Dan

I have not seen this confirmed, but I think the difference is that the rules had changed since then regarding that specific genre of tv. I don’t know the specifics, so if anyone does, please share.

cultshock

Yeah, this was standard procedure for talk shows in previous strikes, wonder what changed?

Decker

Like I needed another.

stvn1974

I didn't care one way or another about the strikes until I binged the two seasons of Ghosts over the last couple of days. Now I need my Ghosts fix, get cracking on ending the strike.

TheBang

There's another reason too. During the last strike, there was apparently a loophole where the hosts could write their own material to perform themselves. This time everything has been clarified that there is no such exemption:

DJariya

Ah that makes sense about the uproar.

Wil Wheaton has been ripping Barrymore and now Maher on his Facebook page about going back to work undermining the writers. While I understand his criticisms, I think it's bordering on obnoxious.

cultshock

So it looks like since Maher is going to just do a panel discussion with guests and nothing scripted (not even by him), it's allowed.

JeffTheAlpaca

It did not take long after Fallon got criticized his friend Drew Barrymore would get caught up in controversy.

Bandoman

Barrymore and Maher are crossing the picket lines, they're scabs. Technically allowed? OK. That doesn't immunize them from criticism.

Jay G.

I mean, have you watched the original UK version of Ghosts?

Cusm

Like all other US remakes, the vastly superior show that I am still waiting for MAX to air the latest season.

stvn1974

Wait, have the British gotten funny since Monty Python?

Jay G.

Well, if you like the US version of Ghosts, you should like the UK version.

I watched the UK version first, and so far only the first season of the US version, but the tone and execution is very similar.

And I wouldn't judge the sense of humor of a whole country based on one show, anymore than anyone should judge the sense of humor of the US based on The Big Bang Theory (or insert loathed US sitcom of choice).

General Zod

I used to follow him when he was in his "Be nice. Don't be a dick." stage but now he's exactly what he tells people not to be. It's a shame.

On another note I saw the Drew apology video today.. Do all actors have an unpainted room in their house to appear in with no makeup to issue apologies?

Troy Stiffler

I could replace executive decisions with AI.

AI can create “content”. But it will never replace good writing.

Executives and a board of directors is more easily replaceable with AI than a writer.

Shareholder expectations can be throttled as part of the algorithm.

alfredog1976

Looks like Drew had a change of heart

DJariya

https://deadline.com/2023/09/the-tal...sh-1235548871/

The Talk also nixed it's premiere due to the backlash.

But, it says they only have 1 staff writer of a crew of 150.


I get why Drew backtracked. She was receiving a lot of hate comments from her fellow acting community for returning the show to air. If they went on the air and had "good shows" it would undermine the strikes and ultimately would kill her ability to book any guests when the strikes end.. They wouldn't want to be near her.

Mike86

How did it work back when Conan and Letterman brought back their shows in 2008? I believe they both paid their writers out of pocket but did they have to reach a special deal I assume?

TomOpus

Even though she backtracked, I wonder if some will still hold it against her.

Dan1boy

She's not a polarizing celebrity overall. I think she's pretty beloved across the board.

She took her hit on the chin and it'll be forgotten about when the strikes end.

TheBang

Letterman fully owned his own show, and struck a special production deal with the Guild. It also caused a lot of confusion and resentment in the industry, and some people felt it was unfair to strike that deal, because it ended up giving the network content, helping alleviate their pain and potentially making the strike go longer. The guilds are taking a much harder line on making exception deals like that this time, not to mention that none of the current late night hosts owns their show.

Conan's show, I believe, came back under the AFTRA exception that we discussed about 15 posts above your post. Besides closing that loophole this time, I think the WGA has clarified that any activity that would fall under the purview of "writing", even something like Conan's "spinning wedding ring" bit, is prohibited and would not fly this time.

dex14

Maher is delaying coming back:

"My decision to return to work was made when it seemed nothing was happening and there was no end in sight to this strike. Now that both sides have agreed to go back to the negotiating table I’m going to delay the return of Real Time, for now, and hope they can finally get this done."

DJariya

https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/wg...m_term=6431290

The WGA and studios will resume negotiations on Wednesday.

Hopefully they will be committed to getting something done this time.

Bandoman

lol translation "I got so much shit for being a scab, so here's a rational cover story to explain why I'm changing my mind."

DJariya

Dancing with the Stars has 1 staff WGA writer and employs over 500 people. Apparently it's a "Struck show" according to the WGA and writer David Slack seems to think anyone who goes to work on it is scabbing.

X - Formerly Twitter

There is a few posts from him in this thread.