Strike Outlaw? Lost Showrunner Returns to Work.
Whatever you think about the writers strike, ya gotta feel for guys like Lost writer-producer Carlton Cuse. As a writer, he's on strike. But as a producer... mmm. Not so much. So even though he's a member of the WGA's negotiating committee, he's returning to work, at least to do some post-production on the eight episodes that have already been shot. "We feel we owe that to our fans," he tells the New York Times. "We would harm our franchise if we didn't do it ourselves."
I see people are nice and supportive in the comments..
I've read so much about the strike that most of it is jumbled in my head. I seem to recall reading though, that because show-runners were joining in this time, the WGA was in a stronger bargaining position than in '88. It's a shame to see someone like Cuse break ranks. It's got to be demoralizing. Why is "the franchise" more important than all the writers who depend on residuals to put food on their tables between jobs -- writers who will never get the dosh or name recognition of a Cuse? Scab.
Why is "the franchise" more important than all the writers who depend on residuals to put food on their tables between jobs -- writers who will never get the dosh or name recognition of a Cuse? Scab.
Well, there are all those
other
people who depend on Lost for a job.
I see people are nice and supportive in the comments..
I'm amazed at comments about the writers "letting down the fans," when it seems blatantly obvious that this is the time the writers need the fans to not let them down.
If you can keep the show together so it survives the strike that seems like a worthwhile consideration for everybody.
Not cut and dried by any means -- in either direction.
Well, there are all those other people who depend on Lost for a job.
I understand that, but his reason stated in TV Guide (which seems to be reporting on a New York Times piece) is: "We feel we owe that to our fans," he tells the New York Times. "We would harm our franchise if we didn't do it ourselves."
He could have said he was doing it specifically for the Lost franchise and its fans to avoid the implication that other showrunners were putting their staffs out of work. Since he's on the negotiating committee, I imagine he has to be diplomatic. Also given that, I'd give the guy a break.
And the writer-producers are in a particularly sticky situation, because of conflicting contract obligations. I don't know if that's at work here, but I don't envy any of them the choice they have to make.
