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
(WATCH) Day of Days 2022 Cast Interviews
Want to know what your favorites from Salem had to share and tease at the recent Days of Days 2022? Now, You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel has released their full set of interviews with the cast of Days of our Lives conducted during the fan fest event.
Just over a week ago, Day of Days was held for the first time since 2019, and returned in a new location – the Xbox Plaza in downtown Los Angeles at L.A. Live. DAYS, which just celebrated its 57th anniversary, can now be seen in its new home exclusively streaming on Peacock.
Photos: Peacock
Make sure to check out all the conversations below featuring: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ) and Camila Banus (Gabi), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex) and Abigail Klein (Stephanie), Greg Rikaart (Leo) and Billy Flynn (Chad), Arianne Zucker (Nicole) and Greg Vaughan (Eric), Stephen Nichols (Steve), Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) and George DelHoyo (Orpheus), Drake Hogestyn (John), Paul Telfer (Xander) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), Eric Martsolf (Brady), Wally Kurth (Justin), Brandon Barash (Stefan) and Carson Boatman (Johnny), Thaao Penghlis (Tony) and Leann Hunley (Anna), Jackee Harry (Paulina) and James Reynolds (Abe), Brandon Beemer (Shawn) and Martha Madison (Belle), Galen Gering (Rafe) and Elia Cantu (Jada), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas) and Kyle Lowder (Rex), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen/Susan) and Tina Huang (Melinda), and Victoria Grace (Wendy) and Remington Hoffman (Li).
After you checked out the videos, let us know which was your favorite chat in the comment section below … and for more upcoming celebrity features and video content make sure to ‘subscribe’ to the Michael Fairman Channel.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes Pay Tribute to Robert Clary
Breaking News
Robert Clary, DAYS, Y&R and ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ Favorite, Passes Away at 96
Very sad news to report. Robert Clary, who became a soap opera fan favorite for his roles as Robert LeClair on Days of our Lives, and Pierre Roulland on The Young and the Restless has died at the age of 96.
Clary, best known to primetime fans for his role as Cpl. Louis LeBeau, on the comedy series, Hogan Heroes, passed away on Wednesday according to his granddaughter, Kim Wright, who informed the Hollywood Reporter. Robert was the last surviving member of the iconic cast.
Photo: CBS
Throughout his daytime career, Clary always sang in his roles and is most remembered as Doug Williams (Bill Hayes) best friend, Robert LeClair. The two would always perform at “Doug’s Place” in story. Clary played the role from 1972–1973, 1975–1983, and again from 1986–1987.
During a break from DAYS, Robert went over to Y&R and created the role of Pierre Roulland when the CBS daytime drama first premiered from 1973-1974, and once again sang and acted on the show. Later in his career, Clary appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful in the role of Pierre Jourdan from 1990-1992.
On Clary’s passing, Y&R shared: “The #YR Family sends our condolences to the family and loved ones of Robert Clary known to the Y&R audiences as “Pierre” on our debut episode!”
B&B also honored Robert by posting: The Bell Family & @BandB_CBS re sad to learn of the passing of #RobertClary, who portrayed Pierre Jourdan on @BandB_CBS from 1990-1992. Robert was a talented actor, a kind and courageous man, and a friend to all who knew him.”
Four decades into his career, Robert, who was Jewish, came forward with the fact that was incarcerated for 31 months in an Auschwitz concentrate camp, and tattooed with the identification “A-5714” on his left forearm. He was the only one of his captured family to make it out alive.
Clary was married for 32 years to the late Natalie Cantor, the second daughter of Eddie Cantor. She passed away in 1997.
Share your remembrances of the exceptional Robert Clary via the comment section below. But first, watch Robert talking about working with Bill Hayes on Days of our Lives, and his appearance in Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes Lifetime Achievement Award package at the Daytime Emmys (produced by Michael Fairman).
GH’s Charles Shaughnessy On Victor’s Villainy: “He’s Just Making Trouble for All of the Fan Favorites! He’s Just Making Their Lives Miserable”
Eric Kim Named Exec VP of Current Programs CBS Entertainment & CBS Studios; Will Oversee Daytime Programming
GMA Hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach’s Romantic Relationship Comes To Light
Laurence Fishburne to Present Levar Burton with Lifetime Achievement Honors at ‘Children’s & Family Emmy Awards’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Ridge Makes a Beeline to Brooke
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Felicia, Robert & Holly’s Masterplan Revealed Featuring Heart-Tugging Moments from Tristan Rogers & Emma Samms
GH’s Holly Set Ablaze; Show Reveals Stunt Double For Emma Samms From Major Cliffhanger
GH’s Josh Swickard Stars in HBO Max Film ‘A Hollywood Christmas’
Jack McBrayer and JoJo Siwa Named Hosts For First Annual ‘Children’s & Family Emmy Awards’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Ridge Learns The Truth About The CPS Call During His Nuptials to Taylor
Y&R’s Michael Damian Drops New Single ‘Must Be Christmas’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Felicia, Robert & Holly’s Masterplan Revealed Featuring Heart-Tugging Moments from Tristan Rogers & Emma Samms
GH’s Kelly Thiebaud Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Irene Cara, Best-Known For Smash Hits ‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance… What A Feeling’, Dead at 63
GH’s Josh Swickard Stars in HBO Max Film ‘A Hollywood Christmas’
GH’s Holly Set Ablaze; Show Reveals Stunt Double For Emma Samms From Major Cliffhanger
GMA Hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach’s Romantic Relationship Comes To Light
Jack McBrayer and JoJo Siwa Named Hosts For First Annual ‘Children’s & Family Emmy Awards’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Ridge Learns The Truth About The CPS Call During His Nuptials to Taylor
Eric Kim Named Exec VP of Current Programs CBS Entertainment & CBS Studios; Will Oversee Daytime Programming
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Ridge Makes a Beeline to Brooke
GH’s Josh Swickard Stars in HBO Max Film ‘A Hollywood Christmas’
Y&R’s Camryn Grimes and Fiancé Brock Powell Talk On Their Roles as Mrs. Claus and Santa in ‘Mickey Saves Christmas’
Justin Hartley Stars in Netflix Holiday Movie ‘The Noel Diary’ That Drops Thanksgiving Day
Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl Talk On Their Guest Star Turn on The Bold and the Beautiful, Bobby Ewing and ‘Dallas’, and Finding Love with Each Other
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas Crowned Season 31 Champs!
(WATCH) Day of Days 2022 Cast Interviews
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy is Stunned by Douglas’ Secret …. What Will She Do With the Intel?
MONDAY: Michael Graziadei Returns to The Young and the Restless
DAYS Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes Pay Tribute to Robert Clary
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NewsNovember 25, 2022Y&R’s Michael Damian Drops New Single ‘Must Be Christmas’
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General HospitalNovember 30, 2022GENERAL HOSPITAL: Felicia, Robert & Holly’s Masterplan Revealed Featuring Heart-Tugging Moments from Tristan Rogers & Emma Samms
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General HospitalNovember 27, 2022GH’s Kelly Thiebaud Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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Breaking NewsNovember 26, 2022Irene Cara, Best-Known For Smash Hits ‘Fame’ and ‘Flashdance… What A Feeling’, Dead at 63
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General HospitalNovember 29, 2022GH’s Josh Swickard Stars in HBO Max Film ‘A Hollywood Christmas’
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General HospitalNovember 30, 2022GH’s Holly Set Ablaze; Show Reveals Stunt Double For Emma Samms From Major Cliffhanger
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Breaking NewsDecember 1, 2022GMA Hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach’s Romantic Relationship Comes To Light
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Breaking NewsNovember 29, 2022Jack McBrayer and JoJo Siwa Named Hosts For First Annual ‘Children’s & Family Emmy Awards’
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 »