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The Hollywood Picket Line in 2007 Was Full of Hotties

The last big writers strike was lowkey lit.

July 19, 2023, 2:07pm

It's been over 60 years since Hollywood's actors and writers went on strike at the same time, as they are right now. Back then, it led to much-needed residual payments from a new practice: TV reruns. When the writers went on strike from November 2007 to February 2008, it was about residuals, too—in that case, from “new media” like digital downloads and then-nascent streaming. Today’s strike follows the same pattern, as 160,000 actors and 11,500 writers seek a pay structure that better matches the streaming business as it currently exists.

Revisiting past victories is inspiring—not only for tactics or context but just for energy. There’s Laura Linney! Pre-White Lotus Mike White! Everybody loves the cast of The Sopranos! The more things change, the more they stay the same. Look no further than gorpcore Jason Alexander.