Deal to End Hollywood Writers’ Strike May Be Near

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

Source: New York Times

Informal talks between representatives of Hollywood’s writers and production companies eliminated the major roadblocks to a new contract, opening the prospect of a tentative agreement between the parties as early as next week, according to people who were briefed on the situation but requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak.

A deal would end a crippling writers strike that is now entering its fourth month.

The agreement may come without renewed formal negotiations between the parties, though both sides still need to agree on specific language of key provisions. If that process goes smoothly, an agreement may be presented to the governing boards of the striking Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East by the end of next week, the people said.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/business/media/02cnd-writers.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

[Zhade]

1. We'll see.

It all depends on if the untrustworthy AMPTP, who has lied repeatedly over the decades, finally relents and reaches a fair deal with the writers on residuals.

[Me.]

2. As Early As Next Week?

Lord love us while the parties mosey down the negotiation aisle. This thing is heading into week 14....get it done.

[annabanana]

3. HA! Now I can get my hairy son to shave his beard!

He was looking for an excuse not to shave (It's not that he really likes the beard.. ) so he said it was a "writers strike beard" and he also threatened not to do the class work in his writing class. . .

I love the kid, but he drives me nutz.

[Me.]

4. Good

A positive outcome for someone.

[villager]

5. he's "on strike" in his writing *class?*

;-)

[aquart]

7. That's his god-given purpose, you know.

[Roland99]

6. Good, cuz this past Thur. I was able to "get my Lost on" and they only have 6 shows filmed!

:)

[eggplant]

10. Actually, they've got eight in the can.

But that's clearly not enough for those of us who have been Jonesing this long.

I wonder who the creepy guy who came to see Hurley was?

[kimmylavin]

8. God, I hope so.

My husband, my friends... we all need to get back to work!

[Coexist]

9. I hope you do!

[Zhade]

11. Same here!

But only if it's a fair deal. Writers aren't going to take a 90% pay cut in residuals they rightfully earned. The AMPTP must bend. They are in the wrong, not the WGA.

Here's hoping...

[kimmylavin]

12. Oh, I agree.

I want this to end with a fair deal, not just end...

[rumpycrunch]

13. If you ask me...

The ridiculous political coverage (CNN's jumbo flashy touch screens and silly "best political team" roundtables) is better and funnier than any show the networks have had in the past year. I hope the writers get their deal but I'll stick with "news network reality TV".