1 of 33

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

2000 strike, the networks discovered the potential of reality TV shows. Since then, there was a spike in reality TV shows.
You could see a reality TV show on almost any channel.

What was one of the effects of the 2007-2008 WGA strike?

To answer would be more reality TV shows. Reality TV shows are fairly easy to produce. While the WGA strike is going on, the TV networks can spawn one reality TV show after another.

If and when there is a Hollywood
strike, you can expect a boom in reality TV.
One can simply look back on the 2000 writer's strike.

Also, one can expect a bunch of reruns to take place.

But, this is not the only effect that the WGA strike has had. What other effects came as a result?

Shows had to end their seasons very early. One prime example would be Heroes. Season two of Heroes was supposed to span two volumes. Volume 3 called "Villains" was supposed to be part of season two. It was going to take place after volume 2 called Generations. Originally, volume 4 was going to be called Villains while volume 3 was going to be called Exodus.

There were talks of creating "Heroes: Origins."

At a production angle, the WGA strike really throws things off. The producers of Heroes had to reformat its plans. As a result, Heroes season two ended after episode eleven. Fans were seething in anger as they had to wait until the fall for season three. Just about everything had to be redone.

For those wondering what happens to Caitlyn, she is stuck in an alternate 2008.

However, Heroes was not the only show that ended its season early. Many other shows had to abruptly end their seasons on an early note.
Production would have to make major changes to the storylines of their shows.

That work is not a simple feat.

For the time being, union writers are out of work. Non-union writers can still work. However, they would not be able to submit the work to any TV studios. But, it is not just limited to TV shows.

The WGA strike affects all of Hollywood.

Actors and actresses will not be able to work for the time being. It is a given that the WGA would get support from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
Without any scripts in production, there is no need to hire actors and actresses.

Directors will be out of work. Without any script to be produced, there is no need to be hiring directors.

The entertainment industry would take a serious beating from the WGA strike. However, it would not necessarily affect the video game and Japanese anime industries. It is the screenplay that serves as the root of any TV or movie production. Without a screenplay, there is no TV show or movie.

Many in the entertainment industry would be out of work for quite awhile. But the networks can still make money off of reality TV shows.

Overall, the WGA strike had done a lot of effects. The next time that there is a strike in Hollywood, expect all of this to happen.

Learn more about this author, Can Tran.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Effects of the Writer's Guild of America (WGA) strike?
We want to hear your view. Write now!