The TV Zone

Will "House" be shut? Will "Lost" get lost? Will the lights dim on "FNL?"

Gulp. What's a "de facto strike?" Is it like being half pregnant, or halfway to being half pregnant, or WHAT?

In any event, the negotiating arm of the studios - the AMPTP - last night released this statement, saying the industry was now in this half-way strike, just as the contract for SAG came to an end at midnight. It also said it had given the actors ifs final and best offer - which, interestingly and hardly surprisingly, was probably identical to the one the writers got last winter.

De Facto strike? This is what I think it means: That until actors agree to a deal, production will slowly and inexorably wind down, like some sort of giant clock, until... In other words, the AMPTP said last night - in effect - that no new production will take place until they've got a deal. This is a heck of a lot better than a studio lock-out, which was a remote possibility, but still chilling.

Also: While this is probably bad for movie production, it's less problematic for TV because series have remained in production since the writers' strike ended. They've done this not simply to fill the empty vault but in the possibility (likelihood) that this day would come. In other words, they can complete their orders, which means a full season of serial television in 2008-09.

Here's part of the statement: "Our industry is now in a de facto strike, with film production virtually shut down and television production now seriously threatened. In an effort to put everyone back to work, the AMPTP today presented SAG our final offer - a comprehensive proposal worth more than $250 million in additional compensation to SAG members, with significant economic gains and groundbreaking new media rights for all performers.

"Our $250 million offer is consistent with the four other labor agreements already reached this year with DGA, WGA, AFTRA Network Code and AFTRA Prime-Time Exhibit A. In addition, our offer addresses issues that SAG identified as being of utmost concern to its members, including tailoring our new media framework for SAG in areas such as feature films and significant gains for working actors."

Here's a bit of what SAG had to say:

"The AMPTP today delivered a last-minute, 43-page offer that upon initial examination appears to be generally consistent with the AFTRA deal, particularly in its provisions relating to new media. The union is reviewing the complex package and will prepare a response to management once that analysis is complete."

In other words, lets keep talking.

So, will there be a deal? Will there be an actors' strike? Yes, to the first question, no to the second. Again, SAG is waiting for results of the AFTRA vote, due early next week. If that deal passes - expected - then SAG will probably eventually accept this one too.