Writers Guild of America Strike After-effects

Notes of interest regarding the strike to readers of MeTalkinToYou:

Fox Postpones 24, Sets American Idol Premiere

With the Writers Guild of America strike looming long-term, FOX has announced an overhauled spring schedule that includes an "American Idol" premiere, but no "24."

FOX is quick to note that a fast resolution to the strike could cause yet another schedule upheaval, but as of Wednesday (Nov. 7) afternoon, the seventh season of "24" has been postponed indefinitely so that when the show returns, it can have its standard uninterrupted run.

For many viewers, the most important part of FOX's Wednesday announcement is the news that "American Idol" will kick off its seventh season with a four-hour two-night premiere on Tuesday, Jan. 15 and Wednesday, Jan. 16. That's happening regardless of what happens with the writers, so it's as close to set in stone as anything FOX does.

Reports: Strike May Rush 'Big Brother'

Are Julie Chen and her band of summer shut-ins ready for primetime in the regular TV season?

According to Variety and Entertainment Weekly, CBS has already begun casting on the sly for a new season of "Big Brother," which could be rushed to the air as soon as February.

With the Writers Guild strike threatening to impact scripted programs for the spring, "Big Brother" would be a major asset for CBS. The Chen-hosted voyeuristic favorite has traditionally occupied three primetime hours per week during CBS' summer months, bringing in a regular stream of young viewers. The show is filmed in a camera-studded box on the CBS lot, so it would require relatively little production prep (though a spring shoot could impact the show's bikini-filled hot tub scenes).

The Variety story mentions the possibility (buzzed in different online circles for years) that the new "Big Brother" season might be a celebrity edition, capitalizing on the number of TV stars left potentially unemployed by a strike.

source: zap2it