The Writers Guild of America strike is starting to cause me concern. Sure it was annoying that “The Office” wasn’t new and neither were “The Daily Show” or “The Colbert Report,” but I have an event on my calendar that I have been awaiting with much anticipation since May, and it was just canceled, thanks to the writers’ strike.
Last May, I was left with “24”‘s Jack Bauer standing on the ledge of a cliff overlooking a death-drop into the ocean. I thought it was going to be a long eight months until I found out whether or not America’s ultimate federal agent had finally cracked. But no, thanks to the writers, it’s going to be a long God-knows-how-many months until I find out.
Then, of course, the Golden Globes were all-but-canceled. Now this wasn’t as big a deal as the other shows, but where else do the Hollywood elite, like Will Smith and the cast of “Entourage,” gather all in one place? I mean, really, writers holding up America’s favorite shows was bad enough, but now you’re taking away a chance to see the Fresh Prince and Vincent Chase in real life? Not cool, guys, not cool.
All I can say is that at least the strike fell at a somewhat opportune time. Shows usually take a little break around the holidays, so we’re used to not seeing them around this time.
Plus, we’re currently in the midst of the NBA, NHL and NCAA basketball regular seasons and the NFL postseason – which are only going to serve as playing ground for New England’s big loss; trust me, it’s got to happen. For those at least mildly interested in sports, this should be more than enough to tide you over on your television-watching needs.
And, OK, perhaps it’s really not a big deal that certain shows aren’t airing new episodes (except for the warriors like Stewart and Colbert who are now just writing their own shows because you know not covering the primaries would have killed them). I suppose it gives us time to do other things that are possibly more productive than watching TV. But for those who just watch a little TV as a break every now and then, it’s nice to count on that hour or two every week where you know you can just drop everything to see what’s going to happen between Jim and Pam on “The Office.”
Of course, I realize that I am not hip to all of the reasons the writers are on strike, but if you’re making $5 million a year, is there really anything that wrong with the way you’re being treated? I know money isn’t everything, but I think $5 million a year would keep me pretty content. Plus, getting to say you’re the one who brought completely new meaning to the saying “dammit” by making it Jack Bauer’s tagline seems like it would be fun enough to keep me writing.
Plus, the last time the writers went on strike in 1988, they ended up costing the entertainment industry an estimated $500 million. That’s sure not going to help them get a pay raise.
So, I’d just like to ask the writers to please give me back “24.” I know Jack isn’t going to die because Sutherland’s already signed on for two more seasons, plus the death of Jack Bauer would just take away any hope in terms of defeating the terrorists, but I just miss the comfort that is Jack disposing of five-plus bad guys an episode. Give me back the palpable awkwardness that is Michael Scott on “The Office.” If we can’t see real live action regarding the defeat of the terrorists, at least give us some false sense of comfort.
Stevenson is a member of the class of 2011.
