Fast Links
On May 2nd, 2023, The Writer’s Guild of America officially went on strike. The WGA Writers Strike went into effect at 12:01 Tuesday morning and is the biggest guild strike in 15 years. Writers from all stretches of Hollywood have closed down the writers’ rooms in protest of studios’ treatment of writers. Thousands of writers from coast to coast have left the writer’s room, leaving many of the writer’s strike shows affected, and joined the ticket lines in support of the fair treatment of writers. Late-night talk shows will take the biggest hit, but many scripted shows will also feel the effect of the strike. The WGA has attempted to negotiate, but these negotiations fell through when the demands of the Guild went unmet. Like so many others, this strike will affect various projects, and here are just a few of them.
10. SNL
Saturday Night Live has dealt with the WGA Writers Strike before. It seems this time, after many rumors, the popular comedy-variety series will honor its writers and go dark. On Saturday, May 6th, the show was set to have Pete Davidson host, with musical guest Lil Uzi Vert performing. That show has been canceled, as have all others for the foreseeable future. In its place, NBC will air reruns of SNL. If an agreement can not be reached, this will be the case for each Saturday the Guild is on strike. Writers are arguably the most important part of the show, so it is no surprise the strike is being honored.
9. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
the biggest industry that will be affected by the strike is late-night television. Among those vocal in their support for the strike is Stephen Colbert. On the May 1st episode of The Late Show, Colbert warned his viewers of the impending strike, showing photos of his writing team and announcing the show will support the strike. Sure enough, on May 2nd, the show announced they would be going dark as long as the strike is in effect. While the strike continues, The Late Show will air reruns in place of new episodes.
8. Big Mouth
Even non-live shows are to be affected by the strike. While it will take audience members longer to notice the effects of the WGA Writers Strike on scripted programs, they will likely have to wait longer. Writers for the popular Netflix animated adult series were in the middle of writing the show’s eighth and final episode. After six weeks of writing, the strike hit. The show was due to wrap up the writing process in August. Not only will fans of the show potentially have to wait longer, but the show’s final season may have a lower number of episodes as a result. Big Mouth’s creators have announced they stand in solidarity with their fellow writers, claiming the show will go dark until the strike is over.
7. Cobra Kai
Another Netflix series affected by the Writers Strike is the Karate Kid continuation Cobra Kai. The co-creator of the popular series, Jon Hurwitz, has been very vocal on social media regarding the pending strike. Sure enough, on May 2nd, he confirmed the doors to Cobra Kai’s writer room had been closed. The show’s writers were currently working on the sixth season, but this work has been put on hold. Like other scripted programming, this means fans will not only have to wait longer for the premiere but there may be significantly fewer episodes than were planned. Production on the show will remain halted as long as the strike continues.
6. Good Omens
Popular Neil Gaiman has been vocal about his support of his fellow writers during the WGA Writers Strike. Neil is the creator of the popular comedy Good Omens starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen. Fans have been anxiously awaiting the second season of the series, but the strike may affect certain aspects. While Gaiman has confirmed the second season has been finished and submitted, he will not approve or take part in any of the show’s marketing. This may mean the show could be quietly released under the noses of many fans.
5. Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets is one of the hottest new shows currently airing on television. It is also one of the shows that could have future episodes affected by the 2023 Writers Strike. The Showtime series was in the process of having its third season written when the strike went into effect. Series co-creator Ashley Lye announced that the writer’s room of Yellowjackets will close its door following the strike going into effect. According to Lye, Yellowjackets was only one day into writing when the writers went on strike. As with other projects in support of the strike, writing will commence as soon as the demands of the WGA are met.
4. Abbott Elementary
Another relatively new show affected by the ongoing strike is Abbott Elementary. The writer’s room for the show’s third season was set to convene on May 2nd. Due to the strike, the doors to the writer’s room were, of course, closed. According to one of the show’s writers, Brittani Nichols, the show is written while it is on the air. This means that more than some others, Abbott Elementary is facing a potentially shorter season if the WGA strike doesn’t end. The show stands in solidarity with other writers and will resume production when demands are met being part of the writer’s strike shows affected.
3. The Daily Show
Comedy Central recently said goodbye to longtime Daily Show host Trevor Noah. While searching for a new permanent host, various guest hosts have taken the seat once occupied by Noah. On May 2nd, when the WGA Writers Strike went into effect, Comedy Central closed the doors to the writer’s room. As with SNL, the strike will take immediate effect on The Daily Show. In place of new episodes, reruns of the popular late-night show will air in its place. The Daily Show has always been a vocal and loyal supporter of its writers, so this halt in production comes as no surprise with being part of the writer’s strike shows affected.
2. Late Night with Seth Myers
The host of Late Night, Seth Myers, is an active writer himself. Because of this, Late Night went off the air effective immediately May 2nd, 2023. The last large WGA Writers Strike was 15 years ago. During this time, Myers was a writer on SNL and took part in the strike. Like other hosts, Myers let his audience know that the show could go on hiatus should the WGA go on strike. Myers laid out the effects of the strike and what it means for his audience. He also discussed his time on SNL when the previous strike hit, and how he will always support his fellow writers.
1. Last Week Tonight
Like Seth Myers, John Oliver is a member of the WGA and stands in solidarity during the WGA Writers Strike. Oliver also laid out the reality of the strike, and let them know the show will go dark should the Guild go on strike. Like so many other shows, the production of the show has been halted while writers are fighting for their rights. The show will also air reruns in lieu of new episodes. Also, like Myers, Oliver discussed the strike from 15 years ago, which he also took part in. John Oliver stands in solidarity will his fellow writers and is one of the writers’ strike shows affected.