Strike Watch--It's On for Monday

As widely predicted, the strike has been called for 12:01 a.m. Monday, barring the slim chance of a weekend settlement. As summarized in Variety, It applies to all writing covered under WGA agreements. In practical terms, it's the late-night and constantly updating television shows that will first go dark--including such topical favorites as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart--and many of the popular one-hour drams and comedies, depending how much material they have banked, will fall in turn. (Grey's Anatomy, for example, was rumored to be only one episode away from grinding to a halt.) Hollywood Reporter analyzed the big picture for the various networks.

Although the possibility of a back channel negotiation, possibly involcing Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (who's looking at the idling of some 250,000 workers in the extended show business family, in an industry that's the region's third msot significant) , the AMPTP issued a curt press release showing its displeasure:
November 2, 2007 Statement from AMPTP President Nick Counter:

We are very disappointed with their press conference and the action they took.
Their press conference was full of falsehoods, misstatements and inaccuracies
and we'll respond at an appropriate time.

Failing a last-minute surprise settlement, both sides are hunkering down for a possibly protracted siege state. One strike captain expressed the mood of the membership at last night's meeting this way:

Attendance was high - packed - every seat of the 3000 was filled with people standing in the isles.
The mood among the members was extremely supportive of the leadership. Many prolonged claps, and too many standing ovations to count.
The leadership announced that they planned to meet with AMPTP tomorrow -- they have unanimously decided to call for a strike.
The crowd was also very supportive of the SAG and Teamster members who spoke - giving them standing ovations as well.

What looks to be a painful if history-making turn in the entertainment industry road begins Monday.