THE VOICE, AGT to Film New Seasons Despite Strikes

Published: August 3, 2023

THE VOICE, AGT to Film New Seasons Despite Strikes

By Movieguide® Contributor

Many unscripted reality shows and competitions, including THE VOICE and AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, will stay afloat as scripted TV shows and movies continue to flounder amid the WGA and SAG strikes.

“For ABC, there will be zero new episodes of popular series like GREY’S ANATOMY and ABBOTT ELEMENTARY come September,” the New York Times reported. “Its lineup will instead be populated by reruns, old movies, and reality and game shows, including CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE, JUDGE STEVE HARVEY and two spinoffs of THE BACHELOR.

“Likewise, Fox will turn to a series of animated, reality and unscripted shows,” the New York Times added.

Deadline reported, “NBC will be able to go ahead with new seasons of AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, which is filming in mid-August, and THE VOICE, which starts filming season 25’s blind auditions later this month and season 24’s battles at the end of next month, despite the fact that actors such as Terry Crews, Sofia Vergara and Reba McEntire are involved.”

However, some reality shows are affected by the strike. Movieguide® recently reported on the delay of JEOPARDY! season 40:

One of the proposed plans to keep JEOPARDY! on track is to ‘use questions that have previously aired on the show during its long history’…

Even if the show premieres when expected, it may not have a host. Co-host Mayim Bialik pulled out of Season 39 in light of the strike, and while co-host Ken Jennings hosted the remainder of the season, many fans have pressured him to stop appearing as well.

Deadline added, “The networks are operating on a case-by-case basis, and insiders admit that there may need to be some modifications to certain shows. There may be competition shows that may need to lean into athletes and musicians, rather than actors, for their contestants as some actors drop out.”

Networks will also welcome the arrival of new reality shows. Movieguide® recently reported that Netflix announced plans to add new live streams, stand-up specials and unscripted shows to its platform. Movieguide® wrote, “The new capability could lead to Netflix hosting live sports,” which would be a major development for the platform.

Movieguide® previously reported about the effects of the ongoing strikes:

Many unscripted shows would be required to pause production as most hosts of gameshows and other competition shows are members of SAG-AFTRA. With those shows gone, there would be little left on television untouched by the two strikes.

Hollywood would also shut down, as major productions would have to wait for a SAG-AFTRA strike to be resolved. Disney has already had to shift production of upcoming Marvel movies down the line due to the writers strike, and other production companies would have to follow suit if the actors strike. Although the upcoming summer and Q3 lineup would escape, moviegoers would begin to feel the repercussions starting in Q4 of this year and throughout 2024.

However, not everyone would lose during the strike. Streaming services, Netflix in particular, and other media distributors would likely bring in larger audiences as consumers look to other sources of entertainment.