Days Of Our Lives
REPORT: WGA Takes Issue With Soap Producers For Creating "Particularly Insidious" Problem Making Writers Request Waivers For Less Pay and Work!
Courtesy/CBS
In a report today via Deadline, the entertainment industry news outlet, it has come to light at the WGA (Writers Guild of America) that soap producers, most notably from CBS Daytime’s: The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless appear to be in some form “bullying” their soap scribes, according to the allegations in the item.
The “particularly insidious” problem that’s “cropping up regularly on daytime TV”, according to Deadline’s sources has that the producers of the soaps are asking their writers to request waivers from the WGA to take pay cuts and to take less work.
According to Deadline: “The guild contract requires a soap to give writers one assignment a week. But writers can ask for a waiver to cut back on the workload if they have a legitimate reason, such as illness or a family emergency. Some crafty producers, however, allegedly have been gaming the system by bullying less-favored writers into requesting waivers to reduce their assignments by one or more a month, even though they actually want to continue working full time. Sources say that some writers have been forced to give up a script or two a month so that an actor or a line producer can write a show or so a new writer can be brought in at no extra cost. ”
Courtesy/CBS
They add: “The contract language governing these waivers was meant to protect writers by mandating that the request come from the writer. If it does, the contract requires the guild to grant the waiver, but if the guild determines that it originated from the company, it can refuse. The guild, however, has yet to deny such a waiver requested by a soap writer.” Dan Wilcox,who raised the issue in his campaign for election to the WGA board of directors, called it an “unfair labor practice. It’s a way to hire people at below the contracted minimum.” In his campaign statement, Wilcox noted: “Over the last few years, a couple of the companies have begun using the reduced-load waivers to punish some writers and reward others. The companies tell the writers in disfavor to apply for a ‘half-deal’ waiver or be fired. Given a choice between some income and none, the writers request the waiver.”
As far the actual number of waivers requested by the writers from the different network soaps, they report: From June 2014 through June 2015, the guild granted 23 such waivers to soap writers – 16 on CBS’ The Bold And The Beautiful, six to writers on the network’s The Young And The Restless, and one to a writer on NBC’s Days Of Our Lives.
What do you think of this situation which allegedly has writers feeling “forced” to get a waiver to continue to work or potentially lose their job? In the contracted scene of the daytime drama, where only four remain, is it just a sign of the times with budgets so tight an effort to cut corners, the show’s are asking their writers to do so? Is it complete and unfair business practices to have writers, who have the hardest job in the soaps, being completely taking advantage of? Share your thoughts below!
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Becomes Possessed … Again!
On Tuesday’s episode of Days of our Lives, the devil had his way with his favorite person, Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)! In story, leave it to Marlena to save Doug (Bill Hayes) by giving herself up to Satan!
As Doug revealed himself to be Satan while in a therapy session with Marlena in her office, a shook Marlena tries to comprehend what is happening! When the devil says if Marlena won’t accept him in, she will punish Doug, he does just that.
Photo: JPI
Poor Doug is left writhing in pain and on the floor, crying out for help! When we come back to the scene Marlena is not exactly right near his body, but sort of overlooking what is happening. Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) rushes into Marlena’s office to find Doug as Marlena stares blankly. Eventually, she calls for help.
After Doug is put in a hospital room and is monitored, Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) and Tripp (Lucas Adams) can’t find anything wrong with him. Meanwhile, Julie finds Marlena at the nurses station and asks what happened with Doug during their therapy session. Marlena flashes back to what led to Doug writing on the floor, and clearly something is way off with Marlena, because she has now become possessed.
Later, Julie sits by Doug’s hospital bed as he opens his eyes, as he tells his beloved wife, “He left me and went in to her.” A confused Julie is left to ponder what on earth Doug could be talking about.
When Marlena comes home to John (Drake Hogestyn) – who is already concerned with Johnny (Carson Boatman) being set on making a movie of Sami’s life story which includes points on Marlena’s original possession – she tells him Doug collapsed in her office. When the two hug, Marlena slowly opens her eyes revealing that they are glowing yellow. Yup! We are off to the races. Marlena is now once again possessed.
So, what did you think about the scenes between Deidre Hall and Bill Hayes? Are you enjoying the revisiting of the infamous ‘possession’ storyline thus far? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Days Of Our Lives
Ron Carlivati Talks on the Creation, Scenes & Cast of ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’
Last week viewers saw all five episodes of the limited-series Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem drop on Peacock. It was the first foray for the long-running NBC daytime drama series onto a streaming platform with an original self-contained story, in a move that is forward-thinking, and another avenue for soaps to be seen on and to keep the genre remaining relevant in the pop culture of today.
The head writer of Days of our Lives’ Ron Carlivati was also in charge of the overall story and direction and development of the creative of the limited-series, and following the initial streaming of all five episodes talked with Michael Fairman for in-depth look at the scenes, the moments and the casting of “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem”, exclusively on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Photo: JPI
During the conversation, Carlivati explained the impetus for bringing back Lisa Rinna to her signature role as Billie Reed, how the writing team created the parody of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills infamous “Amsterdam'” scene which featured Rinna and Eileen Davidson (Kristen/Sister Mary Moira) who also returned for the DAYS limited-series, and why they felt it was important to bring Davidson back to the roles she originated for the streamer.
Photo: JPI
In addition, Ron shares details of what went into the decision to recast the role of Sonny Kiriakis for the series with Zach Tinker, after Freddie Smith did not return for it, the casting of Peter Porte in his dual role as ISA agent Kyle Graham and bad guy Dimitri Von Leuschner, how the hilarious drag show scenes came to fruition, and how the decision was made to have Deidre Hall do the voiceover in the opening title sequence, plus his thoughts on the performances of the stellar cast.
Photo” JPI
Watch the chat with Ron below, and in case you missed it, our chat with cast members: Eileen Davidson, Peter Porte, Charles Shaughnessy, Zach Tinker and Rob Scott Wilson … and if you haven’t check out “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem” its continuing to stream on Peacock.
So, what was your favorite part of Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem? Let us know in the comment section below.
Erika Slezak Shares More on Her Role in Hallmark’s ‘Next Stop, Christmas’ and Its Premiere Date
‘The View’s’ Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro Test Positive for COVID-19; Asked to Leave Studio Ahead Of V.P. Kamala Harris Interview
B&B’s Kimberlin Brown and Tanner Novlan Talk on Sheila’s Motherly Love for Finn and the Next Move Against Steffy & the Forresters
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Becomes Possessed … Again!
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Comes Home as Jason and Carly Begin Their Wedding Night
Beloved Soap Stars Left Out of 2021 Primetime Emmy Broadcast In-Memoriam Tribute
TONIGHT: 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on CBS
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Soap Vet Exec Prod and Director, Chris Goutman, Virtual Interview On Tap
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Remembers Carly Just as She Is Marrying Jason
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Comes Home as Jason and Carly Begin Their Wedding Night
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Beloved Soap Stars Left Out of 2021 Primetime Emmy Broadcast In-Memoriam Tribute
Janice Lynde Making a Return to The Young and the Restless
Ron Carlivati Talks on the Creation, Scenes & Cast of ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Becomes Possessed … Again!
Soap Vet Exec Prod and Director, Chris Goutman, Virtual Interview On Tap
REPORT: Clayton Echard Cast as the Next ‘Bachelor’ for its Upcoming 26th Season
B&B’s Kimberlin Brown and Tanner Novlan Talk on Sheila’s Motherly Love for Finn and the Next Move Against Steffy & the Forresters
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Days of our Lives Revisits ‘The Possession Storyline’ This Fall
‘The Talk’ Unveils Its Season 12 Premiere Promo with its New Host Line-Up
WATCH: Kimberly McCullough Reunite and Visit with Maurice Benard on ‘State of Mind’
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‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Drops Trailer; Announces Charles Shaughnessy and Jackie Cox Cast Additions
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Sheila’s Going To Make Sure She Has Jack & Finn Right Where She Wants Them
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THIS SATURDAY: Jen Lilley, Ryan Paevey and Linda Dano in Hallmark’s ‘A Little Daytime Drama’
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 18, 2021Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
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General HospitalSeptember 17, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Remembers Carly Just as She Is Marrying Jason
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General HospitalSeptember 21, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Comes Home as Jason and Carly Begin Their Wedding Night
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General HospitalSeptember 18, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
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All My ChildrenSeptember 20, 2021Beloved Soap Stars Left Out of 2021 Primetime Emmy Broadcast In-Memoriam Tribute
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NewsSeptember 15, 2021Janice Lynde Making a Return to The Young and the Restless
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 16, 2021Ron Carlivati Talks on the Creation, Scenes & Cast of ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 22, 2021DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Becomes Possessed … Again!
It’s more Y&R I think CBS knows Phelps and Pratt are very unpopular with the Fans, I’ll be interested if we don’t see big changes coming soon…
You got it Chuck..nobody but JFP and CP while they ride the ratings waves off the backs of established scribes they’re firing or threatening with lesser knowns…Y&R WILL implode.
Exactly!! But CBS knows The fans are disliking Pratt’s Stories, even when he first came on last year he was ruffling the feathers the fans knew him from All my children and Santa Barbara. He has made Y&R for most people Unwatchable, The ratings Have gone down slightly in the past two weeks so I do see changes on the horizon !!
Really serious and really concerning. Needs to stop and producers who have Ben doing this severely reprimanded.
I can only speak for myself….I find Pratt’s writing stale and unimaginative. Stories get recycled to the point of exasperation…pulling my hair out. So, it is very possible that the “writers are forced to get waivers to continue to work”….. The writing always suffers and falls short of delivering sharp, concise story lines.
Who, among us, did not suspect Neil in Hilary’s disappearance? C’mon …..really? It would have been so much more compelling to have all clues point to Neil and then the baddie be someone else. The cards were displayed too soon.
Exactly!! The same thing happened with the killer reveal everyone knew way ahead who it was even before it was brought to light, Pratt is writing himself into a huge hole and he can’t get out of it.
CeeCee, do you also find the writing misogynistic under Pratt? I do. The whole situation with Marco and Phyllis was insidious and since she had sex with this man thinking he was someone else, that falls under the legal terminology of what constitutes rape. Then we are supposed to believe that feisty Phyllis is just going to let it all go for the sake of peace? And what Neil, who has always been the pillar of the community and the very personification of integrity, is holding Hillary hostage after doing God only knows what (there was blood found on the… Read more »
@Harry. Yes, Harry…we do agree. It has been, not only my contention , but also Timmm’s, if you remember, that there is no way a woman does not know her man’s body, inside-out, and vice versa. We had this very discussion for days….back and forth. Of course, it’s a soap….but, we are intelligent beings….Homo Sapiens….Sapiens, being the key word here. As far as Phyllis not sticking out her chin and giving it the old one-two ( feisty, as you so aptly describe the real Phyllis) , is because Gina Tognoni is not Phyllis. I have said this since her first… Read more »
Soooo not surprised at this from CBS and Y&R in particular. Lots of bullies in that soap, in front of and behind the camera.
All I know is it is getting to be unwatchable. I ff through 90% of the show.
I’m very happy with DAYS!
It shows how crooked the CBS soaps are!
hi 4ever DAYS-
How do you think CBS/Y&R has had the highest rating for two decades/25? years and never once having another soap above them, not once (there used to be many great soaps)
the odds of that happening would be 0 .. lol
In big business there is always a way 😉
You’re on to something, su0000!
Didn’t CBS/Y&R/Nielsen Ratings Co. team up, create and release a survey/questionnaire regarding Y&R?
Shouldn’t such things be considered a conflict of interest? Who is in who’s pocket?
Yeah, and it’s all Victor’s fault. LOL.
“The Newman Ratings!”
How many did Brad Bell ask himself to get? 😉
Not nice if this is true.
ok- ( who are the ”crafty producers” ? /names also; ”WGA board of directors, called it an “unfair labor practice. It’s a way to hire people at below the contracted minimum.”” —- that ^^^ is big business at work. It is all about the money. Soap are a financial burden on daytime tv. All can bitch about it/the contract but nothing will change until new contracts are negotiated. A contract as written is the way it is. Perhaps there will be another writer strike. I doubt saying= we don’t like the contract will change anything. ””’ “The contract language governing… Read more »
Writers’ strike or not, it will never change.
I used to work in the legal department for one of these large movie studios (who also did television, hint, hint). Their contracts are all written to get as many rights from the artists yet THEY never share their intellectual property rights. It is pretty one-sided.
Oh and they would rather presume they have the rights and risk settling out of court than confirm they have the rights.
“Bias and racial discrimination.” Just like what Victoria Rowell said about CBS soaps
Interesting. This might have raised her case a little bit more. Racial discrimination is difficult to prove but if the network is involved in other nefarious activity, their believability goes way down.
Interesting, indeed…opens a can of worms; such as the Michael Muhney ‘story’.
There were so many versions circling around…how he made some kind of remark about Hunter King’s physical endowments? Hmmmm. In the midst of it all, Eric Braeden’s name slithered in there. Double Hmmmm.
I’ve never been in a union but where I live it is employment at will. No one is guaranteed a job or a certain number of hours.
There are just a handful of soaps left. It appears TPTB is telling writers to take it or leave it. The writers will probably take whatever work is left. The soap industry is in sad shape.
People don’t work well when they are afraid for their jobs and what a way to play people off of each other. And then have actors or others write the scripts. Hmm. GH execs and the producer are claiming they are tweaking the writers’ scripts. I wonder to what extent they are allowed to write?
Why the picture of Ridge from B & B instead of the cast? Bullies in Y & R I can’t help but wonder if the actor who plays Victor Newman had a hand in this somehow?
Hey, Nikki. You beat me to it, if you read my post above. I posted before I read yours. Well, I know neither of us is a fan of Eric/Victor. I said it jokingly, but if you say it (and I trust your opinion), it must be true, yes?
Ahhhhhhh CeeCee I just read yours. He is a bully. I love Adam/Chelsea and Kevin/Mariah along with a few others but I cut myself down now to watching it Wednesday’s & Friday’s because I honestly can’t stand or stomach that Victor Newman or Summer. That man should have been put in jail a long time ago and I know they try to keep the soap’s with the latest trends but he’s just too much to deal with. I was kind of hoping they wouldn’t renew his contract and have it end where he finally goes to jail for life but… Read more »
Do you think that the Abbot who is behind that Pyramid Project (or whatever it’s called) which was orchestrated to bring Victor to his knees is really John Abbott?
@Harry. I think no one is really keen on the Paragon Project. I certainly am not sure of what it is, really. But, John Abbot would never orchestrate something so devious. John did not work that way. Unless, his apparition tells Jack what to do. So, the, it would all be in Jack’s head. A figment of his crazy imagination. Perhaps, Jack has been off his rocker all along? LOL. It is such a stupid terminology. If not Jack, then, logically, aside from Victor, the only schemer who comes to mind is Colin working with Marco. Let’s stretch it even… Read more »
With the positive ratings and awards CBS has had with B&B and Y&R seems short sighted to mess with the writing. I realize it’s a business and you have to watch overhead, but they should renegotiate financial and scheduling issues with the union. Not look for small print/loopholes in the contract, and nickel/dime the writers. And thank you CBS for keeping your soaps on the air.
The execs must be under severe pressure to keep costs down and writers are often invisible to most. Until the quality of the writing finally tanks.
hi Nikki,
EB probably holds stock in Y&R,,, LOL
He is very powerful as to what he wants.
ALL know there is no Y&R without Victor, without Victor the Newman family would fall.
Most all the stories revolve around Victor.
Yes, actors/characters are replaceable but not EB/Victor and CBS knows that fact.
Unfortunately so does he. At his age you would think he would step down & let the younger one’s have a chance. Where I come from they retire at 65. I loved Kay Chancellor & their was a time everything revolved around her, unfortunately she passed away and the show went on. Victor needs to go to jail for all the crimes he’s committed and the soap would save a ton of money by letting the bully go.
Nikki, I totally understand what you’re saying and agree with your sentiment.
However, I love Victor’s ominous forceful presence on the show.
Moreover, when he gets mad and starts railing against someone, I just have to laugh.
Can you imagine him ordering coffee at Starbucks?
‘NOW LISTEN, AND LISTEN GOOD PUNK, CAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO SAY THIS AGAIN. I WILL TAKE A CAPPUCCINO, HALF CAF, HALF DECAF WITH ENOUGH FROTH TO MAKE IT AESTHETICALLY PLEASING BUT NOT TOO MUCH AS TO GIVE ME ANOTHER MUSTACHE? GOT THAT?
Harry OMG You made me laugh out loud. Yes I’m sure his presents is known wherever he goes. I think he figures he is Victor Newman. As I said I only watch Wed.& Fri. now but wouldn’t you know it yesterday Wed. he was on. When he walked over to Gab/Adam and called him a name I wanted so badly to be Adam for just one minute. Long enough to push him against his desk and knock a few teeth out. I have a whole new respect for Adam (who just walked away). In real life he’s no better. Someone… Read more »
The actors have / and have to take pay cuts why not the writers ect
This isn’t negotiated in their contracts, this is wage theft. Actors got a pretty good raise on SBC this year. Not sure about CBS.
Why are you assuming that they have not, already? I have not seen much about it, one way or the other, but it stands to reason that as the big stars were asked to take pay cuts, the writing staff (and the production staff) probably were too.
be glad they got a job. If they are really good , someone else will hire them. Most actors on all soaps have been pushed to recurring, taken a pay cut or like RM just quit. This is true for all shows, not sure why writers shoud be different. True in all industries. everyone I know unless working for government or own businees got pushed aside or told to cut back for cheaper people at age 55. BTW supreme court has been asked to consider these actions, but neve do. guess that is what happens when you have a job… Read more »
I don’t know the inner workings of a soap or the financial demands. However, as a viewer, I know the plots are UNWATCHABLE. Particularly with Y&R, it doesn’t look like the writers put much time and thought into the plots they create. Everything seems just thrown together. Often, there are glaring problems with the plots that make no sense (even by a more liberal standard that I typically apply to soaps). As for Y&R, this is not a recent development under the current writers. It has been this way for over 5 years. The recent writers are guilty of giving… Read more »
The pay must be high for DAYS’ writers because the show is ON FIRE!!!!!
So basically what they are doing would be like an employer strong arming a full time employee who is making 20 dollars an hour to take an unpaid vacation for a month, and while they are gone they hire a temp worker at 10 dollars an hour to fill in for them. Well isn’t that charming. Unions have their bad points, but if producers are doing this kind of stuff with a loophole in the contract, imagine what BS they would pull without a union in place.
Soap actors have taken huge cuts in salary. Otherwise they would be out of a job.
I have not seen much about it, but my bet is that the writers have too (in addition to this latest shenanigan).
I’d rather y & r die gracefully then continue with this schlock. I just watched a bunch of old y and r episodes on youtube. Now that was writing – Bell and Alden!
After 35 years plus of watching Y&R faithfully, I can’t believe that I’d ever say this but………………………………… I totally agree with you!!! The show is terrible and, sadly, has been this way for a decade. I have continued to watch through this past decade, always having a momentary hope that things would improve with the constant shifts of writers and producers. “Maybe the new ones will get it??” Alas, each time, I’ve been disappointed. The problems may have been different with each new group of writers but the end result is always the same: a disappointment. It has been NINE… Read more »
I stumbled across the article on Deadline the other day. It caught my eye so I read the full article. Sounds like Y&R and B&B both have problems that no one (fans) knew about. I think this is a cause for concern by fans. It reminds me of a house or building that looks beautiful on the outside but has internal structural damage that could cause the house or building to collapse unexpectedly at any moment. Imagine what it would be like if all of a sudden Y&R and B&B were off the air with no warning! That would be… Read more »