'Dancing With the Stars' may delay its premiere and one of its stars is pressing pause after WGA members began picketing the show. Matt Walsh (Veep) said in a statement that he will "pause" his involvement with the show "until an agreement is made with the [Writers Guild of America]. I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and fell under a different agreement."
Category
✨
PeopleTranscript
00:00 Dancing with the Stars may delay its premiere, and one of its stars is pressing pause after
00:04 WGA members began picketing the show.
00:08 Actor Matt Walsh said in a statement that he will pause his involvement with the show
00:11 as a celebrity participant until an agreement is made with the Writers Guild of America.
00:16 "I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA
00:21 show and fell under a different agreement."
00:23 He continued, "This morning when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that it is considered
00:28 struck work, I walked out of my rehearsal.
00:31 I have been and will always stand with my union members of the WGA, SAG and DGA."
00:36 Though it's an unscripted show, Dancing with the Stars has signed under the Writers Guild
00:40 Minimum Basic Agreement and has in the past employed a WGA writer to script certain comments
00:45 for the hosts.
00:47 Striking writers have picketed outside the show's rehearsal spaces this week, with some
00:50 carrying signs specifically calling out Walsh, who is a WGA member, as well as actresses
00:55 Allison Hannigan and Mira Sorvino, who are arguably the highest-profile SAG-AFTRA members
01:01 in the season 32 cast.
01:03 The celebrities taking part in the show are not in violation of SAG-AFTRA strike rules
01:07 because Dancing with the Stars falls under SAG-AFTRA's so-called network code contract.
01:12 But given the increased scrutiny and criticism of participants crossing the WGA lines, sources
01:17 say ABC is looking at postponing the premiere, currently set for Sept. 26.
01:22 For more updates to this story, head to THR.com.
01:25 And for the latest entertainment news and updates, keep watching The Hollywood Reporter
01:29 News.
01:30 [whoosh]
01:31 (dramatic music)
01:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]