Writers Guild of America news stories on Newser

Social Network, Inception Win at WGAs

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 07:11:44 CST

The sci-fi smash Inception and Facebook drama The Social Network took top screenplay honors last night at the Writers Guild Awards. Inception writer Christopher Nolan won for best original screenplay and The Social Network writer Aaron Sorkin won for best adapted screenplay. The Social Network, was the heavy favorite Sorkin...

Freelance Jokesters Pen Late-Night Laughs

Matt Cantor — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:05:43 CDT

Late-night hosts don’t get all their gags in-house—scores of wannabe comedy writers bombard the likes of Jay and Dave with their one-liners, the Los Angeles Times reports, then anxiously wait for the show to air "to find out if you got a joke on or not,” says one. The...

Leno Scabbed on Own Show During Writers Strike: Union

Harry Kimball — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:09:01 CST

The Writers Guild of America claims Jay Leno broke union rules when he hit the air with his own material during the 2007-08 strike, the Los Angeles Time s reports. Leno denies wrongdoing. The accusation against the host, who was publicly supportive of striking writers, was kept mum until he...

Hey, Tara, the Strike Is Over

Sarah Quinn — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:39:00 CDT

The Hollywood writers' strike ended in February, but it lives on for Tara Reid, Fox News reports. The American Pie actress last week said she'll "go back into acting once the strike stops." While she waits it out, Reid is focusing on a clothing line inspired by self-help bestseller The...

Actors Guild Suffers Blow as Smaller Union OKs Contract

Jim O'Neill — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:19:00 CDT

Despite a campaign by the larger Screen Actors Guild to convince them otherwise, members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists yesterday approved a new contract with Hollywood studios, the Los Angeles Times reports. The ratification is seen as signaling weak support for an actors strike as SAG...

Actors' Family Feud Creates More Hollywood Labor Unrest

Jim O'Neill — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:45:03 CDT

In the escalation of a long-simmering turf war, the largest Hollywood actors union is attempting to scuttle a deal reached by its smaller rival with studios, the Los Angeles Times reports. Though the Screen Actors Guild isn't planning to strike when its contract expires tonight, it's urging members who also...

Writers Strike Fallout Lingers Behind the Scenes

Nick McMaster — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:57:48 CDT

Even though the writers’ strike ended 2 month ago, TV production crew members are still working less than usual and feeling the financial burn, the LA Times reports. The networks took a cautious approach after the strike, putting many shows on hold until next season and ordering fewer episodes of...

Where Did the Ratings Go?

Harry Kimball — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:43:30 CDT

Television shows hoping for welcoming arms after a strike-imposed hiatus are out of luck: Viewership is down sharply for scripted shows, in many cases more than 10%, the Hollywood Reporter notes. The exception appears to be CBS’ Monday night lineup, which is up after returning ahead of most other shows...

Clooney, WGA Part Ways Over Disputed Credit

Matt Cantor — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:41:06 CDT

George Clooney has all but severed his ties to the Writers Guild after a dispute over screenwriting credit for the new film Leatherheads , reports Variety . The film's director, co-producer, and star says he overhauled a weak script, but a 2-to-1 arbitration vote went against him. He didn't publicize the move...