By Mark La Monica
This writers' strike doesn't seem to want to end it, does it? It's as if Billy Walsh were in charge or something.
Initially, most of us didn't really care about the strike since we all figured that once the inventory of new shows ran out, they'd settle the strike and maybe we'd have a week or two of reruns.
That was a few months ago. Now, its time to officially begin worrying if this WGA strike will affect Season 5 of "Entourage."
Adrian Grenier and Rex Lee have already said they're not sure if there will even be a Season 5 this summer. Typically, all the scripts are just about written by now and shooting would start in February.
But Doug Ellin and his crew aren't allowed to write during the WGA strike. (Whether or not they have been writing or at least thinking about script ideas is known only by them.)
Co-executive producer Rob Weiss said last August that they planned on sitting down to discuss the new season in September. How far those talks progressed is again known only by those in the room.
Even if all 14 episodes of Season 5 have been written, they can't be shot until the strike ends, if it ends.
How much longer can the strike go on before HBO moves along with its Sunday night summer programming?
There are other questions at hand, too:
* If the strike ends soon, how quickly can the Entourage crew mobilize without sacrificing show quality?
* If the strike doesn't end soon, how quickly can the Entourage crew mobilize without sacrificing show quality?
* Would the perception and enjoyment of the show for viewers suffer by airing in the Fall instead of summer when we all have a more care-free attitude.
Yeah, I'd say it's time to start worrying. Perhaps the WGA and studios should turn to Jeremy Piven in full Ari Gold mode to mediate. We know he'd get the deal done.
Comments (3)
The last I heard, Doug Ellin only had 3-4 episodes in the can before the strike hit.
I still wonder if Adrian and Rex meant that the show won't return at all or just not this year (meaning they will be back for 2009).
Kevin Connolly said just a week ago that he is "out of work" and that strike "might go the distance" though.
I have believe HBO would bring this fan favorite back whenever it is ready to go, but what will happen to the fan base and the hype in the meantime?
Also, these guys have their hands tied from doing any other long term movies or projects in the meantime. What a shame for them.
I think the strike has turned the corner and is not not benefiting anyone.
Originally, I supported the writer's, but I think they are not biting off their noses to spite their faces. Everyone- the writers, the directors, the key grip, the producers, the kraft crew, and the actors- are all suffering from this strike. Advertisers are starting to pull out, and those that aren't are getting refunds for the networks for lost numbers. If you start to cut into advertising sales, you affect everything. Advertisers pay big bucks for primetime spots and for shows with great ratings and the right demographics. They aren't going to do this for reality shows (AI and Survivor aside) or repeats.
Entourage is on HBO, which does not have commercials, but does has subscribers. HBO might fair well during the strike, as viewers turn to cable to substitute for their favorite networks programs. How this will affect our boys, I don't know.
I guess we just have to have faith that Adrian Grenier was pulling one of his hype moves again when he started the rumor that the show would not be returning this year. He loves to play with the media. Maybe, just maybe, he was also thinking that, by starting this rumor, it would make us want Entourage that must more and make us fall head over heals in love again with a show that we only just really loved at the end of Season 4.
I don't care if it comes back in the fall - or even 2009 - as long as it comes back. I could watch this show for another 2 or 3 years at least.
The series can't end the way it did.
I was originally in support of the writers - and I still am in regards to the whole Internet royalties thing.
But I've since heard that the writers have put a bunch of other stipulations in their "take it or leave it offer" - including the condition that they extend the reach of their guild to include some animation and reality TV writers that aren't currently under the WGA's umbrella.
I don't think we've been giving all of the facts - and that we've been subjected to a PR campaign.
Which I think sucks if some shows don't return at all - which I hope Entourage does.
Nice blog - I just found it. I plan on reading all of it.
Ok, now that the strike is over, do you think Entourage will be back in Sept 2008?