STRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKE!

The Writer's Guild has gone on strike.

Some of you, not in the know, might be thinking - who's that and why does it matter to me? Well, they're all the people that write your television shows, sitcoms, soap operas, late night talk show jokes, and movies. They're the people that provide an integral part of our entertainment. What that means is that eventually TV shows will run out of scripts and new episodes will stop and movies will follow. Although, from what I've read, the movie side could be a long time in coming - the studios stock piled scripts. Still, there will be entertainment casualties and it could be your favorite show.

Believe me, I am already weeping at the thought of missing Pushing Daisies, Gossip Girl, General Hospital, and Lost. And, then there's How I Met Your Mother and Samantha Who? and....should I go on???????? Sigh........ Sniff......

So, why would the writers strike? Some of the big issues are (and this is my take on the situation) that they don't feel that they're getting their fair share of things like dvd profits and they're not getting anything from their products (television, movies, etc) being sold and broadcast over the internet (which means the big companies are making a 100% of the profit on these things).

So, who's side should you be on?

Well, that's up to you, but here's my thoughts:

I work in Hollywood and I will soon be one of those affected by the strike. I will be unemployed with no opportunity for work in my field because production work is going to start disappearing. Still, I support the writers fighting for the rights they deserve to have - they do deserve dvd residuals and they do deserve internet residuals - it's the wave of the future, why should they give that up? They work hard on their writing and that writing is the foundation for our viewing entertainment. So, I say: "Fight wholeheartedly!" In fact, while you're here reading this - click on this link - the Showrunner of the Shield wrote an email about stopping ALL his work on that show. He's taking a stand and giving a lot up in the process. It's very admirable and difficult to take such a strong stand and thus, quite inspiring.

I applaud all the writers in their efforts. Good luck!!!!!!!

If you would like to read more about the WGA strike:
Deadline Hollywood Blog - great info on the strike!!!!
LA times - 11/6/07
MTV article - 11/6/07
Eonline - 11/6/07