Strike: Signs Still Promising

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Hollywood remains guardedly optimistic about an end to the writers strike, now entering its 13th week, Variety reports.


Informal talks between the studios and leaders of the Writers Guild of America are expected to continue today.


Both sides continued to observe the news blackout, instituted last week when the WGA accepted the majors’ invitation to start meeting. The sessions — widely viewed as de facto negotiations — have apparently been productive, but the outcome remains uncertain.


There’s another sign of a thaw in the chilly relationship between scribes and congloms: With no advance fanfare, CBS Corp. supremo Leslie Moonves broke bread with WGA leaders Patrick Verrone and David Young on Friday. The trio, along with CBS labor relations chief Harry Isaacs, had dinner at a private dining room inside the Four Seasons Hotel.


Both the Moonves dinner and the off-the-record chats are being interpreted as hopeful signs that the two parties will restart formal talks soon.


The town’s still hoping the WGA strike will end soon enough to bring about a picket-free Oscarcast on Feb. 24.


Should the WGA picket the Oscars, the ceremonies would likely be devoid of stars, since SAG has been staunchly supportive of the scribes during the strike. SAG and the WGA have planned a “unity day” noon rally outside Fox Studios today.


Read the full Variety story

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