Matt Walsh
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ABC may postpone its scheduled premiere of “Dancing With the Stars” after striking writers picketed the show in recent days. Meanwhile, one of the show’s celebrity contestants says he won’t be taking part in DWTS until the writers’ strike is over.
Matt Walsh (Veep) said in a statement that he would be “pausing” his involvement with the show “until an agreement has been reached.” [Writers Guild of America]. I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and was under a different agreement. This morning, when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that this was strike work, I walked out of my rehearsal. I have stood and will always stand with my union members at the WGA, SAG and DGA.”
Although it is an unscripted show, “Dancing With the Stars” is a signatory to the Writers Guild’s Basic Minimum Agreement and has in the past hired a WGA writer from its 500-person team to write certain commentary for the hosts.
Walsh added in his statement: “Beyond our artists’ union, I sympathize with the many people affected by the strike and I hope for a quick and fair resolution and to one day work again with all the wonderful people who I met on DWTS and tolerated my dancing.”
Prominent writers have demonstrated outside the show’s rehearsal rooms this week, with some carrying signs that specifically reference Walsh, a WGA member, and actresses Alyson Hannigan and Mira Sorvino, arguably the most well-known SAG-AFTRA members in the cast of the show 32nd season are .
DWTS falls under SAG-AFTRA’s so-called Network Code contract, which covers talk and variety shows as well as daytime soap operas and is in effect until June 2024. Therefore, the celebrities participating in the show do not violate SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules. But amid increasing scrutiny and criticism from contestants crossing WGA boundaries, sources say ABC is considering postponing the premiere, currently scheduled for September 26.
The WGA strike is on its 143rd day. Guild negotiators will hold talks for the second straight day with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents media companies in collective bargaining. After Wednesday’s meeting, the WGA and AMPTP issued a rare joint statement confirming Thursday’s discussions.