The producers of America's Next Top Model know its off-screen drama shows no signs of stopping. They want viewers to know that its on-screen drama doesn't either.

The CW's chief operating officer issued a statement to the fledgling network's affiliates Thursday, assuring local stations that the ongoing writers strike, while unfortunate, would not affect the production schedule or air dates of the reality-competition's fall season.

The seventh cycle of America's Next Top Model is set to launch the CW network on Sept. 20.

According to trade reports, John Maatta said that the Tyra Banks-hosted fierce-off would premiere without a hitch and that the season's subsequent 12 episodes would not be affected by the wannabe unionizing writers.

"Principal photography of this cycle has been completed," Maatta told the 200 affiliates in the letter. "Episodes are being edited as part of the post-production process; and the delivery of the episodes is on schedule."

In addition to reassuring the affiliates, the letter also served as damage control against a letter sent last month by Writers Guild of America executive director David Young.

According to TV Week, Young struck fear in station managers, telling them that "most episodes remain unfinished. Many of the writers of America's Next Top Model have worked on the show for several seasons and are concerned for the quality of this season if the show is produced without them."

Heavy words indeed for a show that's not only one of the CW's highest profile series but also expected to drive the network's ratings, which is why the show was tapped to usher in the network.

Of course, there's truth to both sides. While all episodes have been shot, not all have been completely edited, which is where the on-strike writers normally step in to mold the footage into a cohesive story.

Maatta, though, countered the claim that the show's quality was showing any signs of being in danger.

"Whatever steps necessary will be taken to continue delivering episodes that maintain the show's high standards," he said.

As for the WGA, the union says Maatta's obviously sweating.

"Maatta's letter clearly shows that the CW is on the defensive and having to address the concerns of nervous affiliates," the guild said in a statement Thursday.

The trouble started brewing on the model-making show when 12 of the show's writers went on strike last month, walking out of production after claiming the show's producers repeatedly denied requests for them to join the Writer's Guild of America, West, and have their tasks as "storytellers" be classified as writing, thus affording them the union pay and benefits given to writers of other TV genres.

For their part, Top Model producers say they aren't against granting the workers the right to unionize, but that the group must follow the proper steps.

The producers say the decision to recognize the union lies with the network, not them. They also claim, per the Hollywood Reporter, that the strikers must go through a lengthy process with the National Labor Relations Board to be granted union status.

In any case, said Maatta, "if this proves to be a lengthy dispute that has not been resolved by the onset of production for the next edition of the series, a contingency plan will be developed and whatever steps necessary will be taken to continue delivering episodes that maintain the show's high standards."

He was quick to note that should production resort to bringing in writing wringers, it would not happen for several months, as the eighth season isn't slated to air until next March.

It seems no one is immune from the Top Model drama.

Banks herself spoke out on the strike for the first time in a statement Thursday. "I respect the desire of any employee of America's Next Top Model who wants to be unionized," she said, "however this is not a decision I control.

"This is an industry-wide issue between the networks, studios and unions. I hope this matter is resolved as quickly as possible and on terms agreeable to all parties concerned."