2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike

[Rappy Veteran]

Does anyone know what's going on with the show Scrubs?

Sucks that all this happened during its final season.

I heard something about the last few episodes going straight to DVD.

[NightmarE D]

I heard something about the last few episodes going straight to DVD.

Yeah that's all I've heard also.

[Mathachew Veteran]

Hopefully NBC, FOX and ABC will release information much like CBS' so that we can have these questions about our favorite shows made known.

[Rappy Veteran]

I don't think I would be happy if the last few episodes go to DVD because it needs to end on telly where it started.

[NightmarE D]

I don't think I would be happy if the last few episodes go to DVD because it needs to end on telly where it started.

Yeah, because who knows when those last episodes would hit DVD. It could be a couple months from now or it could be a year from now.

[Hurmoth]

NBC Announces Return of Scripted Series

NBC will resume the broadcast of many of its scripted series in April with new original episodes following the settlement of the Writers Guild of America strike, including "The Office," "30 Rock," "My Name Is Earl," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," among other programs, it was announced by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, and Marc Graboff, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

The list of comedies and dramas includes: "My Name Is Earl" (Thursdays, 8-8:30 p.m. ET), which will return with a one-hour episode on Thursday, April 3; the Emmy Award-winning "30 Rock" (Thursdays, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) will begin on Thursday, April 10; likewise, the Emmy-winning "The Office" (Thursdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET) also resumes with new episodes on Thursday, April 10; and "Scrubs" (Thursdays, 9:30-10 p.m. ET) will come back with original episodes beginning Thursday, April 10.

"ER" (Thursdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) also will come back on Thursday, April 10 with new episodes following the complete run of "Lipstick Jungle," which concludes on March 20.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (Tuesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) will return with fresh episodes on Tuesday, April 15. "Law & Order" (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) resumes with original episodes on Wednesday, April 23. Meanwhile, "Medium" (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) continues in originals.

Specific plans for other NBC scripted series are currently being determined and will be announced later.

The following includes NBC's new spring broadcast schedule denoting new return dates with original episodes for some of its scripted programs:

"Medium" (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET)

Continues current run

"My Name Is Earl" (Thursdays, 8-8:30 p.m. ET)

Resumes April 3 with one-hour episode

"30 Rock" (Thursdays, 8:30-9 p.m. ET)

Resumes April 10

"The Office" (Thursdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET)

Resumes April 10

"Scrubs" (Thursdays, 9:30-10 p.m. ET)

Resumes April 10

"ER" (Thursdays, 10-11 p.m. ET)

Resumes April 10

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (Tuesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET)

Resumes April 15

"Law & Order" (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET)

Resumes April 23

NBC Renews Chuck, Life and Heroes

NBC has picked up its freshman drama series "Chuck" and "Life" -- as well as its hit "Heroes" -- for the 2008-09 season, it was announced today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, and Marc Graboff, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

All three series will have major re-launch campaigns next year.

"We are thrilled to be bringing back the high-energy dramas 'Chuck' and 'Life' for next season," said Silverman. "Additionally, we will be saving and re-launching our #1 drama and most successful franchise, 'Heroes,' so that it will run in all original episodes in the fourth quarter."

"These pickups are a sign of our confidence in these quality series and will allow the respective producers to get a head start on their creative arc for next season," said Graboff. "As a result, they give us a lot to build on as we point to next year's schedule."

[Rappy Veteran]

Seems that stuff I posted was a rumour then!!! :D

Good to see Chuck returning and Heroes :p

[Mathachew Veteran]

w00t! Still though.... two more months until we get more Office, ah well, at least it will be back.

[1Frothy]

It is official. The strike is over, the writers will be back at work tomorrow :D

Grrrreat! :jump: Can't wait for House / Greys Anatomy and maybe even Desperate Housewives to return. *cough* the last two are shows only my wife enjoys. :shifty:

Oh and any news on 'back to you' :dizzy: 'private practice' and 'samantha who' ? Once again, nothing I watch.. Only my wife :$

[Hurmoth]

UPDATE: NBC Claims It Was Asked By H'wood Foreign Press Assn And Dick Clark Productions To Join Lawsuit Against WGA; DCP Denies NBC Claim Of Involvement

NBC sources are now clarifying for me exactly where the network stands about suing the WGA. Or are they? (This updates my previous reporting on this fast-breaking story, Sources: NBC & Hollywood Foreign Press May Sue WGA Over No Golden Globes.) "A lot of lawyers out there are trying to point fingers at a lot of people," a network insider just confirmed. I can tell you that, based on my previous conversations with NBC insiders right after the Golden Globes were canceled, the network was seriously expecting to be sued by Dick Clark Productions and possibly even by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Today, I'm told by NBC that lawyers for the HFPA and Dick Clark Productions are presently in hot pursuit of what they think are possible legal claims against the WGA. But lawyers have also told NBC that the network could take some sort of legal action against the guild as well, network insiders tell me. "So what happened," an NBC source explains, "is a week and a half ago we were approached and asked, if they [the HFPA and Dick Clark Prods] decide to take legal action, would we join their lawsuits. And we said no. And that's it. But they did come to us." However, other sources insist to me that it wasn't until today that NBC gave a "no" answer. Nevertheless, if HFPA and/or Dick Clark Productions file lawsuits, NBC will inevitably be dragged into it and no doubt be forced to cooperate. But if Jeff Zucker's "no" truly means "no", then he'll stand a lot taller in the Hollywood community.

2ND UPDATE: Now a spokesperson for Dick Clark Productions just told me that the company "has no intention of suing anyone at this time" and denies NBC's claim of involvement. I understand that prior to the Golden Globes cancellation, DCP did examine all the possible legal remedies it had. But at the time, says a DCP insider, "NBC was rattling their sabers and claiming they were going to sue us." Indeed, my initial sources on this story never claimed that Dick Clark Productions would be involved in any lawsuit. Here's an idea: how about no one sues anyone over the no-go Golden Globes and we call it a day.

3RD UPDATE: NBC confirmed to me later today that the HFPA is planning to sue the WGA for its "secondary boycott" having to do with the guild's decision not to grant an interim agreement or awards waiver to Dick Clark Productions. But get this: network sources also told me "don't be surprised" if NBC winds up pursuing a lawsuit against someone or something from the Golden Globes mess.

[Mathachew Veteran]

Good golly, lots of back and forth there. It'll be a mess of a situation.

[Rappy Veteran]

Grrrreat! :jump: Can't wait for House / Greys Anatomy and maybe even Desperate Housewives to return. *cough* the last two are shows only my wife enjoys. :shifty:

Oh and any news on 'back to you' :dizzy: 'private practice' and 'samantha who' ? Once again, nothing I watch.. Only my wife :$

Private Practice and Samantha Who were renewed for Season seasons.

[MGS4-SS]

Scrubs April 10th! Woot!

Sadly its still two months away, but at least is wasn't wasted.

[Hurmoth]

Scrubs April 10th! Woot!

Sadly its still two months away, but at least is wasn't wasted.

I'm very happy for Bill Lawrence to be honest. He's poured his heart and soul into this show and while it has suffered IMO in the funny business for a while, I still enjoy watching it and I'm very happy that he'll get to end the show the way he wants to. Kudos to NBC for allowing him to do that :yes:

[sTIMPZ]

2 months till Office...and it's only been a month and a half since I began watching the show!

[Rappy Veteran]

Actors Urge Talks to Avoid Strike

Four of Hollywood's biggest stars have taken out adverts in US trade papers urging their leaders to start contract talks in a bid to avert a strike.

Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro want the Screen Actors Guild to negotiate with studios over a contract which ends on 30 June.

Their call comes as US writers begin to return to work after they voted to end a three-month strike.

Networks have started to announce the return of shows halted by the strike.

Strong support

The adverts, placed in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, appeal with leaders of the 120,000-strong Screen Actors Guild (SAG) to begin talks over a new contract.

On Wednesday, SAG national executive director Doug Allen said the union would open negotiations over pay and conditions "at a time that will most benefit our members".

Last week, Clooney warned SAG leaders their negotiating power would diminish if they waited before starting talks with producers, because of "a lot of strike fatigue".

The actors' union offered strong support to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in its strike over work distributed on DVD or over the internet.

TV and film writers are now returning to work after the WGA's back-to-work order was approved by 92.5% of the 3,775 members who voted on the deal struck by leaders at the weekend.

But it will take weeks for the TV industry, in particular, to mobilise while new material is prepared.

Network CBS has announced that a number of its most popular dramas, including Cold Case, Criminal Minds and Without a Trace, will be back on air by early April.

And ABC's courtroom drama Boston Legal will be back in front of cameras as soon as next week because the script was already half-finished when the strike began in November.

Long wait

The current US TV season runs out in late May.

Viewers will have to wait longer for shows with continuing storylines than those with self-contained episodes with many networks choosing to wait until they can show seasons in their entirety.

NBC's superhero series Heroes is expected to stay off air in the US until autumn for that reason.

Fox thriller 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland as agent Jack Bauer, is now scheduled to begin in January 2009 so that all 24 episodes can be shown in full.

Films have not been as severely affected because they have longer production times.

Some 10,500 writers stopped work on 5 November, a few days after their old contract with studios ended.

Sunday's deal gives them a greater share in money made from TV programmes and films offered over the internet and other new media.

TV and film production was crippled by the strike and it led to the cancellation of the Golden Globes ceremony.

The Academy Awards, which were also threatened, will now go ahead.

[Mathachew Veteran]

I doubt we'll have another strike, but still.....

[Rappy Veteran]

I doubt we'll have another strike, but still.....

I think we all said that when the writers talks started and 3 months later :(

[Rappy Veteran]

The wait for new shows is shorter than we thought! The CW has just announced the return dates for its original programs -- and some shows will be back in just over a month. Here's the scoop:

The Game will return on March 23 with an expected 9 new episodes.

One Tree Hill will return on April 14 with an expected 6 new episodes.

Smallville will return on April 17 with an expected 5 new episodes.

Gossip Girl will return on April 21 with an expected 5 new episodes.

Reaper will return on April 22 with an expected 5 new episodes.

Supernatural will return on April 24 with an expected 4 new episodes.

Yay Reaper is back!

[episode]

I think we all said that when the writers talks started and 3 months later :(

No, this is different. The people 'in the know' always said the writers were going to strike, going back months before it happened. They aren't saying the same about SAG.

[Rappy Veteran]

No, this is different. The people 'in the know' always said the writers were going to strike, going back months before it happened. They aren't saying the same about SAG.

Oh right thats cool then!

[Rappy Veteran]

?BONES? Returns with All-New Episodes on April 14

??TIL DEATH? and ?BACK TO YOU? Return with All-New Episodes

on April 16

?HOUSE? Returns with All-New Episodes on April 28

New Series Premieres Include ?UNHITCHED? on March 2;

?CANTERBURY?S LAW? on March 10; ?NEW AMSTERDAM? on March 10

with Sneak Previews on March 4 and March 6 after ?AMERICAN IDOL?;

and ?THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES? on March 14

Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) has ordered many of its current series back to production and has announced airdates for spring 2008. Among the series slated to return are BONES, BACK TO YOU, ?TIL DEATH and HOUSE. 24 will also return to conclude production on its seventh season, but the Emmy-winning series starring Kiefer Sutherland will not premiere until January 2009, allowing the drama to once again run 24 episodes consecutively. FOX?s animated series, including AMERICAN DAD, FAMILY GUY and THE SIMPSONS, are also returning to production on future episodes. The following highlights the spring schedule:

SPRING SCHEDULE RECAP (All times ET/PT):

BACK TO YOU

Tuesday, Feb. 26 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) Original episode

Wednesday, Feb. 27 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) Original episode

Wednesday, April 16 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) Time period premiere with originals

UNHITCHED

Sunday, March 2 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) Series premiere

NEW AMSTERDAM

Tuesday, March 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) Series preview

Thursday, March 6 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) Series preview

Monday, March 10 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) Time period premiere

CANTERBURY?S LAW

Monday, March 10 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) Series premiere

THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES

Friday, March 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) Special one-hour series premiere

Friday, March 21 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) Time period premiere

?TIL DEATH

Tuesday, March 25 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) Original episode

Wednesday, April 16 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) Time period premiere with originals

HELL?S KITCHEN

Tuesday, April 1 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) Season premiere

BONES

Monday, April 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) Time period premiere with originals

HOUSE

Monday, April 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) Time period premiere with encore

Monday, April 28 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) Originals begin

[OPaul]

I'm assuming they already produced some or most of the episodes of 24 before the strike, correct? If so, how are they going to manage to keep a consistent appearance now (what with 24 being all in 1 day) between episodes? I guess it doesn't matter with some of the older actors as they may not age that much. But any younger actors are going to look very different between episodes now.

[Mathachew Veteran]

I'm assuming they already produced some or most of the episodes of 24 before the strike, correct? If so, how are they going to manage to keep a consistent appearance now (what with 24 being all in 1 day) between episodes? I guess it doesn't matter with some of the older actors as they may not age that much. But any younger actors are going to look very different between episodes now.

Eh, you're talking about months between shoots, not years, so how would they look very different? Besides, 24 doesn't follow children.

24 only has eight episodes complete. It's possible that they'll film as soon as scripts have been completed with the show returning in January 2009.

[Hurmoth]

I'm assuming they already produced some or most of the episodes of 24 before the strike, correct? If so, how are they going to manage to keep a consistent appearance now (what with 24 being all in 1 day) between episodes? I guess it doesn't matter with some of the older actors as they may not age that much. But any younger actors are going to look very different between episodes now.

They only filmed 8 episodes. It won't be hard to keep consistency, Lost does it all the time, so has Heroes. This will be just like in between seasons. The only thing that would suck is if something serious happened to one of the actors between seasons, but that's a constant fear now.