The ongoing writers’ strike reveals more than just the stars’ inability to do all the work themselves; it also brings to light America’s sad dependence on entertainment.
With very little new content on television, viewers find themselves complaining that they can’t believe they’re watching reruns. The sad part is that they are watching reruns. Serious addictions can be identified when you admit you can’t believe you’re doing something and then you do it anyway.
The writers’ strike, now in its third month, is causing viewers to thirst for a fresh rain of new television episodes. Television networks have begun to exhaust their piggy banks of supply episodes for fictional shows. Now viewers are left to wonder what’s happening to Jack Bauer and Dr. Gregory House.
The TV world that so enthralls Americans has been halted and frozen, for the time being. The fictitious reality of shows like The Office and Grey’s Anatomy is popular because if it’s someone else’s problem we don’t have to deal with it and we can be entertained by it.
Even late night shows have been tripping over themselves trying to get their product out with their writers not there to tie their shoelaces.
Americans watch nonetheless, disgusted maybe, but watching all the same.
Several movie productions have been put on hold as a result of the strike as well, including Johnny Depp’s film Shantaram.
Feelings for favorite characters, movie actors and comedians have been revealed a grim reality; that maybe it’s not the actors we love, but the writers. What would Johnny Depp be without witty punch lines?
America’s love for entertainment might best be demonstrated by the news of Heath Ledger’s death being bigger than the economic news of President Bush’s $1.5 billion tax cut.
Original or rerun, the demand in America for entertainment will keep people watching. Strike or agreement, in the end the show must go on.