The 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, which began on November 5, 2007, was a labor conflict that affected a large number of television shows that were due to be broadcast in the United States during the 2007–2008 television season. Negotiators for the striking writers reached a tentative agreement on February 8, 2008, and the boards of both guilds unanimously approved the deal on February 10, 2008. Striking writers voted on February 12, 2008, to end the strike immediately, and on February 26, the WGA announced that the contract had been ratified with a 93.6% approval among WGA members.
Effect on shows Shows with increased number of episodes Some shows, especially unscripted or reality shows, benefitted from the strike by providing the networks with new material.
Show Network: Notes The Amazing Race CBS Originally only one season (The Amazing Race 12) was planned for the 2007–2008 season. A second season of the show (The Amazing Race 13) was greenlit shortly after the start of the strike, although it did not air till the following TV season with the premiere airing on September 28, 2008. The season finale aired on December 7, 2008. Big Brother CBS Originally only one season was planned for the show's traditional summer slot in 2008. Due to the writer's strike, a second season for 2008 was ordered. Big Brother 9 aired in the winter-spring period and premiered Tuesday, February 12, 2008, with three episodes per week. Big Brother 10 aired during the summer and premiered Sunday, July 13, 2008, with three episodes per week. Good News Week Network Ten(Australia) Meant to be a one-off special, new episodes were made for the first time in 7 years to fill gap left by lack of US product. The new run lasted until 2011, with a final special in 2012. The Price Is Right, Power of 10 CBS In response to the strike, CBS ordered 10 primetime The Price is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular specials, the first to feature then-new host Drew Carey. They aired on Friday nights beginning February 22, 2008. CBS also ordered additional episodes of the Carey-hosted quiz show Power of 10.
Unaffected shows Some shows were not affected by the strike, being unscripted, not using union writers, or completing their production before the strike began. Some shows made in Canada use mainly or solely Canadian writers and were thus unaffected by the US strike.
Show Network Notes Eureka Sci Fi All 13 episodes of season 2 were shown. Season 3 was produced over a longer period due to the strike. Jericho CBS All 7 episodes for season 2 were completed before the strike All My ChildrenABC Scripts were completed through January 2008. DuelABC Only Big Three network game show to premiere whole series during the strike. Second season as weekly series premiered on April 4, 2008, and ended on July 25, 2008, for 10 episodes. The Bold and the Beautiful CBS Scripts were completed through January 2008. Days of Our Lives NBC Scripts were completed through January 2008. Guiding Light CBS Scripts were completed through February 2008. One Life to Live ABC Scripts were completed through January 2008. Passions The 101 Network Scripts were completed through February 2008Writers' Won't Scrub Soaps Until at Least January The View ABC Continued, with a statement by the network that "contingency plans have been made in the event of a strike." Carpoolers ABC All 13 ordered episodes were completed. The Closer TNT All 15 episodes of season 3 made Curb Your Enthusiasm HBO Had not been renewed for a seventh season until after the strike Dexter Showtime All episodes completed of Season 2 before strike. Production started early in anticipation.WGA On Strike , LATimes.com Season 1 re-purposed on CBS due to lack of new content. Eli Stone ABC All 13 ordered episodes were completed. Premiered January 31, 2008. Everybody Hates Chris The CW All 22 episodes completed, returned on March 3. Kyle XY ABC Family All 23 episodes completed. New episodes began January 14, 2008. 10 more episodes ordered in October, before the strike. Lincoln Heights ABC Family Was not renewed for a third season until after the strike Mad Men AMC Lionsgate side deal made, production resumed on scripts for summer airing. Monk USA All 16 episodes completed. New Amsterdam FOX All 8 episodes completed. Premiered March 4, 2008. October Road ABC All 13 ordered episodes for season 2 were completed. Psych USA All 16 episodes completed. The Shield FX All 13 ordered episodes were completed. South Park Comedy Central Show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone were not members of the union, and continued writing and producing the show at the beginning of the strike with the final two episodes of season 11 airing as planned. The show was on a scheduled hiatus for the rest of the strike's duration. Stargate Atlantis Sci Fi All of Season 4 was completed. Most writers are members of the Writers Guild of Canada. It was reported that the broadcast schedule would potentially be affected because of the broader effects of the strike. The Wire HBO All 10 episodes were completed for the final season.
Unscripted shows Show Network Notes Poker After Dark NBC Continued production airing original episodes; unaffected by the strike.
Shows with writing completed before strike Show Network Notes 10 Items or Less TBS All 8 ordered episodes were completed. About a Girl The N All 13 episodes were completed. American Dad! Fox All 22 ordered episodes had been written. Cane CBS All 13 ordered episodes were completed. Jericho CBS All 7 ordered episodes were completed.
Shows that switched to non-union writers Show Network NotesAll My ChildrenABCOn January 15, 2008, the soap was written by Julie Hanan Carruthers and Brian Frons replacing James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten who returned on January 31 As the World Turns CBS Entire writing staff was on strike. Material written by non-union writers airing as of January 25, 2008 until the end of the strike. General Hospital ABC Using financial core and strikebreaker material as of January 4, 2008. Writing led by non-striking guild member Garin Wolf. Head writer Robert Guza Jr. and his staff returned after the strike.One Life to Live ABC As of February 15, 2008, Gary Tomlin took over as head writer for the soap replacing Ron Carlivati who returned on May 2. Power Rangers ABC/Toon Disney Much of the remainder of Power Rangers Jungle Fury was written by former Power Rangers writer Judd Lynn, who was not a WGA member at the time, using various pseudonyms. The final three episodes (plus a fourth episode, written out of order) were written by longtime series writer Jackie Marchand and John Tellegen upon the strike's end. A fifth episode, "Maryl and the Monkeys," was originally credited in released synopses to a writer named Sal N. Mitchell but when it aired, the episode was credited to executive producer Bruce Kalish. The Young and the Restless CBS Writing taken over by non-striking guild members Josh Griffith and Maria Arena Bell (the daughter-in-law of the show's creator William J. Bell), among others. Griffith/Bell material aired starting December 26, 2007. Lynn Marie Latham and three of her writers were terminated as of February 13, 2008.
Shows airing off-season Show Network Notes Burn Notice USA Season 2 premiered unaffected. The full season of 16 episodes were aired. Miss Guided ABC Writing was halted, but all 7 planned episodes aired. Weeds Showtime Weeds was not scheduled to start filming until April 2008 for a summer debut, however, Lionsgate made a side deal to avert a production halt and remained unaffected, airing as planned in August. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia FX Renewed for a fourth season was composed of 13 episodes that aired in fall 2008. Canterbury's Law Fox All 6 ordered episodes were completed. Premiered on March 10, 2008.
Shows delayed or interrupted by the strike Some shows ran out of episodes, but caught up to their ordered amount after the strike. Some other shows, such as talk shows, were interrupted, but made arrangements to return to screens early.
Show Network Date stopped Date restarted Episodes made before strike Episodes made after strike Notes According to Jim ABC March 11, 2008 11 of 18The Futon Critic — According to Jim 7 Most of the actors in this show, including James Belushi, struck with the writers. South of Nowhere The N September 8, 2008 September 2008 16 of 16 Initially set to air final episodes starting in February. The April 2008 airing of the remaining episodes from the third season were pushed back to September. Women's Murder Club ABC January 4, 2008 April 2008 10 of 13 3 The Colbert Report Comedy Central Reruns began on November 5, 2007. January 7, 2008 (without writers). N/A N/A Pronunciation of show title changed for the length of the strike. February 13, 2008 (with writers) The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Comedy Central Reruns began on November 5, 2007. January 7, 2008 (without writers) N/A N/A The show was briefly renamed A Daily Show with Jon Stewart in honor of the strike. February 13, 2008 (with writers) The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson CBS Reruns began on November 5, 2007. New episodes began on January 2, 2008. N/A N/A David Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, successfully negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement, so the show returned with its full complement of writing staff. Late Night with Conan O'Brien NBC Reruns began on November 5, 2007. New episodes began without writers on January 2, 2008. N/A N/A February 15, 2008 with writers. Late Show with David Letterman CBS Reruns began on November 5, 2007. New shows began on January 2, 2008. N/A N/A Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, successfully negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement, so the show returned with its full complement of writing staff. Real Time with Bill Maher HBO Reruns began on November 9, 2007. The sixth season premiered without writers on January 11, 2008. N/A N/A February 15, 2008 with writers. Greek ABC Family September 10, 2007 March 24, 2008 18 of 22 Saturday Night Live NBC Reruns began November 10, 2007. February 23, 2008. N/A N/A In mid-November, most of the production staff was laid off. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno NBC Reruns began on November 5, 2007. January 2, 2008 (no writers). N/A N/A February 15, 2008 with writers.
Shows with shortened seasons Even though production began again on some shows, they were unable to complete the full season originally ordered.