Comments on: WGA Strike: Was it Worth it?

By: Morjana Coffman

Morjana Coffman — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:06:28 +0000

I think the WGA strike was worth it. The AMPTP has been shafting the writers for years.

Morjana

By: Carl

Carl — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:47:31 +0000

Worth it. I think fellow blogger John August had the best analysis: http://johnaugust.com/archives/2008/the-deal

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:11:28 +0000

I think the back lash might also come from the crews. Is it worth the alienation of the crew? A lot of people lost in the strike that the news fails to talk about. What about the thousands of people very willing to work but unable to because of the selfishness of the writers. I’m sure they would keep writing if IATSE went on strike. I just wish people would stop only talking about the writers–it takes a lot more to make a show than just a script!

By: SimplyKimberly

SimplyKimberly — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:27:13 +0000

I think it was worth it. And I say that as a fan of 24 that was really looking forward to Season 7 starting last month and knowing it won’t show up again until next year. *weeps uncontrollably*

The writers deserve to be compensated for their work. They deserve to be compensated for their work sold in marketplaces that were too “new” to technically qualify for compensation under the old contract.

I am happy they have a deal that is suitable for them. Now, I look forward to more Jim & Pam (I just finished watching the entire series yesterday), more Liz & Jack (ditto on 30 Rock), Derek, Betty and Sawyer ASAP.

And I really need to know who the 5th Cylon is and what the frak is Starbuck’s destiny? And that wait is now considerably shorter.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:35:38 +0000

I think it’s one of those things that won’t immediately make a difference right now just because the leap towards internet television and the other points they were fighting for haven’t fully enveloped society yet.

But I believed it’s impact is something that will effect all writers for years to come.

Then again, tv addict, I see what you’re saying. Hopefully being ‘out’ for so long has sparked a renaissance amongst writers and we’ll be getting much more better quality episodes and shows from here on out.

By: shanna

shanna — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:31:04 +0000

I think it was definitely worth it. People who write do it because they love it but if it wasn’t financially viable in some way there would be no incentive to be in the business. Also I can’t stand behind any group that makes their money off of someone else’s genius and won’t even give them a decent cut.

By: Josh Emerson

Josh Emerson — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:29:26 +0000

I think it was worth it. If the writers didn’t stand up to the AMPTP here, what else would they eventually lose? The long-term effects of the strike should end up being worth it for the writers. I don’t think the strike is really going to affect scripted programming’s future any more than was going to happen anyway.

By: Mel

Mel — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:24:09 +0000

Well, considering how crappy a lot of new show pilots end up — or rather the shows after the pilot — maybe it needed to change
I know Zucker at NBC has said he’s not doing pilots anymore (big scary talk — we’ll see now) and the line in Variety went something like “How new programming will be developed is unclear.”
Its hard to grasp the enormity of what was stacked against the writers in the form of these multi-national corporations. I find it very hopeful and downright remarkable that a labor action of any kind was successful under these circumstances.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:08:11 +0000

When the options are getting your foot in the door or letting the door slam shut on you, I think you gotta go with option A.

Go writers!