In advance of the meeting today, the WGA released a memo to members via e-mail at 3:00am - after the end of the media blackout for most members - stating that a deal had been made that, quote, "protects a future in which the Internet becomes the primary means of both content creation and delivery."
Additionally, WGA President's Patric Verrone and Michael Winship say in the memo "...we believe that continuing to strike now will not bring sufficient gains to outweigh the potential risks and that the time has come to accept this contract and settle the strike."
In addition, the note contained an outline of the specifics of the new deal, which can be downloaded here in PDF.
Taking the language of the memo at face value it is difficult to imagine that the WGA leadership is not going to tell its members to return to work Monday.
I've been talking to people on the other side of the fence for weeks now about what an end to the strike means for Lost and this is what I have for information:
- It will take 4-6 weeks to get back to actual filming.
- NO discussions have been had regarding the logistics of a return to production.
- The industry is planning on extending the TV season to the end of June.
- If the season is extended a maximum of 6 episodes could be produced.
- Regardless, a minimum of 3 new episodes will be produced.
- There has been NO discussion with regards to whether the un-produced episodes will be made up.
The most important thing to remember is that there have been no formal discussions between the LOST writers/show runners and the studios since the strike began. We shouldn't expect a boatload of answers to any of these questions for at least a few days, possibly longer.
I'm going to continue to ping everybody on my radar connected to the show to get updates on what the production schedule looks like, but suffice to say we have two things to celebrate: the writers got a deal they are happy with, and we WILL see more than eight episodes of LOST this season.
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So does this mean that LOST ist definitely coming back after episode 08 this year with a few more episodes?
Well, what are the things that could screw this up:
1) The general membership could vote not to accept the contract and they could return to picketing if a new deal is not made that makes sense.
2) Sag could go on strike in June and screw up season 5.
3) The producers could decide, with ABC's input, that there isn't enough time to bring the season to a satisfying close and just work on extra episodes for an early season 5 return. That is pure speculation on my behalf.
So we are still in dangerous times. But yes, we will see more lost this season, I'd stake my life on it. While I cannot say who my sources are, I can tell you they are highly placed enough that we should take these bullet points seriously.
Of course, the best thing we can do to help the Lost crew right now is just be patient and wait for them to announce. They don't need a big meltdown out here with ravenous fans asking for information. We have six more weeks of episodes, thank god, and surely somewhere between now and then they will come out OFFICIALLY and make a statement on what the rest of the season looks like.
Sounds good to me so far. Thank you so much for the information.
with the season already extended into june, do you know if there is a possibility that they would film the whole 16, and maybe then just carry it over into july?
The strike isn't over until the WGA has actually voted on this deal. Stop jumping the gun.
Sounds like great news, Doc; my fingers are crossed. Thanks for keeping us posted!
The strike and the vote are two different issues, Jamie. If the leadership is close enough to a deal that they feel nothing more can be gained from striking, the picketing will be over.
Yes, but no shows are coming back until that deal is signed on the dotted line.
I disagree, these guys are under contract. If the strike ends most of them will go back to work. They can, by personal choice, hold out longer if they want but it would be without the protections of a strike.
Wow I just had a hunch so I did some IP sleuthing and found out Jamie is actually current TheTailsection contributor Don. Or maybe a roommate? Either way, it's a bit interesting, eh? Is the message that TTS is now one of these bastions of pro-strikers who don't want to see the fight end?
I say, read the news. The leadership has accepted the deal, said the strike is not necessary, and will meet tomorrow to vote on suspending the strike completely. It seems to me that accepting the deal makes the rest of the actions more procedural than anything else. Face it people who love the strike... it's over.
Screw TTS. They aren't progressive enough to have a place in this game anymore. All they do is report on stuff four days after it happens.
I have to agree with Jamie or Don or whoever, I don't think we should get too excited until we know for sure the strike is over, and the vote passed. I don't think the TTS is for the strike Doc. There site is dependent on new episodes of lost. I'm surprised you would take that view. And TTS is still a good site TheConstant, even if it does not fit your every whim and need.
That being said, another 6 episodes would be totally kick ass.
Well, I'll meet you guys back here monday for a big glass of "I told you so." I'm serving. ;)
Folks, WGA leadership has the authority to end the strike without a vote by its general membership. They seem inclined to have a vote, which is a good thing, but Jamie is wrong in saying it's not done until the membership votes.
There's a saying that it's not a successful negotiation unless both sides leave with some gripes. If one side is 100% happy, the other one got screwed, and that's not a negotiation. The producers are not happy. All of the WGA is not going to be 100% happy, but this is overall a much better deal than was thought possible, and my take is that if you believe in a library-based system of viewing on the Internet in the future, this deal is VERY good for the writers.
Which means it's good for us. Here's hoping they can crank out 6 more episodes of LOST this year!!
Doc, thanks for the great news. And for doing some really good, substantive investigative work. That's way more than can be said for the terrible 'reporting' being done over at TTS, which I'm glad to say (especially after seeing this ridiculous 'Jamie' stuff) that I don't visit anymore. Keep up the good work!
"There was an informal applause poll, and the room was overwhelmingly in favor of ending the strike before a membership ratification vote."
From an attendee at the WGA-East meeting
Okay so... can I finally buy Season Three of Lost on DVD now and have the writers get a better cut?
I've been following media blackout (no network owned sites like ABC.com which means I saw very few of the Missing Pieces, no DVD buying, etc) and I'm dying to finally have the latest seasons of Lost and Scrubs.
So... they get better cuts now or will this go into effect at a later date or will all the new cuts only be on goods marketed after the deal was inked?
Sorry for all the questions.
Hi all... First time posting here. I'm confused. Why does the extended season mean a maixmum of only six more shows this season? I mean, isn't in ABC's interest to have as much Lost as possible? If the season was agreed upon and planned for 16 shows but we only have eight completed, wouldn't it be in everyone's interest to do all of the remaining, planned eight shows?
My worry here is that it's two episodes we're never going to get back. Either the series gets shortened by two episodes, and this season gets truncated by those same two episodes (which could adversely affect the storyline), or else D&C try to shoehorn two additional episodes into next season. But that's not a good thing since it merely pads out a season that was originally projected to also be 16 episodes long.
I also don't understand the idea of "the industry" extending "the TV season" to the end of June. It's not like there's some single ruling body that decides when all TV networks can air programs. Why can't ABC order up the remaining eight shows and air them all in a row once they're ready to start showing them, regardless of how long it takes to show them? Airing the show in summer (less viewers) shouldn't be a big deal. Lost fans will stick with the show. But, if it really is a concern, then why not wait until fall? I'd rather have the full season, as intended, with a break rather then get cheated out of two episodes.
Another consideration... 14 episodes makes for a paltry set of DVDs. 16 episodes means a five disc set (4 eps per disc, 1 bonus features disc), but that's harder to justify with just 14 episodes. If it's an 11-episode season (as the article suggests), then it's really a thin DVD set.
A thought... Six episodes per se, but make the last two episodes of the season two-hour blowouts each? THAT might work!
Sorry for the rambling post.
"If the season was agreed upon and planned for 16 shows but we only have eight completed, wouldn't it be in everyone's interest to do all of the remaining, planned eight shows?"
In a perfect world with no other factors, yes.
BUT finishing 16 this season would mean the last ones would run into the summer. And the studios won't do that since people watch way less TV in the summer.
I'd be fine with 14 this year and 18 next (or 14/17/17 or whatever), as long as the writers can make things work out properly. It would be strange if they had a two hour cliffhanger planned for episode 16 and that ended up being the second episode of next season. I'm sure they'll figure it out.
Agreed about fewer viewers in summer, but as I noted in my earlier posting, I can't believe that it's really much of a consideration where Lost is concerned.
Not only has the show regained it's "heat" again, but I don't imagine many viewers of the show deciding: "Well, the show's really awesome right now, and there's only two weeks to go until the season ends, but now that it's July I have to spend every waking moment outside of the house and I can't possibly spare two hours to watch what's sure to be a kick-a** last two shows of the season."
I mean, really? I just don't see that happening. Hell, with DVRs in so many homes now, I can't believe that this is really a problem. I'm just looking at it in terms of the show's integrity here. If the plan was 16, but they only churn out 14 it might have an impact on the story D&C want to tell.
As you noted, pushing two episodes back to next season might bungle things up further if there's a definiite plan for what will happen, and what the chain of events needs to be. Who wants a mind-blowing cliffhanger intended for the season finale as the second episode of season five?
But if ABC really does have a problem with going into the summer, why not do the first eight now (since #4.8 apparently ends with a big shocker anyhow) and then save the other eight until fall? I know, I know... People hated the lengthy break during Season 3. But... taking a break until fall would mean a much SHORTER break until Season 5 starts! I bet most fans wouldn't mind that. I know I wouldn't!