An interesting article on Variety.com today talking about how the WGA strike will affect those writer-actor "hyphens" on THE OFFICE.

From the article:

Once a WGA walkout begins, B.J. Novak -- a writer and a star of NBC's hit comedy "The Office" -- will face a very tough choice.

As a card-carrying member of the Writers Guild, he'll clearly be on strike. But he's also a thesp and a member of the Screen Actors Guild. NBC's studio arm has made it clear that it expects Novak the actor to show up to work today, strike or no strike.

Because it has several scribes who also serve as thesps (also including Mindy Kaling and Paul Lieberstein), "The Office" is one of the most visible examples of shows where conflicting interests will be at work once a strike begins. But all over town, a number of WGA members will be facing similarly tough calls.

For more of the article, go HERE.



TVweek.com has a summary of how the strike is specifically affecting THE OFFICE.  Because the show is so heavily based on both writers/producers, even Greg Daniels is refusing to cross the picket line.  Joining him in protest are non-WGA members Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski (in fact, according to the article, NONE of the show's actors has so far crossed the picket line). Technically, these actors could be fined by the studios for breach of contract, but studios are wary of offending the "talent." Not to mention that the ACTORS' contract is set to expire in 2008, and they'll also be looking for the same support from peers come June.

Production has essentially shut down on the show, and there is only one unproduced script left on the shelf.  How many produced episodes remain? Not sure, although the article clearly states that because of the solidarity, THE OFFICE may "run out" of episodes earlier than many other shows.



Category:general -- posted at: 8:08am EDT
Comments[4]

TV Guide reported this week that NBC was looking to use the relative success of THE OFFICE to launch a new spin-off series.  Details were scarce, but a recent post on AdAge.com might shed some light on NBC's plans.

According to AdAge.com, Ben Silverman and NBC are planning a "comedic summer series" based on the humorous novel e by Matt Beaumont.

Amazon describes the book as "a fast-paced, wickedly funny tale of office back-stabbing and corporate intrigue that unfolds in a succession of escalating e-mails... Set in a London ad agency desperate to land a coveted big account, e follows the bureaucratic bungling, cutthroat maneuvers, and outrageous sexual antics of a group of Miller-Shanks employees as they scheme, lie, lust, and claw their way up (and down) the company ladder...Written by a former advertising copywriter, this hilarious, dead-on-target novel marks the debut of a hip and exciting new voice in contemporary fiction. With the click of a mouse, Matt Beaumont brings the novel of letters into the twenty-first century, turning his merciless, unerring eye on today's Machiavellian corporate culture-with uproarious results."

The AdAge.com piece goes on to describe how NBC is looking for several major companies to be involved in the show (since it is based on an ad agency).  Apparently, Silverman has also stated that the advertisers will have "some say" in what happens on the six episode, hour-long show: "Definitely, they will be part of the process, but the process will be led by the writers."

Fans of THE OFFICE will know how much product placement has been on the show during the last few years, and this seems to be taking the trend even further. 

So *IS* this the rumored spin-off? Only time will tell.

Category:general -- posted at: 7:28pm EDT
Comments[0]


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That's What She Said is a weekly podcast dedicated to NBC's Emmy Award winning show The Office. Every episode of TWSS includes TV episode clips and commentary, news, reports on upcoming media appearances of the cast, a selection of podsafe music, and much more. If you have a news item, piece of gossip, comment, constructive compliment, or are interested in promotional cooperation, please contact us:

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