The following takes place between the years 2008 and 2009

Not even (a fully sober) Jack Bauer can save the newest season of "24" from the effects of the Writer's Strike.

Much to my dismay, the new season--which was supposed to begin last month--will not air until January 2009.

Eight episodes of this season had already been filmed before the beginning of the strike. Unfortunately, once the season is completed, for it to air would mean a season finale in the summer, which the network was unwilling to do.

RELATED LINKS:
Bauer back in business

Let the writers return!

Good news, rerun and reality television haters! The three-month long writer's strike is very close to an end, with writers potentially returning to work this Wednesday.

Writers Guild of America leaders voted today to let its members decide Tuesday if they'd like to ratify a new contract and allow a flood of ink slingers and all other necessary employees to return to work.

According to the guild's summary, the deal provides union jurisdiction over projects created for the Internet based on certain guidelines, sets compensation for streamed, ad-supported programs and increases residuals for downloaded movies and TV programs.

Under the contract, writers would get a maximum $1,200 flat fee for streamed programs in the deal's first two years and then get a percentage of a distributor's gross in year three -- the last point an improvement on the directors deal, which remains at the flat payment rate.

Any projections on which television shows are gonna get the can once the writers return?

Writers won't strike against Taco Bell

So now in addition to the World Series free taco, the Stephen Colbert presidential endorsement and the Chicken Dance football bet, Yum! Brands Inc. has offered up yet another current event-inspired marketing ploy.

This time, Taco Bell is asking striking writers to consider writing the material for they clever (but sometimes creepy) sauce packets.

Some highlights of the saucy sayings: "If you throw this, would it be a flying saucer?" and "Use your stomach, nacho mind." [click here for a comprehensive and illustrative list]

Ten winners --who must be members of the Writer's Guild of America-- will be selected and receive a year's supply of free Taco Bell (up to $260)."

The writer's strike is now in its second month, and Taco Bell wanted to show its support for the thousands of creative minds itching to press pen to paper, or in our case, Border Sauce packets." - David Ovens, Chief Marketing Officer, Taco Bell.

Some of those packet lines are great, and personally, I'd love to have the opportunity to write for them. That would make my life much more complete than my current full-time writing position (not kidding), but sadly, the WGA has not extended an invitation to me just yet.

And just as an added bonus feature, if you visit this site, you can dress the sauce packet, and it actually responds with sayings to what you dress it in. It's some fun times, seriously!

RELATED LINKS
Yo quiero free taco
President of Poultry
Don't be chicken, bawk-bawk-bakawwk!