Actors' strike may well be written on the wall

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-20  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

AS Hollywood recovers from a tumultuous writers walkout that ended in February, United States television networks are bracing for a possible actors strike that could delay the upcoming fall TV season.

Jitters over renewed labor unrest have mounted in recent days as contract talks between the Screen Actors Guild and the major film and TV studios have grown increasingly rancorous with little or no sign that a settlement is near.

The three-year labor pact covering film and prime-time TV work for 120,000 SAG members is due to expire in two weeks.

SAG leaders triggered an outcry from the studios late last week by suggesting a deal was unlikely to be reached by the June 30 deadline and saying they were considering whether to seek permission of rank-and-file members to call a strike.

The writers strike brought production on most scripted TV series to a halt, idled thousands of workers and forced networks to replace derailed programs with a glut of reruns and reality shows. One estimate put the total cost to the Los Angeles-area economy at US$3 billion.

Preparing tactics

With so much at stake, studio and network bosses are said to be preparing strike contingencies.

TV networks are quietly considering a postponement of the traditional September launch of the next broadcast season as a "last resort" should a strike materialize, said Nellie Andreeva, who covers TV for The Hollywood Reporter.

"We have talked to executives (and) privately, they say, 'That's a possibility we're looking at,'" Andreeva said.

Television was especially hard hit by the 100-day writers strike, and when the TV season ended last month, some shows stayed in production or started up again after a short break rather than taking their customary summer hiatus.

About half of all prime-time dramas and sitcoms are now shooting for the fall, allowing networks to stockpile a handful of new episodes.

Andreeva said about 24 shows will have two or three original episodes ready in time for a strike, including "Heroes," "House," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "ER" and "My Name is Earl."