‘Dancing With the Stars’ Sticks To Initial Premiere Date Amid WGA Super Deal
By Afouda Bamidele on September 26, 2023 at 8:45 AM EDT
ABC is sticking to its original plan for the September 26 season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars" following the Writers Guild of America [WGA] and the studios' tentative agreement on Sunday night.
Mauricio-Umansky-With-Alyson-Hannigan-And-Matt Walsh-Attend-DWTS-Season-32-Dance-Rehearsals
The show's 32nd season will commence as scheduled, featuring its complete celebrity cast, which notably includes "Veep" star Matt Walsh. The actor, who is a dual Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists [SAG-AFTRA] and WGA member, had temporarily halted his participation in the show last Thursday.
'Dancing With The Stars' Set To Return On Original Premiere Date Alongside A Dancing Matt Walsh
As the WGA's backlash intensified over the past few days, ABC formulated a strategy to postpone the premiere of "DWTS." Thus, the celebrity cast members found themselves under heightened pressure and growing concerns about their participation.
The celebrities' worries stemmed from WGA members picketing the show's rehearsals in an attempt to delay it or convince celebrities to withdraw. However, Variety has now learned that the hit dance competition series will be reopening the ballroom with Walsh in tow.
Speaking to the news outlet about the latest development, a rep for the "Bad Santa" actor stated, "With the hopeful resolution and vote with the WGA, 'Dancing with the Stars' would no longer be a struck show therefore all cast would be able to return. This includes WGA member Matt Walsh."
The years-long series, despite being a reality show, falls under WGA coverage because it employs at least one WGA writer. In the event that the show had proceeded without this writer before the WGA reached a deal, sources had indicated that the writer would have been re-hired once the strike concluded.
It is worth noting that even though the WGA has reached a temporary agreement to end their strike, SAG-AFTRA remains on strike. However, SAG-AFTRA has expressed support for the show's cast as a spokesperson affirmed that members of their union participating in the show are not in violation of union rules and are fulfilling their contractual obligations by going to work.
As for Walsh, EW observed that the "Christmas with the Kranks" star had taken to his Instagram Story to issue a statement about his temporary withdrawal from the show just last week. According to the outlet, he had written:
"I am taking a pause from Dancing With the Stars until an agreement is made with the WGAz was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and fell under a different agreement. This morning when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that it is considered struck work, I walked out of my rehearsal. I have been and will always stand with my union members of the WGA, SAG, and [the Directors Guild of America]."
The WGA Negotiation Committee Expressed Pride In Tentative Deal
As the WGA strike neared its 150th day, the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers [AMPTP] reached a tentative deal on a new three-year contract, effectively pausing the ongoing writer's strike. The encouraging update was shared by the WGA's negotiation committee, led by co-chairs David A. Goodman and Chris Keyser, through an email.
This announcement followed an extensive meeting in which they meticulously discussed various aspects of the contract, including specific language regarding the use of generative AI in content production. Per The Blast, an excerpt of the email sent to WGA members read:
"DEAR MEMBERS, We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA, which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language. What we have won in this contract – most particularly, everything we have gained since May 2nd – is due to the willingness of this membership to exercise its power, to demonstrate its solidarity, to walk side-by-side, to endure the pain and uncertainty of the past 146 days."
While the specifics of the contract are yet to be finalized and thus cannot be disclosed to the public, it has been described as an "exceptional" deal that strongly benefits the writers.
The negotiation committee via email expressed pride in the agreement, highlighting that it includes substantial gains and protections for writers across various sectors of the membership. The final step is for the staff to ensure that all agreed-upon terms are properly codified in the contract language.
