I know. I'm bad. Long time, no post. I'll be better. Believe me?
So, what do you make of this writer's strike? I hate it and love it at the same time. I love it because I believe the writers are correct - they get no credit where it is due, and clearly the shows and movies that are about to dry up because there are no scripts would be nothing without them.
On the other hand, I hate it, because, well, the well is running dry, and what are we gonna get instead? On the TV side, it means more reruns, ad-libs (Ellen DeGeneres said she and her staff are completely "winging it") and last and most horrible, reality TV. I don't really get that, considering that realty TV writers are always complaining they don't get credit like scripted writers. Shouldn't they be on strike too? After all, most reality TV is far more ludicrous and fictional than scripted series.
As for movies, I doubt we'll see much difference. Movies are in the can a year (sometimes more) ahead of schedule, and studios often (frustratingly) stagger release dates to target audiences better.
The Lowdown? The last time this happened, in 1988, writers were on strike for about five months. It cost the industry $500 million, TV shows had delayed premieres, seasons were shortened and movies were delayed. But we all came out of it okay. It might be a bumpy few months, but are we really gonna remember in 19 years?
