News Brief

New York Times: Soap-Operas Are the Hidden Drama of Strike. As the writers’ strike approaches the three-month mark, it has conveyed new cachet, such as it is, on soap operas. Shows like GENERAL HOSPITAL and AS THE WORLD TURNS have become virtually the only reliable option for viewers interested in watching rerun-free, serialized drama on broadcast television.

A handful of writers, for ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL on ABC and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS on CBS, have officially crossed picket lines to return to work in recent weeks, invoking a guild designation known as “financial core,” or financial need. But they are the exception. The sexual shenanigans, back-from-the-grave miracles and double-dealing that are the lifeblood of such shows are being scripted by mostly uncredited, ragtag staffs variously made up of network executives, producers, secretaries and, some union members insist, scabs who are either writing sub rosa or slipping plot points to management.

Consider that “The Young and the Restless,” which before the strike carried a writing staff of more than a dozen, now lists just three writers in its closing credits, each a guild member granted financial core status.

“There’s just no way three people can be doing that job,” said Sandra Weintraub, a striking writer who has written for the show for more than three years. “With the Internet, people don’t ever have to cross a picket line. So we’ll never know.”

While many of the soap episodes shown last week were based on scripts written by guild members before the strike — each daytime drama tends to ready episodes at least two months in advance — network representatives refused to say exactly how they were preparing the shows that will be seen as those stockpiles are depleted.

“The shows are staffed, and we have people in place to continue producing original programming,” ABC said in a statement, which also noted that “producers are aiding in the process.” The actors are typically members of unions that are not on strike, and some have joined the picket lines during breaks.

Megan McTavish, a striking former head writer for four soaps — GENERAL HOSPITAL, GUIDING LIGHT, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and most recently ALL MY CHILDREN — said in an interview she was particularly incensed by the recent return of James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten to “All My Children.” The two, who write as a pair and have been doing so for more than two decades, cited the financial strains of the strike in asking for a guild exception. Ms. McTavish said she was dubious of their reasoning.

“These are not youngsters struggling to make mortgage payments or feed their children,” Ms. McTavish said. “Their sole intent now seems to be piling up more money for themselves.”

PGP Classic Soaps: On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the spotlight is on one of the very few African-American women working as a director and writer in daytime television today, Susan Dansby.

E! Online: GLAAD Happy About Betty, Housewives.

AHN: Thai Airways on Monday urged the culture ministry to stop the airing of THE AIR HOSTESS WAR, a soap opera about the immoral relationship between a married pilot and a flight attendant, which has become hugely popular but is tainting the reputation of flight attendants.

What's On TV: EASTENDERS gears up for Pat and Peggy catfight.