The ongoing walkout of the Writers Guild of America or WGA, which began yesterday, has thrown many television shows into uncertainty, with their respective current seasons left hanging due to unwritten episodes.  Understandably, many of those in jeopardy are the newer programs which are either on their maiden or sophomore seasons.  However, even top-rated and commercially solid shows like Grey's Anatomy are feeling the pressure of the writers' strike.

Many are anticipating a long impasse that could very well go on until the holidays.  Producers and actors alike have expressed anxiety over the repercussions of a lengthy stalemate.

Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy's resident hottie as Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd, worries that an indefinite or extended writers guild boycott could spell doom for their award-winning franchise.

"The problem is that we're not that far ahead, script wise,” Dempsey admitted.  “I think we'll have enough shows that take us through Christmas, and, after that, we'll see if that's the season or not.  I think there's a real chance of that happening.  It's going to be very bad for television, certainly.  The season will be wiped out.”

"My concern is not so much for myself really, because I'll be alright, but I think how long this strike lasts is going to affect a lot of people that are living paycheck to paycheck - they are going to be damaged profoundly by this, and I think that's a real tragedy,” the Grey's Anatomy star reflected.  "I think a lot of people and a lot of families are going to be in a difficult place in their lives; hopefully we can come to some sort of understanding and resolve this soon enough that it doesn't affect those people."

Dempsey is not alone in his concern for lesser paid television crew and personnel who are at the bottom of the entertainment ladder.  Scrubs creator and executive producer, Bill Lawrence, had the same fear for his people.

"Right now, I fear that a lot of the writers have no real clue just how tough this is going to be.  I'd imagine things will get very grim sometime after Christmas," Lawrence has said.  "I've kind of won the lottery in having a few shows that went to syndication in both Scrubs and Spin City, so anything I say about my own sacrifice would drip with selfishness.  This is such a bigger deal for the guys who work below the line and largely live hand-to-mouth and the younger writers who can't go without a paycheck for very long."


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: WENN, The Hollywood Reporter
(Image Courtesy of AP)