The Writers Guild of America (WGA) represents thousands of screenwriters behind some of television and film’s biggest hits. Today marks the beginning of a complete strike from countless writers nationwide, beginning with major productions in New York City and Los Angeles. The last WGA strike took place between 2007 and 2008, and impacted countless major television programs at the time.
The current strike is a result of a rapid pay decrease by 23% since the pandemic, as a result of both inflation and streaming services running shorter seasons. Additionally, several guild members revealed that their respective workplaces refused to impose regulations on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the writer’s room. Some tech entrepreneurs insist that AI can replace several types of writing careers, and writers are fighting back.
Here are the #WGA’s proposals to help writers achieve a living wage (note: our minimum basic agreement is not a guarantee of employment, this is only applicable IF we are so lucky to land a coveted writing job!). #WGAstrong pic.twitter.com/q4qv2jXStV
— Robin Thede (@robinthede) May 2, 2023
Writers in other fields should be paying attention to the WGA negotiations. Here's the current position on the use of AI. pic.twitter.com/MWuo6AwKBt
— Hari Kunzru (@harikunzru) May 2, 2023
Among the many halted productions are “Saturday Night Live”, “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon”, “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” “The Daily Show,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Cobra Kai,” and “Yellowjackets.”
Celebrity Support
Last night at the Met Gala, actress Amanda Seyfried spoke out in support of the WGA ahead of the strike. Given that 15 years have passed since the last strike, Seyfried agreed with the writers that changes are long overdue. Strikers thanked the actress for her support on Twitter.
Amanda Seyfried on the potential WGA strike: "My writer friends think it's going to happen." #MetGala https://t.co/OcPy5cjK1f pic.twitter.com/zkMT2aIqZU
— Variety (@Variety) May 2, 2023
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Jimmy Fallon additionally agreed to shut down production on “The Tonight Show” in support of the writers.
Last night a lot of A-list celebs were asked if they support the writers' strike.
Jimmy Fallon said, "I wouldn't have a show if it wasn't for my writers, I support them all the way."
Who else supports the strike? Thread. pic.twitter.com/EjlRWiRXd3
— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) May 2, 2023
Jimmy Fallon says ‘The Tonight Show’ will shut down production in the event of a WGA strike.
“Whatever I can do to support the [Writers] Guild…I couldn’t do the show without them.”
(Source: @Variety) pic.twitter.com/dhT0JZYFNv
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 2, 2023
Quinta Brunson, who created and stars in “Abbott Elementary”, additionally offered commentary on the strike at the Met Gala. Brunson herself is a member of WGA.
Quinta Brunson, at the #MetGala, on the potential writers’ strike that could happen as soon as Tuesday.
"I'm a member of WGA [Writers Guild of America] and support WGA, and them getting — we, us — getting what we need." https://t.co/3Xv5AzigsM pic.twitter.com/1aDQsh8d0L
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 1, 2023
Words From The Writers
Despite Fallon’s support, one “Tonight Show” employee confirmed via Twitter that NBC told workers that their company provided health insurance would be cut by the end of the month if the strike is ongoing. She confirmed that Fallon was not a part of this meeting or decision.
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At a meeting Jimmy wasn't even at, we are told NBC decided to stop paying us after this week and end our health insurance after this month if the strike is ongoing. They won't even tell us if we will technically be furloughed. Just active employees who aren't paid.
— Sarah Kobos (@skobos) May 2, 2023
Seth Meyers allegedly is looking to continue financially supporting his crew should the parent company cut their benefits.
I’m told Seth Meyers was in their zoom production meeting and that he is going to try and take care of his staff and crew after NBC stops paying.
— Sarah Kobos (@skobos) May 2, 2023
Others are using examples of critically acclaimed shows with severely underpaid writers, including Hulu’s “The Bear.”
And if you’re still wondering why the writers strike was “necessary,” here’s one of the many, MANY stories that shines a light on how fucking poorly they’re being compensated at the moment https://t.co/xNJ0GW5QxD
— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) May 2, 2023
Protests continue to surge on both the east coast and the west coast. One writer was interviewed on the scene, and she stated that she was striking over the short lifespan of streaming productions and the lack of residual payments.
Writer Lauren Glover on why she’s striking: “I'm sick of these mini rooms…” #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/tyY7geIAGQ
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 2, 2023
In New York, a writer on “The Simpsons” stepped out to protest after working on the show for 30 years.
‘The Simpsons’ writer (of 30 years) Al Jean on why he's picketing in NYC today #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/lgq7EsJ54V
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 2, 2023
Many were impressed with the solidarity from civilians and other unionized entertainment workers of IATSE and SAG-AFTRA.
‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ writer Josh Gondelman in NYC at #WritersStrike: “The solidarity is impressive and not surprising” pic.twitter.com/juJWcAMH4e
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 2, 2023
Actor and screenwriter Danny Strong explained the importance of the strike amid the streaming era. Strong famously starred as Doyle in “Gilmore Girls” and now created and writes for “Dopesick.” The multi-hyphenate explained the concept of “mini rooms” and how they take advantage of writers as well.
"How do you negotiate a fair deal if you have no data on what your show is doing?" says #Dopesick creator Danny Strong at the 5th Ave picket line. "It’s unfair, and to be honest with you, it doesn’t even feel like it should be legal." https://t.co/v5PEySw9pt pic.twitter.com/kPfDqIBKhe
— Variety (@Variety) May 2, 2023
Past Comparisons
The last writers strike between 2007 and 2008 not only cost viewers quality television. The strike delivered a blow of 2.1 billion dollars to California’s economy alone. Today, social media users are reminding current strikers and pop culture fans of some of the celebrities that stood with the WGA 15 years ago.
Conan O’Brien, a late night television host at the time, famously spun his wedding ring on his desk to fill up air time, and paid the salaries of his crew from his own pocket.
This is true. Here's Conan spinning his wedding ring during the 2007 writers' strike just to fill airtime. It was like this for months.
NBC was lucky that Conan is the GOAT, but it's impossible to explain to Gen Z how bad the content will get if there's another one. https://t.co/tNkduyiNac pic.twitter.com/5Eo1WqQG0l
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) May 2, 2023
Actor Steve Carrell reportedly would call in sick to skip acting on the set of “The Office” amid the strike. The sicknesses in question were always humorous.
What Does This All Mean?
The writers strike is already sparking a domino effect of a blackout in the entertainment industry. Some suspect that amid the recent rise of book-to-television adaptations that authors will soon be asked to fill the seats of screenwriters. This WGA member explained why this would not benefit authors either.
PSA: The WGA strike may mean that novelists & authors get approached for screenwriting. While this may seem like a perfect opportunity, please note that the WGA does strongly enforces its right to prevent non-members who have engaged in scabbing from ever becoming members.
— Victoria Marini (@LitAgentMarini) May 2, 2023
Other writers assert that even if a script has already been written, screenwriters typically continue to work closely to productions and make alterations throughout based on actors’ performances.
Whose the writer producer on set? Whose showrunning? Hmmm? Scripts are done. Okay. But rewrites literally happen. Line changes. Alt line changes. Whose gonna watch dailies and cuts? Approval on costumes. Tone meeting. Once again proving you guys have no idea what we do!
— Caroline “WGA Captain on Strike” Renard (@carolinerenard_) May 2, 2023
Entertainment journalists are standing in solidarity with the strikers. Amid recent mass layoffs across news media and striking for similar reasons, many feel that screenwriters roles in the industry are imperative to what critics cover.
Critics & Entertainment journalists should be in solidarity w/ the WGA strike. We’re part of an ecosystem & it starts w/ writers conceptualizing the TV/Film we write about. I promise none of you want to be covering 29 seasons of Love Is Blind. Plus our pay sucks too. Solidarity.
— Daric L. Cottingham, M.A. (@DaricCott) May 2, 2023
The strike currently has no end in sight. Several entertainment executives spoke out against the strike, with David Zaslav of Warner Bros. saying that he was initially “hopeful” that negotiations would end before they came to a strike. No further progress has been made and the strike remains ongoing.
