‘DWTS’ Under Fire For Starting Production Amid Strikes
Dancing With the Stars, the popular reality dance competition show finds itself at the center of controversy as it gears up to resume production amid ongoing strikes by the Writers’ Guild of America (WGA). This decision has led to accusations of “scabbing” from striking writers. DWTS employs only one writer who is a member of the WGA, and the show plans to return without them.
DWTS reasons that returning will benefit its 500 crew members
The show’s rationale for returning is to support its 500 non-WGA crew members who rely on the production for employment. DWTS insists it will adhere to strike rules, even for its celebrity participants who are members of SAG-AFTRA and bound by their own actors’ strike regulations.
Although the show is largely unscripted, the WGA writer typically works with the host to provide talking points and announcements.
The Writers’ Guild has vowed to picket any WGA-covered shows that restart production, including DWTS, as well as The Drew Barrymore Show, Real Time with Bill Maher, and The Talk.
Drew Barrymore’s show faced backlash for initially planning to return without writers. The show later decided to postpone its return until after the strike.
Bill Maher also briefly considered resuming his show to support his non-writing staff but dropped the idea soon after Barrymore, in hopes of a quick resolution to the strike.
DWTS has aired during previous writer’s strikes without incident
In contrast to the 2007-08 writers’ strike, where DWTS continued to air without incident, the current strike environment is different. Calls for solidarity and collective action among industry professionals are louder.
Dancer Cheryl Burke, who has appeared on the show for 25 seasons, advocates for keeping it off the air until the strikes conclude.
"Dancing With the Stars" season 32 cast revealed! 💃 pic.twitter.com/6zwS0uI5xf
— E! News (@enews) September 13, 2023
She stated to Variety, “In order for things to change, we have to stick together, point blank because if one show just decides to think about the show on its own, this is not going to make big changes.”
Former WGA board member David Slack argues that DWTS relies on “scab writing” and urges the celebrity cast, including co-host Alfonso Ribiero, to refuse to cross the picket line.
Slack tweeted, “Dancing with the Stars is a WGA-covered show. Its writers are on strike, and they can’t make the show without scab writing.”
The Writers’ Guild is actively picketing the DWTS lot at CBS TV City, making their stance clear.
However, some shows that have resumed production argue that they are attempting to get their non-writing crew members back to work without violating the strike rules. Sherri Shepherd, the host of Sherri, claims her show has never employed WGA writers, therefore it hasn’t breached any strike rules.
As Dancing With the Stars prepares for its 32nd season to premiere on September 28, the question remains: Will the show continue as planned, defying public pressure campaigns or concede to the public outcry?
Season 32 of Dancing With the Stars is set to premiere Sept. 26, live on ABC and Disney+.
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