The strike continues to take its toll. The Bionic Woman, already in danger of cancellation due to low ratings, didn’t have enough completed scripts to continue filming until December 12 as planned and shut down on November 9. If things weren’t bad enough for the show, it has also been slammed by the original Bionic Woman, Lindsay Wagner, who called it too violent. They are also unable to film Battlestar Galactica as planned, making the chances of not being able to see the full final season in 2008 even greater. While the Star Trek movie is filming, the strike has is having an impact as described by film writer John August:
Neither J.J. nor Damon are writers on the movie. But they are writers, and WGA members. During a WGA strike, you’re not allowed to write on movies or television shows, period. So they can’t change a word of the script, nor can anyone else. The script they had at 11:59 p.m. November 5th is the script they have to shoot.
To a screenwriter, that might seem kind of awesome. For once, the director can’t change things. But when its your own movie, it’s maddening. J.J. was describing a scene he was shooting the day before. Midway through it, he got a great idea for a new line. Which he couldn’t write. Couldn’t shoot. Couldn’t be in his movie.
Damon described it like having one of your superpowers taken away.
Three are further rumors as to both changes in the design of the Enterprise and the plot of the movie. Current rumors are that the story centers around Romulans going back in time to try to kill James Kirk, with Spock going back in time to prevent this. The movie is also believed to be using aspects of two of the most popular episodes from both the original show and Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Guardian of Forever is used to go back in time, with Harlan Ellison reportedly angry about the use of his idea from The City on the Edge of Forever. Until the time line is corrected the result will be a change in the Federation reminiscent of the changes seen in Yesterday’s Enterprise.
Heroes finally had the episode they should have started the season with which showed what happened after they saved the world at the end of the first season. It still might be necessary to save the cheerleader. An arrest warrant has been issued for Hayden Panettiere for her protests against whale hunting.
“We must unite as a world to solve our increasing international environmental crises. We can no longer hide behinid out-dated, senseless cultural traditions and lazy, bad habits that are resulting in the annihilation of our planet’s resources and the extinction of our species.”
She added that there is a possibility that she could face jail over the incident “but I doubt it… I guess they could come here and get us, but probably not.”
“[But] I was very excited that people were interested in what we did. In [Hollywood], you tend to only get publicity for not wearing underwear or going to rehab.”
Hayden also has an incredible set of photos in Vanity Fair.
