A compilation of strike news from around the Web.
IATSE President Rails Against WGA
The Writers Guild of America has been accused of being strike-happy by Thomas Short, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Daily Variety reports.
Mr. Short sent a letter to WGA West president Patric Verrone, urging the WGA to get back to work. In the letter, Mr. Short said Mr. Verrone and the WGA were set on striking, despite what was being offered on the bargaining table or the atmosphere of the industry, Daily Variety says.
WGA Pickets Blanket Universal, Wall Street
Striking WGA writers hit the picket lines on Tuesday on both coasts, with East writers walking the line on Wall Street and West writers picketing outside of Universal Studios, Daily Variety reports.
The Universal picket brought along dozens of sympathetic Screen Actors Guild television stars, the newspaper says.
The AMPTP countered the day’s events by likening the blacklisting of scabbing writers to the days of McCarthyism, Daily Variety says.
‘Family Guy’ to Air Against Creator’s Wishes
Fox is set to air a new episode of “Family Guy” on Sunday. But creator-executive producer Seth MacFarlane wishes they wouldn’t, as the episode hasn’t received a final pass from staff members, Daily Variety reports.
The next three episodes of “Guy” are near completion, but haven’t been officially signed off on by MacFarlane, the paper says.
Legally, Fox is within its rights to air the episodes without MacFarlane’s consent, the newspaper says.
NBC Skips Winter TCA Tour Event
NBC announced plans to skip January’s Television Critics Association press tour, citing budget concerns due to a prolonged strike, Daily Variety reports.
ABC and Fox are reported to be leaning the same way, and an announcement is expected later in the week. CBS and The CW are reviewing plans further, the newspaper reports.
‘Restless’ Writers Vow to Stay United
The Writers Guild of America, West, sent out a memo late Tuesday contradicting a report that multiple writers on CBS soap “The Young and the Restless” had informed the guild that they intended to cross the picket lines and go back to work on the Los Angeles-based series, Broadcasting & Cable reports.
The writers issued a statement saying, “[W]e were incensed to read the incorrect information printed in Variety that several writers on our show sought financial core status,” B&C reports.
“Our entire writing staff of 18 is united and we fully support our union. Not a single person who was writing for ‘Y&R’ when we struck has gone core. Not one. We stand united with sore feet from picketing. Well, some of us sit. But we all do our part, and we cannot be parted,” the statement read.
U.K. Awards Looks to Highlight Importance of Writers
The Writers Guild of Great Britain, in a show of solidarity with the WGA, will highlight the importance of writers at its awards ceremony on Sunday, the first time the organization has presented its awards in 10 years, Daily Variety reports.
The hiatus in the awards presentation was due in part to an increasingly long and unwieldy list of award categories. Awards will be presented in 10 categories on Sunday, the newspaper says.
DeGeneres Cancels NYC Plans
After landing in the crosshairs of the WGAE, Ellen DeGeneres has canceled plans to tape her show in New York next week, the Hollywood Reporter says.
After skipping taping on the first day of the strike, Ms. DeGeneres crossed WGA picket lines last week to return to work. She received a severe upbraiding from the guild, with the WGA East saying she wasn’t welcome in NYC, the Reporter says.
Instead, she will tape her show from her Burbank studio, the newspaper says.
Game Shows, Come On Down
Networks are prepping game shows, which might get to air sooner if a prolonged strike occurs, the Hollywood Reporter says.
Currently in production are several game shows, including CBS’ “Do You Trust Me?,” about trusting strangers, and NBC’s “Amnesia,” which digs into players’ backgrounds and personal lives, the Reporter reports.
Compiled by Andrew Krukowski