The strike by 160,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has left Hollywood at a virtual standstill: Production on most scripted TV series and movies that weren’t already shuttered by an ongoing 10-week-old writers’ strike was halted Thursday night, and actors hit the picket lines Friday.
That followed an impasse with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers, a group that represents 12 media conglomerates in negotiations over labor contracts, which expired June 30.
This marks the first time since 1960 that both unions are on strike simultaneously, and SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher (“The Nanny”) told USA TODAY that members are in it for the long haul. “It’s major. But we also see that we have no future and no livelihood unless we take this action.”
Plenty of shows are still in the pipeline, and movies are produced even further in advance. Streamers like Netflix operate with longer lead times, and won’t feel the pain until late this year or early 2024. We answer your burning questions about the Hollywood strikes affect your favorite TV shows.
Will I survive without ‘Survivor’?
You won’t have to. Reality shows, from CBS’ stalwart to NBC’s “The Voice” are unaffected by the strike. That’s why the broadcast networks have already blanketed their fall schedules with them, in response to the writers’ strike. Besides, several – including “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” ‒ have already completed production on their upcoming seasons. NBC will continue to air “America’s Got Talent” and ABC is ready to unveil its new “Golden Bachelor,” featuring a 71-year-old contestant, in September. But other shows that rely on celebrities, such as Fox’s “The Masked Singer,” might be hamstrung if SAG members among them feel pressure to stay away.
Are TV news anchors on strike?
No. While many are SAG-AFTRA members, their work is covered by the union’s News & Broadcast division, and are not part of the labor action that affects TV and theatrical workers. The same goes for the “Today” show, “The View” and other news-adjacent programs.
What happens to late-night talk shows and ‘SNL’?
Nothing; they’re already dark. The major shows, from NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” to CBS’ “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and HBO’s “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” were shut down May 2 by the writers’ strike. Both labor actions would need to be settled for them to resume production, especially since the actors most talk shows rely upon to promote their new projects are expressly prohibited from doing so. During the last writers strike, in 2007-08, the late-night hosts eventually returned with unscripted monologues, but there’s no sign that will happen soon.
Are daytime soap actors on strike?
No. While they are SAG-AFTRA members, stars of the four remaining daytime soaps (“General Hospital,” “The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “Days of Our Lives”) fall under a different contract, the same one that covers shows like “Good Morning America” and “The View.” Deadline reports that non-union writers continue to churn out scripts, so the year-round serials are expected to remain in production.
Will my favorite game shows still go on?
It depends. Some, like “Jeopardy!,” employ WGA members, so new seasons this fall will either be delayed until the writers’ strike is settled or use non-union writers, even if Ken Jennings can work. But shows hosted by or featuring actors, like ABC’s “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” or Elizabeth Banks’ “Press Your Luck” may have a tougher time, network executives say. Even if SAG members are technically allowed to work on these shows, they may not want to risk the ire of the union, or simply choose to walk out in sympathy with their striking brethren. That situation remains fluid. Another caveat: Such shows are often taped well ahead of time, so networks have banked episodes or full seasons of some.
Emmy nominations just came out. Will the awards still happen?
Not soon. While the TV Academy stuck to its planned Sept. 18 Fox telecast in announcing nominations Wednesday, nobody expects that date will stick. Although the Tony Awards won a waiver from the WGA to continue in June, the walkout by both TV writers and actors will delay the ceremony, at least until November and perhaps into January, when it would compete with the Golden Globes and other awards shows for attention. Under strike rules issued Thursday by SAG-AFTRA, actors are prohibited from campaigning for Emmys at events, in interviews or even on social media. Final voting was expected to happen in mid-August.
Are British actors in SAG?
United Kingdom performers belong to a different union, Equity, and other international actors also are members of other guilds. Equity, in a statement on its website, said it “stands full square behind our sister union,” but British actors will continue to work. That means American shows that employ them, including HBO’s “Game of Thrones” spinoff “House of the Dragon,” will remain in production. Expect networks and streamers to ramp up production (and promotion) of international shows as the pipeline for American-made fare dries up.
What about actors in Broadway shows?
Union members’ appearances in Broadway shows aren’t affected by the strike, so theater performances can go on uninterrupted. That means Ben Platt (“Parade”) and Sean Hayes (“Goodnight, Oscar”), among others, can play on.
More strike news:What the Hollywood actors’ strike means for anyone who loves movies and TV shows
