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Editor's Blog

(December 6th, 2007 - Editor)          According to the press, the mood on both sides of the one month old strike between the Writer's Guild Of America and The Motion Pictures and Television Producers Association is tense. But those who really know, the negotiators for both sides, are still talking to each other, leaving those outside the room to speculate. Neither side seems to be happy with the progress being made so far. The writers have examined the latest offer by producers and they feel that there was not enough movement to accept the deal as written. The producers counter that there is room for negotiation and that the writers should what is currently on the table as a starting point for future discussions. Both sides have acknowledged a desire to stay at the table in the hope of reaching an agreement before they are forced to scrap the 2007-08 television season and cause major damage to the 2008-09 season in the process.

       For us TV fans, the waiting continues. We have seen all the reruns. We're even giving the holiday specials more attention than they deserve. The wave of reality and game shows that is coming is the next few weeks is not going to be enough to satisfy us. The very very few mid-season replacement shows that had some episodes ready before the strike will quickly be as worn out as the rest of the line up of comedy and drama series that are dangerously close to landing on the scrap heap.

          As a TV outsider, I can only remind the negotiators on both sides of the table that they are among a very fortunate few who get to do what they do for a living. Both sides should take care to protect their working environment while they are hammering out their latest agreement. Every writer with a union card can remember the day he or she got that card and the name of the project that paved their way to being a professional writer for television or feature films. Likewise, every producer can tell you exactly how they got their first chance to show an audience what they could do. How they can organize and focus the hundreds of various talented professionals to a single vision and create a final product that is both entertaining and profitable. Each side is helpless to fulfill their talent without the other.

          I'm rooting for both sides. And if they know what's good for them, the writers and producers will all do the same.

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          The first of a flock of new game and reality shows heading to the small screen have been announced. Over at ABC, they are hoping to fill a sparse primetime lineup with multiple episodes of "The Duel", a new game that will ask contestants to compete in a tournament style game where the winnings could top $1.5 Million.

          The one hour show will debut on Monday, December 17th and continue nightly, except Saturday, through Sunday, December 23rd. Mike Greenberg (ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" radio show) is host. Contestants will be featured in head-to-head matches with nerve rattling game play rewarding contestants who embrace shrewdness and manipulation to win. If contestants can react quickly under pressure and outsmart their opponents using strategy and deception, intellect and skill, they could walk away with a life-changing prize. 

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          NBC is also gearing up a few additional game shows to give us some relief from what might as well be called "The Deal Or No Deal Channel". The network stands ready to inject episodes of American Gladiators, The Biggest Loser, 1 Vs 100 and The Apprentice into a line up that has been sluggish without the usual fare of dramas and comedies.

          First out of the gate will be a retooled version of The Biggest Loser, featuring host Alison Sweeney (Days of our Lives) and trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. The series launches on Tuesday, January 1st. Right behind that, on Thursday, January 3rd is The Celebrity Apprentice, featuring host Donald Trump and a cast of 16 celebrity contestants who will play for charity. 1 Vs 100, hosted by comedian Bob Saget ("America's Funniest Home Videos," "Full House"), steps back into the schedule on Friday, January 4th and the revamped version of American Gladiators, featuring hosts Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, debuts with a two hour first episode on Sunday, January 6th before taking up a regular time slot on Monday, January 7th.

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          CBS has announced plans to host the 43rd annual Academy Of Country Music Awards on a new night. The special will be broadcast Sunday, May 18th, from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, in the hotel's Grand Garden Arena, for the third consecutive year. The event has been held in Las Vegas for the past 6 years.

          Established in 1964, The Academy Of Country Music represents more than 4,500 working professional musicians and nearly 40,000 associate members. The awards will honor the best in established country music artists and up and coming performers.

 

  -  Editor  - 

 

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