CBS Puts Cast, Crew on 'Hiatus'

CBS Paramount Network TV notified the casts and crews on NCIS and Swingtown, which have gone dark because of the writers' strike, that they are being put on ''hiatus'' until production resumes. Sony notified its cast and crew of ''hiatus'' status on Nov. 9, drawing the ire of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which argue that it violates their contracts. SAG says the only options are to hold regulars at full pay or invoke ''force majeure'' provisions of the contract, which could include a five-week suspension at half-pay and termination of the actors' contracts. So far, Universal Media Studios is the only studio to formally comply with the force majeure provisions, as stated in letters to the casts of 30 Rock, The Office, and Bionic Woman. (Hollywood Reporter)