As many already know, some of the favorite genre shows have gone dark due to the on-going writer’s strike. The good news is that both sides have agreed to meet the Monday after Thanksgiving to try and hammer out a deal.
For the bad news, we already know a lot of it — from a shortened second season for “Heroes” to networks running out of fresh content sooner rather than later.
However, the news could get worse — a lot worse — for fans of SCI FI Channel’s “Battlestar Galactica.”
According to TV Squad, should the strike linger on too long, there is a very real possibility that the final season of “Galactica” could be shortened or even cancelled entirely.
Deadline Hollywood Daily reports NBC Universal is utilizing the force majeure clause in SAG (Screen Actors Guild) agreements to suspend actors’ and actresses’ working contracts. The clause indicates studios and networks can do this if production is halted on their shows. Letters have also been sent to the cast of “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “Bionic Woman.” Should the strike linger, more letters are expected for other shows.
What exactly does this mean for Galatica?
The clause is a power-play that prevents the actors from seeking work elsewhere while the show is shut down for “hiatus.” Should an actor or actress choose, he or she can break the contract and get other work. However, when and if the show resumes production, he or she could be re-signed to the show.
So, where’s the bad news?
Should this happen, there’s a real possiblility NBC Universal would just opt out of the final episodes of “Galactica.” With a declining ratings and higher production costs, to re-start a show for ten episodes to please what is percieved as a niche audience might not make sense to the network brass. The long hiatus for “Galactica” haven’t helped things since the show has gone off the general public’s radar screen.
One of the actors invovled with Galactica told Deadline Hollywood Daily, “They are not following article 61 of the SAG agreement and are about to get a lot of calls from SAG lawyers. They say that since we have shot the minimum 13 episodes of this season, as per our contracts, that they are under no obligation to pay us or let us go. We are essentially on hiatus. To say yesterday was a tough day on set as this information was slowly presented to us would be a profound understatement.”
Fans of “Battlestar” can only hope that the series will get to finish the story in the way Ron Moore intended. However, if it isn’t allowed to do so, there could be other ways for Ron Moore and company to finish the story–from comic books to original novels to direct-to-DVD, or even a theatrical release on the order of “The X-Files.” No matter what happens, the best thing for fans is for the strike to be resolved soon and not jeopordize the last ten or so episodes of “Galactica.”
Maybe they’ll cancel the show and then later start a new show called Galactica 2010 where they have flying motor cycles and bring some children to earth where they learn they have super powers. . .
Uh cool…er, no it’s not! 😉
Well, frak.
WOW! I love the idea of 2010 Galactica. Flying motorcycles, kids with super-powers. All that’s needed is a genius wonder-kid doctor/scientist to complete the scenario. That is such a unique idea. I wonder why no one has ever thought of that before!?
Why don’t TPTB simply pay the writers their due and be done with it? Why waste so much time and money?
I am saddened to read this story. Not because I care if they finish Galactica at this point, but because the story plays into NBC Universal’s only hope to break the writers: Turn the fans against the writers.
Sure, some people will read this story and be annoyed that the Studio is playing these games. But others will condense the story down to “BSG may be cancelled because of the writers.” I think that that is the wrong message.
First off, neither a Direct-to-DVD nor a theatrical release is an available option – Glen Larson owns those rights, which is why Razor has to air on SciFi before it can be released on DVD.
You should know that. 😉
However, DVD sales and internet downloads (ironically, two of the things WGA is fighting for a fair and reasonable share of) of Galactica should be a sufficiently compelling incentive for NBC Universal to finish out the series.
You actually suggest comic books as a way of potentially finishing off the series?
You’re joking, right?
Right?
John — We did know that, but that hasn’t stopped alternate means of distribution in the past. 😉
There are always ways of legally getting around some of those issues, of which studios and networks have a whole bank of lawyers to show them how.
Actually, Razor was screened theatrically in a limited number of cities on November 12. It was for specially invited guests and members of the press, IIRC.
I wish Phoenix had been one of those cities… I would have dropped everything and seen it on the big screen!
As for paying writers, my guess is the studios want higher profit margins in order to keep their shareholders and execs happy and well-paid, but you’d think someone would realize that for paying a fair amount for the content that’s getting them so well-paid would be the smart choice.
But studios, like record companies, never open their books, and to my knowledge, have never been truly accurate about how much money is kept in house and how much goes to compensate the creative talent behind the content.
I don’t understand it… there’s more than enough money being tossed around for these shows, more than that for home video sales, if the sales figures and box office numbers and ad sales figures being crowed about are accurate… but since independent accounting of how much is really being made and distributed, we may never know.
There’s no denying that both sides need each other, but there has to be a change in the way this type of business is done, or we’ll just keep suffering through strikes every few years, with no one coming out a winner.