The Writers Guild of America is going for the jugular.
The union is ripping the red carpet out from under the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.
OH, NO!
LOS ANGELES -- The union representing striking writers aimed a blow at the glamorous heart of Hollywood, refusing to allow its members to write for the Academy Awards or Golden Globe ceremonies.
The board of directors of the Writers Guild of America, West, decided not to give the academy an interim agreement for writing services, a person close to the guild said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment. The person declined to say when the decision had been made.
The guild's move raised the temperature in the already heated contract dispute between writers and studios. Talks aimed at ending the costly strike, now in its seventh week, broke down Dec. 7 in a flurry of insults that has yet to cease.
After talks ended, the alliance claimed guild leaders were trying to increase their power at the expense of members. Union leaders accused the alliance of "lies" aimed at sowing doubt and dissension in union ranks.
Now the guild is casting the strike shadow over the Oscars, the industry's key showcase for its finest films and hottest actors. The Golden Globes represent another important promotional vehicle.
With the strike drawing support from the Screen Actors Guild, which faces its own contract negotiations next year, actors' participation as Oscar guests and presenters might be affected — diminishing the star power that drive TV viewership.
Jon Stewart, a writers guild member, was announced as host of the 80th Academy Awards ceremony set for Feb. 24. Stewart has honored the strike: His "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central has been in reruns since the walkout began.
An e-mail sent to Stewart's publicist seeking comment was not immediately returned Monday night.
Was Stewart's publicist afraid to write an e-mail? Honor that strike!
Does this mean no Joan Rivers pre-ceremony shtick?
That's not a bad thing.
I realize that the longer the strike goes on, the greater the impact on individuals and the economy overall.
But maybe something good will come of it. People might learn that there are better things to do than watch TV.
Life without Hollywood writers and studios is still worth living. Imagine that.
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Meanwhile, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien will be back on TV with new shows on January 2.
As a viewer, that's good I guess.
It doesn't really matter to me. I've had no problem managing without them.
2 comments:
Actually both Jay and Conan have been reminded that since they are both WGA members they cannot perform writing services and as such under the WGA strike rules cannot perform any monologues or any pre-written material.....it's ugly.....
Meanwhile...David Letterman and his Worldwide Pants organization is negotiating SEPARATELY with the WGA as a entity as if it were a studio and may enter into a interim agreement whereby it WP agrees to the WGA demands in principle, thereby allowing Dave and his writers to return to work in full force....
The late night wars are about to get interesting....
I'm surprised that this strike has gone on this long.
When it comes to Jay and Conan, they will be walking a fine line.
Technically, whenever they make a joke, is that a product of their "writing"?
Off-the-cuff stuff doesn't count?
I don't know about Letterman's separate negotiations. The show's writers aren't exactly standing in solidarity with the union even if WP agrees to the WGA demands.
Once some shows start going back into production and writers get back to work, the WGA will lose some leverage.
OR, the studios may feel more pressure to settle.
It is ugly.
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