Billy Warlock

On November 5, members of the Writers Guild of America went on strike. As this column goes to print, the strike continues. What does this mean for your favourite soap? Hopefully nothing. Most of the soaps have scripts in the can through to January, and we can only hope the dispute is resolved by then. If not, the soaps may have no choice but to turn to non-union writers to carry out their storylines.

It's no secret that ratings for soaps are at an all-time low. This is partly due to all the other choices being offered on cable and satellite television. (Back in the days when General Hospital was on the cover of Newsweek, there was much less competition.) Coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial can also be blamed for many people abandoning their stories, never to return again. If the writers' strike goes on and they suspend broadcasting, the results could be disastrous for the genre. I don't think this will happen. I think they will use non-union writers, and life in Llanview, Springfield and Oakdale will go on.

new media

Why are the writers striking? The main issue is money, as in seeking a higher percentage of the residuals on DVD sales. Another source from which they are not getting their fair share is 'new media', such as Internet downloads, which many consider the wave of the future. Even though a soap writer doesn't benefit from DVD sales, since all writers are members of the guild, they are in this together, which means striking together. The last writers' strike was in 1988 and lasted five months.

In other news, Justin Bruening's career is revving up. He's just been cast as the new Knight Rider. He chose to leave All My Children and his role of Jamie Martin - as did his wife, Alexa Havins (ex-Babe) - to pursue outside projects. The gamble paid off, as he has been cast as Michael Knight's (David Hasselhoff) son in a TV movie and possible series in a new version of the 1980s hit series Knight Rider. Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity) is the executive producer behind the project.

Nathaniel Marston (Michael, One Life to Live) has been let go after his recent arrest in New York City. The actor allegedly assaulted three strangers, including breaking one victim's leg. He was also admitted to Bellevue Hospital due to mental instability at the time, but it was not announced whether he was on any illicit drugs during the incident.

On his official website, www.nathanielmarston.net, the actor thanks his fans for sticking by him: "I don't think of this as an ending, but rather the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Your support and encouragement have meant the world to me and have buoyed my spirits in a trying time." He also asks that you "let the decision-makers at ABC know how you feel" and thanks his co-workers. There has been no announcement as to whether the role of Michael will be recast or written out.

In other casting news, Billy Warlock returns as Ben Hollander on The Young and the Restless for the November 29 and 30 episodes. Reportedly, Jack (Peter Bergman) is seeking his former campaignmanager's help in incriminating Victor (Eric Braeden).

- Dana Block