The Writers Guild of America Strike has everyone in Hollywood either holding a picket sign or showing support with press. The strike has an effect on everyone, not just the TV world. To better understand what is going on here is the rundown. The writers that bring us the plots to TV shows and movies have been battling with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. They brought up the issue of broadband and internet profits. (Basically, they want their deserved piece of the profit pie.) The Alliance refused to budge on the issue and sent the members of the Guild on strike. A long standoff is expected by Nick Counter. Nick is the negotiator for the Alliance….feel free to use his name in any and all blasphemous ways. That means a full stop to some of your favorite TV shows. No writers equals no plots or scripts and dominos into no shows. First effected are live nighttime shows like “Leno” and (gulp) “The Daily Show.” The real killer will be in January and February when most of your favorite series will be replaced by reruns and reality tv.“Grey’s Anatomy” and “Ugly Betty” even “Desperate Housewives” is due to run out of episodes before the scheduled season end.

Stars like Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the bulk of the cast of “Grey’s Anatomy” have joined the writers on the picket line shouting…“Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Management can’t write the show!” and “Webisodes and DVD, we won’t write ‘em, not for free!” Eva Longoria tried to bank some Norma Rae positive press by offering free pizza to the picketers AFTER crossing the line. Robin Williams, Tim Robbins and David Hyde Pierce all suited up for cold and joined the effort. The Production Bosses also marched in the line. Calrton Cuse, the man behind “Lost,” wore his red shirt and carried a sign along with Joss Whedon of “Dollhouse” and Warren Bell of “According to Jim.” Sally Field also jumped on the press train in support of the writers.

Shows That Will Suffer From the Strike Include:

• Two and a Half Men”
• “Rules of Engagement”
• “The New Adventures of Old Christine”
• “SNL”
• “Leno”
• “Letterman”
• “The Daily Show”
• “Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson”
• “Late Night With Conan O’Brien”
• “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
• “Cashmere Mafia” -(premiere postponed)
• “24″ -(postponed)
• “The Office”-(one episode left)
• “Carpoolers”- (postponed)
• “Back to You”
• “’Til Death”
• “Family Guy”
• “Rules of Engagement”

• “House”
• “Grey’s Anatomy”
• “NCIS,”
• “CSI,”
• “Criminal Minds”
• “Scubs”- (will loose 6 episodes)
• “Brothers and Sisters”
• “Dirty Sexy Money”
• “How I Met Your Mother”
• “My Name is Earl”
• “Desperate Housewives”

“Heroes” may still be cut short despite being split into volumes. The season finale may come a bit sooner than expected. “Lost” is set to start airing in February with 8 scripted and shot episodes. “Chuck” will not get any news of a possible full season pick up until the strike ends.

Movies and production crews will be hit too. As scripts become stale the industry will begin to pick up stories from the cutting room floor. The sequel to “Transformers” was rushed due to the impending strike. Production on most movies could be halted due to the strike. The ripple of stopped production will/has cause layoffs as well. No movies, no tv….is Hollywood on the verge of doom? This isn’t the first time Hollywood came to it’s knees. A previous strike lasted for 22 weeks in 1988. But the Hollywood machine managed to survive.

How can we the average couch potato help? If you are in the areas that are picketing (New York and Southern California) you can grab a sign and walk the line. Try wearing a shirt or making a sign that illustrates your love for favorite series. Or you can write a letter letting the Alliance know you are super pissed and need the writers back, otherwise you will be forced to join a knitting circle. Or simply write “Nick Counter is a Weiner” as declared by Katherine Heigl.