January 15, 2008
The Writers Guild of America strike has been going on since early November. However, the viewing public is just starting to feel its effects.
Many scripted shows are beginning to run out of taped episodes. "Pushing Daises," "Gossip Girl," "Grey’s Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "Family Guy," "Heroes" and countless other shows are finished. Others have only a few more episodes to burn.
Viewers aren't completely without options. Shows such as "Lost" and "Jericho" are starting up again, though they too will run out of episodes in a few months.
Most late night shows have returned, though the hosts are not only deprived of their writers, but are also contractually forbidden to write their own material.
The only exceptions are the "Late Show With David Letterman" and "The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson." Both are owned by Letterman’s Worldwide Pants Co., which made an independent deal with the WGA. They have returned with their complete writing staffs.
For those of us who aren’t content to get involved with "Lost" for three minutes before it goes away or to watch Jon Stewart wildly improvise (not that funny, by the way), there's always reality TV.
I have a short attention span and no taste, so I'm personally thrilled by "Big Brother" returning to CBS on Feb. 12.
Other classy, tasteful reality options are "Scott Baio is 46 ... and Pregnant," "Dance Wars: Bruno Vs. Carrie Anne," :American Gladiators" and, of course, the omnipresent "American Idol."
Unfortunately, it's not just normal television patterns being destroyed. The awards season is also being ruined.
This is best symbolized by the extremely pathetic pseudo-Golden Globes, held Jan. 13. Since most actors refused to cross the picket line, the traditional red carpet and awards ceremony was canceled in favor of what was essentially a glorified episode of "Access Hollywood."
The biggest star present was Billy Bush. It was really, really sad.
Worst of all, if the strike doesn't end quickly (which isn't looking likely), we're in for a repeat performance come Oscar time. And that's even more depressing.
Essentially, television viewers have very little to look forward to this year except for boredom and disappointment.
So, I don't know, read a book or something. At least they don’t stop midway because of labor disputes.
