We’re in for a long rest of 2023 the way things are going.
Members of the WGA are on strike. From news reports, it’ll be a while before we get new scripted material, and actors may join.
Rumors of a strike circulated for a bit before it formally started May 2. And it feels like some networks were assuming it was inevitable.
Let’s take a look at what some networks are doing during this strike.
CBS
All new shows or seasons say “Coming Soon” at the end of the previews.
This includes “Young Sheldon” and “Ghosts,” which ended on a cliffhanger. There also looks to be a new “Matlock” starring Kathy Bates, and at least something has been written and filmed based on clips from the commercial.
Fox
Two reality shows flooded commercials on this broadcast network.
There’s “Food Stars,” another Gordon Ramsey competition show. Plus William Shatner will host “Stars on Mars” starting June 5.
No, they didn’t film on Mars, and the cast is an interesting hodge-podge (Ariel Winter from “Modern Family” and Tom Schwartz from “Vanderpump Rules”… and your social media feeds … are among the cast).
ABC
As if watching so many more game and reality shows this summer and potentially fall wasn’t enough, ABC has “The Game Show Show,” a docuseries about…you guessed it, game shows.
It’s actually interesting, but it’s only four parts.
There’s also “The Prank Panel,” which includes Johnny Knoxville. It looks like Punk’d for regular people.
And, ABC has finally got the ball rolling for its long-discussed senior bachelor show, though it’s called “The Golden Bachelor.” It seems to me the writers already left before a name was settled on. It’ll air in the fall, after this summer’s “The Bachelorette.”
the CW
the CW doesn’t really have a game show pull, nor does it do reality shows.
Now, they’ve done this before, but they announced (before the strike officially started) they are bringing a Canadian show, “Sullivan’s Crossing,” to the network.
I’m guessing it was an easy decision. The show has ties to “Virgin River,” and it stars Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson. The CW knows its demographic.
This is just what I’ve noticed; it’s not a comprehensive list. But overall, none of this particularly excites me, but this is what happens when there’s a strike.
Networks, if you want good TV again…pay your writers. And don’t use A.I.; it’s unnatural.
I’d suggest catching up with other shows, like “Not Dead Yet.”