The TV Zone

Don't look now, but an actor's strike could now be looming, with both sides -- actors and the major studios -- saying that they've effectively reached an impasse.

That's right -- possibly another, long, crippling strike. Help!

"Possibly." But not necessarily "probably." Let's keep our heads on.

Here are a couple of interesting things you may (or may not) know: First, there are a significant number of writers (I've no idea how many) who think the recently inked WGA/studio pact was and is a lousy one. I talked to one prominent producer-writer not too long ago -- who shall remain nameless -- who even predicted ANOTHER writers' strike a couple of years from now when this one lapses.

Some are flat-out angry about their deal, even thinking that for all the agony Hollywood went through that they basically ended up with pittance. I'm also told the actors don't want to make the same mistake.

And here's another thing: Many major productions, like "CSI," are wrapping their seasons very shortly, and barely taking a minute before they start work on their new season; many shows want to get four or five episodes in the can by July 1, just in case actors -- whose deal wraps June 30 -- decide to walk. This way, the networks can at least launch the fall season with some fresh stuff that could carry them through November sweeps.

It's hard to say how bad the breach is between the Screen Actors Guild and the AMPTP (studios), but it's not good.

Here's what AMPTP wrote (in part) members yesterday:

"When we requested an extra week for the SAG negotiations, we told you that there were 'significant gaps' between the parties.

Candidly, we must offer the same assessment of the negotiations today, with just over two days to go. Although both parties have spent considerable time in the negotiating room, we are not yet close to an agreement."

It then said "SAG initially rejected the framework for new media that was established through the DGA [directors], WGA and AFTRA Network Code negotiation," then cited "SAG’s willingness to work with the existing new media framework (albeit with more than 70 changes) was conditioned on AMPTP addressing SAG’s demands in traditional media areas. Unfortunately, these demands – including a doubling of the existing DVD formula and huge increases in compensation and benefits – would result in enormous cost increases that we are not willing to accept."

SAG responded: "we are prepared to bargain continuously, for as long as it takes. The AMPTP knows we did not state that they had to agree to all of our non-new media proposals. We expect the AMPTP to negotiate in good faith and we will do the same."