Dancing with the Stars under fire for returning during WGA strike

[silverstarry]

Comments

[babarsuhail]

is it really that big a deal when there is only one writer who exclusively works with the hosts? Should the other 500+ crew members be kept unemployed because of this?

"The WGA writer on “Dancing With the Stars” works with the hosts. The show is otherwise largely unscripted, given the live nature of the dance competition." https://t.co/KVcF7S8uww
- Kristyn Burtt (@KristynBurtt) September 19, 2023

[totteringg]

It does seem like a legitimately hard question because you’re keeping hundreds of people out of work for the sake of one person when the hundreds of people are solely being harmed. They’re just going to be broke and have way less leverage when it’s their union’s turn to negotiate next year. A similar thing has been happening with a lot of these shows that they’ve been trying bring back. Like Drew Barrymore’s show had three WGA writers and both the Talk and the View had one or two and those shows each staff 150+ people. It seems like they should probably combine the unions in the industry so they’d have more leverage anyway.

[babarsuhail]

my thoughts exactly. Like I get that there are scripted shows that absolutely CANNOT go on without writers but for talk shows and other "unscripted" stuff that can, they should surely be allowed to go on. Maybe the WGA can make a deal with them that they need to pay the writers salary for that season?
Because trying to shutting down an entire show does not sound reasonable when hundreds of crew members need the job. Solidarity does not pay your rent.

[dull_and_wicked]

Solidarity does not pay your rent.

what the studios are paying people isn't making ends meet either??? that's literally the reason why 2 unions are on strike right now

sounds like sag fucked them over

[just444]

I’m just going to clarify a couple things here. Dwts uses 1 WGA writer for the hosts for intros and outros. The rest of the show is unscripted.

They haven’t picketed yet, so nothing has been crossed at this moment.

I don’t believe anyone on the cast knew it was a WGA show when they signed on, it only came out a few days ago. The cast cleared their participation with SAG-AFTRA. Disney/ABC misled them and SAG needs to work with the WGA more so that this doesn’t happen. The show is not struck work under SAG and they were assured that the show would be in full compliance with SAG strike rules.

these celebs are under contract. It’s unclear if there’s even a way out of it. I’ve only ever seen people drop out for medical reasons.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Fauxmoi/comments/16mvdfj/some_celebrities_are_crossing_picket_line_to_do/

Re: sounds like sag fucked them over

[jazzl3t]

I think "fucked them over" is a bit harsh.

It sounds like miscommunication and producers doing some shady negotiations to get a show going (and also indirectly causing disharmony between unions).

But it's true that SAG needs figure out how to organize better and better communicate with other unions. I feel like actor-led unions (no shade - we are all trying to figure this out) have a lot of catching up to do on organizing compared to the other entertainment unions. There is bound to be mistakes.

oop sorry Jamie Lynne

[cbluechicken]

[zibbydoo324]

I am SO confused. The show has had 32 seasons with almost 500 episodes according to IMDb but the complaint is for 19 seasons and 65 episodes during the same timeframe. So have there been 13 seasons with 0 writers? How is this different than other reality shows/game shows with a host?

[totteringg]

A lot of these reality shows have nonunion producers structuring the show and putting a lot of the segments together so the majority of the show doesn't use writers. They only have one WGA writer on staff so I imagine that person just handles any scripted skits they might do or something.

[zibbydoo324]

Yah. I’m familiar with the over the top producing. I’m thinking of BIP having a complete scripted skit last season. Granted, you could tell no actual writers participated in creating the skit.

I’m just so confused by seemingly 1/3 of the show not being WGA sourced.

[evillemmons]