Sesame Street writers reach tentative agreement to avoid going on S-T-R-I-K-E

Devastating the collective political cartoonists of America—forced to crumple up potentially hundreds of hastily scrawled cartoons depicting Bert and Ernie screaming slogans while out on the picket lines—Deadline reports tonight that the Writers Guild Of America has reached a tentative agreement with Sesame Workshop, likely avoiding a strike that could have shut down production of long-running children’s educational series Sesame Street.

The 35 writers on the series had authorized a vote to strike earlier this week, as part of ongoing negotiations with the non-profit. They’re now set to vote on a five-year collective bargaining agreement between writers and producers on the show. Had negotiations fallen through, picketing would have begun on April 24.

As with last summer’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the Sesame Street negotiations appear to have put a heavy focus on artificial intelligence, as well as residuals and pay for online-exclusive content. (And also animation, which exists in its own sticky, poorly-paid set of financial structures within the wider entertainment industry.) Per Deadline, the WGA announced that it had “won ‘historic’ jurisdiction and minimum rates for animation and new media programs produced by Sesame, protections against artificial intelligence, paid parental leave benefits, and substantial improvements to new media residuals.”

Meanwhile, we can’t help but note, even before the agreement was reached, how damn nice the rhetoric between the two sides here was; the writers, in a statement, acknowledged that “Like the Workshop itself, we are mission-driven and child-focused, and we work hard at telling stories that contribute to the Workshop’s curricula inspired by heart, curiosity, community, kindness, diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Meanwhile, Sesame Workshop (formerly Children’s Television Workshop), stated that, “Our writers are integral members of our creative team, and we are engaged in good faith negotiations with the WGA.” It all seems, from the outside, like it was very cordial; no grim warnings that either side best watch their backs, lest someone call “Mr. Larry” to come bust some heads.

The writers did get in at least one decent Sesame Street gag this week, though, issuing a statement after the agreement was reached that said “ ‘S’ truly is for Solidarity. We are glad to have a contract in place that allows Sesame to do what it does best — lead.”