How Would an SAG Strike Affect Game Shows?

The Screen Actors Guild has been holding mediated talks with Hollywood producers recently, but early this morning those talks ended. Now, the SAG is stating publicly that they will ask their 120,000 members to authorize a strike. The main issue that the two sides aren't able to agree on is the distribution of profits from new media, like movies and TV shows aired online and on cell phones or PDAs.

If the actors do decide to strike, insiders are speculating that they would time it to coincide with the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, which are slated for early 2009. Of course a strike would shut down any filming of major television shows and movies. So how would such action affect game shows?

During last year's writers strike, game shows became abundant to fill in the gaps left by dramas and sitcoms that couldn't exist without writers. Million Dollar Password and The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular both appealed to viewers, while other shows that were rushed to production (Amne$ia and My Dad is Better Than Your Dad, for example) failed to draw an audience. The writers strike also claimed 1 vs. 100, since that show utilized unionized writers to pen their questions.

A strike by the actors union would bring about new problems for game shows. Many hosts are also actors belonging to the guild, and therefore would be unable to continue their hosting duties. This would affect established and developing game shows in a big way, since they would likely revert to reruns after airing all of their new episodes. On the other hand, new game shows could be rushed into production using hosts who aren't members of the SAG.

It's still entirely possible that a strike can be averted, especially considering the current state of the economy. Many actors would be hard-pressed to give up their jobs for any length of time with the financial situation so unstable. Remember, the union exists for actors of all levels, not only the A-listers.

At this point all we can do is wait and speculate, which you're welcome to do in the comments section! I'd love to hear what you think might happen should the SAG decide to strike.

Photo courtesy CBS