As many of you are aware, there has been an absence of our favorite shows on television.  For some, their favorites are back due to a waiver between the production company and the union.  For others, we must sit patiently and hope for the best while the union and studio heads argue over money from streaming and artificial intelligence.  Both are issues that need to be addressed because both could impact the actors (and writers) and even make them obsolete.

The studios, according to some experts, have been playing a waiting game thinking first the writers then the actors would go broke and take whatever the studios offered.  The writers finally came to a deal, but the actors are still walking the picket line. To be honest, I understand the actors’ concerns.  I’ve seen some artificial artwork that look to be portrait gallery ready.  In all of this, though, we have been left with little or no new programming except reality and game shows. 

Okay, this isn’t the first time that the ‘real world’ has come into play with the television season.  In 2001 (after 9/11), there were many shows that had to rethink their opening episodes and hold off on starting the season.   I believe to this day the concept of a good comedy was lost in that shuffle.  Then, we had another season of no new shows in 2007-2008.  The writers were on strike, and it lasted from November 5, 2007, to February 12, 2008.  At least we had a fall season but dramas like LOST and Heroes lost momentum in their sophomore year due to the break in production.  This hurt the dramas but gave us what is common in Great Britain – mini seasons.  I actually looked forward to the break in December when a show ended on a cliff hanger and returned in February with all new shows.  It gave me something to look forward to as one year ended and a new one began.

So, it surprised me yesterday at the grocery store to see an National Enquirer.  Granted, I don’t usually look, but the person in front of me was taking their time and so I fingered through.  There, all of a sudden, I saw the “Straight Shuter!” article by Rob Shuter that said exactly what I feared – “Reality TV Takes Over.”  My worst fears are coming true.

I won’t quote the entire article but do want to highlight one thing he said.  In the piece, he has a quote from Tommy Lightfoot Garrett that is exactly along the lines of what I thought.  Garrett said:  “Studio moguls and television executives will never go back to the old way of doing things now.  … They are spitting out reality TV shows and stars at a fraction of the cost – and finding an audience for it too!” (National Enquirer, November 6, 2023).  So what does he mean.  I’ll break it down this way.

They need no writers.  Reality can be broken down into categories.  Game shows and reality shows that are filmed “live.”  Game shows have been caught recycling questions during the actual writers’ strike with Jeopardy coming to mind.  They’re back to being filmed.  Shows like Big Brother and Survivor do not supposedly use a script but just need to find participants to do the show.  The participants are given a paycheck for the number of days they are involved in the show.  Programs like Bravo network carries that highlight people do not have scripts (although I wonder sometimes) but producers hinting at what they want.  So no scripts are needed.

No location shots or other crew.  Survivor and Big Brother does have a crew but not to the extent of needing make-up artists, lighting or other crew that goes with a big production.  It’s minimalistic at best.  Sure, there are assistant directors and set people but no need for an inventory of costumes or props.  Thus, the network saves money.  The only problem is that it can lead to boring locations and stupid subplots or competitions/games.  I’ll use the 25^th season of Big Brother that was hyped as a celebration.   Big let down from the start folks.  While we had Cirie and son and the prospect of the back lots, the games were the same old/same old and the stunts lame.  The cast was terrible.  The set was horrible, and the “surprise” was not used to it’s best potential.  X/Twitter has had complaints since the first twist as it is the first year that a double evictee may win. 

Actors:  Studios often say that actors get paid too much but do they really? Sure, the big names get the big salary but the day people or supporting actors do not.  That’s one of the big problems the strike is dealing with.  Sure, it is an expense but it’s what brings people in.  How long do you think we can take a reality show that has people who are through in 13 weeks?  How long do you think that fans will tune in to see the reality “superstars” go to another competition show to win more money.  Not all reality people have the clout that Johnny Bananas or Cirie has.  Plus, reality shows do not  get residuals for all showings.  Their residuals ended with the show. Look!  If the strike continues, the studios are to blame.  They are the ones who stalled the negotiations thinking that it would be over with and a season could begin in February. 

Unfortunately, their wait has caused production problems that will not be over if the actors agree to return tomorrow.  And I’ll tell the studios one more thing now.  Don’t recycle old television shows anymore for at least 30 years after they leave the schedule.  I, for one, think the CSI, Law and Order and NCSI have too many variants and some of the remakes just recycle scripts.  I have an extensive DVD collection plus Pluto Television that I don’t mind watching.  Studios, come up with original ideas please.