Patric Verrone and Michael Winship have finally come out and said what everybody has been whispering:  there has been a tentative deal struck in negotiations between the WGA and the AMPTP.  Here is what the letter sent out early this morning in an email to the membership:

“We have a tentative deal.  It is an agreement that protects a future in which the Internet becomes the primary means of both content creation and delivery,” they said. “It creates formulas for revenue-based residuals in new media, provides access to deals and financial data to help us evaluate and enforce those formulas, and establishes the principle that, ‘When they get paid, we get paid.’”  

Key among the the agreement’s points of interest is the 2 percent of the distributor’s gross receipts that writers will receive when their TV/movie work is reused online.

Keep in mind, this is a fluid story – the membership will discuss these things today, and the boards will vote on whether or not to submit the agreement for a vote tomorrow, along with deciding whether or not to call of the strike before a vote.

Paging Hillary Clinton…I know America Ferrera has been invaluable to you, but it looks like we’re going to be needing her again for Ugly Betty!

Stay tuned, everybody…

Source: CBS Marketwatch

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Now, I’ll give you a caveat: Is Eisner really in “the know” anymore?  Nikki Finke thinks Eisner is full of it.  But, since I’ve been burned by Finke’s insider info before, I’m not placing my all trust there either.  What we DO know is that on Saturday the WGA Membership meets in the Shrine Auditorium in the west, and Times Square Crowne Plaza Hotel in the east.  Here, the writers will give their opinions of the tentative deal.

Then on Sunday, the west and east WGA boards will meet and vote on whether or not to send the tentative deal to the general membership.  BUT, another thing they will be deciding is whether or not to call off the strike BEFORE sending the deal to the general membership (the moguls asked this be done so the Oscars could go on un-picketed)

More (and a poll) after the jump!

So, theoretically, the strike may very well be over by this Sunday.  I have my fingers crossed, and I’ll stay on top of it and pass any new info along to you.

I’m an optimist, so let’s go off the assumption that the strike is on the edge of ending.  We already know from Silvio Horta himself that that Ugly Bettywill most likely come back for about 4 episodes. Since they wrote the episodes assuming a longer season, changes have to be made. ”We would definitely need to change storylines,” he says. ”I know where we’re going to end up, but there’s going to have to be some major readjustment to get there.”

So, we have a limited number of story arcs from the show we’re going to see.  My question for you is, which ones?  What are you just dying to see?  I included the ones to which I’m most looking forward:

• Some resolution to the Betty/Henry affair (for good or ill)
• The musical episode
• Lindsay Lohan’s appearance
• The launching of HotFlash! magazine
• The continuation of Daniel / Renee’s romance

I think the first and last are most likely (depending on Gabrielle Union’s availability). Lindsay Lohan would be nice, but can they iron out a deal in time?  And I’ve just about lost all hope for the musical episode, because there are SO many extra production worries with musicals.

There are other important plot lines: Wilhelmina’s baby (and Christina carrying it), Christina’s husband, love for Hilda, Marc returning to Mode (certainly he will?  he can’t be sneaking around the love dungeon forever!).

So, assuming the strike ends this weekend, tell me what you can’t wait to see!

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Well, our good friend Ausiello has his ear to the ground, and has this to say:

With a tentative agreement between striking writers and Hollywood moguls expected to be announced sometime this week, my moles at Grey’s tell me that production on the show is expected to resume in early March. The plan is to shoot four or five episodes to air in April/May. A similar scenario is expected to play out at three other ABC hits, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty and Brothers & Sisters.

Ausiello, if you weren’t so danged skinny I’d kiss ya!

There is much to be excited about, if this all comes to fruition.  Could we be posting new juicy spoilers very soon?  Will we finally find out if Lindsay Lohan is going to appear on the show?  Can they get the musical episode done?

Please be true…please be true…

Source: Ausiello (TV Guide)

Post from: Ugly Betty News

Now, I know we’ve been burned by this sort of thing before, however, when the NYT and the LA Times start pass along that their sources confirm the kind-of imminent deal, we have cause for optimism.  Apparently, the breakthrough occurred Friday after two weeks of closed-door discussions between the sides.  The last sticking point seemed to be compensation for ad-supported television programs that are streamed over the Internet after their initial broadcast (like Ugly Betty).  How the issue was resolved (if it really was) is unclear.

Even if the WGA strike is resolved, the Screen Actors Guild still has yet to hammer out a deal with the producers.  But, the dominoes may be falling.

If and when the WGA strike ends, the question of Ugly Betty resuming production for this season is still very much up in the air.  There is a chance that a season could be restarted and stretched until June, but the actors may not like having to work in a time that is usually reserved for personal vacations and time off.  And, let’s be honest, new episodes of Ugly Betty this spring will go up against the behemoth American Idol. 

But, there are also 10 million viewers that are dying to know what’s going to happen with Henry and Betty, Gio, Wilhelmina’s baby, Christina’s husband, Daniel and Alexis’ power struggle, HotFlash, the musical episode, and whether LiLo is going to guest star.

I will keep on top of developments, and pass them along as soon as I can.  Stay tuned!

Source: New York Times

Post from: Ugly Betty News

The AMPTP today unveiled a New Economic Partnership to the WGA, which includes groundbreaking moves in several areas of new media, including streaming, content made for new media and programming delivered over digital broadcast channels.  The entire value of the New Economic Partnershipwill deliver more than $130 million in additional compensation above and beyond the more than $1.3 billion writers already receive each year.  In response, the WGA has asked for time to study the proposals.  While we strongly preferred to continue discussions, we respect and understand the WGA’s desire to review the proposals.  We look forward resuming talks on Tuesday, December 4.

We continue to believe that there is common ground to be found between the two sides, and that our proposal for a New Economic Partnership offers the best chance to find it.

Now, the idea that the WGA asked to suspend the talks until December 4th is interesting, and Nikki at Deadline Hollywood Daily has this to say about it:

My sources say this came as something of a surprise to the moguls’ side because their negotiating team was “ready to keep bargaining through the weekend”. On the other hand, the AMPTP side finally presented the terms with so much fanfare that it really surprised the WGA negotiators who’d been increasingly doubful there’d ever even be such a moment.

Now, this could all just be so much labor strife puffery from both sides.  But, I remember the 1988 strike, and this is much more movement, much earlier, than we had then.  Let’s hope everyone comes to their senses soon.  Ugly Betty News commentor Jessica said best what is at stake here:

…how about some sympathy for all the people this strike is hitting in harder places than what to watch on Thursday nights? Everyone knows the writers plight and most support them, but this thing is industry-wide. Actors and production crews, not stars that can go without but extras and day-players barely making rent, are out of work.

So true.  The moguls are just doing what moguls do, and many of the writers are treating the strike like a big party. But real people are being hurt right in the middle of the holiday season. Hopefully, this news can be a harbinger of the end of all of this.

Post from: Ugly Betty News

The talks between the two sides in the Writers Guild strike began anew today, and there is a strong hope there may have been a breakthrough!  From Deadline Hollywood:

As the WGA strike begins its 4th week, I’ve been told positive news about today’s resumption of contract talks between the writers and the producers. So positive, in fact, that I’m almost fearful to post it. But here goes: a very reliable source tells me that there appears to be a deal seemingly in place between both sides.

Oh, my goodness, that would be good news  I am holding my breath – Ugly Betty is having a wonderful year creatively, and it would be a shame for the show to go dark. 

More after the jump:

Deadline Hollywood continues… 

Look, I don’t want to raise false hope here. But this source has been very accurate in the past. The negotiations starting today will have a news blackout, so don’t expect any significant leaks. But consider the real possibility there’s been a breakthrough. Still, I must caution that this is Hollywood — where defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory nearly every time. 

We should all heed the warnings of DHD.  I wish the agreement could be reached sooner – but before Christmas would almost assure that Ugly Betty would have its full run this year. Cross your fingers!

Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily

Post from: Ugly Betty News

The highest profile cast members of Ugly Betty, as part of the Screen Actors Guild, had produced a video in support of the striking Writers Guild.  It is part of a series of videos, “Speechless”, that is, ironically, being released exclusively on the internet:

This is the fifth of the Writers Guild Of America member-conceived Internet videos for Project “Speechless” featuring A-list Screen Actors Guild talent. They are being hosted exclusively by DeadlineHollywoodDaily.com over Thanksgiving Weekend. For the first time in the TV and movie industry, high-profile SAG actors are together taking their talents directly and exclusively to the Internet, the very medium which is at the center of the current WGA labor strike against the Alliance Of Motion Picture & Television Producers.

Featured in the video (Speechless #5) are America Ferrera, Judith Light, Rebecca Romijn, Ana Ortiz, Ashley Jensen, Mark Indelicato, Tony Plana, Freddy Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, Christopher Gorham, Michael Urie.

You can view the video here:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1321273292/bctid1321350511

Now, I’ve made no secret that I am not very enamoured of this strike.  I’m amazed how the writers are simultaneously overstating their greivances, while being too flippant about a work stoppage that is keeping less-paid workers without paychecks.  They seem to be tone deaf about public relations.

However, the SAG is shoulder-to-shoulder with their writer brethren, and you have to admire their creativity.  Maybe the actors can bail the writers out. 

Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily

Post from: Ugly Betty News

(Photo by Abby McClelland – who helped make the signs). Pictured are the Ugly Betty writing team, Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta, and Ugly Betty writers Sara Kuscerka and Veronica Becker.

Now, I’m torn about this.  On one hand, it’s cute and perfectly represents the show.

On the other hand, it’s a reminder that we’re not exactly talking about West Virginia coal miners striking for safer working conditions. 

In a strike that is more public relations war than traditional labor dispute, I don’t know if it’s such a good idea to glam up your picket signs.  But then again, they are cute and eye-appealing.

Source: WorldofWonder.Net

Post from: Ugly Betty News

It’s hard times right now in Los Angeles, California for entertainment workers.  The Writers’ Strike is putting people out of work, and celebrities are doing what they can to support the picketers.

America Ferrera and Rebecca Romijn from the hit show “Ugly Betty” were on the scene, showing love to their fellow workers. 

(click for larger size).  Oh, Rebecca!  Sign me up for the Revolution.

Many more after the jump…

Source: Digital Spy, Gossip-Girls.net

Post from: Ugly Betty News

America Ferrera joined the Writer’s Guild of America picket lines Monday in solidarity with the writers.  Notice from this photo that she’s wearing her Betty necklace, and I think, one of Betty’s dresses.  Did she come stright from the set?  If so, that would be quite interesting. Hopefully the actors and runners, showing solidarity will bring the producers back to the table more quickly.

Speaking of, there is a very helpful article in Variety about the runners and others who have dual roles, like Ugly Betty executive producer Silvio Horta:

Silvio Horta, creator-exec producer of ABC’s “Ugly Betty,” was mulling over his next move Tuesday afternoon while walking the picket line in front of Paramount Pictures.

He’s been a part of every final mix session for his show since it began. He and his writers worked until 3:30 a.m. Saturday to finish work on episode 13 of the season.

Horta said he definitely won’t cross a picket line to work on his show, but he knows it would be possible for him to participate by phone. As of late afternoon, he hadn’t decided what to do about the mix session.

“The perfectionist in me wants to participate,” he said. “The Norma Rae in me wants to support my union.”

Read on…Horta isn’t wavering on the issues. “The producers’ position is just abominable,” he said, adding that he’s “been swayed much more” in the past few days due to the letters from Rhimes and Ryan. [Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice") and Shawn Ryan ("The Shield," "The Unit") ]

“It’s a tough position because it’s your baby, and you want to protect it,” he said. “But none of us want to be in a position where we’re helping producers get more episodes out of us.”

Horta planned to attend today’s showrunners’ picket and a possible lunch, where he said he’ll be listening to what other hyphenates have to say.

There is much more in the original post.  Did you notice that they just finished work on the 13th episode?  Number 7 will air tomorrow – there will be a few more before the slow holiday season.  So, it looks like Ugly Betty will continue on the air through early next year, unless ABC decides to hold onto them.

I’ll keep you posted on strike news as I get it.  Stay tuned.

Source: Variety, MEtro.co.uk

Post from: Ugly Betty News