Colbert, Fallon, British guilds react to writers strike

A bearded Jimmy Fallon wears a black tux and speaks into a microphone

By Nardine SaadStaff Writer

Published May 2, 2023 Updated May 3, 2023 1:46 PM PT

As a work stoppage has been called and members of the Writers Guild of America prepare to begin picketing Tuesday afternoon, the union is getting support within Hollywood and around the globe.

Unable to reach a deal with the major studios on a new three-year contract to replace one that expired Monday night, the boards of directors for the East and West Coast divisions of the WGA called Hollywood’s first strike in 15 years to dispute how writers are compensated in the streaming era.

The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain has also sent guidance to its members about the U.S. strike and reminded them not to work on U.S. shows for the duration of the work stoppage. WGGB members taking work would essentially be viewed as “crossing a picket line” and could result in them being blacklisted, that guild said. The Writers Guild of Canada issued a similar directive, and the WGA has also received strong displays of solidarity from several other powerful Hollywood unions, including SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters, the Directors Guild and IATSE.

U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) also backed the effort, tweeting that the WGA’s fight for better pay and wage protections in the streaming-content era “is vital to ensuring the livelihood of those who make the entertainment industry such a creative powerhouse.” He called on both sides to come to a deal to improve worker salaries and one that “keeps our favorite TV and movie productions afloat.”

Numerous showrunners have also weighed in on the strike’s potential effect on the industry, describing a halt as “pure chaos.” Additionally, guild members have warned fellow writers in separate genres — comic book writers and novelists, for example — to turn down offers to write for studios during the stoppage because it can be interpreted as crossing picket lines and potentially preclude them from future membership in the guild.

The WGA’s work stoppage will probably delay the key fall network TV season, including 45% of the episodes produced by legacy media companies Disney, Paramount Global and Comcast NBCUniversal. Late-night TV shows will be the first to feel the effect and are already making plans to air reruns on Tuesday.

“Everyone including myself hope both sides reach a deal. But I also think that the writers’ demands are not unreasonable,” TV host Stephen Colbert said on the Monday episode of CBS’ “The Late Show.” “I’m a member of the guild. I support collective bargaining. This nation owes so much to unions. Unions are the reason we have weekends, and by extension why we have TGI Fridays.”

“I wouldn’t have a show if it wasn’t for my writers, I support them all the way,” NBC’s “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon told Variety on Monday at the glitzy Met Gala in New York.

“I support the writers, and I think it’ll affect all of us,” actor-director Olivia Wilde told Reuters. “It’ll affect every part of the industry and people beyond the industry. But we have to stand up for our rights and I support unions, and they’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what they deserve. I wish it didn’t have to come to this.”

“I wish this wasn’t happening and support it absolutely,” tweeted “The Sandman” writer Neil Gaiman. “When I wake up tomorrow I’ll be on strike. (To forestall the inevitable questions, Good Omens 2 is completed and handed in. Although I may not be able to promote it as I had hoped.)” Gaiman added in a follow-up tweet that Season 2 of Prime Video’s “Good Omens” will be out this summer: “It’s all done and dusted.”

Actor-comedian and writer Wanda Sykes was also poised to join the picket line, sharing an apparent throwback photo of herself protesting conditions during the 100-day writers’ strike in 2007.

“Here we go again! #wgastrong,” she tweeted Tuesday.

“I’m a member of WGA and support WGA, and them getting — we, us — getting what we need,” “Abbott Elementary” star and creator Quinta Brunson told the Associated Press.

“I stand with @WGAWest and @WGAEast and fully support them in their strike,” tweeted “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill. “‘If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage.’ #WGAStrong”

Writers are seeking increased pay, particularly from streaming residuals, and new regulations on working conditions. The WGA has sought pay increases and other changes to the contract valued at nearly $600 million at a time when studios are being roiled by cutbacks and layoffs, with many under pressure to make their streaming services more profitable, The Times has reported.

“Everything changed with streaming, and everybody should be compensated for their work. It’s f— easy,” Oscar-nominated actor Amanda Seyfried also told Variety on Monday at the Met Gala.

“I just hope that everyone is treated equally.… People strike for a reason,” “Eternals” and “Atlanta” star Brian Tyree Henry said Monday.

In response to the WGA’s tweet announcing that it had called for a strike, Twitter users chimed in with their signature indifference and snarky jokes about artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT taking on the productions.

Many others recalled how the 2007 writers strike affected several beloved TV shows, including “Friday Night Lights,” “Pushing Daisies” and “Heroes,” and how the ramifications of that strike can still be seen today. Several recalled how late-night host Conan O’Brien spun his wedding ring on his desk or took viewers on a tour of his office to fill airtime without using writers.

“Abbott Elementary” star and creator Quinta Brunson set the record straight about her involvement in the strike after a fan urged her on Twitter to “help them writers girl! We love them just as much as the cast who deliver them lines!”

“I am a writer. I’m in the wga. I’m also on strike!” Brunson replied. “I have no real power here other than to join my union in demanding fair compensation for writers! #wgastrong.”

“I’m on the way back to la currently but this week you’ll probably find me on picket line,” she added. “This strike also isn’t about me, and I don’t want to make it about me. It’s about all writers :) support the wga. No show or movie you love is written without… writers.”