The Writers’ strike is about to enter its seventh week. Neither side is capable of staying at the table long enough to agree where to order lunch, let alone solve this contract dispute. I think the solution is forced arbitration. I believe that any rational person will take a look at this dispute and solve it rather quickly – in the writers’ favor. The simple fact of the matter is that a lot of hardworking people, who don't have the opportunity to get residuals and rely solely on paychecks, aren't working. And they want to work. And if they could find employers who could provide health care and benefits, they'd go work right now and this strike will be struck. The WGA should sign the current deal on the table - now, just hold on a second - we should complete this season of television, and then never work with these networks again. I hear time and time again on the picket line that the network system is dead. Well, right now it’s gasping for air, drowning in obscurity. We need to suffocate these networks by cutting off their supply of scripted programs. Scripted programs they need to exist.
The only way to do this successfully is for writers to become more reliant on themselves. We need to create our own websites, post our own content and charge monthly subscriptions. Many writers have production companies, but only for tax purposes. Imagine for a second if they all became real companies... Companies that’re able to produce and distribute their own material. The AMPTP needs to be shown that network television has become an obsolete mode of distributing original programs.
It’s worked for porn, so I’ve been told. (My cache is empty, so check it. Please don't check it) All kinds of internet porn – even the farm stuff – is making gazillions of dollars with charging monthly subscription fees. If people can make a living posting videos of people sucking off horses, then I think, with an entire world audience, I can find people who’d be willing to pay a monthly subscription for an original, hour-long police procedural drama, inspired by "Little People, Big World." My show will be called "Little Hands, Big Felonies."
