‘SNL’ & other late-night TV may return if writers OK deal
Late-night TV shows could return as early as next week now that the Writers Guild of America has reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios.
“Saturday Night Live” could also come back next month, depending on whether the deal is approved by all union members in a vote expected Tuesday.
Hollywood has been at a standstill for months, with writers and actors hitting picket lines while their unions bargained for new contracts. The Screen Actors Guild remains at an impasse with production companies.
The WGA’s negotiating committee signed off on a tentative deal Sunday night with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, reaching agreements on the major issues of streaming fees, writers’ room staffing and the use of artificial intelligence.
“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA negotiating committee said in announcing the development.
But into Monday, details of the deal remained elusive. Even WGA members were unable to view the proposed agreement as the final points were refined. After the last writers’ strike in 2008, more than 90% of WGA members voted in favor of the proposed agreement.
The WGA and its 11,500 screenwriter members have been on strike since May 2. Bargaining with the AMPTP centered on technological changes that shook the industry as writers sought a greater share of streaming revenue that paled in comparison to what they’d normally receive from cable reruns.
Writers were also concerned about artificial intelligence being used to write scripts and studios’ desire to slash the staff in writers’ rooms.
The strike lasted almost five months, nearly breaking a record set in 1988 when the WGA struck for 22 weeks. The latest work stoppage was significantly longer than the three-month strike of 2007 to 2008.
“There simply is no substitute for employers and employees coming together to negotiate in good faith toward an agreement that makes a business stronger and secures the pay, benefits and dignity that workers deserve,” President Biden said Monday in reaction to the deal.
Biden was expected to appear Tuesday at a different picket line — alongside automotive workers striking in Michigan.
Despite the long work stoppage, writing for late-night shows and sketch comedy programs — whose stars are not SAG-AFTRA members — could resume immediately upon ratification of the deal.
“It’s not that unusual for writers and actors to suddenly have to drop everything and go to work,” said WGA member Zayd Dohrn. “Routines will have to be broken or changed. But I think people are pretty used to being ready to go on short notice.”