Oscars, Golden Globes, etc. may be affected by WGA Strike

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 1:20am

Was just reading about Awards season...

The OSCARS could possibly be in limbo if the Strike continues into February. In which it seems more and more likely.

I have several friends who are in the various guilds. They're approaching that time cautiously since it would be a MAJOR event to create a picket line at the Oscars.

We'll see how this month plays out, but I'm told if no progress is made by December, kiss the Oscars as well as many other Film/TV shows & events good-bye!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 1:52am

According to EW, the awards shows would go on--just unscripted.

[tazber]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 1:57am

I would love to see what gets nominated for best original and adapted screenplay.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 9:24am

jrb_actor - the awards ceremony would happen, yes, BUT it would not be televised and Jon Stewart would probably drop as host. It would literally be "the nominees are...and the winner is..." (which, for some, would be a blessing. Personally, I like it being drawn out.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 9:39am

I think I'm ready for a half-hour ceremony. Sounds good to me, after what passed for "amusing" on the last few televised shows. It was painful, and dreadfully dull.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 10:03am

i support the writers, screw the ceremonies.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:09am

Capn, EW implied that the presenters would make up their own jokes--that the show would go on. It's the writers who are on strike---not the cameramen. But, yes, Stewart would not be the host.

The strike will affect 2009's offerings for sure.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:18am

I bet they will call Ellen, since Jon Stewart is honering the strike.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:25am

She's WGA too, though. And unless she'd consider improvising the entire show, I doubt she'd do it either.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:29am

She is currently doing her show without a monologue. People are giving her a hard time about it, but she is really just honoring her contract. I am not sure what I would do in her place. I would hope that I would be able to stand in solidarity. News stories say that some of the other talk show hosts who are honoring the strike are getting threatened by their production companies. They will be in breach of contract if they refuse to work.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:38am

If I were producing the awards show, I would go into it understanding that there would be no pre-scripted monologues or "witty banter" during the telecast.

So, I would rely more on musical performances and edited clip segments to entertain the viewers. The host(s) would come out and introduce the presenters, performers and clips and if he/she felt like saying something clever, then fine. I would go for a performer that is naturally funny (is there such a thing anymore?), and not count on anything "special."

...and for me, it would probably rank as one of the better ceremonies in YEARS.

[tazber]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:52am

I'm with besty. The shows have become so bloated as of late. Maybe this will be a blessing in disguise for AMPAS and the ratings will go up.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:54am

Well, I bet the ratings will go up for 2 reasons:

--not much else on of interest

--what will they say!?!?

lol

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:59am

I have an idea!

How about if all of us write everything? I'm sure we could!

[tazber]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:00pm

True jerby, true.
and:
3) Hollywood never passes up a chance to honor itself.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:06pm

The "what will they say" factor will be huge.

Imagine "Uninteresting, Uninterested Starlet #286" stepping up to the mic cold to tell us why Cinematography is so important to film making, before she rattles off the nominees.

The adrenaline backstage will be toxic! No banal expressions on their pouty faces when they walk out to the podium to say something "scientific" about sound design.

I predict a lot of shell-shocked faces and hyperventilating.

Updated On: 11/10/07 at 12:06 PM

[tazber]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:08pm

question:

if the actors are supporting the writers, would they even be able to do those intros? Wouldn't that technically be writing?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:10pm

It's an interesting question, tazber. It seems that improvising is not covered.

I was thinking also that people will want to see how the presenters and winners address the strike--"political comments".

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:11pm

Not if it's improvised, Tazzy.

If they were to write anything down and memorize it first, I would think they would consider it pre-scripted.

Those little intros will be DAMN short!

What I would do?... Have the chairs of each of the Academy branches come out and VERY BRIEFLY describe what they're honoring before Starlet #286 reads a list of nominees. That's it.

Updated On: 11/10/07 at 12:11 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:13pm

i can just imagine cruel sandwich writing for the awards...

hellen mirren: "...& then when i strangled my mother...DELETE!!!!"

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:40pm

The hardest part would be to cue anything. You'll never know when anyone is finished talking!

Still, I would love to see an awards show like that.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:41pm

Sooner they dump the scripted banter, the better...it's a blessing in disguise. And just imagine the drama when the writing awards are announced!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:44pm

Ha ha--the winners of the Screenplay awards wouldn't be able to read a prepared speech.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:21pm

Billy Crystal could do it.