Striking writers picket Dancing with the Stars rehearsal spaces
On September 20, striking members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) staged pickets outside multiple rehearsal locations for Dancing with the Stars. Early in the morning a group of roughly 25 demonstrators gathered in West Hollywood near the production’s rehearsal facility. Later the same day, WGA picketers moved to a second rehearsal site closer to the Beverly Center after learning some cast members were present there.
The pickets made clear they are trying to disrupt production activity and to pressure both the studio and participating talent. Among the celebrities named on picket signs were Alyson Hannigan (How I Met Your Mother), Mira Sorvino (Academy Award winner), Matt Walsh (Veep), and Barry Williams. The signs featured photos and names of the stars, and protesters used loud chants and vocal demonstrations intended to be heard inside rehearsal stages.
Writers say their objectives include persuading the network not to air the new season if it proceeds under conditions the WGA opposes, and encouraging cast members to reconsider participation. The strike organizers specifically noted they hope some high-profile participants, including Jamie Lynn Spears and Xochitl Gomez, might step aside; Spears has said she will donate her salary to charities helping those affected by the strikes.
After reports that certain cast members, including Matt Walsh, were at a second facility, the WGA redirected picketers to that location. Walsh was observed leaving that site accompanied by a crew member from the show. Writers indicated there may be additional picket lines as they continue to target the program’s multiple rehearsal venues throughout the day.
DWTS is covered by the WGA, says one writer on its staff
Dancing with the Stars is a WGA-signatory production because it traditionally employs at least one WGA writer among its large crew. That status places the show squarely within the guild’s scope during the strike, and union members argue it should not be producing new material while negotiations remain unresolved.
“The WGA respects all writing whether it’s a single writer on a feature film with 500 people or it’s a single writer on a TV show with 500 people; it’s all the same to us and we’re going to protect writing across the board,” one WGA member involved in the picket told reporters. The writer added that because Dancing with the Stars is a signatory show, it should not be shooting at this time and that demonstrators intend to disrupt programming to encourage the network to return to the bargaining table with a reasonable offer.
Industry figures supporting the pickets argue that allowing non-union or replacement work—often described as “scab writing”—on a WGA-signatory show undermines solidarity across productions and could prolong the broader work stoppage. David Slack, executive producer of the television series MacGyver, summarized the concern, saying that if a major production moves forward with replacement writers, studios may be incentivized to wait out the strike rather than negotiate. According to Slack, while such moves might put one crew back to work temporarily, they risk extending the shutdown for many other crews throughout Los Angeles and beyond.
Protesters and supporting industry voices have also emphasized the wider economic impact of the strike, noting significant losses in local economic activity when large portions of the entertainment industry halt operations. Their aim with targeted pickets at high-visibility productions is to maximize pressure on studios and networks to resolve outstanding issues through negotiation.
As of the time of the pickets, Dancing with the Stars was scheduled to premiere its new season live on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesday, September 26. With picket lines in place and public pressure mounting, the future of the live premiere remains uncertain pending developments in the ongoing labor dispute and any decisions made by the network, producers, or participating talent.
The actions on September 20 reflect a coordinated strategy by the WGA to visibly challenge productions that fall under its jurisdiction. By holding rehearsals and promotional events under scrutiny, writers hope to reinforce union terms, protect writing jobs, and secure a fair outcome in negotiations that affect thousands of entertainment professionals.