Could it be? Is it possible? Are striking Hollywood writers really putting down their picket signs and heading back to work… so we can finally learn what happens to the ladies on Wisteria Lane post tornado?
Sort of.
It appears as though the three-and-a-half-month-old work stoppage is finally coming to an end. Hollywood producers reportedly caved in and agreed to give striking writers a piece of the profit that their work might make over the Internet. In exchange, the Guild had to end their fight to have their membership include animators and reality television players.
Hooray! Reruns be gone! Well… almost.
Here’s the rub: This morning the Writers Guild of America announced that its negotiating committee called for a contract ratification vote by the membership on an agreement that was deemed “appropriate.” However, the writers won’t be able to ratify the contract for several weeks. Still, according to WGA leaders, the membership will hold a vote Tuesday to end the strike, meaning the Academy Awards will go on as scheduled—-with writers and Jon Stewart as host. Reports say the earliest Oscar writers will be able to pen jokes for the February 24th Oscar telecast is late Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
So what was it that brought both sides back to the table? Besides the fact that the strike wrecked havoc with Los Angeles’ economy and left most TV fans turning off the tube and breaking out the board games and… gasp… books.
WGA negotiators sum it up in one word: Oscar. The writers group says Hollywood producers were fearful the same cancellation fate that befell the Golden Globes would repeat itself on February 24th.
“I think what happened with the Golden Globes was instrumental in getting this deal,” said the WGA’s Chief Negotiator David Young. “That is what brought the CEO’s to the table. They realized that the creative community was united in this strike and that with out creative talent they can’t produce anything. It was a huge symbol.”
Frankly, I doubt many TV fans care what led to the compromise. All they are concerned about is how long it’ll be before they see new episodes of their favorite shows again.
Do you agree?
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