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Hollywood actors reach tentative agreement to end strike

Posted November 8, 2023
Hollywood actors reach tentative agreement to end strike

Hollywood studios and the actors’ union have reached a tentative agreement to end the 118-day strike, meaning production on movies and TV shows, including Young Sheldon, can resume soon.

This agreement comes after two weeks of renewed negotiations between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios and streamers, and SAG-AFTRA, the union for actors and performers.

When the strike concludes on Thursday, it will bring to an end over six months of disruption as first the writers and then actors walked on strike in an effort to improve their working conditions. The writers’ union struck an agreement to return to work last month.

SAG-AFTRA said the new three-year deal is “valued at over one billion dollars” and includes “above-pattern minimum compensation increases, unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat of AI, and for the first time establishes a streaming participation bonus.”

Writers for network TV shows returned to work last month, and actors are expected to commence work in the next few weeks, some as soon as the week after Thanksgiving. However, upcoming holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas limit the number of episodes that can be produced before the New Year. Given the late start to the season, network shows are expected to produce between 10 and 13 episodes, down from the typical 22-24, with some shows set to return as early as January.

Young Sheldon is set to return to CBS for its seventh season, the last of a three season deal struck in 2021. Executive producer Steve Holland has mentioned that there were discussions about the seventh season being Young Sheldon's last. However, the producers recognised the prospect of a strike-shortened season could mean they would not be able to tell all the stories they wish to tell.

 

Hollywood writers reach tentative agreement to end strike

Posted September 25, 2023
Hollywood writers reach tentative agreement to end strike

The Writers Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, a group that represents Hollywood studios, to bring an end to the union's months-long strike.

The writers' union went on strike in May, demanding increased residuals from streaming shows, minimum staff sizes in writers' rooms, and safeguards against the use of AI to create scripted content.

If ratified, the potential deal could result in writers resuming work on movies and TV shows. However, full production will not commence until the actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, concludes its own strike. The actors' union went on strike in July, citing similar grievances as the writers.

As the Hollywood studio machine gears up again, daytime and late-night talk shows will be the first to return. Industry sources speculate that if the writers return to work shortly, followed by an agreement with the actors, filming of scripted shows could resume by Thanksgiving. These shortened seasons are then expected to premiere next year.

Production on the seventh season of Young Sheldon, which is the final season in its current three-season deal, has been delayed along with other network TV shows due to the dual strikes. Executive producer Steve Holland had previously mentioned that there were discussions about the seventh season being Young Sheldon's last. However, the potential strikes at that time made it uncertain how long this season would be.

Hollywood actors join writers on strike

Posted July 13, 2023
Hollywood actors join writers on strike

Hollywood actors are now joining striking writers on the picket line, effectively halting the production of scripted content.

Starting from Friday, 160,000 television and movie actors will be on strike after their union, SAG-AFTRA, approved a strike on Thursday. Negotiations for a new contract with the major studios ended without a deal.

The actors' union has been in discussions with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group that represents major studios and streaming services, since June 7th. Although the previous contract expired on June 30th, it was extended for two weeks to allow for further negotiations.

SAG-AFTRA is demanding better working and pay conditions for actors and performers. They are also calling for restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence and actors' likenesses without fair compensation for their work.

The actors have joined the 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America who have been on strike for two months. This is the first time both groups have been on strike simultaneously since 1960.

The actors and writers share some similar demands, which include higher base pay and benefits, as well as increases to the residuals paid when films or shows are played again, especially on streaming services, which now dominate the media landscape.

With both actors and writers on strike, production of the new season of network TV shows is not expected to get underway in time for the typical September season premiere. Young Sheldon was renewed for a seventh season in 2023/24 as part of a three season deal back in 2021.

CBS announces sixth season finale

Posted May 5, 2023
CBS announces sixth season finale

CBS has released the synopsis for the two-part sixth season finale of Young Sheldon which will air Thursday, May 18.

A Romantic Getaway and a Germanic Meat-Based Diet - Mandy surprises Georgie with a spa weekend and Sheldon prepares for his summer in Germany, on part one of the sixth season finale of YOUNG SHELDON, Thursday, May 18 (8:00-8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

"A Tornado, a 10-Hour Flight and a Darn Fine Ring" - Sheldon and Mary head to Germany while the rest of the Cooper family braves a tornado that is heading straight for Medford, on part two of the sixth season finale of YOUNG SHELDON, Thursday, May 18 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

CBS has already renewed Young Sheldon for a seventh season to air in 2023/24, however the ongoing Hollywood writers' strike could impact production on the new season. A recent TVLine report suggested the producers of Young Sheldon are considering whether the seventh season will be the show's last.

Hollywood writers go on strike

Posted May 2, 2023
Hollywood writers go on strike

The production of scripted programming in Hollywood has come to a halt due to the Writers Guild of America's first strike in over 15 years. Network TV shows, including Young Sheldon, could be affected in the upcoming 2023/24 season depending on how long the strike lasts.

The Writers Guild of America spent the last six weeks negotiating with studios and streaming services under the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Their goal was to turn back the "gig economy" that unionized writers currently work under and secure a better deal.

The union's proposals aimed to establish minimum guarantees for the number of writers in each production's "writers' room" and the number of writers working on each episode, as well as increases in the weekly rate that writers are paid. The union was also seeking changes to the residual payments from streaming services, including higher rates from streaming platforms outside the U.S., linking residiuals with the number of streaming viewers, and improved residuals from ad-supported services. 97.85% of union members voted to support the strike.

The current sixth season of Young Sheldon, which concludes with an hour-long season finale on Thursday, May 18, will not be impacted by the strike. However, if the strike continues throughout the summer, it will cause a delay in the preparations for the seventh season of Young Sheldon, which is expected to premiere in September. This may result in a shorter season that starts at a later date, depending on when the strike is resolved.

Young Sheldon's parent show, The Big Bang Theory, was in its first season when the WGA went on strike in November 2007. The strike began after only eight episodes of The Big Bang Theory had aired and lasted until February 2008. After production restarted, the show returned to the airwaves in March and was able to produce another nine episodes during the season. As a result, The Big Bang Theory's first season had only 17 episodes, which is lower than the typical 23 or 24 episodes the show produced for the rest of its run. Co-creator of The Big Bang Theory, Bill Prady, has credited the strike with building the show's audience as CBS kept re-running those initial eight episodes during the prolonged strike.

The 2007 strike was motivated by some of the same issues as today's action. One key argument was ensuring that writers are fairly compensated for the online distribution of their shows, with streaming being a nascent industry back then. At that time, episodes of TV shows were more likely to be bought for download from iTunes or Amazon, although network websites had started to offer streaming of the latest episodes for a short period after their initial broadcast. Residuals from DVDs, which were then a particularly popular way of enjoying scripted content after its original broadcast, were another issue.

Tags: strike 

620 'German for Beginners and a Crazy Old Man with a Bat' Press Release

Posted April 27, 2023
620 'German for Beginners and a Crazy Old Man with a Bat' Press Release

CBS has released the synopsis for the May 11 episode of Young Sheldon, "German for Beginners and a Crazy Old Man with a Bat".

German for Beginners and a Crazy Old Man with a Bat - The gambling room gets broken into and Sheldon wants to study abroad. Also, Missy makes a new friend, on YOUNG SHELDON, Thursday, May 11 (8:00-8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

The hour-long sixth season finale of Young Sheldon will air the following Thursday, May 18. Don't worry, CBS has already renewed Young Sheldon for a seventh season to air in 2023/24.

CBS announces season finale storylines

Posted April 21, 2023
CBS announces season finale storylines

CBS has announced the storylines for its 2022/23 season finales, including an hour-long broadcast of Young Sheldon to end the show's sixth season.

Thursday, May 18 8:00: A Romantic Getaway and a Germanic Meat-Based Diet - Mandy (Emily Osment) surprises Georgie (Montana Jordan) with a spa weekend and Sheldon (Iain Armitage) prepares for his summer in Germany. Part one of the sixth season finale.

Thursday, May 18 8:30: A Tornado, a 10-Hour Flight and a Darn Fine Ring - Sheldon (Iain Armitage) and Mary (Zoe Perry) head to Germany while the rest of the Cooper family braves a tornado that is heading straight for Medford. Part two of the sixth season finale.

As the sixth season of Young Sheldon draws to a close, fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that CBS has already renewed the show for a seventh season in 2023/24. However, a recent report from TV Line suggests that the producers of the show are currently considering whether the seventh season will be its final one.

Tags: Season 6CBS 

619 'A New Weather Girl and a Stay-at-Home Coddler' Press Release

Posted April 17, 2023
619 'A New Weather Girl and a Stay-at-Home Coddler' Press Release

CBS has released the synopsis for the May 4 episode of Young Sheldon, "A New Weather Girl and a Stay-at-Home Coddler".

"A New Weather Girl and a Stay-at-Home Coddler" - Mandy gets an exciting job opportunity and Sheldon worries that he's falling behind. Also, Georgie takes his daughter to work, on YOUNG SHELDON, Thursday, May 4 (8:00-8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

A rerun of "A Tougher Nut and a Note on File" is set to air this Thursday, April 20, before Young Sheldon returns next week for the final stretch of the sixth season. Don't worry, the show has already been renewed for a seventh season on CBS.

618 'Little Green Men and a Fella's Marriage Proposal' Press Release

Posted April 13, 2023
618 'Little Green Men and a Fella's Marriage Proposal' Press Release

CBS has released the synopsis for the next episode of Young Sheldon, "Little Green Men and a Fella's Marriage Proposal", which airs Thursday, April 27.

"Little Green Men and a Fella's Marriage Proposal" - Sheldon wants to search for life on other planets and Mandy answers Georgie's marriage proposal. Also, Missy is caught between two friends, on YOUNG SHELDON, Thursday, April 27 (8:00-8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

A rerun of "A Tougher Nut and a Note on File" will air next Thursday, April 20, before Young Sheldon returns for the final run of the season, culminating in an hour-long season finale on May 18. CBS has already renewed Young Sheldon for a seventh season to air in 2023/24.

617 'A German Folk Song and an Actual Adult' Press Release

Posted April 8, 2023
617 'A German Folk Song and an Actual Adult' Press Release

CBS has released the synopsis for the next episode of Young Sheldon's sixth season, "A German Folk Song and an Actual Adult".

"A German Folk Song and an Actual Adult" - Georgie goes on a birthday date and Mary confronts Brenda about her relationship with George. Also, Sheldon takes an interest in Missy's favorite TV show, on YOUNG SHELDON, Thursday, April 13 (8:00-8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

A rerun of "A Tougher Nut and a Note on File" will air the following Thursday, April 20, before the sixth season continues with "Little Green Men and a Fella's Marriage Proposal" on April 27.