‘88 strike survivor ponders a new round
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USA Network’s ‘The 4400’ is on hiatus, but that didn’t stop showrunner Ira Steven Behr from joining his writing colleagues on the picket line at Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach on Monday.
Behr is a 1988 strike survivor. He lost many friends during that contentious 22-week strike and stood by the cause, even though financially it couldn’t have come at a worse time. His baby daughter had just been born and he was ‘in a precarious financial situation.’
Now, that daughter is in college and an almost 16-year-old son is in private school and though Behr is in a better financial situation, he also has more expenses.
‘I’m not jumping for joy, but like last time I will stand by it ‘til the bitter end,’ Behr said. ‘Back then, residuals helped to get me through and I was able to stay at home with my baby on my lap and bond with her and that’s what helped me stay sane. This time around there’s this feeling that is for all of us and for all the young kids that are coming up. This is important.’
Behr said he has not ‘sat down to put together an equation,’ but he is concerned about how his family will be able to make ends meet. December will bring the added expense of the holidays and it will also be time to pay his Laurel Canyon property tax, ‘and that will be a five-figure bite.’
‘The 4400’ is scheduled to begin production in December, but Behr will not be there unless the strike comes to an end. Additionally, he has sacrificed the development of three other projects at other networks.
‘Now that won’t happen for who knows how long,’ he said. ‘But, you know, I believe this is worth it.’
--Maria Elena Fernandez