Saturday, November 17, 2007

DOOL Drain Dries

In case you haven't noticed, there is a writers' strike going on. In fact, you may not have noticed because a lot of the shows we watch, like DOOL, still have taped episodes ready to go and finished scripts on the table so that they can continue taping new episodes. But if ever the term "running on empty" applied, this is it. The taped shows and scripts are bound to run out sooner or later.

The writers' strike started on November 5. On that date, DOOL fed the show that would air on November 6. The cast taped that show on October 12. That means DOOL had seventeen shows taped and ready to go. Assuming it keeps about that number of taped shows on hand, the taped shows should last until November 28, or thereabouts.

Of course the shows won't end there, because the writing doesn't stop where the taping stopped (even though it does seem they are making it up as they go). So the question is, how many completed scripts did DOOL have on the table when the writing stopped on November 5?

And the answer is a resounding... we don't know. But what we do know is for every completed script the show had, it can go one additional day after November 28.

So, for example, if there were a dozen scripts in the bank (sounds like a low number, doesn't it?) the well would run dry by mid-December.

On the other hand, if DOOL had as many as, say, forty scripts ready to go (seems like a pretty high number, doesn't it?) the DOOL drain dries at the end of January.

So there you have it. DOOL could go bye-bye anytime between mid-December and the end of January. OR, insert your own figure for the number of completed scripts and come up with your own date. It's simple math, unless you're Belle.

So, let's be optimistic and say the show can run on empty until the end of January. The big question is... will the strike last that long?

Yes.

Well, that's what they're saying anyway. (We haven't backpedaled like that since we went a few rounds with Muhammad Ali). According to at least one source who knows, no talks are planned and, barring something unexpected, the strike will last at least until mid-January. That gets us perilously close to our most optimistic forecast of completed scripts and way beyond our most pessimistic. Plus, the day the strike is over, they aren't just going to start pumping out scripts ready for taping the next day.

Heck, the same article goes on to suggest the strike might last through June and the writers will be joined by the actors when their contract runs out.

So we may be without DOOL for a while. I can feel the withdrawal symptoms already. And, hey... no DOOL, no Prevuze. OMG! What will Prevuze do?

Sleep in. Beginning in mid-December. Or late January. Or... ???

Have a great weekend, gang.

13 Comments:

Blogger Applecheeks said...

I won't miss DOOL, but I can't imagine my mornings without Prevuze!!

The Kate picture was good. I suppose, technically, she hasn't totally broken that commandment. Attempted murder (at least three I can think of off the top of my head) doesn't count? HAHAHA

6:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree. Prevuze would have to continue even if Daze was in temporary reruns. Because think of the vintage episodes Prevuze missed that could have been ripped apart - Marlena's possession, Carly being buried alive, Squints and the guillotine, etc.

The writers can go on strike, Prevuze can't!

Thanks for the weekend update. :D

6:25 AM  
Blogger Deb said...

I agree with applecheeks, I won't miss DOOL as much as I will miss Prevuze.

Maybe, like the Justice League of America we could join forces to write the show ourselves every day.

Everyone check out my blog today, it's a two part cliffhanger!!!!

These Are The Daze Of Our Lives

7:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why can't the Days hire replacment writers,gee they might even know what the real world is like.Unlike the idiotic date rape storyline that reeks of racism and civil rights violations that Ford,his daddy &the Dean are getting away with. They might even find writers that know how a hosptal & a police dept. operates.The union writers should be looking over thier shoulders as there are many other writers that can do a better job if given the chance.

7:49 AM  
Blogger Deb said...

Anonymous:
The writers are on STRIKE!
That means they are part of a union.
To hire replacement workers would mean using SCABS!

The purpose of a union is to give a group of workers a united voice.
It gives them bargaining power with respect to wages, benefits, working conditions etc. Without unions, management can treat workers any way they want and there is no one to stand up for them.

Anyone who would cross a picket line and work as a scab is the lowest form of life. It's a slap in the face to all the members of the union. And no self respecting writer would be that low.

As much as I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be a writer for DOOL, I would NEVER cross a picket line or work as a scab.

10:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Living near NYC, we've got two strikes going.
The writers are running around the city picketing the 'studios' where TV shows tape, and finding sites where both TV and movies are filming 'on-site', causing them to stop. We also have Broadway stagehands, who have been out for a week. They resume talks either today or tomorrow.

For what it's worth, I 'think' I heard this AM that the two sides in the writers' strike agreed to meet on Nov 26th (?)

Look at the positive ... if the show runs out in mid-December, you can sleep in and enjoy the Holidays! 8*)

10:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

well...they are going in for negotiations on november 26...so maybe the strike will end soon

3:47 PM  
Blogger Paula B said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

3:52 PM  
Blogger Paula B said...

I love PREVUZE! I don't know what I would do without your daily DOOL fix. My local paper says they have enough episodes to last through January. Looks like you won't be sleeping late through the holidays. Take care! The article is at http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-to.soaps14nov14,0,288772.story

4:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Had they known in advance, they could have snuck a few repeats in on us over the summer when the so-called plots featured the same 'ol same 'ol every day. Now at least we're getting some new and moderately interesting storylines and blammo...writers strike.
Will they even remember what's going on by the time they settle? Will they have to toss a coin to figure out who shot poor Elvis?
Will we have to wait all the Days of our Lives to find out...
stay tuned.

Dazed

9:08 PM  
Blogger Deb said...

Don't forget everyone!

PART 2 OF LAW AND ORDER - SALEM IS COMING ON SUNDAY!!!

These Are The Daze Of Our Lives

9:19 PM  
Blogger Applecheeks said...

I wouldn't have believed it possible, but Deb's Law & Order, Part II is even better than Part I. LOLOL

3:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sometime last week, early in the morning on FOX news network I heard that writers from DOOL and Y&R decided to go go back to writing as they were worried that scabs or non-union writers would take their place. It was a brief announcement with no other details and I never heard it a second time - so not sure of the validity of the report.

4:48 AM  

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