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April 27, 2001

Possible Writers' Strike Looms

The Writers' Guild of America could go on strike as early as May 2. The networks have been preparing themselves, and the glut of reality programming is partly the answer.

ABC says it will be prepared to add runs of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?," "20/20," and "Whose Line is it Anyway?" The network is also looking at a possible new reality series called "Runner," in which viewers try to catch a contestant who is racing across the country.

CBS is hopeful that a strike will not occur, but claims its ready if it does. The network has stockpiled theatrical and made-for-TV movies, and can rely on its various newsmagazines to help fill the gaps. The network also says that it has a number of reality-based projects in the works that they could get up and running quickly.

Fox also says it will be prepared with scripted programs that are already in the can, such as "Greg the Bunny" and "The Tick." Plus Fox is also looking at reality series "Love Cruise" and "End Game."

"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" will go into reruns if there is a strike. "Late Show with David Letterman" staffers are reportedly applying for a waiver that would allow members of the TV and radio performers' union to write their own material. Both shows are hoping there will not be a strike.

Downey & Out

Robert Downey, Jr.'s, latest arrest has got him kicked off of Fox's "Ally McBeal" for good. Downey was arrested Tuesday in a Los Angeles suburb on drug charges. Hours later, "Ally McBeal"creator David E. Kelley fired him from the cast.

The statement from David E. Kelley productions said that they are wrapping up the last few episodes of the season with out him. A spokesperson for Twentieth Century Fox Television said that the last episodes will have to be drastically rewritten.

Kelley supported Downey after he was arrested on drug charges in November, and kept him on the cast. Apparently, this latest arrest was the last straw.

Buffy Jumps To UPN

We'll save you all of the vampire-themed puns, and just tell you simply that "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" will be moving from The WB to UPN next fall. The WB refused to cave in to the financial demands of the show's producer, Twentieth Century Fox Television. UPN then swooped in a picked it up. The deal is for 2 years at over $2 million per episode. "Buffy's" sister series "Angel" may also move to UPN if The WB cancels it as expected.

Network Reality Tricks

On Thursday, May 10, NBC will air a special "Weakest Link" featuring cast members of the original "Survivor." CBS will counter with a special "Survivor: Back From the Outback," which will follow contestents of the latest Survivor round as they return home from the Australian Outback.

NBC has ordered an additional 13 episodes of "Weakest Link," bringing the total series order to 26 episodes. The network will be able to air episodes through Summer, which is good news for the network since the show would be unaffected by a writers' strike.

PAX TV will rebroadcast episodes of "Weakest Link" on Fridays at 8PM beginning June 1.

Jerri Manthey, one of the contestants of "Suvivor 2," will appear on the CBS soap "The Young & The Restless" on May 28. She will be playing herself.

And A&E is getting into the reality biz with a new project for fall. "Real People TV," from the creator of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," will give people video cameras to document themselves living out their lifelong dreams. The people will be chosen via an online search at AandE.com.

Bakula Joins CBS Pilot

Scott Bakula ("Quantum Leap") has signed on to the CBS comedy pilot "Late Bloomers." So far, he has only signed to appear in the initial episode, which still makes him available to sign on to star in the new Star Trek series. In fact, Markie Post and Adam Arkin have also signed on to the first episode of "Late Bloomers," but they haven't committed to the series, either. It the series gets picked up, it is possible that the show will have to be re-cast... again. You see, Bakula, Post, and Arkin are already replacements of original castmembers Burt Reynolds, Michele Lee, and Joe Bologna, respectively. The original castmembers left the project for various reasons.