I try not to write about this stuff, because it just makes me mad. In a letter to SAG members last week Doug Allen,the guild’s national executive direction, made the absolutely insane claim that a SAG strike would not “shut down” the industry.

“If the SAG National Board is authorized to call a strike, we all hope a strike will not be necessary,” Allen wrote. “But, if the National Board decides to call one, it will not ‘shut down’ the industry. Why not? Because the national board’s decision would have no effect on work done under the Guild’s other contracts.”

I HATE that they’re putting me on the side of the AMPTP here, but I have to agree with their follow-up statement which read: “Today’s SAG statement suggesting that a SAG strike would not have a devastating impact on our industry, in the midst of the greatest economic turmoil since the Great Depression, simply defies reality,”

I sincerely hope that this crap stops soon – because if we end up losing another season of our favorite shows over a strike – I may just not come back to television.

The Screen Actor’s Guild is talking “Strike”.

We all know what happened last year with the WGA Strike, and hot it devastated not only the Hollywood economy, but television in general. The networks still haven’t really recovered ratings-wise, and shows that had steam behind them like “Pushing Daisies” were killed as a result of the Strike delays.

Now the fighting is starting up again between the AMPTP and SAG. SAG actors have been working under an expired contract since June 30th. The fight, of course, is over new media – just like it was for the writers. AMPTP wants them to agree to the same terms as the writers did and SAG doesn’t want to do that.

So they’re talking strike – and a vote is going to be taken. 75% of the SAG members have to vote for it for it to happen. I am seriously hoping that 75% of the actors in that union have more sense than that.

This economy is NOT the kind of economy where you can win a Strike like this. I understand that they want equal compensation for Internet distribution – but now is not the time for that fight. If they put thousands of hard working people out of work in this kind of economic climate, there will be no understanding from the general public, and SAG will be viewed as the villains in this morality play.

I hope, beyond hope, that they have the good sense to save this fight for another day. In a few years their case for online equality will be better served anyway. We have our fingers crossed here at TV Jab that this doesn’t happen. If it does, it will be absolutely devastating to this industry.

She’s killed aliens, she’s been possessed, and she’s even co-starred in Baby Mama (but we’ll let that one go)…now she’s heading to TV to help Eli Stone figure out his problems.

Sigourney Weaver is joining the cast of “Eli Stone” for a few episodes in its second season to help give the show the boost it needs to catch on with audiences. Katie Holmes has already agreed to drop by as well, and its likely others may end up dropping by before its all said and done.

Last season there was a big shake up on the season finale. The entire NCIS team was broken up. Now we have word that Rock Carroll is returning to the show as a regular cast member next season, and we’ll be getting three new cast members as well.

Johnathan Lapaglia will return in his role as Special Agent Brett Langer (this time as a regular). He will be joined by Liza Lapira playing Special Agent Michelle Lee, and Jonathan Magnum as Special Agent Daniel Keating.

They are all very special at NCIS apparently.

Long time fans need not worry, however, because Michael Weatherly, Sean Murray, and Cote de Pablo will all still be on the show.

Adam West, best known as the 1960s “Batman” or possibly “Mayor West” from “Family Guy”, may be back again on ABC according to the New York Post. West is being considered for a spot on the new season of “Dancing with the Stars”…even though he’s 80 years old.

West is in outstanding shape, and could be an interesting addition to the show. Final casting decisions are due on August 25, so if you’d like to see the Batusi make its way back to ABC you might want to let them know.

The cause of Isaac Hayes’ death on Sunday has been revealed as a stroke associated with chronic hypertension according to a statement released by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Hayes was 65 years old, and was found on Sunday lying unresponsive near a treadmill at his Tennessee home. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, and no autopsy is planned.

Isaac Hayes is best known for the theme song to the film “Shaft” and his infamous character Chef on “South Park”.

As further proof that Hollywood is running out of ideas, the 2002 Jennifer Lopez film “Maid in Manhattan” is heading to the small screen via ABC.

The plot from the original film was about a struggling single mother from the Bronx who works as a maid in a posh Manhattan hotel and falls in love with a rising politician.

This new television incarnation will be an hour long drama with the same basic premise of a struggling single mother from the Bronx working in a posh hotel – but instead of falling in love with a rising politician, this series will focus on her relationships with her co-workers.

This is the second attempt by ABC to turn the film into a series. Previously they had developed a script with a different writer for the 04-05 season.

MTV is airing promos for the upcoming VMA Awards. Many of you may remember that last year Britney Spears attempted to show the world she was “ok” by performing at the VMAs – and what she did was prove to the world that something was seriously wrong with her.

Now, after a few months of “getting her act together” she’s back in these new ads with VMA host Russell Brand. The commercials are very conversational and appear to be improvised. The joke behind them is pretty obvious (and pretty funny) as no one is talking about the elephant in the room…who is literally in the room in these ads.

Good Stuff.

Word around the street is that “Robot Chicken” mastermind Seth Green, and cohort Breckin Meyer are extremely close to signing a deal that would see them make multi-episode appearances on the third season of “Heroes”.

There is no official word on the names of their characters, but the rumor is that they will be playing comic book geeks who encounter one of the “heroes” in real life, and become involved in that heroes story.

ABC has ordered a pilot for an updated “Witches of Eastwick” TV series. This marks the 3rd time a series has been attempted based on the 1987 film. Previously Warner Bros TV attempted to do a series in 1992 for NBC, then again in 2002 for Fox.

Maggie Freeman of “Dawon’s Creek” fame is spear heading the script.

CBS is also on the train to remake town with the classic “Hawaii Five-O”. “Criminal Minds” executive producer and showrunner Ed Bernero is writing an update to the iconic 70s series. The show is expected to focus on Chris McGarret, son of Steve and the Hawaiian state police department from the original series.