David Kronke was appointed Mayor of Television after a bloodless coup in 2000. Since then, he has improved infrastructure, championed greater educational opportunities and fought for reforms that have utterly erased corruption and incompetence from the television industry. Since Mr. Kronke has ascended to power, Television is a far better place. Striking up a conversation (there are no losers here - oh, wait; yes, there are)
As the writers and producers return to the bargaining table for the first time in nearly a month (key quote: "Both sides need to shut up and stay in the room until they get this resolved," one labor insider said. "They've shown that this can't be negotiated in the press or on the picket line"), the hope is that the news blackout will put an end to the “So’s your mother!”/“I know you are but what am I?” sparring that highlighted the negotiations heretofore.
Meanwhile, Variety unveils a survey of its readership that reveals that though two-thirds are sympathetic to the writers, most also believe that in the end, the producers will end up getting more of what they want.
Only 19% believe the writers will get most of what they’re seeking (among only WGA members, the total goes up to only 21% –even SAG members are more optimistic, with 27% thinking the writers will work out a good deal, while only 11% of directors and IATSE members expecting good tings for the writers), while 44% believe the producers will win out. Writers are just a smidgen more optimistic here, as well, with 42% projecting the producers to prevail. Half or more than half of the Directors Guild and IATSE members polled expected the producers to kvetch all the way to the bank.
71% think (hope?) the strike will end within three months; 29% believe it could last from three months up to a year. All believe the strike will hurt them financially, including 82% of the writers themselves. 31% said the strike was a mistake, though only 16% of the writers and 15% of the actors. 77% think viewers will watch less TV as a result of the strike, as opposed to only 15% who think people will go to fewer movies. (Full results here.)
Meanwhile, Nikki Finke reports that a deal is kinda sorta already done and that the thing may be resolved by Christmas. Or maybe not. So we’re still a long way away from hearing “God bless us, everyone” or “Bah, humbug.”