The strikes in effect from the Writers’ Guild of America and Screen Actors’ Guild are unfortunately continuing as of recently. Although the WGA and AMPTP sought to meet last Friday, no agreements were made as neither side did not seem to budge on their stances. Many projects have been delayed or suspended. For example, George R.R. Martin revealed his deal with HBO is indefinitely on hold with the strikes in progress and the author also fears this union conflict will be long and bitter.
As productions remain up in the air, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the 2023 Emmys will now be delayed until January of next year in hopes that the strikes will be able to resolve this year. It has been agreed upon by the Television Academy and the Fox Network, which broadcasts the awards show, that the new date is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT at the newly renamed Peacock Theater at LA Live. THR notes that not only does it fall on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but “that’ll also mark nearly five months after the last ballot has been cast. Emmy voting, after all, is proceeding as scheduled despite the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes — with the final round beginning Aug. 17 and lasting through Aug. 28.”
While an Emmys telecast could still have been possible with the writers union striking, the rules and regulations that prohibit members of the Screen Actors Guild from promoting or performing in favor of the studios make the event nearly impossible to have without the actors drawing attention to the year’s television projects, of which would be nominated. Although, some have voiced that delaying all the way to January might be too dramatic and feel rescheduling to later in the year, such as November, might be a more suitable option. Unfortunately, it also might be too much of an optimistic option as the stalemate between the unions and the studios make such a short delay seem naive and foolish since only recently have the WGA and AMPTP attempted to negotiate over a hundred days after the strike started.