The 2023 Emmy Awards have been put on hold amid a period of unprecedented industrial action by actors and writers. This decision marks an undeniable low for the entertainment industry, which continues to grapple with the ongoing labor dispute.
Them’s the Strike Rules
Actors and writers, the backbone of the television world, are on strike to push for better compensation, improved working conditions, and enhanced residual rights. Their protest, a powerful show of solidarity, has brought some of the most notable television productions to a standstill.
The WGA and SAG-AFTRA have outlined rules that union members must adhere to while the strike is in effect. The principle of the strike rules boil down to a simple throughline: don’t work with struck companies. Guild members are not allowed to meet with, do work on behalf of, or negotiate with struck companies.
Obviously, this means working on a script or being on set is off limits. However, there are other ways one can cross the picket line. Union members are not allowed to work or do any publicity. This includes interviews, press tours, or in the Emmy’s case, appear at award shows.
73rd Emmy Awards Postponed
The decision to postpone the 73rd Emmy Awards was announced Tuesday by the Television Academy. The postponement underscores the magnitude of the ongoing strikes, demonstrating that even the most prestigious and traditionally unwavering fixtures in the television calendar are not immune.
The new date for the Emmy Awards remains uncertain, casting a shadow over the highly-anticipated event. Industry insiders suggest it is a strategic move designed to increase pressure on studio executives to address the grievances of the striking actors and writers.
In the face of such adversity, one can only hope that this impasse is resolved swiftly, returning the spotlight to the artistic brilliance and dedication that the Emmys aim to celebrate.
