Writers Talks Get Dose of Reality

[951-Riverside]

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- As wrangling over a new contract for striking Hollywood writers focused on digital media, other issues abruptly emerged as potential stumbling blocks.

Studio negotiators were surprised during talks Wednesday when the Writers Guild of America discussed unionizing reality shows and animation, a person familiar with the negotiations said Thursday.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers had thought those topics were off the table, according to the person, who requested anonymity because public comment was supposed to be limited to official statements.

The guild said Thursday that reality TV, for one, was never exempted from the discussions. It declined to comment further as the latest round of talks continued for a third consecutive day.


Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HOLLYWOOD_LABOR?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-12-06-20-59-20

[Deja Q]

1. Reality shows have writers? Who'd have thought...

A computer with a database could create a "reality show", regardless of what goofy mix of answers it could come up with.

Besides, would there be retroactive payments? If so, will Richard Hatch shirk his taxes on those too?

[iamjoy]

3. Reality Isn't So Real

the emcee or host's patter is scripted, I'm sure.

And, I would be willing to bet they coach the contestants or participants as to what to say

[TroglodyteScholar]

2. L O L

hell yea, this is gonna get good

[aquart]

4. Heh, heh, heh.