Carlton Cuse Breaks the Picket Line
The writers’ strike news du jour is that Lost showrunner Carlton Cuse is heading back to work. Not as a writer, mind you, but as a producer. That’s the hardest part about this strike: this isn’t the old days of TV where writers are just writers, directors are just directors, and actors are just actors. Most people wear many hats, and though those people on other shows have stayed away, Cuse is heading back to work.
Cuse will not be writing anything else, but he will help finish post-production work on the first eight episodes of the fourth season, which are all written and filmed. In an interview with the New York Times, Cuse said "We feel we owe that to our fans."
I suspect some fans won’t like this. Yes, breaking the strike line is bad, but even worse would be letting someone else put the finishing touches on these eight episodes. ABC is going to air the first eight episodes in the spring, regardless of whether Cuse and/or Damon Lindelof oversaw their total completion. For a show like Lost, the mythology is so rich that every moment and cut will be scrutinized by fans, and every little element of the series is important in telling the larger story that Cuse and Lindelof want to tell. To have these eight episodes finished without their input would be a travesty, and possibly make it more difficult for them to do what they want to do it.
Even if you’re opposed to Cuse’s decision, you have to respect his commitment to us, the fans. He’s not doing this for the networks or his co-workers or the writers or even himself. He’s doing it for us. He’s doing it so that Lost fans get to see the real Lost, the one he and Lindelof intended us to see. Some of you may not respect him for this choice, but I thank him.
I think it is great! I’ve pretty much had it to here with strikers of all types. I say “just go back to work”.
Comment by Jodi Mullins — November 16, 2007 @ 10:18 am
This is a tremendous relief. As worried as I am about a shortened season, I was even more worried that Darlton wasn’t going to have sign off on the 8 we are getting. A big “Whew!” as far as I’m concerned.
Comment by Node32774 — November 16, 2007 @ 10:25 am
I think we owe him a standing ovation.
Carlton has been a huge presence in the strike and has shown his 100% support for it.
For him to go back to work as a producer to finish work on these 8 episodes is a massive gift to the fans.
I think we all owe him a thank you… I suggest we all take a minute to post a message of thanks of the official message boards at abc.com
Comment by Troy — November 16, 2007 @ 10:37 am
This is decent news, though I am weary of breaking the line, the thought of those episodes airing without TPTB input scares the hell out of me.
Jodi, the strike may be messing up our TV season but for the writers and other professionals involved it’s litterally a matter of livelyhood. So no matter how long this all goes on, we the fans need to support the artists involved.
Comment by thewalkingdude — November 16, 2007 @ 10:37 am
Sounds like that decision doesn’t really impact what we’ve heard so far… that there are eight episodes written and completed and that’s it.
In terms of the strike…you pretty much have to support the writers. It’s just as frustrating for them, far moreso, than any of us who simply enjoy the product. We might feel passionately about it, but they’re paid for it, it’s their job, and they deserve fair compensation.
Comment by freeman — November 16, 2007 @ 11:36 am
I agree with Jodi, go back to work.
It’s not like the writers were asked to take a pay cut. It’s not like all of sudden, they’ve been thrown out on the street.
It’s been said often, that the two sides are fighting over money that doesn’t even really exist right now. I say the networks should give them residuals on the DVD sales immediately and then the two sides should wait a couple of years to see where the internet downloading market goes and how much money is actually generated from it.
Another thing…People sometimes say, “well, the writers need extra money for when they’re in between jobs”. Last I checked, my biweekly checks don’t include the “in case we lay you off bonus”.
Thanks Carlton for going back to work and not letting ABC turn LOST into garbage. Hopefully you guys can end this strike and get those other 8 episodes filmed in time for this TV season.
Comment by David — November 16, 2007 @ 11:46 am
The way I see it, abc is still going to have only eight episodes of Lost to air in the Spring until the strike ends. Cuse isn’t changing that in any way; he’s just ensuring that those eight episodes are worth the fans’ time. (Especially the last two or three, which otherwise wouldn’t have had the final Darlton-touch.) If Cuse had gone back to work writing, I’d be very disappointed, but I support his decision here.
Comment by S. A. Bonasi — November 16, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
David and Jodi, there’s a lot you don’t know about the situation, so let me help you out: Way back when, VHS was born. The studios asked the writers to take an 80% cut in their standard residual to help the market grow, and in return the studios promised they would restore their residuals when the market was established.
I think you and I will both agree that the VHS market established itself. And the DVD market has established itself. And yet, the studios refuse to honor their word from over 20 years ago. Today, ABC airs Lost on their website for anyone who comes along, but classifies that showing as “promotional” and the writers get a big fat goose egg. Can you imagine that?
I don’t know where you work, but no other industry puts up with that. When a construction crew builds a model house for a new subdivision, they get paid, even though the company is using that house for promotional purposes. This is just one example.
With more and more networks turning to the internet to sell ads, shouldn’t writers get paid for that? More importantly, as the lines between technology blur and television and the internet become more and more entwined, how do you think studios are going to classify re-runs? “Sorry, these are promotional, so we’re not paying you.”
Someone has to put their foot down and demand their fair share of the pie.
Comment by icyone — November 16, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
I am shocked and very disappointed with Carlton. He is a producer *under* the WGA banner. This means that he is crossing the picket lines to go back to work as producer. His title of producer is governed by the WGA. For those that don’t understand how the union works, in simple terms … this makes him a scab (someone that crosses a picket line to gain or do work). Scabs are the lowest of low because they totally undermine the strikers by doing work that the strikers have struck.
I am NOT happy about this at all and I am sure strikers are not happy either.
Very bad move, Carlton. Very.Bad.Move.
Comment by jbdean — November 16, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Sorry, Doc, didn’t see your post before I posted above. I have to totally disagree with you on your comment about Carlton not crossing the picket line. Since his producer title is governed by the WGA, he is crossing the picket line because he’s going against the union that his producer title comes from. It seems he obviously doesn’t view it as scabbing, but it is since it’s HIS union that’s on strike and HIS union that he has the producer title from.
Comment by jbdean — November 16, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
jbdean: Would you rather have some corporation get final cut on this show we all love? I support the strike but I think I speak for almost everyone when I say to hell with that. Want to see what happens when a television studio gets final cut? Watch Bionic Woman and cringe every second.
Comment by Node32774 — November 16, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
to jbdean
Carlton Cuse is on the negotiating committee for the WGA so Im sure he cleared this through them. Doc also had said that TPTB had signed a contract earlier this year that guarantees their involvement until the series end. He would probably be in breach of that contract if he didnt do this. I do not blame him at all and thank him for making it sound as though this is for the fans of the show. He is right that letting someone else run post production that it may hurt the show.
Comment by marcbjr2 — November 16, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
What a sensationalistic headline… lame. CC was always going to go and finish the 8 eps as a producer, you act like this is A) news and B) a mighty defiant action.
Poor, poor choice BuddyTV… you just crapped on TheTailsection in a big way. Bye.
Comment by Dusk — November 16, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
i too was worried about the final few episdoes not having darltons input. glad to see he did what he did.
Comment by roger workman — November 16, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
He is not “breaking the picket line”. He is well within his rights to help with post-production as he is the showrunner. “Breaking the picket line” would be if he actually wrote new content. I guess the tailsection is going for sensationalistic headings.
jbdean:
“Producer” title is not governed by WGA. ABC gives him that title and his duties as a “producer” are totally irrelevant to WGA.
Comment by Smokie — November 16, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Good for Carlton!
Comment by Paul Levinson — November 17, 2007 @ 12:34 am
The title of this post is news story is wrong. He’s going back to work as a producer, but that’s not breaking the picket line.
Good for Carlton though. It shows dedication to the show and the fans rather than money and other writers. Don’t get me wrong. I 100% support the writers. But that’s no reason for Producer-writers to stop producing. They already stooped writing, and rightly so. But abandoning your show and leaving it up to the uncreative, unimaginative, profit driven studio execs would be the absolute worse thing for such a brilliant show.
Bottom line, ABC will finish producing all the episodes they have scripts for. That’s with or without CC and DL. Why not have the brilliant mind of CC involved?
Very good move, Carlton. Very.Good.Move.
Comment by Matt — November 17, 2007 @ 11:40 am
This is pure crap. worst week of tailsection news EVER. please just stop. why don’t you just redirect the site to buddytv?
Comment by hahaha — November 17, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
Erm, hahaha - what’s so bad about it? Sure, it’s a little exaggerated, but it’s news. Lay off, give the guy a chance? I was a little critical at first, but I haven’t seen anything earth-shatteringly awful. Maybe…a few more posts a week?
Comment by Cerberus — November 17, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Good for Carlton! If we are only getting the 8, I hope they will great! Thanks Carlton.
Comment by IWannaBKate — November 17, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
Hi. First time commenting here, and for good reason. I just have to say that I am not in the least satisfied with the answers for what is happening with this site from any side. I’ve been reading for a year, and for one reason only: I respect the author. I don’t side with the extremes that just want to hack and slash at buddytv, but I think an explanation is in order. Where is doc? Why did he leave? Why can’t he post?
I don’t agree with the radicals that blitz through here and insult everybody and leave, but I am highly disappointed by the content so far and don’t think it at all reaches DocArzt’s thoughtful and genuine level.
Call me a sentimental sap, but all through season 2 and 3 DocArzt was PART of the Lost experience. Sure, lots of people had interesting opinions, but when Doc said something it resonated and sometimes just made me say wow. And I know I’m now alone in this. I’m not going to take cheap shots at any authors trying to fill the void, but I’m deeply saddened to think Doc won’t be here when season four starts making us all say ‘wow’ again.
I can only hope that the inevitable has happened and that Doc has joined the Lost writing team, because that is about the only piece of news that would calm this sick feeling in my gut.
Comment by Brutus — November 17, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Doc Artz joined darkufo.
Comment by Joshua — November 17, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
Hahaha and Brutus, just leave. For God’s Sake, you are the only two people who are having problems with John K’s posts. He is doing exactly what Doc did, the only thing different is the name they are posted under. Just go, you are doing no one any good being here.
Comment by doug — November 17, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
And Brutus, for someone who has been reading here for a year, you sure don’t read the posts. Go back a few posts and you will see his farewell, the answers you ask for are all in the comments posted by Doc after his account was cleared by BuddyTV, it gives a complete explanation. Funny how someone like you could miss that…
Comment by doug — November 17, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
Erm, Brutus is definitely not the only one. I know that these posts aren’t a patch on Docs. I just don’t believe everyone should be so harsh. Doc was TTS. This site’ll definitely not be to the standard it was any more.
Comment by Cerberus — November 17, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
wow doug. can you say plant? I specifically said I was not on the attack. You seem pretty defensive for a casual reader.
Comment by brutus — November 17, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Cerberus, Doc was excellent, but I can’t see a difference between John K’s posts and Doc’s posts, they both are in love with Lost and both are posting about it, and both are expressing their opinions of the content put out by ABC, maybe they both have dfferent opinions and so we aren’t used to getting a different one. Or maybe it is because we’ve had two pieces of Lost content since Doc left, and they have been two 2 minute videos, one of which only Verizon subscribers have seen. Not much to report on, in my opinion. Not much to complain about.
And Brutus, I am a casual reader and even casual readers know how to read comments. And just because you say you aren’t on the attack, doesn’t mean it is you aren’t. For someone who was “Wow”ed by Doc’s opinions, you don’t read his farewell post.
Comment by doug — November 17, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
I hate to validate either argument, because it really is pointless, but yes doc would have never pandered to the readers by trying to legitimize these horrible mobisodes. That said, things are what they are. and yes doug, you do seem like a plant. I have to agree. as a long time reader, the difference is obvious to me as well. I’m sure most of the hardcore readers would agree, but I bet they’ve all left
Comment by f8 — November 17, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Is every thread going to lead to this inevitable battle over who is the better writer. It starts out about lost and ends up in a shouting match. I wont stop coming to this site because of the content, but I may stop coming because of some of the people who post.
As far as CC goes, I think its fantastic. In the end its all about the fans anyway, and he is honoring that. I just feel bad for the blue collar workers on set who are losing work. You know the caterers, wardrobe, set designers etc., but I understand the writers need to strike.
Comment by KatesFate — November 17, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
NEWS: the writers and execs have set a negotiation date for November 26. it may be all over soon you guys
Comment by South_park300 — November 17, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
i dont understand the tone of the reporting here. why would we fans be upset that carlton is doing his job and making sure the half season of lost we get after an 8 month hiatus is decent enough?? why would we support the writers who dont seem to care if they alienate the fans who made them WEALTHY to begin with?
god bless carlton for showing some decency and intelligence!! get off the picket line and back to work!!! if you support the strike, you’re supporting the end of lost!
Comment by joeblow — November 17, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
enough of the site bashing, if you dont like it, leave! doc is a great writer, and was and still is a big member in the lost community. i am excited for the 8 episodes, and although i would like the strike to end, i would rather wait for “perfection” than crap like the nfl did years ago w/their scabs.
Comment by themachine — November 17, 2007 @ 11:49 pm
carltons probably editing it so he can finish the series and leave all of us LOST. cash your chips in dude. striking sucks.
Comment by rob — November 18, 2007 @ 12:11 am
HUH? He didn’t break the picket line because he’s not actually “writing”. Get your facts straight and stop the sensationalism. It doesn’t sound like this new ’staff’ is on top of anything…
Comment by WRONG — November 19, 2007 @ 4:38 am
THANK YOU CARLTON!!!! I would not want these 8 episodes to air without his input. I really appreciate that he is doing this for us and I cannot go without LOST for too much longer before I go crazy!
Comment by Shiloh — November 19, 2007 @ 7:25 am
If there is anyone I trust to do a decent job with this, it would be Carton. I’d be a lot more skeptical if they brought in someone not connected with the show.
Comment by downthehatch — November 19, 2007 @ 8:51 am
“It’s been said often, that the two sides are fighting over money that doesn’t even really exist right now.”
A big part of business is predicting future trends. The writers need to sign a new contract before they can go back to work and it would be stupid of them to dismiss this.
Comment by GMoney — November 19, 2007 @ 10:33 am
This site is no longer worth the time visiting…what a waste…
Comment by rg — November 20, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Very true rg. How can this site last when there is only a couple new posts a week. I’ll probably still check it out for new info because I’m obsessed with LOST but I’m dissapointed in the website.
Comment by temple1234 — November 20, 2007 @ 10:44 am
darkufo has posted the 3rd lost mobisode
Comment by kok — November 20, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Glad to see it confirmed since ABC’s started airing commercials here (MN) past couple weeks stating get ready for a new season of LOST. Wondered what was up with that til this news. To postpone everything another year would be its death knell.
Comment by desertrose53 — November 21, 2007 @ 4:34 am
Carlton reveals himself once again to be the opportunistic sycophant he’s always been to those who know him well. And now, with his decision to return to work (producing, writing, it’s all the the same — especially when a scene is altered in editing and a loop line is thrown in — who’s gonna write that, I wonder?). Rumor has it he’s been or is being kicked off the WGA’s board for opting to shaft his fellow writers (not the first time) and satisfy the bosses. Honestly, he doesn’t care as much for the fans as he does his next paycheck. Fans don’t pay him squat. Studios and networks do. Cuse is a duplicitous snake who’s managed to hitch his wagon to quite a few stars along the way. Then he walks over them on his way to the next one.
Comment by Striker — November 27, 2007 @ 6:03 am
This strike is a blessing and a curse for Lost.
It’s a blessing as the last season start will make it the ONLY show with fresh episodes come late winter and early spring!
The bad news is that it will damage the epic storyline that they’ve worked so hard to create. This isn’t heroes where you can just cut the season short, this is like taking 8 chapters out of the middle of a novell!
They may be able to make it up a bit next year, but season 4 as planned is shot if the strike does not end in the next 2-3 months. That’s not just our lost, it’s Cuse’s loss too. He HAD to come back for post production. This show may be the highlight of his career. To have his materpieces tarnished by others who don’t know what they’re doing? Tragedy.
Thank you Carlton! And please.. PLEASE end the strike soon! I WANT ALL OF SEASON 4!
Comment by tom — November 28, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
I give all my credits to Darlton; they are just doing their work and even they are at the strike, they take care of the nearly-finished - or as you say post-production - episodes. Cuse is right: at least they have 8 episodes to air and fans deserve this. My hope is that the strike ends before Christmas, whether it effects to the other 8 episodes of season 4 or not.
Comment by Kid_A — December 5, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
(Didn’t read any above comments. =P)
While I do not support his decision, I do respect him in the matter of not wanting the network to soil his work. Bad editing can destroy a show like Lost. Also, with it being so close to the end of the series, I would find that one slip can kill the entire series. And technically, he should be able to cross the line without any repercussion. He is crossing it to produce and edit. Not write.
Comment by Lloyd — December 12, 2007 @ 5:59 am
I love this show. I *crave* it. However, I wouldn’t for one second act like a spoiled brat like some of the previous posters and demand that the writers end their strike against the unfair bastards who won’t give them pennies on the C-note just so I can watch it.
The studios could end this strike easily if they wanted, by simply giving the writers what’s fair.
Comment by Ferruge — December 17, 2007 @ 6:43 pm