Reality TV > CW to affiliates: Model will go on
August 18, 2006
Via: TV.com
A top executive of the fledgling CW television network is assuring its affiliates of an unspecified "contingency plan" to keep the soon-to-relaunch America's Next Top Model on the air despite ongoing labor strife at the reality show.
In a letter to affiliates, CW chief operating officer John Maatta said the show will premiere as planned September 20. Show reps added that all 13 episodes for the show's run through December already have been shot and are not affected by the walkout by a dozen of Top Model's writer-producers, who are demanding recognition as members of the Writers Guild of America.
Show producers have declined to recognize the petition unless the employees seek representation through a lengthier process administered by the National Labor Relations Board. The standoff has had some wondering when the job action might threaten actual airing of the Tyra Banks-hosted show, which the CW plans to make a key part of its launch programming next month.
Network execs suggest that the walkout won't necessitate any production changes for several months, when work would begin on the next 13 episodes set to air beginning in March. Sources close to the show suggest that some sort of resolution likely will be reached before then, eliminating the need for replacement workers.
NO TALKS SET
Still, no talks among the warring parties are scheduled for the time being. So the CW's Maatta sought to reassure affiliates over the issue of show continuity.
"If this proves to be a lengthy dispute that has not been resolved by the onset of production for the next edition of the series, a contingency plan will be developed and whatever steps necessary will be taken to continue delivering episodes that maintain the show's high standards," he wrote in a letter sent Thursday.
The WGA, which has been supporting the Top Model walkout with picket line appearances by execs and others, reacted to the Maatta communication to affiliates with a press statement.
"Maatta's letter clearly shows that the CW is on the defensive and having to address the concerns of nervous affiliates," the guild said.
Model-turned-actress Banks, who is the creator and an executive producer of Top Model, weighed in on the dispute for the first time in a statement issued Thursday.
Noting that she is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA (the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), Banks said she "respects the desire of any employee of America's Next Top Model who wants to be unionized, however, this is not a decision I control. This is an industrywide issue between the networks, studios, and unions. I hope this matter is resolved as quickly as possible and on terms agreeable to all parties concerned."
