The Hollywood Writer’s Strike.Photo: CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty
TheWriters Guild of America (WGA)announced that their months-long strike hascome to an endafter 148 days.
The WGAwent on strikebecause the deadline for a new contract passed on May 1 this year without a ratified contract, marking the first WGA strike since 2007. Thenew agreement, which is valid from Sept. 25 through May 1, 2026, will include “increased foreign streaming residuals” and a “viewership-based streaming bonus.”
The entertainment industry felt the impact immediately, with late-night chat shows shutting down production when the clock struck deadline. Other shows, like HBO’sReal Time With Bill Maher, went dark as well. Daytime talk shows includingThe Viewforged ahead, though warned that its formatwould look differentwithout its writers.
Ironically, the contract that effects average entertainment laborers loomed heavily over major Hollywood players at the2023 Met Gala, the same night that its deadline expired. In the months that followed, celebrities voiced their opinions on the matter andjoined picket linesin support of the WGA and the treatment of its members.
Here’s everything to know about the WGA strike from its beginning to end.
What is the Writers Guild of America?
The Hollywood Writer’s Strike.CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty
Per its website, theWriters Guild of America (WGA)“is a labor union representing thousands of members who write content for motion pictures, television, news and online media.” They currently consist of more than 6,000 members.
Founded in 1954, The Guild “negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members; conducts programs, seminars and events on issues of interest to writers; and presents writers' views to various bodies of government.”
Why are Hollywood writers protesting?
The contract was created well before the explosion of streaming media (and all of the upheaval that has caused in terms of the volume of output as well as the way content is hosted and viewed today) and, the guild said, did not adequately address how they should be compensated for work within this new medium.
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.
However, many of theWGA’s contract proposalswere outright rejected, which caused the union to move forward with its pledge to stop work until its requirements were addressed.
On March 14, the WGA released a report, titled"Writers Are Not Keeping Up," that details the issues. Among the many include the negative impact on writers' compensation since the domination of streaming services.
When did the WGA strike begin?
VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty
The existing contract between the Writers Guild of America and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers — which includes Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony — officially expired at midnight Pacific time, kicking off the walkout at 12:01 a.m. PT on May 2.
The last strike stretched 100 days, starting in November 2007 and continuing through February 2008.
What solution are the writers seeking with the WGA strike?
Despite the clear content boom in recent years, in part due to the additions and advancements in streaming services, both the WGA and the AMPTP agree thatwriters are bringing in less moneyoverall.
However, agreeing on a solution is where the conflict originated. “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 toDeadline.
What has President Joe Biden said about the WGA strike?
About a week after the strike commenced, President Joe Bidenaddressed the WGA strike for the first timeduring a screening for the upcoming Disney+ seriesAmerican Born Chineseon May 8.
“Nights like these are a reminder of the power of stories and the importance of treating storytellers with dignity, respect and the value they deserve,“Biden saidat The White House-hosted viewing held to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
“I sincerely hope the writers strike in Hollywood gets resolved and the writers are given a fair deal they deserve as soon as possible,” continued Biden. “This is an iconic, meaningful American industry and we need the writers and all the workers and everyone involved to tell the stories of our nation and the stories of all of us.”
Have Hollywood celebrities spoken out about the WGA strike?
Amanda Seyfried at the 2023 Met Gala.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Several of the late night show hosts (many of whom, likeJimmy Fallon, double as members of the WGA themselves) among other Hollywood stars, have spoken out in support of their writers.
“I wouldn’t have a show if it wasn’t for my writers, and I support them all the way. They gotta have a fair contract, and they got a lot of stuff to iron out,” Fallon toldVarietyat the Met Gala on May 1.
Abbott Elementarycreator and starQuinta Brunsondoubles as a member herself. “I’m a member of WGA, and support WGA, you know them getting what — we, us, getting what we need,” Brunson told theAP. “No one wants a strike, but I hope that we’re able to rectify this, whatever that means.”
Meanwhile,Amanda Seyfriedvoiced her frustration when speaking withVarietyat the Met Gala, saying “I don’t get what the problem is … Everything changed with streaming, and everybody needs to be compensated for their work. That’s f—ing easy.”
Have celebrities taken action amid the WGA strike?
Celebrities included: Rob Lowe, Davidson, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Cynthia Nixon, Jay Leno, Quinta Brunson, Natasha Lyonne and Wanda Sykes to name a few.
Meanwhile,Varietyreported on May 4 that Fallon and Meyers of NBC intended on paying the staffers at their late night shows “three weeks' of wages while the programsare sidelined due to the writers strike,” sources familiar with the matter told the outlet.
“NBC plans to pay two weeks of salary to staffers while each late-night host will pay a third week out of their own pockets, according to these people,” the outlet noted. Plus, “Healthcare for the shows' employees will be paid through September.”
Fallon and Meyers were reportedly in attendance at the production calls when staffers learned of this information on May 3. According toVariety, “The hosts typically do not participate in those early-day meetings.”
Which television shows have paused amid WGA strike?
Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.Todd Owyoung/NBC; Randy Holmes/ABC
The impact of the strike was felt immediately. In addition to picketing (which began the afternoon of May 2), 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 Showshut down immediately, with networks airing reruns.
However, late night shows were simply the first to take action, but shutdowns from other shows — including daytime talk shows, series and more — across networks and streamers have (and continue to) followed.
Programs includingThe Viewacknowledged live on air that their content would look different in the coming weeks. (In fact,Whoopi Goldbergwarned fans thatThe Viewwill not be funnywithout their writers at work!)
When did the WGA strike end?
The WGA announced that their months-long strike is came to an end just after midnight on Sept. 27, 2023,when members “unanimously” voted to accept the agreement. Terms will include a five percent minimum pay increase once the contract is complete. Additional bumps are set for 2024 and 2025.
The new deal was struck with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) — which represents Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony — after the two organizations met Sept. 20 and again on Sept. 24.
Although the contract has yet to be ratified, writers can now return to work. Thenew agreement, which is valid from Sept. 25 through May 1, 2026, will include “increased foreign streaming residuals” and a “viewership-based streaming bonus” as well as protections against AI-written content.
Fallon, Meyers, Kimmel and Colbert announced on their collectiveStrike Force Fivepodcast social media on Sept. 27 that their shows are set to return on Oct 2. Meanwhile, the fifth member of theStrike Force Five,John Oliveris set to return toLast Week Tonighton Oct. 1.
While some late night shows are returning, production on scripted shows includingLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit,Grey’s Anatomyand9-1-1remains halted amid theSAG-AFTRA strike, which began on July 14.
source: people.com
