Writers strike a deal with the studios allowing DWTS and talk shows to proceed with premieres
On Sunday, the Writers Guild of America reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to end its strike after nearly five months.
The two parties finalized the deal after they worked out their final issues over AI and writing room staffing levels.
“The WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement,” the WGA and the AMPTP said in a joint statement on Sunday evening. “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language,” the WGA told its members in a release.
A vote by WGAW Board and WGAE Council could lift the strike”restraining order” and allow writers to “return to work during the ratification vote.” Pending those votes, the WGA told its members that it is still on strike, but that all picketing is suspended.
DWTS to premiere as schedule on Sept 26, WGA member Matt Walsh will rejoin the cast
According to sources, Dancing with the Stars considered postponing its Tuesday September 26 premiere when it came to light they hired a WGA writer. Cast member Matt Walsh who is a member of the WGA “paused” his participation as the union picketed studios where the contestants were rehearsing, specifically targeting actors who were participating.
UPDATE: ABC will proceed as planned with the Sept. 26 season premiere of Dancing with the Stars in light of the WGA and the studios reaching a tentative agreement Sunday night, according to Deadline. Also Matt Walsh, a dual SAG-AFTRA and WGA member, who last Thursday “paused” his involvement in the show will rejoin the cast.
Regardless, DWTS never stopped promoting the show and Tuesday’s premiere date, despite pickets continuing as late as Sunday morning. If the show had gone on amid the strikes, pickets no doubt would have continued in front of the studio during live tapings–that is if ABC didn’t put the show on pause.
The Screen Actors Guild supported DWTS cast members
The Screen Actors Guild of America remains on strike. But that will not affect DWTS. In fact, SAG-AFTRA released a statement, backing its members who chose to participate in the series.
“We support them in fulfilling their contractual obligations,” the union said. “The majority of our members on Dancing with the Stars had contractual obligations to the show prior to the strike. Many are under option agreements that require them to return to the show if the producer exercises their option which the producer has done.”
“By not showing up to work, our performers can be held in breach of contract and the Union is prohibited from advising them not to work,” it added.
Talk shows like The Jennifer Hudson Show and The Kelly Clarkson show will be free to return with new episodes
Also, watch for premiere announcements for talk shows such as The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Jennifer Hudson Show. While Kelly had yet to announce a premiere date, Jennifer had already begun taping shows for a September 18 premiere date. But after Drew Barrymore paused her show after intense backlash, Jennifer postponed her premiere.
