The Gag Reel By: Mo Diggs
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 4:07AM The week's most pressing TV and film news.
THE BATTLE CONTINUES: Why did the studios abruptly end negotiations with writers, leaving them out in the cold? They are setting a precedent for the Screen Actor's Guild, who will also want a piece of the online revenue pie when their contract is up in June 2008.
"For the writers, their best defense now is a good offense. As I've argued before, their future lies in becoming more entrepreneurial. This would also be good strategy for future strike negotiations. With the studios stuck churning out reality sludge, the barriers for entry for an outsider are lower than ever. What's to stop Google, Yahoo or Mark Cuban from striking a deal with a top TV show runner who has a proven ability to create characters and stories that would bring eyeballs to the Internet?"
CAVEMEN WATCH: Could the strike actually save Cavemen? "Under normal circumstances the show might have been canceled by now, but with the writers' strike continuing to drag out, and seven episodes of the show (produced by ABC Studios) yet to be broadcast, there are compelling incentives for the network not to swing the ax just yet. ('That's why I voted for the strike," Mr. Martin said jokingly. "Purely to try to save Cavemen.')"
SPEECHLESS SPOOFED: Late Show writers spoof Speechless videos (via Deadline Hollywood Daily).
SELL HARD: First ten minutes of Walk Hard online.
Last Comic Standing finalists Jon Reep, Lavell Crawford and Amy Schumer have talent holding deals with NBC.
DVD PICK: Dave Attell, Captain Miserable Assuming you haven't bought it already.
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