WGA East Files Arbitration Over Soap Replacement Writers

The Writers Guild of America, East, has filed separate arbitration cases against ABC and Corday Productions for allegedly violating the guild’s strike termination agreement by retaining writers hired during the writers strike earlier this year. The WGAE alleges that Corday Productions, which produces DAYS OF OUR LIVES and ABC, which produces ALL MY CHILDREN, hired replacement writers during the 100-day WGA strike and has not terminated these employees. Instead, the replacement writers are preventing striking guild writers from returning to their positions, the WGAE said. “The strike termination agreement does not allow the retention of replacement writers in lieu of allowing striking writers to return to their jobs. ABC and Corday Productions are clearly violating this agreement,” said Ira Cure, senior counsel for the Writers Guild of America, East. “They have left us no other option but to file arbitrations to ensure our members will be afforded their rights outlined under this agreement.” The companies have 10 days to respond to the cases. The Writers Guild of America went on strike Nov. 5 over issues including residual payments for online distribution of content. A lack of writers forced numerous shows out of production and cost the Los Angeles economy an estimated $2.1 billion. The strike was resolved in mid-February. Representatives of Corday were not available for immediate comment. NBC, which airs DAYS OF OUR LIVES, had no comment. "We are in full compliance with our contract and the allegation is untrue," ABC said. A network source familiar with the situation said the WGAE was grandstanding because it subverted direct discussion in favor of announcing arbitration straight to the press. Source: TV Week

More on SoapNet's RELATIVE MADNESS

Most families have their own bit of madness. And now, SoapNet wants to tap into that phenomenon, relatively speaking. The network will bow six one-hour specials, counting down the top 25 most over-the-top TV and celebrity family moments. In time and homage to Mother’s Day, SoapNet will bow the first entry, "Mama Drama," Thursday May 8 at 11 p.m. May 8. On display celebrity moms, Dina Lohan and Britney Spears, I LOVE NEW YORK’s New York, ALL MY CHILDREN’s Erica Kane and Sami Brady of DAYS OF OUR LIVES. The series of specials concludes the week of Father’s Day, with Father Knows Less. “We live in a ‘Soap Nation’ and these series recognize this by combining the soapy themes found everywhere today – in daytime, primetime, reality and celebrity-life,” said Brian Frons, president, Daytime at Disney ABC Television Group in a statement. “SoapNet continues to broaden its reach by investing in original programming; this franchise is another step in our ongoing effort to expand SoapNet’s audience while aligning pop culture and celebrity antics with the ‘soapy’ drama it is.” As mentioned, each show will count down the 25 most over-the-top TV and celebrity family moments, blending commentary from a variety of talent and comedians, including Joy Behar (The View), Cameron Mathison (ALL MY CHILDREN), Andrea Bowen (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES), designer Paige Hemmis, Willie Garson, actress Tatyana Ali and mother and daughter reality stars Lisa and Britney Gastineau. In between the crazed mamas and papas specials, SoapNet will zero in on “It’s a Sibling Thing,” “Brawl in the Family,” “Crazy…In Love” and “Twisted Family Trees.”

COASTAL DREAMS' Kam Heskin on CSI: NEW YORK

You can catch COASTAL DREAMS star Kam Heskin on CSI: NEW YORK on Wednesday night. "This episode was literally blood, sweat and tears, meaning I was sweating, then got hurt, then cried about it. Shot this 4 days after arriving back from Bulgaria and then went back on to PASSIONS before it wrapped, so its been a crazy spring." If you haven't caught Kam as April on COASTAL DREAMS, catch up on NBC.com. She previously played the role of Caitlin Deschanel Richards on SUNSET BEACH until the show went off the air in December 1999.