Writers Strike Could Begin Monday

LOS ANGELES, November 2: The Writers Guild of America has
decided to go on strike after failing to reach a deal on the terms of a new
contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP),
and the walkout could begin as early as Monday.

The Negotiation Committee for the Writers Guild of America,
West and the Writers Guild of America, East, held a meeting with members last
night. Today, the WGAW Board and the WGAE Council will determine the next step
and will inform members of the strike date this afternoon.

This will be the first strike to hit Hollywood since 1988
and the initial effects will be felt by late-night shows such as Late Night
with David Letterman and The
Daily Show with Jon Stewart, which rely on
WGA members for their daily material.

The networks are said to have enough scripts to get them
through the February sweeps, and all have a slate of unscripted shows to begin
filling their schedules once they run out of scripted fare. The move will,
however, take a toll on California’s economy and will put many businesses that
service the Hollywood studios’ productions in jeopardy.

AMPTP has said that it is willing to continue negotiations
into the weekend. The two sides have been deadlocked over DVD and new-media
residuals.

—By Mansha Daswani