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Strike news: Good? Not good? And ‘Lights’ back on
Hopes raised, hopes dashed … hopes raised again?
Talks between the striking Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke off Thursday night after four days of secret and, according to Hollywood insiders, productive negotiations.
But it’s unclear whether an agreement will soon be reached. The buzz in Hollywood all week said that an end to the drama might come this weekend. Clearly that’s not going to happen. And the media blackout during the four-day negotiation has given way to carping and crowing on both sides. Not good.
Producers released a statement, crowing about the deal they are offering writers:
“The AMPTP today unveiled a New Economic Partnership to the WGA, which includes groundbreaking moves in several areas of new media, including streaming, content made for new media and programming delivered over digital broadcast channels. The entire value of the New Economic Partnership will deliver more than $130 million in additional compensation above and beyond the more than $1.3 billion writers already receive each year.”
The writers initially responded with a sniff, indicating the proposal was overblown and not remotely what should have been offered. The guild pointed out that the amount mentioned did not specify whether that was for one year or the three-year contract period.
But the good news is the guild then smoothed its features and said it would ponder the offer over the weekend and come back to the table for more talks with producers on Tuesday.
My fingers ache from being crossed all the time.
Meanwhile, NBC is scrapping its midseason schedule and stocking up on “unscripted programming.” That’s a polite word for reality shows, which will make up a third of NBC’s prime-time schedule if the current work stoppage continues. That’s at least one hour of “American Gladiators” or “Celebrity Apprentice” each night. Grrrrrrrr …
“Lights” flipped back on tonight!
After a quick pre-emption last week, “Friday Night Lights” is back tonight (8 p.m. on NBC).
Various plot teases for the Austin-based drama have dribbled out:
Something “unexpected” happens to Smash at the end of his first recruiting trip. Hmmm.
Matt Saracen tells his new girlfriend he wants to “see other people” … as in, get back together with Julie?
Speaking of Julie, Mama Tami is none too pleased with her daughter’s increasingly close relationship with a teacher (played by Austin actor Austin Nichols). When Tami’s not happy, nobody’s happy, so this should be good.
And as we’ve seen in recent promos, Landry marches into the Dillon police station and confesses to killing Tyra’s attacker.
So don’t call me between 8 and 9 tonight … I’m not answering.
Comments
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By sasha brinkova
December 11, 2007 3:26 AM | Link to this
Contrary to popular belief, the end of the year is one of the best times to look for, awesome descion
By austinights
November 30, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
FNL Back...woohoo!!! Just hope the Writer's Strike doesn't put a demise to the show after all the heck its been through the past season.
One Tree Hills (CW network) is coming back in January with a four year zoom ahead in time. The actors were starting to look their age, so the producers decided it was time to move them along. It will be interesting to see if this concept will work or go down as another blunder. They should have never cancelled Everwood. Catch Smallville and Supernatural....really fun TV on a Thursday night. Ghost Whisperer is also fun on CBS on Friday Nights. Jennifer Love Hewitt just became engaged.