After the Writers Guild of America picketed Dancing with the Stars rehearsal locations on Wednesday (September 20), contestant Matt Walsh has announced that he is “taking a pause” from the ABC dance competition until an agreement is made with WGA. The actor, who is partnered with pro dancer Koko Iwasaki, is a member of WGA, SAG-AFTRA and the DGA.
As WGA pickets hit DWTS rehearsals, Variety sources report, talent has begun to feel uncomfortable participating in the show and more are considering bowing out amid rising pressure.
ABC may postpone Dancing with the Stars September 26 Premiere amid strike
Subsequently, ABC is putting plans in place to postpone the Dancing With the Stars premiere which is currently scheduled for a 2 1/2 hour kickoff on Tuesday September 26. Variety sources say it’s possible that the show can continue without Walsh, but if more celebrities begin to drop out, that will create further problems for production because there is no show without the celebrity cast.
Matt Walsh walked out of rehearsal when he learned DWTS was covered by WGA
“I am taking a pause from Dancing with the Stars until an agreement is made with the WGA,” Walsh told Variety in a statement. “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. This morning when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that it is considered struck work I walked out of my rehearsal. I have been and will always stand with my union members of the WGA, SAG and DGA. Beyond our union artists, I am sensitive to the many people impacted by the strike and I hope for a speedy and fair resolution, and to one day work again with all the wonderful people I met at ‘DWTS’ who tolerated my dancing.”
Dancing With the Stars employs one WGA writer alongside around 500 staff members in total, which officially makes it a WGA covered show. The performers on DWTS, including celebrity cast members, hosts, judges and pro dancers, are all cleared to work on the show under SAG-AFTRA’s “Network Code” agreement, which is not part of the concurrent actors strike.
The WGA and AMPTP are scheduled to meet again on Thursday, which will be the second continuous day of the two sides meeting at the table after what was an “encouraging” session on Wednesday, Variety reports. If the strike is resolved today, and talent feels comfortable moving forward, the show could potentially go on.
