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Night the Music Died: Strike Whamming Grammys

Writers ask stars to honor their picket line

By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 15, 2008 5:33 AM CST
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(Newser) – The Writers Guild of America has asked members of the Screen Actors Guild to refrain from crossing their picket line at the Feb. 10 Grammy Awards, the second major awards show likely to be hurt by the union's strike. Stars are expected to avoid the presentations if they proceed as planned. Grammy nominees Bruce Springsteen, the Beastie Boys, Joni Mitchell, John Mellencamp and Steve Earle have not yet crossed picket lines, reports Variety.

The Recording Academy has not asked for a waiver to permit writers to work for the show, but if officials do, “it is unlikely to be granted," said a guild spokesman. This is the 50th anniversary of the awards, and the Recording Academy had hoped to present historical retrospectives, which would require writers. The struck Golden Globes Awards ceremony was reduced Sunday to a press conference announcing winners.

Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academyin a Sept. 12, 2007, file photo. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academyin a Sept. 12, 2007, file photo. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)   (Associated Press)
Justin Timberlake poses backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards in this Sept. 9, 2007, file photo in Las Vegas. Timberlake was nominated for five Grammys, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007, including record of the year for, What Goes Around Comes Around. The Grammy Awards scheduled for Feb. 10 2008 are...
Justin Timberlake poses backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards in this Sept. 9, 2007, file photo in Las Vegas. Timberlake was nominated for five Grammys, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007, including record of the...   (Associated Press)
Jonie Mitchell at the Stormy Weather concert in this 2002 file photo. She is one of this year's Grammy nominees unlikely to cross the Writers Guild of America picket line.
Jonie Mitchell at the Stormy Weather concert in this 2002 file photo. She is one of this year's Grammy nominees unlikely to cross the Writers Guild of America picket line.   (Getty Images)
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