Cautious Optimism Reigns at Bob's Big Boy Strikewatch
'The mood here is as steady as it’s been for a long time,' says one scribe
At noon on Day 143 of the Hollywood writers strike, with a deal perhaps in the works, the phrase of the day at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank is “cautiously optimistic.”
The diner, a comforting 1950s-style time capsule, has been an unofficial watering hole for scribes on strike all summer. Beloved comedian Drew Carey continues to bankroll breakfasts and lunches for Writers Guild of America members, a restaurant tab that grows by about 10 grand each week and now stands at an impressive $400,000 to $600,000, Bob’s marketing manager Gencer Pedrigala tells me. (Carey is similarly picking up the tab at Swingers coffee shop.)
“It really has created the Cheers atmosphere for us,” says writer Jono Matt, a local strike captain at the Warner Bros. studio lot down the street. “So Drew, you rock.”
There’ve been several reports floating around that indicate the newly restarted talks between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are moving toward a resolution, particularly with the CEOs of Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal in the room. There’s also a report from CNBC that semi-threateningly nods toward a protracted strike should the negotiating parties not agree to a deal today, though it should be noted that neither side has set any firm deadlines. Studio- and agency-side insiders have told me, however, that a strike that goes past October will upset the rest of the broadcast TV season and likely prompt force majeure on overall deals, most of which have been suspended but not axed.
“Anytime I see a rumor that includes an ultimatum, I'm very cautious about it, but it's exciting that the actual CEOs are participating in the conversation for the first time,” says Matt. “That's wonderful.”
Over at Warner Bros., a mellow but resolute crowd marches up and down Olive Ave., as they have for many days past. A karaoke session bellows from the SAG-AFTRA tent. One actor thrusts a phone at me, the record button already on, asking for a human tripod as she struts in and out of frame along the picket line, with strikers and their signs in the backdrop.
“I do one of these every day,” she tells me.
Writer and WB lot coordinator Aaron Ginsburg, a broadcast TV veteran who has done tours on New Amsterdam and The 100, says “the mood here is as steady as it’s been for a long time.”
“The fact that they’re negotiating again is great news,” he says. “It’s much better than them not negotiating. If you want to balance those two things out, it's in a win column, we'll say… We’re cautiously optimistic, but in terms of like, do I want the strike to be over? Sure. I think we all do. Will we take anything but the best possible deal? No.”
With studios likely to use the WGA deal as something of a template for their next negotiation with SAG-AFTRA, which is currently on day 70 of their strike, actors are watching the discussions closely.
Criminal Minds star Kirsten Vangsness and Platonic’s Carla Gallo, also on the Warner Bros. picket line today, are also “cautiously optimistic.”
“I think that there is a tendency to not take artists seriously when we have to deal with business-y stuff,” says Vangsness. “So we have to kind of keep this intention of like, ‘No, we aren't moving.’ There are certain things that have to change. We're not backing off. So I'm happy that they're having these talks. They need to take what we're saying seriously.”
Both the writers and actors have overlapping issues, but even after a contractual precedent is set on, say, A.I., the AMPTP will still have to contend with matters that are unique to performers.
“I do think we're holding very strong and if WGA gets what they need — amazing. Does that mean that SAG then gets what they need?” muses Gallo. “I am a firm believer that the union and [SAG-AFTRA president] Fran Drescher are going to push back and go, ‘Well, you may have gotten what you need. DGA got what they needed. WGA will get what they need, what they're okay with — SAG is going to hold strong until they get what they absolutely need.”
Even though there are no announced hard deadlines for the contract talks, there are livelihoods — and what’s left of the 2023-24 broadcast TV season — to think about. Hollywood is notorious for a post-Thanksgiving lethargy that typically lasts until the new year. As one high-level studio exec told me last month, production can resume in January only if writers rooms rev back up in October.
“They need the writers right now,” adds Vangsness of the studios. “Because if they don't get them right now, there's gonna be nothing written. And then Christmas is gonna come. They're screwed.”
How is everyone feeling? Talk to me: elaine@theankler.com. And here’s more from the scene at Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank:
Today in Strike News
The new season of Dancing With the Stars looks to be headed towards a delay, as Veep actor Matt Walsh is “taking a pause” from the series until the WGA strike ends and ABC is preparing to postpone the premiere. “I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and fell under a different agreement.,” Walsh says. “This morning when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that it is considered struck work I walked out of my rehearsal.” (Variety)
Following a $1 million donation to the Entertainment Community Fund in July, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane has contributed an additional $5 million to the ECF and, in conjunction with the fund, formed a $10 million initiative with the goal of securing more donors. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Even if the WGA reaches a deal with the studios, the actors guild still needs to do so as well before everyone can get back to work. But that’s made much easier with progress on the writers’ front, says SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland: “It would certainly be a good sign if the WGA and the studios and streamers are able to reach a deal,” he said in an Instagram Live on Wednesday. “It will mean that the studios and streamers have made moves in the same direction that we are looking for them to make moves.” (The Wrap)
Picket Sign of the Day
What the frak, it’s Baltar on the pickets.
Additional reporting for Today in Strike News by Matthew Frank.
Disclosure: Elaine Low is an inactive member of SAG-AFTRA.