Jan. 15, 2008
WGA May Strike Grammys, OKs NAACP Awards
Musicians Holding SAG Cards Might Not Cross Picket Lines At Grammys
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Justin Timberlake, shown here in a scene from the movie "Alpha Dog," is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. The Golden Globes were canceled after SAG members refused to cross the picket lines of striking writers — will the same thing happen at the Grammys? (Universal Studios/Darren Michaels)
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In The Spotlight TV Strike! How is the writers' strike affecting viewers? It depends on the kind of show.
Grammy organizers have yet to ask for a waiver allowing writers to work on the show - and if requested, "it is unlikely to be granted," Writers Guild of America spokesman Gregg Mitchell said.
The Recording Academy said it did not have an immediate comment.
Meanwhile, the guild said it would allow its members to work on the NAACP Image Awards and would not picket the Feb. 14 show at the Shrine Auditorium.
The Image Awards honor those who promote diversity in the arts. Awards in 44 categories, including movies, TV and literature, will be presented in the ceremony broadcast live on Fox.
"Because of the historic role the NAACP has played in struggles like ours, we think this decision is appropriate to jointly achieve our goals," guild leader Patric Verrone said at a news conference.
The writers guild refused to grant a waiver for last weekend's Golden Globe awards and threatened to picket that event.Photos: Singers Who Act
Actors were advised by their union to stay away from the ceremony, prompting Globes organizers to replace the normally glitzy telecast with a scaled-down news conference lacking stars, glamour and ad revenue.
Next month's Academy Awards could face the same fate.
The writers guild said it had not yet decided whether to picket the Feb. 10 Grammys ceremony, set to air live on CBS.
Screen Actors Guild spokeswoman Pamela Greenwalt said her union's members "have been unwilling to cross a picket line and we anticipate that solidarity will continue."
In a separate development, four major studios have canceled dozens of writers' contracts in a possible concession that the current television season cannot be saved, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The deals were terminated by 20th Century Fox Television, CBS Paramount Network Television, NBC Universal and Warner Bros.
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- Does this mean that the neonazi agitprop editorial writers at Fox news are gone?
It would be nice, but somehow, I doubt it. - Reply to this comment
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
