Big Screen Little Screen

Along with the LAT and Deadline Hollywood -The New York Times relays word from sources close to discussions between the striking Writers Guild Association and the major studios - that both sides have “eliminated the major roadblocks to a new contract, which could lead to a tentative agreement as early as next week.” - Details

A major sticking point that has caused talks to fall apart in the past has been over compensation to writers for shows rebroadcast over the internet (a good explanation of the WGA’s argument as shown in this video by striking members of The Office), and it appears that enough progress has been made on that issue that hopes have been raised, though WGA blog United Hollywood cautiously reminds us that “It’s Not Over ‘Til It’s Over — And It Isn’t Over.” Fingers crossed.

Tags: writers’ strike, wga

In response to CBS’s plans to cannibalize and re-purpose (sister cable network) Showtime’s Dexter, The Parents Television Council has launched a campaign to push for a change of heart by the network (via Time’s Tuned In). Statement from PTC President Tim Winter:

“We are formally asking CBS to cancel its plan to air the first season of Dexter on its television network. This show is not suitable for airing on broadcast television; it should remain on a premium subscription cable network. The biggest problem with the series is something that no amount of editing can get around: the series compels viewers to empathize with a serial killer, to root for him to prevail, to hope he doesn’t get discovered. Dexter introduces audiences to the depths of depravity and indifference as it chronicles the main character’s troubled quest for vigilante justice by celebrating graphic, premeditated murder.”

Season one of Dexter is scheduled to begin airing on CBS starting February 17th. Hell, I’d rather leave it well enough alone on Showtime as well, though toward an entirely less moralistic end: you’ve got to hate seeing a great show sliced and diced just to fill the strike ravaged CBS lineup. There’s a precarious balance of dark humor, twisted justice, and good/bad taste in the show that just works, and any attempt to tweak that balance for the sake of commercial slots or to appease the FCC and advocate groups will surely cut off Dex’s nose to spite his face. You want Dexter without a subscription? Skip the sanitized, no-fun broadcast and cop a DVD.

Related: Meanwhile, as cable network Starz develops a series based on inexplicable 2006 Oscar winner Crash, and though I have to pinch my nose just thinking about the thing, I say more power to em’, because a) it’s not my money, and b) there’s really no direction the project can go from its source material [ham-fisted probe of racism written from one rich white guy’s perspective] but up. Likely a futile effort regardless, if anything is to be learned from past big to small screen failures. Gold Derby compiled the track records of Oscar contending films shrunk down for TV serialization, from L.A. Confidential to Casablanca (Edie Falco in a pilot for Fargo?), and the survival rate is slim.

Tags: cbs, showtime, dexter, starz network, crash the movie