This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. We stand with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. Without them, the movies and television shows we cover would not exist.
The last two weeks of September are here and Hollywood is still on strike. Not just that, but the strike seems like it could go on for a while still, with the studios not budging on, you know, basic stuff like paying writers and actors a living wage while their CEOs get absurd bonuses for existing as white men.
Ironically, the last two weeks of September are a grim landmark for the strike because, in normal times, they would mark the return of network TV. And now, not only are we not getting network TV back, we’re close to the point of no return in that regard. Sure, if the strikes are solved now, we could still get it back at midseason. But, how high are the chances of that?
Right now, it’s not looking good. And let’s be clear, it’s not because writers and actors are deliberately trying to delay negotiations to “cause harm” to the studios. It’s not because their demands are unrealistic. And it’s really, really not because anyone in the WGA or SAG-AFTRA is happy to be out of work.
It’s because studios are greedy and the people negotiating on their behalf are privileged and out of touch. Period.
But hey, if you need more information on what the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are asking for, you can find that here:
Personally, I would love to be covering network TV starting next week. I would love for things to get back to normal. But I understand that there is no normal that is worth it if the people behind the things I cover, the things so many of you love, aren’t compensated fairly.
It should be premiere week. Instead, it’s another opportunity to tell the AMPTP that enough is enough. The unions will stand strong, and so will we.
