Hollywood’s Double Trouble: The Lingering Actors and Writers’ Strike

Hollywood Holds Its Breath as Dual Actors and Writers’ Strike Drags On

Progress Amidst Stalemate

Hollywood is eagerly awaiting a resolution to the ongoing strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Signs of progress have emerged in the 142-day-old writers’ strike, with CEOs of major entertainment studios, including Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and NBCUniversal, engaging in meetings with the union. The discussions aimed to tackle key issues such as pay, benefits, and guaranteed work. However, the strike took an unexpected turn when actors also walked out on July 14, further impeding Hollywood production.

The actors’ strike, led by Screen Actors Guild president Fran Drescher, has taken a hardline stance, planning a six-month walkout. Drescher acknowledges the impact of the strike on various industry professionals, from caterers to makeup artists, but believes that taking action is necessary for their future and livelihood.

The Road to Resolution

As of now, the Hollywood strikes are not yet over. For the writers’ strike to conclude, the WGA must first reach a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the organization responsible for labor negotiations on behalf of major studios and streaming services. The agreement will then be put to a vote by the full WGA membership. Similarly, SAG-AFTRA will need to negotiate its settlement, likely using the WGA’s agreement as a template.

Challenges Faced by Writers and Actors

Both the writers and actors argue that they are earning less money as TV seasons become shorter due to the rise of streaming platforms. Whereas network sitcoms traditionally guaranteed 22 episodes per year, streaming shows often produce as few as eight or 10 episodes. This reduction in episode count results in lower royalty payments for syndication or overseas runs of shows and movies, as streamers now demand worldwide exclusive rights.

Impact on Talk Shows and Productions

The absence of writers has noticeably affected late-night talk shows, which were among the first to be impacted by the writers’ strike. Once the writers go back to work, these shows can resume immediately. However, talk show hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers cannot book actors to promote their past or current projects until the actors’ strike is resolved. SAG explicitly prohibits such promotion, even on social media. Despite this limitation, talk shows that do not rely heavily on actor guests, such as HBO’s “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” and “Real Time With Bill Maher,” can continue without major interruptions.

Daytime talk shows can also return to normal operations, though some, like ABC’s “The View” and “Live With Kelly and Mark,” were able to remain on the air under separate contracts. Celebrities like Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, and Drew Barrymore, who initially announced plans to continue without writers but faced backlash from strikers, could potentially resume their shows relatively quickly. On the other hand, “Saturday Night Live” is unlikely to return until both strikes are resolved.

One potential benefit of getting writers back to work is that studios can start preparing scripts for movies and scripted series, allowing for a quicker resumption of production when actors return to work.

Studios Under Pressure

The AMPTP and the unions have taken strong stances as the writers’ strike drags on. Studios argue that the rise of streaming and changes in business models necessitate adjustments in the economics of TV and movie production. The industry experienced a surge in projects driven by streamers’ desire to attract subscribers, coined the “Peak TV” era. However, studios now face pressures from Wall Street investors demanding profits, resulting in a slowdown in production. The unions have been patient but consider 2023 a crucial inflection point. If they do not achieve greater financial benefits from their work now, they fear they never will.

The strikes have also put pressure on studios, many of which have seen declines in their stock prices since the start of the writers’ strike. While they save money on production costs, they are simultaneously losing revenue from box office sales and advertising due to lower TV ratings. Streaming services are at risk of losing subscribers if they cannot provide new programming.

Potential Consequences of Failed Negotiations

If both strikes are not resolved in the coming weeks, broadcasters will face significant challenges salvaging the traditional TV season, which is set to begin soon. Schedules will likely be filled with reality competitions, game shows, reruns, and foreign imports with fewer recognized stars. Some networks, such as ABC, have already made plans to delay the return of shows like “Dancing With the Stars” due to participant withdrawals in solidarity with the unions. While streaming services and movie studios have longer lead times, a reduced pipeline of new content can be expected in the following year as producers play catch-up. Some studios and networks have already delayed premieres of new movies and series to manage their schedules effectively.

When Will Your Entertainment Diet Return to Normal?

If writers return to work by next month, followed by actors, production could resume toward the end of this year. New episodes of TV shows could begin airing by February. Sitcoms, with shorter production schedules, can air within three to four weeks of shooting. On the other hand, dramas require more time for production and editing. Popular shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “NCIS” are likely to have shortened seasons, airing only 10 to 13 episodes instead of the usual 18 to 22. “Saturday Night Live,” with its unique writing process, could return relatively quickly, but a full 21-week season is unlikely.

Overall, the fills in the entertainment industry will gradually return to normalcy once the strikes are resolved and production can resume. Nevertheless, the impact of the strikes on the industry’s economics and labor dynamics will likely be felt for years to come.