Writer’s Strike Breakdown

The Daily Show and The Colbert Report:

Both shows air on Viacom’s Comedy Central cable channel and would likely be replaced by reruns for a period if a strike happened. But the company does not expect much of its other television programming to be affected. - (Via MSNBC.)

Oh good, Mind of Mencia will still be able to satirize society with it’s rapier wit about “De de dees”. Huzzah (can you feel the utter hatred in my sarcasm?). How will this affect Mr. Colbert’s (already doomed?) faux-presidential run?

The Office (US):

OT: How many finished and unaired episodes are there right now? — Survivor Man, The Deposition, plus how many more? Staffer: That’s really it. There are a few other scripts that could theoretically be shot, but my guess is that The Deposition will be the last completed episode we have unless this thing is resolved. - (Via OfficeTally.)

It’s especially interesting to see what will happen with The Office since so many of the show’s writers are also actors in it, which I think is unique to 30 Rock, and a few other shows…

The Office (UK) and Curb Your Enthusiasm:

Writers want more money for DVD sales and other forms of media. At one point they were going to work under their old deal until the end of this season, but now things have changed. The networks have been stockpiling on scripts and orders for reality shows just in case. And NBC is adding a twist: they’re thinking about adding the UK version of The Office and HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm. - (Via TVSquad.)

I’m glad that more people will get to watch these shows I love, but it won’t do anything for me. I expect middle America won’t get David Brent or Larry David, but that’s pretty obvious. When Two and a Half Men has been the top-rated sitcom for what, four years now, it’s obvious that challenging comedy isn’t really interesting to most people yet.

On a personal level, I think the strike is a good idea as I’d want the same sort of solidarity if I were a Television writer, which is one of my aspirations. But yeah… I’ll miss the shows.