2008 Woodie Awards
Why the writers' strike matters
Feud will change the way audiences watch favorite TV Shows
By: Caitlin Foyt
Issue date: 1/7/08 Section: Lifeline
Sylar has his powers back, Michael and Jan's relationship stands at a crossroad and Wisteria Lane is nothing more than a pile of rubble.
It may be months or even years before fans learn the fates of their favorite TV characters.
Instead of watching their favorite television shows, some students may be tuning instead into American Gladiators on Sunday nights - solely because there is nothing else to watch.
The writer's strike has lasted nine solid weeks.
And there still isn't an end in sight.
A few negotiations have been made here and there, but Americans still are without the majority of their favorite scripted television.
Preferred programming aside, it seems people aren't really aware of the terms that the two parties (The Writers Guild of America, the writers, vs. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, studio and network heads) are feuding over.
People can't imagine how any of this will affect their lives.
The reality is that this strike is a huge turning point in the distribution of media.
It's going to change the way people watch TV.
One huge reason the writers are so miffed is because of TV episodes online, or "webisodes."
The writers haven't seen any of the money that's coming from that. These webisodes are completely residual-free, meaning that the studios get to keep all of the profits from the advertisers.
Naturally, the people who have written these shows stopped putting out their product until they receive the money they deserve.
So while thousands of people are out of a job, channel after channel is broadcasting garbage, reality TV shows that even the brain-dead can't stand.
The writers go on without work. The networks go on without programming.
It's a mess, a catch-22.
The networks need the writers and the writers need the networks.
It's just another war over money that is sickening to watch.
See, aside from personal interest, you should be caring about this. You should care very much.
The destiny of television will become clear in the coming months.
The way this all will end could change the way you watch your favorite TV show! Roommates gathering around the computer screen to watch the latest episode of "Heroes"?
A couch and coffee table assembled in front of a tiny computer monitor rather than the living room television?
Regardless of outcome, of who gets what, it has been practically confirmed that the future of television entertainment will be online.
In the meantime, people will be glued not to their TV sets, but to the refresh button of an Internet browser.
lifeline@cm-life.com
It may be months or even years before fans learn the fates of their favorite TV characters.
Instead of watching their favorite television shows, some students may be tuning instead into American Gladiators on Sunday nights - solely because there is nothing else to watch.
The writer's strike has lasted nine solid weeks.
And there still isn't an end in sight.
A few negotiations have been made here and there, but Americans still are without the majority of their favorite scripted television.
Preferred programming aside, it seems people aren't really aware of the terms that the two parties (The Writers Guild of America, the writers, vs. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, studio and network heads) are feuding over.
People can't imagine how any of this will affect their lives.
The reality is that this strike is a huge turning point in the distribution of media.
It's going to change the way people watch TV.
One huge reason the writers are so miffed is because of TV episodes online, or "webisodes."
The writers haven't seen any of the money that's coming from that. These webisodes are completely residual-free, meaning that the studios get to keep all of the profits from the advertisers.
Naturally, the people who have written these shows stopped putting out their product until they receive the money they deserve.
So while thousands of people are out of a job, channel after channel is broadcasting garbage, reality TV shows that even the brain-dead can't stand.
The writers go on without work. The networks go on without programming.
It's a mess, a catch-22.
The networks need the writers and the writers need the networks.
It's just another war over money that is sickening to watch.
See, aside from personal interest, you should be caring about this. You should care very much.
The destiny of television will become clear in the coming months.
The way this all will end could change the way you watch your favorite TV show! Roommates gathering around the computer screen to watch the latest episode of "Heroes"?
A couch and coffee table assembled in front of a tiny computer monitor rather than the living room television?
Regardless of outcome, of who gets what, it has been practically confirmed that the future of television entertainment will be online.
In the meantime, people will be glued not to their TV sets, but to the refresh button of an Internet browser.
lifeline@cm-life.com
