– General Hospital’s temporary writing team
– Writers Guild of America strike
– Steady stream of new episodes
During the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, the long-running soap opera General Hospital has enlisted a temporary writing staff to ensure that it maintains a steady flow of new episodes. The show, which has been on the air since 1963, decided to take the action in response to the labor dispute that has affected all soap operas.
“General Hospital is making a creative pivot to ensure the series continues without interruption,” a spokesperson for the series confirmed, as reported by TVLine. The spokesperson stated that “the show has put together a temporary writing team that knows the series and its characters incredibly well.”
The move to have a temporary writing team is seen as a reaction to the stalled negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The two parties have been unable to reach an agreement on various issues, including residuals for streaming and the overall compensation structure for writers.
To avoid repeating storylines or losing screen time, General Hospital sought the services of the temporary writing team. The measure is supposed to cushion the blow in case the strike goes on for an extended period. General Hospital’s commitment to airing fresh episodes also aims to retain its dedicated fan base, despite the challenging circumstances.
It remains to be seen how this temporary solution will fare in the long run, as the WGA strike has no immediate end in sight. The show’s decision has undoubtedly helped it maintain its longevity and stay in favor with its audience, though the lasting effects of the strike and potential new episodes produced during it may only become clear in the future.