the bubble for renewal. NBC execs are looking for a way to bring back "FNL."

The future of Peacock reality hit "The Biggest Loser" is clearer. Net on Monday greenlit production on a sixth season of the show, which will likely air in the fall. "Loser" is from Reveille LLC, 25/7 Prods. and 3 Ball Prods.

CW

CW execs are looking to quickly gear up production on dramas "Smallville," "Gossip Girl," "One Tree Hill," "Reaper" and "Supernatural." Net wants at least five or six segs of each.

In the case of "Gossip Girl," CW may expand its order and relaunch the show in the summer. Serials from "Melrose Place" to "The OC" have thrived in the warm-weather months.

On the comedy front, CW is looking to crank out eight or nine more episodes of "The Game."

Newcomer "Aliens in America," which had completed 18 episodes before the strike, won't produce new episodes but remains in the hunt for a fall return. "Everybody Hates Chris" had wrapped production of a 22-episode season before the strike kicked in.

Another laffer that won't resume production is "Girlfriends." Even before the strike, there had been talk that this would be the show's last season; now CW has made it official.

Because the show won't be back, net isn't finishing production on a full 22-episode season. However, execs are talking to producers about a way to give the show a proper sendoff, perhaps via a clip show.

As for the confirmed dead, industry insiders said frosh drama "Life Is Wild" won't resume production and won't be back for a second season.
 
MrsSpringsteen said:

NBC

"Medium" is gearing up to come back to finish out its season.

NBC remains high on newcomer "Chuck," but the odds are that the show won't return until late summer (after the Olympics) or early fall. "Heroes," with its elaborate serialized storyline, is also expected to take the summer to regroup.

It helps that ABC and NBC both have filled gaps in their skeds with successful reality skeins. The Peacock is doing well with "The Biggest Loser" and "Deal or No Deal," while the Alphabet's Wednesday reality skeins have scored decent ratings at a fraction of the cost of scripted fare.

Shows not expected to resume production include "Bionic Woman" and "Journeyman"; both are currently considered canceled. NBC insiders remain high on "Life," though it likely won't be back before the summer or fall.


dammit, I liked Bionic Woman and Journeyman... along with Chuck and Heroes... still got Medium and 'DOND'.... i'm happy

Mondays this past fall were great with Chuck, Heroes, and then Journeyman! :sad:
 
I am really pleased the strike has come to an end. Now the frenzy to get shows back on air. I am so glad SNL will be back on next weekend. They've missed so much in current affairs and the Britney saga to make fun of so they should have plenty of material to hold them for a complete season! I hope that Friday Night Lights will survive though.
 
Back
Top Bottom