From the Frontlines of the Writers' Strike

The Writers Guild of America strike began several weeks ago, but on Friday, November 16th, fans were given the unique opportunity to join the picket lines with the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation writers at the home of the show, Universal Studios in Universal City, CA. CSI scribe David Rambo invited fans to join the writers from 10am to 2pm, in picketing outside Gate 2, near to where the CSI offices are located.

Carrying signs with official lettering reading "Writers Guild of America On Strike" and "The Writers Guild Strikes!" and signs with the WGA logo and personalized slogans, such as "No Nerds, No Words," "Wannabe Writers Support Writers, Too!" and individual show names, the writers and their supporters walked in front of the gate for hours, as some of the drivers of the cars that passed by on the busy street honked their horns to show their support. The writers, who are fighting for increased DVD and internet residuals, generally picket in two four hour shifts every day. Writers from other shows, including Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Galactica and Law & Order, picketed nearby, either at Gate 2 or one of the other entrances to the large studio.

CSI scribe Allen MacDonald, who got his start on CSI as a writers' assistant, proudly carried a sign displaying his show's name on it. MacDonald, whose roster of episodes includes "Toe Tags" and "Empty Eyes" also had an hand in penning last week's "Goodbye and Good Luck", which saw the departure of Jorja Fox's character Sara Sidle. The episode aired the night before the picket, and Fox's departure was naturally on the tip of everyone's tongue.

CSI executive producer Naren Shankar talked about the eighth season opener, "Dead Doll", noting the efforts that were made to differentiate it from season five's finale "Grave Danger". Rambo mentioned that on Fox's last day on the set, 150 members of the cast and crew for the show gathered to wish her well. Though that was Fox's last day on the physical set, her scenes in the cab on location in Las Vegas were actually the last ones she filmed for the show. Rambo is optimistic about her return, remarking that neither the writers nor Fox wanted the character killed off, leaving the door open for her return.

Actors Jon Wellner (Henry Andrews) and Marc Vann (Conrad Ecklie) were among the members of the Screen Actors Guild who showed up to support the writers. Both actors stayed for hours, walking the picket lines alongside the scribes. Wellner teased the upcoming Lab Rats" sequel, mentioning that he finds it even funnier than the first episode, which turned the spotlight on the lab technicians who aid the CSIs in their analysis of the evidence. Ecklie, Grissom's long-running nemesis in the lab, last showed up in "A La Cart", and Vann commented that he hopes Ecklie will show up again soon to butt heads with the taciturn CSI. Vann's history with William Petersen predates CSI; the two met on the theatre circuit in Chicago.

Fans weren't the only ones showing up to support the writers; reporters from The Naked News stopped by to interview the writers. Clad in pink bras and underpants, the three reporters managed to curry favor with the cars passing by, who honked in appreciation.

Midway through the picketing, the CSI writers gathered together for a group shot. Grateful for the fan support in all its forms, Rambo said that he hoped there would be another opportunity for fans to picket with the writers. The next big Los Angeles WGA rally takes place Tuesday, November 20th on Hollywood Boulevard and Ivar Street, at 1:30pm.

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