By this time you’ve read the press release and numerous articles about the possible/probable/highly likely Writers Guild strike. You’ve also heard that the first shows to be effected are David Letterman, Jay Leno, John Stewart, Stephen Colbert and others that rely on daily, current event writing. The soaps may be next, but those writers are usually a few weeks ahead on scripts - plus the networks probably ramped up production to compensate for any lost time they would experience from a strike.

What this probably means for the lay person is that the jokes on the late night shows probably won’t be as funny, you’ll get to watch plenty of reruns, you’ll be able to enjoy a slew of “reality” TV shows. Maybe, you’ll even avoid the networks all together and watch lots of cable TV and video-on-demand/pay-per-view.

What does this mean for the writer? At stake are DVD residuals, payment for Internet downloads, money for other new technologies and more. We’re not talking greed, we’re talking about revenue sharing. Currently, for every $16.99 DVD that’s sold, the writer gets about 5¢, which is divided amongst multiple writers. The studios are fighting against giving the writers anymore for DVDs - - and nothing for other technology because they say there’s no business plan or they don’t know what the revenue stream will be. That argument worked many years ago when the writers “got screwed” with DVDs. Back then, the studios said take 5¢ now and we’ll take care of you later. Later has come and gone without any increase in the residual. The WGA isn’t falling for that one again!

A strike is tough for everyone involved. The decision wasn’t made lightly. Over 20 years ago, the Writers Guild went on strike and everyone got hurt. Nobody wanted it, but it seems like a fait accompli.

Tell us your opinion. Click on to read an opinion by The Artful Writer - he’s a Writers Guild West member.