Writers Strike Leads to Episode Drought

Amy McConnell
1.30.08

Eleven weeks have passed since the picket lines of the Writer’s Guild of America’s strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers were erected and the effects are beginning to be felt in all quarters.

Several of TV’s top shows have been drained of new episodes to air, such as fan favorites “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Desperate Housewives,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and “Heroes.”

“I’m very upset that ‘Desperate Housewives’ is over,” sophomore Shelbi Hatfield said.  “That’s my favorite show of all time.”

As the scripts for TV dramas begin to dwindle, viewers will find the networks being inundated with unscripted reality shows to fill their place. Returning to America’s screens are FOX’s “American Idol” and ABC’s “The Bachelor,” along with newbies “American Gladiator” and “Moment of Truth.” This may bring an exciting new form of entertainment for some, but others will pine for the familiarity of prime-time dramas.

“I don’t like all the reality shows replacing the drama shows like ‘Desperate Housewives,’” junior Nate Albert said.

Although many popular shows have no new episodes left, there are still several shows hanging on, including “Prison Break,” “House,” “Lost,” “Bones,” “Jericho” and “Medium.”

With February sweeps drawing nearer, the major networks are holding these new episodes in reserve, creating a painful dry spell for TV addicts.

“I don’t like how there’s so much time between each new episode and they leave you hanging and don’t have a complete ending,” sophomore Emily Harriman said.

As frustration among viewers continues to escalate, the general consensus is that the strike must come to an end, one way or another.

“I think the writers need to be given the money they’re asking for because they don’t get enough money for all that they do,” junior Helena Cosner said.

courtesy of Writers Guild of America

Walking along the picket lines, a member of the WGA protests. The writers began striking in response to the AMPTP’s refusal to give writers a greater share of profits from online media.