The existing contract between the Writers Guild of America and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers — which includes Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony — officially expired at 12 a.m. PT, kicking off the walkout.
Writers have been seeking a major overhaul in compensation for streaming residuals, as well as higher pay overall, greater protections and a solution to the increase of “mini-rooms” in which a small group of writers pen multiple scripts for a show’s potential first season prior to production beginning.
AsDeadlinenotes, both the WGA and the AMPTP agree that despite a content boom in recent years, writers are bringing in less money overall. Ideas on how to fix the problem, unfortunately, is where the conflict originates. “WGA proposals would gain writers approximately $429 million per year; AMPTP’s offer is approximately $86 million per year, 48% of which is from the minimums increase,” the guild said, according to the outlet.
Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.Todd Owyoung/NBC; Randy Holmes/ABC
The impact of the strike will be felt immediately. Aside from picketing — which will begin on Monday afternoon — production on daily late-night shows includingThe Tonight Show StarringJimmy Fallon,Jimmy Kimmel Live!,The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,Late Night with Seth MeyersandThe Daily Showwill shut down immediately, with networks airing reruns.
Tina Fey and Seth Meyers.Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images
Also in jeopardy to go dark are weekly shows likeLast Week Tonight with John Oliver,Real Time with Bill MaherandSaturday Night Live— though if the strike is settled this week, production could go on.
Pete Davidson onSaturday Night Live.NBC
SNLalumPete Davidson, who was set to host the long-running sketch comedy series alongside musical guestLil Uzi Vert, discussed the possibility of a strike during an appearance onThe Tonight Showlast week while promoting his new Peacock seriesBupkis.
“I’ve been working on this for two three months. …It sucks because it just feeds my, like, weird story I have in my head,” he said, joking that he was taking it personally. “Like, of course that would happen to me. They didn’t wantmeto host it. It’s all aboutme.
Guests for the weekly late-night shows had already been announced, too.The Tonight ShowhadJennifer Lopez,Bowen Yang,Ken JeongandElle Fanninglined up (among others), whileJimmy Kimmel Live!was set to welcome a slew of stars includingMelissa McCarthy,Gina Rodriguez,Ricky GervaisandDr. Phil McGraw.The Late ShowbookedPriyanka Chopra Jonas, Chita Rivera,Michael J. Fox,Shonda Rhimesand more.
Tom Hanks and Stephen Colbert.Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
The last strike started in November 2007 and lasted 100 days, ending on Feb. 12, 2008. It led to devastating blows throughout the industry and the loss of billions of dollars. Ripple effects were felt in all areas, including departments like hair and makeup, costumes, sets, catering and other crafts.
Negotiations between the WGA and the AMPTP began on March 20. Hours after talks ended on Monday, theWGA shared a public statementannouncing they would be using their previously approved strike authorization.
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For their part, the AMPTP maintains a desire to come to a mutual agreement.
“The AMPTP member companies remain united in their desire to reach a deal that is mutually beneficial to writers and the health and longevity of the industry, and to avoid hardship to the thousands of employees who depend upon the industry for their livelihoods,” the organization said in a statement Monday night. “The AMPTP is willing to engage in discussions with the WGA in an effort to break this logjam.”
source: people.com
