Dancing With the Stars - Fall 2023

[Imzadi]

Variety posted an article, it seems there's only one writer on staff supposedly...so we might get a lot of unscripted bits from the hosts

https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/dancing-with-the-stars-continues-season-32-strikes-1235726798/

Turns out, if they have a writer now, that writer is a scab writer. DWTS has been a Writers Guild (WGA) show for 19 years.

This is what the Variety article says near the bottom: (Bolding mine.)

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“Everyone’s focus is to keep 500 people employed,” a production source tells Variety. This individual says that the WGA writer will be back at work as soon as the strike comes to an end.​

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The WGA writer on “Dancing With the Stars” works with the hosts. The show is otherwise largely unscripted, given the live nature of the dance competition.​

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During the last strike in 2007-2008, “Dancing With the Stars” remained in production, and similarly re-hired its writer once the strike was over.​

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SAG-AFTRA rules mean that talent are still allowed to appear, as “Dancing with the Stars” participation falls under the Network Code agreement that isn’t a part of the current strike. The Season 32 cast includes multiple members of SAG-AFTRA, including Alyson Hannigan, Jamie Lynn Spears, Barry Williams, Matt Walsh, Mira Sorvino, Ariana Madix and Xochitl Gomez.​

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“Dancing With the Stars” typically features video packages within episodes that showcase cast member’s past TV and film projects. Under current strike rules, former SAG-AFTRA projects cannot be promoted or discussed, which could make “DWTS” packages tricky — but a source confirms that this season will not include any footage from past shows or movies, in order to comply with union rules. (For instance, don’t expect to see “Brady Bunch” flashbacks when introducing Williams for his rumba, and Hannigan won’t discuss her time slaying vampires on “Buffy,” while slaying on the dance floor.)​

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“Dancing With the Stars” has recently become subject to online chatter among WGA members on social media. Over the weekend — as news broke that the “The Drew Barrymore Show,” “The Talk” and “The Jennifer Hudson Show” backtracked on plans to return during the strike — WGA members called out “Dancing With the Stars,” noting that it is a WGA-covered show, meaning a WGA-represented writer is on staff. WGA member David Slack’s tweet went viral, noting that “‘Dancing with the Stars’ is a WGA-covered show. Its writers are on strike, and they can’t make the show without scab writing.” Other writers called the show variations of “Dancing With the Scabs” or “Scabbing With the Stars.” ​

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On Monday morning, former series pro Cheryl Burke told Variety that she felt “Dancing With the Stars” should pause until the strikes finished. “At the end of the day, we have to stick together because that’s the only way to ever make any significant change,” she said. “I don’t think it’s gonna be good for the show, to be quite honest, in the long run. I understand what they’re thinking and I get it. It’s a business, but there is no business without the rest of the business… I think they should hold tight. I think we need to stand as one. We need to unite for real and not just say we’re united.”​

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Posted on Twitter / X:
Click on link. This may get traction now that Drew Barrymore and the other shows have decided to pause:

https://x.com/slack2thefuture/status/1703486123715219496?s=20

Also posted:

 

[mandy200587]

They are picketing the rehearsals today

 

[Imzadi]

They are picketing the rehearsals today

Not unexpected. The WGA wants to gain momentum after toppling 4 talk shows. Getting a big reality show to also take a pause would be a big thing for the WGA.

On a better note, Jamie Lynn Spears said, “I’m ready to challenge myself, and also being able to do it for a reason that means a lot to me while everybody in my community’s on strike in SAG. I’ve had this unique opportunity where I was offered a chance to work when my community cannot work. So I figured, ‘I’ll do this, and I’ll donate my weekly salary to SAG, WGA — just give back to them in a time where they can’t even give to themselves.”


There are TEN SAG-AFTRA performers on the show: Alyson Hannigan, Jamie Lynn Spears, Barry Williams, Matt Walsh, Mira Sorvino, Ariana Madix, Xochitl Gomez, plus Derek Hough, Alfonso RIbero and Julianne Hough.

I wish the other nine performers would do the same.

They are in a unique position, able to perform do to the type of TV contract they have. Fine, great, do the show. Then use those very funds to help your fellow entertainment community. Otherwise, it's just lip service to say they stand with their fellow SAG union members, and in solidarity of the WGA - yet be on a show that has been a WGA show for 19 years, yet now will hire a scab writer.

 

[Imzadi]

On a semi-related note, even Jamie Lynn's soon to be ex-brother-in-law, the estranged husband, of Britney, Sam Asghari, literally stands in solidarity with his fellow performers as part of the ongoing strikes organized by SAG-AFTRA and WGA.

Asghari, a member of SAG-AFTRA, was spotted marching with a sign in hand near the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, where he voiced his support for the striking workers who have been off the job since the strike began on July 13.

 

[mandy200587]

So technically there is only one union member on the staff but the rest of the writers/production are non union and have been trying to join the union from what Kristyn burtt was saying on tiktok

 

[Imzadi]

So technically there is only one union member on the staff but the rest of the writers/production are non union and have been trying to join the union from what Kristyn burtt was saying on tiktok

Posting what Kristyn Burtt fully said on Tiktok and in context:

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7281006265176788267

 

[Imzadi]

The way ABC and DWTS producers are diminishing the ONE writer as though he doesn't count or matter much, is the heart of what the WGA and SAG are striking against.

When the studios are allowed to say ONE doesn't matter, ONE doesn't count, ONE shouldn't be paid fairly or paid more, ONE's work isn't that substantial or worthy, then down the line they can and WILL say:

"One can just be replaced with AI."

And we all will be in trouble as other jobs follow suit.

This reminds me of a famous quote, now up on the U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum:

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“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out,​

Because I was not a Socialist.​

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Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out,​

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.​

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Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out,​

Because I was not a Jew.​

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Then they came for me,​

and there was no one left to speak for me.”​

― Martin Niemöller​

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We are at sentence number 2.

.

 

[mandy200587]

Thank you imzadi for breaking everything down! Appreciate you!

 

[_19disnA]

Was fun to watch the first couple of seasons. Usually had a few who clearly had limited dancing skills. Lost interest the year that LA radio DJ won the competition since a lot of his radio fans voted for him. Clearly was not a very good dancer and seemed to ruin the whole point of the show.

 

[Imzadi]

Was fun to watch the first couple of seasons. Usually had a few who clearly had limited dancing skills. Lost interest the year that LA radio DJ won the competition since a lot of his radio fans voted for him. Clearly was not a very good dancer and seemed to ruin the whole point of the show.

Yes, the show instituted a new rule where the judges get an extra vote or something, so the public's vote can't skew the votes. And it remains a DANCE show.

 

[badiggio]

Yes, the show instituted a new rule where the judges get an extra vote or something, so the public's vote can't skew the votes. And it remains a DANCE show.

Unfortunately their deciding vote only comes into play for the bottom 2.Many times ,because of voting,the worst dancer kept bypassing the bottom 2 and the judges.Bobby Bones winning was jumping the shark.

 

[mandy200587]

Matt Walsh is potentially dropping out and the show is considering delaying the start now because of the strike

 

[AustinTink]

Matt Walsh is potentially dropping out and the show is considering delaying the start now because of the strike

Looks like he is officially out now. Almost feels like he accepted the gig just so he could set this example.

 

[Imzadi]

Matt Walsh is potentially dropping out and the show is considering delaying the start now because of the strike

Looks like he is officially out now. Almost feels like he accepted the gig just so he could set this example.

I was thinking last night that I would have really loved if they all went on to do the show, but the 10 SAG members had quietly decided amongst themselves that when the show went LIVE on premiere night that they all stood together onstage and Derek makes the announcement saying how fortunate they are, that as SAG performers, they have a contract that allows them to dance and they will dance.

But, like what Jamie Lynn had said, that they are standing in solidarity with the ONE WGA writer who can't write for the show due to the SAG strike. That all their proceeds will be split with him and also to the SAG Foundation which is helping out SAG members in need.

I think that would have been a bigger moment re-played around the world, over and over, than when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.

 

[AustinTink]

I was thinking last night that I would have really loved if they all went on to do the show, but the 10 SAG members had quietly decided amongst themselves that when the show went LIVE on premiere night that they all stood together onstage and Derek makes the announcement saying how fortunate they are, that as SAG performers, they have a contract that allows them to dance and they will dance.

But, like what Jamie Lynn had said, that they are standing in solidarity with the ONE WGA writer who can't write for the show due to the SAG strike. That all their proceeds will be split with him and also to the SAG Foundation which is helping out SAG members in need.

I think that would have been a bigger moment re-played around the world, over and over, than when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.

I honestly don’t see an end in sight for this strike. This time next year will be a veritable wasteland for film and television. The theaters were just starting to find their way back after covid. This is a tough situation for all involved.

 

[Imzadi]

I honestly don’t see an end in sight for this strike. This time next year will be a veritable wasteland for film and television. The theaters were just starting to find their way back after covid. This is a tough situation for all involved.

Someone mentioned to me that the point of no return is coming soon for all the studios, when they have to report their profits for this quarter or this year. As none of them can report profits, that's when it will really hurt them.

I was really looking forward to going to NY Comic Con in a couple weeks. A friend who's a SAG actress said she can't work one of the booths that offered her a job as a costumed character, as that character is also in a bunch of movies. SAG actors can't promote any movie or talk about past or recent projects during the strike. That also means no actors can talk at any of the panels about any projects, only about other stuff going on in their lives. So many of them aren't coming to Comic Con. That also means a lot of the merchandise normally sold probably won't get sold.

This Comic Con is going to suck! It will just be a bunch of attendees walking around talking to each other in costumes. That's fine for a costume party, but not for Comic Con.

 

[Imzadi]

BTW, Jamie Lynn has not been rehearsing in Los Angeles with the rest of the stars. Alan flew to where ever Jamie Lynn lives and is teaching there.

TMZ speculates it may be two reasons. Keeping Jamie Lynn out of L.A. means she is less likely to run into Britney by accident.

Second, Britney's tell all book is scheduled to come out during the show (if it stays on schedule.) It's expected that Britney will bash all members of her family over and over. Plus any time Jamie Lynn does something, Britney blows up on social media about her. Jamie Lynn's security team may feel it's safer for her to stay out of L.A. where a lot of Britney's overly-zealous fans are who may try to go after Jamie Lynn as retaliation.

 

[mandy200587]

On some happier news....The mirrorball will now be known as Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy

 

[AustinTink]

Someone mentioned to me that the point of no return is coming soon for all the studios, when they have to report their profits for this quarter or this year. As none of them can report profits, that's when it will really hurt them.

I was really looking forward to going to NY Comic Con in a couple weeks. A friend who's a SAG actress said she can't work one of the booths that offered her a job as a costumed character, as that character is also in a bunch of movies. SAG actors can't promote any movie or talk about past or recent projects during the strike. That also means no actors can talk at any of the panels about any projects, only about other stuff going on in their lives. So many of them aren't coming to Comic Con. That also means a lot of the merchandise normally sold probably won't get sold.

This Comic Con is going to suck! It will just be a bunch of attendees walking around talking to each other in costumes. That's fine for a costume party, but not for Comic Con.

Is the NY Con big? We used to go to the San Diego Comic Con, many years in a row. Haven’t been in a long time. It’s too hard to get tickets these days.

 

[Imzadi]

Is the NY Con big? We used to go to the San Diego Comic Con, many years in a row. Haven’t been in a long time. It’s too hard to get tickets these days.

It's not as big as San Diego's and has a lot less panels. But, it's the one we have here.